Dr Laurell Matthews ND

08/18/2025

I have been recommending Lithium orotate to people with a history of Alzheimer's in their family for over a decade. Now, the latest research has me wondering if we should all take low dose lithium.

Harvard Medical School scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery linking lithium to Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Their research found that lithium levels are significantly lower even in the earliest stages of memory loss. Amyloid-beta plaques, known to cause Alzheimer’s, bind to lithium in the brain, reducing its availability and speeding up the disease’s progression.

This study marks the first time lithium, widely used in psychiatric medicine, has been shown to naturally exist in the brain at important biological levels. In mouse models, lithium depletion caused a rapid buildup of harmful amyloid-beta and tau proteins, increased brain inflammation, and worsened cognitive decline.

The breakthrough came when researchers used lithium orotate, a form of lithium that avoids binding with amyloid-beta plaques. At very low doses, lithium orotate reversed memory loss and other Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice without any toxicity. While human trials are still needed, this discovery opens the door to lithium testing as a way to identify people at risk and the potential for targeted lithium supplementation to prevent or even restore cognitive function in dementia patients.

This exciting development could transform the future of Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention, offering new hope to millions worldwide.

08/03/2025

It’s not always what you’re eating—it’s what your body does with it. Maybe you've tried a low-histamine diet and cut out other triggers—yet still feel awful. You’re not alone. The truth is: your body’s ability to clear histamine matters just as much as what you eat. Many folks assume they have “histamine intolerance.” Others are told that if their labs or symptoms don’t meet full Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) criteria, nothing can be done....

It’s not always what you’re eating—it’s what your body does with it. Maybe you’ve tried a low-histamine diet and cut out other triggers—yet still feel awful. You’re not alone. The truth is: y…

07/30/2025

This is the most beautiful little frog I have ever seen. The photo doesn't even quite capture how glowing and golden it looked sitting on my cucumber leaves. Does anyone know what type of frog this is?

07/25/2025

This will be one of my best years for growing winter squash. And this trellis of t-posts and wire makes them much more manageable. These plants bring me a ridiculous amount of joy. You have to celebrate the little things.

07/20/2025

Look who came to visit! A bumblebee moth! We have the best diversity in our flower beds this year, and I am happy it is attracting new friends like this.

07/10/2025

I am grateful for all of volunteers in my garden including dill, cilantro, squash, and a tomato plant. This sunflower is my favorite. It must be a cross between the varieties I grew last year and is more robust than any of them.

07/01/2025

I’ve really been enjoying the sights and sounds of nature this year, especially the birdsong. I’ve been making an extra effort to slow down during my breaks to watch and listen.

And then there are days like this, when this little cutie and its twin show up in the yard. 🥹

I’m so grateful for these chances to pause and connect with the natural world. Even a brief moment in nature can have a profound effect on our wellbeing.

06/14/2025

Not every garden is Insta-perfect—and that’s okay. 🌱
There are more weeds than I’d like to admit, and many of these plants are just getting started because I planted them later than planned. Life has been full, and the garden reflects that.

But this space—messy, growing, and deeply alive—is still my sanctuary.

Here’s to showing up for our real lives, not just the filtered ones. 💚

06/14/2025

Sweet brothers!! 💙 💙 💙

06/07/2025

Do you struggle with IBS symptoms like cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation—but nothing seems to help? You’re not alone. Many people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome go years without clear answers or lasting relief. But new research suggests many of these cases may be driven by a form of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) that affects the gut. Let’s connect the dots on how “leaky gut” and food reactions can trigger mast cells to release excessive histamine and serotonin—contributing to pain, motility issues, and impaired nutrient absorption....

Do you struggle with IBS symptoms like cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation—but nothing seems to help? You’re not alone. Many people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome go years without clear an…

05/05/2025

Sexy fun times are a blast—but they’re also when women are at greatest risk for a urinary tract infection (UTI).Fun friction can push bacteria from the vaginal or a**l area toward the urethra, giving those microbes a direct path into the bladder. Once you’ve had one UTI, your risk of having another increases significantly. And we have now found that UTIs can increase your risk of other health issues, including rheumatoid arthritis people with certain genetics....

Sexy fun times are a blast—but they’re also when women are at greatest risk for a urinary tract infection (UTI).Fun friction can push bacteria from the vaginal or a**l area toward the urethra, givi…

05/02/2025

Tell me about some of your favorite clean body care products? There are always new great options available. I just started using this new fluoride free toothpaste. Instead of fluoride, it uses calcium and micro sized particles of hydroxyapatite to help strengthen surface enamel.