Phillip Chua - Naturopath & Herbalist

09/02/2026

If the gut could talk it would say, ‘I’m under-resourced and over-reacting. Please send meat stock.’

08/02/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
Did you know that around 𝟳𝟬–𝟴𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝘁, largely via the microbiome?

When there are abnormal changes to the balance of the terrain and flora within our gut, then a few things happen.

These microbes produce toxins that:
• damage the gut lining
• disrupt immune signalling
• increase systemic inflammation.

This is why feeding the gut involves more than nutritionals alone — it also requires a deeper focus on how food supports and enhances the healing of the gut.

It is also why some of my common recommendations in clinic focus around food based interventions. These foods don’t just ‘feed the body’—they 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 that immune balance depends on.

Autoimmunity improves when the microbiome improves.
It's interconnected.

06/02/2026

A nourished immune system behaves very differently from a hungry one.

06/02/2026

Learning how the gut influences immune function can change the way you view your symptoms—and your options. If you’d like guidance grounded in physiology, nutrition and the GAPS framework, reach out to explore what support could look like for you.

🔗 Link in bio: https://www.phillipchua.com/book-online-1

05/02/2026

A healthy gut lining is made of tightly bound cells, forming a barrier that protects the bloodstream. Inflammation, infections, medications, stress and nutrient deficiencies can loosen these junctions.

When that happens, three major troublemakers enter circulation:
• undigested food proteins
• toxins
• microbial fragments.

Over an extended period of time, constant immune activation leads to 𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, immune exhaustion and, eventually, autoimmune responses.

What this means is that, although autoimmune conditions can be varied in presentation, there are often common underpinnings. Thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, eczema, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes—they share this same starting point.

Different symptoms, same root. Removing gut irritants and supplying healing foods allows the barrier to repair, reducing immune overload.

What’s powerful here is that gut lining cells regenerate quickly when given the right conditions. Healing is not only possible—it’s expected.

Want to start your healing journey? Let’s chat. 🔗 Link in bio: https://www.phillipchua.com/book-online-1

04/02/2026

Suppressing immune symptoms without gut support is like muting the smoke alarm instead of putting out the fire.

02/02/2026

Keep the good relaxation vibes going with turkey!
Turkey is high in some essential amino acids that are heavily involved in relaxation, which some of us can use around this time of year.

https://www.phillipchua.com/post/2017/12/23/turkey-balls

Deciding what to put on the menu for Christmas time can be a challenge. Although we want to have the all time favorites we sometimes want to mix things up a bit and try something different. Turkey is high in some essential amino acids that are heavily involved in relaxation, which some of us can use...

01/02/2026

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 – 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭
Autoimmune disease is often wrongly described as the body ‘attacking itself’, but this framing misses something crucial.

The immune system isn’t confused or broken. It’s 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.

In the GAPS model, autoimmunity begins when the gut lining becomes damaged. The gut wall is meant to be selectively permeable—letting nutrients through while keeping toxins, microbes and partially digested food out of the bloodstream.

When that barrier breaks down, things that don’t belong in the blood start slipping through.

The immune system sees these particles as invaders and does exactly what it was designed to do: it attacks.

Over time, repeated exposure to these antigens can trigger 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆, where immune cells mistake the body’s own tissues for the foreign proteins they resemble. This is where autoimmune conditions begin to take shape.

From this perspective, autoimmunity is not the enemy.
It’s a 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲.

Let’s get to the root cause. Make a booking with me today. 🔗 Link in bio: https://www.phillipchua.com/book-online-1

30/01/2026

Next month, we are turning our focus to autoimmune disease.
We’ll be exploring what’s really going on in the body, the role of gut health and immunity and natural ways to support balance and healing.
If you or someone you love is affected by autoimmune conditions, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

29/01/2026

If you’re dealing with ongoing gut symptoms, low energy, food reactions or feeling stuck despite trying multiple approaches, a discovery call can help bring clarity.

This is a short, relaxed phone call where we:
- talk through what’s been happening in your body
- look at how digestion, immunity, stress, and food may be connected
- explore whether a gut-focused, GAPS-informed approach is appropriate for you.

There’s no pressure and no obligation — just a conversation to see if we’re the right fit. Let’s talk.

🔗 Link in bio: https://www.phillipchua.com/book-online-1

28/01/2026

Ordering another supplement off the internet isn’t going to solve long standing gut issues. Neither is putting your symptoms into Google and expecting accurate information.

Working with where you are at and working step by step is how you get lasting results.

Want to work with me? Book now.
https://www.phillipchua.com/

26/01/2026

Wondering what to cook that supports your gut and tastes delicious too? Check out the wholesome, family-friendly recipes on my website—from nourishing meals to satisfying snacks and guilt-free sweets. Real food, real healing.

Link in bio. https://www.phillipchua.com/