Wellness with April

04/12/2025

If your nitric oxide levels are low, your body starts aging faster and it often begins in the mouth. These bacteria are responsible for converting nitrates from leafy greens into nitric oxide, the molecule that keeps your blood vessels flexible, your brain sharp, and your energy steady.

When mouthwash, poor sleep, or mouth breathing wipe out those bacteria, your nitric oxide production drops.

That means slower metabolism, lower libido, and higher cardiovascular risk, even if you’re doing everything else right.

Here’s how to support your nitric oxide and oral microbiome naturally:
✅ Stop using alcohol mouthwash. It kills the very bacteria that make nitric oxide.

✅ Breathe through your nose. Nasal breathing activates nitric oxide production and improves oxygen flow.

✅ Eat nitrate-rich foods daily. Think beets, arugula, and spinach they feed your oral bacteria what they need to thrive.

✅ Hydrate consistently. Saliva carries the nitrates that bacteria use to create nitric oxide.

✅ Use prebiotic oral care. Choose mineralizing toothpaste and rinses that support, not strip, your microbiome.

Your longevity isn’t just written in your DNA, it’s written in your bacteria. Take care of your oral microbiome, and it will take care of your heart, brain, and metabolism for years to come.

21/11/2025

We talk so much about nutrition, exercise and stress… but one of the biggest contributors to our wellbeing is often the one we overlook most: sleep.

Good sleep supports:
✅Long-term health and longevity
✅ Brain function, memory and mood
✅Balanced blood sugar and fewer cravings
✅ More energy and productivity during the day

In my new blog post, I’m sharing the research behind why sleep is so essential — and offering simple, practical tips to help you sleep better: from improving your sleep hygiene to creating the perfect bedtime routine.

If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed or just not quite yourself lately, this one might really help. 💜

🔗Read the full post here: https://www.wellnesswithapril.co.uk/post/the-power-of-sleep-your-most-underrated-wellness-tool

07/11/2025

Did you know when you eat can be just as important as what you eat?

Our bodies thrive on rhythm and consistency — but modern life doesn’t always make that easy. In my newest blog, I talk about how meal timing affects digestion, sleep, and energy, and unpack the difference between time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting (hint: they’re not the same thing!).

If you’ve ever wondered whether that late-night snack or 10pm dinner might be affecting how you feel the next day… this one’s for you. 💜

👉 Read the full post here: https://www.wellnesswithapril.co.uk/post/timing-is-everything-why-when-you-eat-matters-just-as-much-as-what-you-eat

26/09/2025

Ever wondered why continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are suddenly everywhere? They’re not just for people with diabetes anymore… these tiny devices are transforming the way we understand health, energy, and even weight management. ⚖️

From showing you how your morning oats affect your body (yes, we all respond differently!) to helping reduce inflammation and boost long-term wellness, CGMs offer real-time insights into your blood sugar like never before.

Curious how they work — and why they might just be the most powerful health tool you haven’t tried yet?

👉 Read my latest blog post to find out: https://www.wellnesswithapril.co.uk/post/what-is-a-continuous-glucose-monitor-and-why-everyone-s-talking-about-them

What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor and why using one may improve your health.

08/09/2025

Individuals with treated with stimulants have a nonnegligible risk of developing psychosis or bipolar disorder, with a higher risk associated with amphetamines compared to methylphenidate. https://ja.ma/4ge35bC

29/08/2025

Do you know your vagus nerve? This is a follow on from my last blog post about your autonomic nervous system (ANS). Your vagus nerve is a major player in your rest and digest arm of the ANS. I share some way to stimulate it for improved vagal tone, better digestion, improved health and well-being as well as stress reduction. Check it out.

The vagus nerve and stress, digestion, health and well being.

20/08/2025

Do you know your nervous system and its branches? Do you know how to quickly and easily influence it into a more rest, digest, heal, and grow state? Inside my latest blog you will learn many free, quick, and simple ways to bring down your physiological stress levels, get better sleep and improve your digestion all in one go. Check it out...

https://www.wellnesswithapril.co.uk/post/get-to-know-your-autonomic-nervous-system-sympathetic-vs-parasympathetic-and-how-to-influence-it

If you’ve ever felt that rush when you have to slam on the brakes while driving, you’ve met your sympathetic nervous system. If you’ve slid into a genuinely restorative nap while sitting in the sun, you’ve met its quieter counterpart, the parasympathetic. These are the two main branches of y...

19/08/2025

The buzz is all around Longevity in the wellness space, but let's have a moment to examine that phrase. When we talk about longevity, it’s easy to think only in terms of lifespan—how many years we live. But there’s another arguably more important concept to focus on: healthspan. Healthspan is about how well you live throughout those years. It’s your ability to stay active, sharp, mobile, and independent—without being sidelined by chronic illness, injury, or fatigue. Here are some global trends to consider:
1) Women generally live longer than men in nearly all countries and historical periods.
2) This difference is not unique to humans, as s*x differences in aging patterns are observed in many other species. Biological differences have been explored, but what about the sociocultural influences? Women are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, yet conversations tend to ignore the s*x and gender differences in education, occupation, caregivng burden, and socioeconomic status; all which tend to be lower than mens', and all which contribute to lower cognitive reserve. We need to keep looking holistically at the issues around healthspan; not just the top 1% of interventions of bro-science.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3He7Zbx

Research links:
https://bit.ly/3UQiaWH
https://bit.ly/45FNKN3
https://bit.ly/47k8Kdw
https://bit.ly/4oK9fnN
https://bit.ly/457lnr0
https://bit.ly/45FNKN3

12/08/2025

My latest blog post...
The Mouth–Body Connection: Why Oral Hygiene Really Matters 😁

Learn how to safely and effectively clean your teeth and why you should bother (other than the obvious!)


https://www.wellnesswithapril.co.uk/post/the-mouth-body-connection-why-oral-hygiene-really-matters

26/06/2025

Functional dentistry isn’t just about cleanings and fillings. It’s about systems biology, root cause thinking, and redefining oral health as whole-body health. Here are 10 truths I had to learn outside the classroom:

1. The mouth is a mirror of the gut-Oral dysbiosis often reflects gut microbiome imbalance. Think leaky gut, inflammation, and systemic disease risk.

2. Breathing > Brushing:
Mouth breathing dries out tissues, alters oral pH, and fuels decay. Nasal breathing supports nitric oxide and microbiome balance.

3. Cavities ≠ Fluoride deficiency: Caries are a sign of mineral imbalance, poor diet, and oral pH shifts. It’s about terrain, not toxins.

4. Red light heals tissue:
Photobiomodulation enhances mitochondrial ATP, reduces inflammation, and speeds post-op and periodontal healing.

5. Nitric oxide starts in the mouth: Nitrate-reducing bacteria on the tongue are the first step in producing this vasodilating, brain-boosting molecule.

6. Tethered oral tissues = whole body issue:
Tongue and lip ties can affect function…feeding, sleep, posture, and even pelvic floor health.

7. Oral bacteria → Alzheimer’s: Spirochetes and P. gingivalis have been found in the brain, linked to amyloid plaques and neuroinflammation.

8. Cavitations are real:
Chronic (often silent) jawbone infections from incomplete extractions can dysregulate the immune system.

9. The vagus nerve is critical in oral health: It regulates salivation, airway tone, swallowing, and even the oral microbiome via parasympathetic flow.

10. Nutrition should be our first tool: Vitamins A, D, K2, magnesium, and whole foods build strong enamel and resilient gums far more than any toothpaste.

Curious? Type “newsletter” to get my weekly deep dives on each of these topics. Science-forward, parent-friendly, and radically empowering.

11/06/2025

YES!! 🙌

The current science supports that early-stage cavities can be reversed, arrested, and remineralized when we shift the oral environment from one of demineralization to one of repair.

Here’s how we support the body’s natural ability to heal tooth structure:

Nano-hydroxyapatite
This biomimetic mineral is chemically identical to natural enamel. It penetrates and integrates into microscopic lesions, promoting true remineralization and structural repair.

Mineral-rich saliva
Saliva is the mouth’s natural repair fluid. Optimal levels of calcium, phosphate, and magnesium are essential. These depend on hydration, a nutrient-dense diet, and healthy glandular function.

Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2
These vitamins regulate calcium metabolism, support immune function, and direct minerals into teeth and bones rather than soft tissues. Deficiencies are common and often overlooked.

Eliminate ultra-processed foods
Refined sugars, seed oils, and acidic snacks disrupt oral pH and feed cavity-causing bacteria. A whole-foods diet supports a balanced microbiome and provides the raw materials needed for remineralization.

Commit to nasal breathing
Mouth breathing reduces saliva flow, disrupts nitric oxide production, lowers pH, and increases cavity risk. Nasal breathing promotes optimal oxygenation and microbial balance.

Support the oral microbiome
Avoid antimicrobial mouthwashes that damage beneficial flora. Use oral prebiotics, xylitol, ozone oil, or iodine rinses to manage pathogens while preserving microbial diversity.

Practice intelligent hygiene
Gentle brushing with remineralizing toothpaste, flossing, tongue scraping, and mouth taping during sleep help maintain a stable, healing oral environment.

When you address the root causes (nutrient deficiency, airway dysfunction, microbial imbalance) you create the conditions necessary for enamel repair. Not every cavity requires a drill.

Ask “can we just watch this and check back in in 3/6 months?” and ask them to explain what’s the worst thing that can happen if you waited.

Dentistry has become far too aggressive and needs a reboot. What are your thoughts?

🤍Doctor Staci