Brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine undoubtedly affect the quality of our day but did you know that we have frogs to thank for the first discovery of neurotransmitters in 1921? Austrian Nobel prize winner Otto Loewi’s inspiration to set up the groundbreaking experiment that discovered neurotransmitters came to him in a dream. A dream that would … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 52: Most prescribed – Saffron for Mental Health
Saffron has taken its place as one of the pillars of herbal medicine for mental health, and in this episode, take a deep dive with Philip on how it might help you. Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! Welcome to the first in a new series of episodes of Free and Inspired Radio called Most … [Read more...]
Most Prescribed: Saffron for Mental Health
Those who know me well, both personally and professionally, know two things. The first is that everything is "my favourite", and the second is that I love prescribing saffron clinically for mental health. The story of my love affair with saffron began almost ten years ago. On a whim, I travelled interstate to Sydney to attend an informal fireside chat with two world leaders … [Read more...]
What is the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)?
The dietary inflammatory index or DII helps link diet, inflammation and disease development. Now in its second iteration, the index brings together forty-five different parameters to assess the inflammatory potential of your diet.[1] Over the last fifteen years, researchers have been collating studies highlighting different foods and their contributions to chronic … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 48: Is your blood sugar affecting your anxiety and depression?
Suppose the causes that affect your depression and anxiety may not be what you expect? In this Free and Inspired radio episode, learn how your blood sugar might affect your mood and anxiety. Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! Personal responsibility disclaimer: If there comes a time when you feel like … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 47: A Beginner’s Guide to Probiotics – Part 2
Welcome to part two of one of the most downloaded Free and Inspired radio episodes – A Beginner’s Guide to probiotics. Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! In part one of the guide, which you can listen to here, find out what a probiotic is and some tips and tricks to get started if you’ve never taken … [Read more...]
How to choose the right probiotic for you.
Is there a way to choose the right probiotic for you? The value of the global probiotics market in 2021 was just under sixty billion US dollars.[1] That’s a lot of options when it comes to choosing the right probiotic for you. A basic search for probiotics on iHerb, the popular online supplement retailer, can deliver up to five hundred confusing options. For example, … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 45: Neuroinflammation – its symptoms and causes.
Neuroinflammation is one of the clearest connections between the gut, brain, and immune system. Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! Neuroinflammation is a broad term for an inflammatory response in the brain or the spinal cord. There could be a different name for neuroinflammation - a hot … [Read more...]
What is neuroinflammation, its symptoms and its causes?
Neuroinflammation is a broad term for an inflammatory response in the brain or the spinal cord.[1] I have a different name for it—a hot brain. One of most people’s first experiences of neuroinflammation is when they get the flu. When we get sick, the immune system uses inflammation to mobilise or activate its different components to respond to the … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 43: Melatonin for IBS and Depression?
In this episode of Free and Inspired radio, discover how Melatonin works in the body. For example, find out how it interacts with other hormones such as cortisol, some things you didn’t know (Melatonin and IBS?!) and, of course, some guidelines on how to take it. Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite … [Read more...]