Leesa Webb - Naturopath and Remedial Massage

30/03/2026

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27/03/2026

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A large international genetic study has identified vitamin B1 (thiamine) metabolism as a surprising factor influencing how often people have bowel movements. Published in Gut (January 2026), researchers analysed genetic data from 268,606 individuals of European and East Asian ancestry to investigate stool frequency, a commonly used proxy for gut motility. They identified 21 independent gene loci, including 10 novel signals implicating bile acid synthesis (KLB) and cholinergic signalling (COLQ). Fine-mapping pointed strongly toward two genes involved in thiamine transport and activation, SLC35F3 (a thiamine transporter) and XPR1 (phosphate exporter essential for thiamine activation).

This B1 connection was then reinforced by the scientists’ analysis of observational data from nearly 100,000 UK Biobank participants. It showed that higher dietary (food-derived, supplemental intervention was not assessed) thiamine intake was associated with more frequent bowel movements, with the strength of this relationship significantly modified by an individual’s genetic profile. Specifically, the combined SLC35F3/XPR1 genotype score significantly modulated this effect (p

21/03/2026

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What seems impossible is unfolding in gut-brain axis research centers where scientists have demonstrated for the first time that specific gut bacterial species — including Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum — directly produce serotonin precursors and GABA in the intestinal lumen, with these molecules crossing into circulation and measurably altering brain neurotransmitter levels — providing the first direct mechanistic evidence that gut dysbiosis causes depression through neurotransmitter depletion, not merely correlates with it.

The study transplanted microbiomes from depressed human donors into germ-free mice — the animals developed identical depression-like behavioral signatures within 14 days, with their brain serotonin levels dropping by 40% compared to controls receiving healthy donor microbiomes. Reversing the dysbiosis with targeted probiotic restoration eliminated depressive behavior within 7 days. This is not a correlation. The bacteria are the cause. Every antidepressant prescribed while the gut microbiome remains broken is addressing the symptom while ignoring the factory that makes the molecule the symptom requires.

19/03/2026

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Pregnancy massages are great for a calm mum! 🤰

Research shows that your nervous system began forming long before you were born.

Inside the womb, your body was learning from your mother.
Her breath.
Her stress levels.
Her emotions.
Her sense of safety or lack of it.

Through something called prenatal programming, a mother’s internal state can shape a baby’s developing stress response system. Stress hormones like cortisol can cross the placenta, influencing the baby’s brain and nervous system. If her body was often in survival mode, yours may have been wired to expect the same.

This can impact things like:
- how easily you feel overwhelmed
- how safe you feel in your body
- how quickly you go into fight, flight, or freeze

And it didn’t stop at birth…

The tone of her voice.
The look on her face.
The way she held you.
The energy she carried.
The pace of her life.

All of it continued shaping your nervous system. Because before you could self-regulate, you had to co-regulate.

This isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness and understanding.

Because if her body didn’t feel safe, your body may still be bracing, holding tension, scanning for danger without even knowing why.

So much of what you feel didn’t start with you.

It’s intergenerational. Passed down through patterns, biology, and what we now understand as epigenetics.

Not always as clear memories, but as implicit imprints in the body.

And while you may carry patterns that don’t serve you, you also carry her strength, resilience, and her ability to survive.

Here’s the part that matters most:

Inheritance is not destiny.

What was wired, can be rewired.

Your nervous system is not fixed.

Through new experiences, safe relationships, breath, movement, and awareness, you can begin to show your body something different.

A slower pace.
A softer breath.
A sense of safety where you no longer have to brace.

This is how generational patterns begin to shift.

Not just through thinking, but through the body.

And it can start with you.

18/03/2026

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17/03/2026

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14/03/2026

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A recent laboratory study suggests that tamarind, a fruit widely consumed in Asia and Africa, may help the body eliminate microplastics.
Microplastics—tiny plastic particles now detected in human blood, organs, and even brain tissue—are difficult for the body to remove naturally and may pose long-term health risks.
Researchers found that certain compounds in tamarind seeds can bind to microplastic particles, potentially helping the body gather and expel them.
In controlled experimental settings, participants who consumed tamarind extract showed higher levels of microplastics in their waste compared to control groups.
The study was conducted by researchers at Tarleton State University in Texas, who are investigating plant-based compounds that may help remove microplastics from biological systems.

28/02/2026

https://www.sciencealert.com/hidden-virus-found-in-gut-bacteria-is-linked-to-colorectal-cancer?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQPusJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe0Mwd0WDxvWFPn_thqVYkHLdDLm18V-DloNTYtVOoYfa4pqUQxXbVkH9b45s_aem_sOQK3ZJLjxic5sON0niNIw

Researchers have made a significant step forward in understanding how gut bacteria, and specifically a newly discovered virus, can contribute to colorectal cancer – one of the most common forms of cancer in the developed world.

25/02/2026

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What is Abhyanga — the Ayurvedic self-oil massage practice used for lymphatic drainage, morning depuffing, and nervous system regulation.This is one of many ...

22/02/2026

Gut inflammation can have effects far beyond digestion. The intestinal lining normally acts as a selective barrier, allowing nutrients to pass while keeping immune signals contained. When inflamed, this barrier becomes more permeable, letting immune molecules and inflammatory signals leak into the bloodstream.

These leaked signals activate the immune system across the body. The liver and circulating immune cells interpret them as threats, increasing systemic inflammation that can affect multiple organs. At the same time, damaged intestinal cells reduce nutrient absorption, redirecting energy toward immune defense instead of digestion.

The consequences are far-reaching. Gut inflammation doesn’t stay localized—it turns the intestine into a hub of circulating immune signals that influence overall health. Maintaining a healthy gut lining is critical for nutrient absorption, energy balance, and controlling inflammation throughout the body.

22/02/2026

Remedial massage isn’t just relaxation — it’s evidence-informed therapy that supports pain management, recovery, and long-term musculoskeletal health.
Here’s what’s happening physiologically:

• Relaxes tight muscles – Stimulates mechanoreceptors to reduce tension and stiffness.
•Improves circulation – Increases blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to assist tissue repair.
•Supports pain reduction – Encourages the release of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine while helping lower stress hormones such as cortisol.
•Assists lymphatic flow – Aids removal of metabolic waste and supports inflammation management.
•Enhances mobility – Releases tight fascia and muscle restrictions to improve range of motion.
•Reduces DOMS – Speeds recovery after training or physical load.
•Modulates pain signals – Utilises gate control theory, where non-painful input can dampen pain perception at spinal cord level.

Whether you’re rehabilitating an injury, managing chronic pain, or aiming to optimise performance, remedial massage is a targeted, clinically grounded approach to supporting your body.