Mother-Well Holistic Health

10/11/2025

Fascinating!

Continuous sleep is a modern habit, not an evolutionary constant, which helps explain why many of us still wake at 3am and wonder if something’s wrong. It might help to know that this is a deeply human experience.

07/11/2025

This petition is closing very soon, please have a look and support if it resonates with you! New Zealand has barely any regulations to protect children around social media, and its doing real harm to their developing minds.

Petitions are addressed to the House of Representatives and ask that the House do something about a policy or law, or put right a local or private concern.

05/11/2025

Two recent online articles have highlighted the need for a greater awareness of the potential health benefits of reducing micro- and nanoplastic exposure. The emergence of microplastics (1 µm to 5 mm) and nanoplastics (less than 1 µm) has raised alarms about their harmful effects on human health. Nanoplastics are especially hazardous due to their smaller size and enhanced ability to infiltrate the human body.

The first article reviews a recent paper by Sarah Sajedi and colleagues, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, which examines the science around the health risks posed by single-use plastic water bottles. They are serious, she says, and seriously understudied.

In her analysis of more than 140 scientific papers, Sajedi reports that people ingest an estimated 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles each year. For those who rely on bottled water, that number climbs even higher, about 90,000 additional particles compared to people who primarily drink tap water.

According to Sajedi, the health risks are significant. Once inside the body, these small plastics can pass through biological barriers, enter the bloodstream and reach major organs. Their presence may contribute to chronic inflammation, cellular oxidative stress, hormone disruption, reproductive issues, neurological damage, and some cancers. Still, their long-term impacts are not fully understood, largely because of limited testing and the absence of standardised ways to measure and track them.

Sajedi says: “Drinking water from plastic bottles is fine in an emergency but it is not something that should be used in daily life. People need to understand that the issue is not acute toxicity—it is chronic toxicity.”

The second article in MedPage Today highlights the ubiquitous and insidious nature of micro- and nanoplastics. One of the authors (Meyer) is an emergency physician who believes it is now time to be warning patients about reducing exposure.

Teasing out the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics requires some nuance. There is never going to be a randomised controlled trial: it is hard to conceive of a control group with no plastics exposure (given their ubiquity) and unethical to deliberately expose an experimental group to high-dose plastics. But waiting for perfect data risks ignoring an escalating health threat. Hence, much of what we know is by necessity extrapolated from animal studies and observational trials -- and there are multiple red flags.

In humans, studies are slowly emerging. In 2024, researchers followed patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy and found that those with microplastics in their plaque had a significantly higher rate of myocardial infarction, stroke or death 34 months later. More recently, decedent human brains from 2016 and 2024 were evaluated for microplastics: concentrations were significantly higher among individuals diagnosed with dementia compared to those without dementia (and plastic concentrations increased 50% from 2016 brains to 2024 brains, consistent with increasing environmental exposure). Last year, researchers at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) reviewed existing human and animal studies and found a suggestion of harm to reproductive, digestive and respiratory health in humans, as well as a possible link with colon and lung cancer.

All of this has been enough to convince Meyer that it is now time to start warning patients about microplastics. Although it would be impossible to avoid plastics altogether, there are some practical steps people can take to decrease their exposure.

To start (as per the first article), it makes sense to give up single-use plastic water bottles in favour of reusable steel or glass bottles. The water in plastic bottles has been found to contain 20 times more microplastics than tap water.

It is also a good idea to limit plastic in the kitchen, since we acquire many of our microplastics by eating and drinking them. This means using wooden cooking utensils and cutting boards over plastic ones, foil over plastic wrap, and glass food storage over plastic. If possible, avoid nonstick and plastic cookware. In situations where plastic containers are unavoidable, don't microwave food in them. And wash them by hand instead of the dishwasher, since heating plastic hastens its breakdown and chemical leaching.

At the supermarket, pack groceries in reusable cloth or paper bags, and try to avoid fruits and vegetables wrapped or packaged in plastic (admittedly challenging). And finally, limit ultraprocessed foods. Not only are they associated with increased mortality, obesity, chronic disease and malignancy, but they also come coated in plastic.

Could the demise of modern civilisation be caused by something we cannot even see?

For more information see: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-warn-bottled-water-may-pose-serious-long-term-health-risks/
and
https://bit.ly/47TCyO3

03/11/2025

25/10/2025

HALLOWEEN & THE HIDDEN TOXIC OVERLOAD

This may be a tough post for some to read, but it needs to be said…

We are watching a generation of children become sicker, heavier, and more inflamed than ever before. Dis-eases that were once seen only in adults (fatty liver, insulin resistance, anxiety disorders, autoimmune conditions) are now showing up in kids.

And while most people shrug and say, “Oh, it’s just Halloween,” the truth is… it’s not just Halloween.

It’s the start of a seasonal sugar spiral that lasts for months... Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s, Easter... a revolving door of “celebrations” that have become nothing more than socially accepted cycles of toxic overload.

The candy bowl may be gone in a week, but the effects linger for a lifetime.

Why Is Sugar So Addictive?
Because it’s not the sugar of decades past.
Sugar today is chemically engineered to hijack your brain... lighting up the same pleasure centers as co***ne. It spikes dopamine, floods your system with insulin, and leaves your cells screaming for more.

Your body gets stuck in a loop of craving, crashing, and consuming again, all while your immune system weakens, inflammation builds, and your mitochondria (your body’s energy factories) start to shut down.

Sugar isn’t just empty calories, it’s a biological weapon against your cells.

It’s Not Just the Sugar
The real danger lies in the combination of ultra-processed oils, artificial dyes, preservatives, emulsifiers, and endocrine disruptors that weren’t even in our food 50 years ago.

What used to be fruit juice is now high-fructose corn syrup and synthetic flavoring.

What used to be bread is now glyphosate-soaked grains and fortified fillers.

What used to be a treat is now a chemical cocktail designed for addiction.

This is why our bodies, and our children’s bodies, are breaking down. Their systems were never designed to process this level of chemical chaos.

This isn’t about guilt, it’s about ownership. You can’t change the world’s food system overnight, but you can take back your home, your body, and your health. Because what you do now (the habits you form, the choices you model) ripple into the next generation.

✨ This season, choose awareness over addiction and choose nourishment over poison.

24/10/2025

S***m quality has steadily declined over the past 50 years. Between 1973 and 2011, the global s***m concentration and total s***m count decreased significantly. This decline was most pronounced in Western countries, with a reduction in the total s***m count of almost 60%.

Marina Urbanietz’s August 2025 Medscape article, What Your S***m Says About You, offers a concise review of selected studies on how supplements and lifestyle can influence s***m parameters, drawing on a recent paper in a Nature journal.

Semen analysis not only provides information on fertility but also offers insights into the overall health. The cited paper reported that s***m quality can significantly improve with basic lifestyle and dietary changes.

The study, led by Hannah Lyons, a researcher at the Robinson Research Institute and School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide attributed the s***m count decline to multiple factors.

These include chronic conditions such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenol A, cadmium, dioxins, and lead, and heat exposure.

Lifestyle factors, including certain medications, substance use, poor diet, and physical inactivity, can impair s***m production by disrupting hormonal regulation, damaging testicular cells, and increasing oxidative stress due to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

High ROS levels can damage s***m DNA, compromise the membrane integrity, and reduce s***m motility. Established risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, drug abuse and excessive exercise.

S***m quality can recover more rapidly than previously believed. In a study of 132 men with fertility issues, a 3-month micronutrient regimen, including L-carnitine (440 mg), L-arginine (250 mg), zinc (40 mg), vitamin E (120 mg), glutathione (80 mg), selenium (60 µg), coenzyme Q10 (15 mg), and folic acid (800 µg), significantly improved semen parameters. Volume, s***m concentration, progressive motility, total motility, and morphology increased by 33.3%, 215.5%, 93.1%, 36.4%, and 23.0%, respectively (all P < 0.001). No improvements were observed in healthy individuals (n = 73).

In the 6 months following the intervention, the pregnancy rate among the partners of the participating men was also recorded. More pregnancies occurred in the intervention group (25.8%) than in the healthy group (15%). Although this study had some limitations, including age differences and limited risk factor data, two additional trials supported these findings. The researchers concluded that micronutrients may restore s***m production within 3 months.

A 2021 study by Markus Lipovac, PhD, also at the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, and colleagues, evaluated 339 men who received the same micronutrient supplements along with lifestyle changes. These include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and reduced smoking and alcohol consumption.

Of these, 162 men received supplements and lifestyle guidance, whereas 177 followed lifestyle and dietary modifications. After 6 months, s***m DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and pregnancy rates were assessed. In the supplement group, DFI decreased from 10.48 to 6.51 overall and from 20.39 to 9.93 in men with DFI > 15% (P < .001). Pregnancy rates were higher with supplements: 27.78% vs 15.25% overall and 41.30% vs 22.86% in men with DFI > 15%.

The limitations of this study include missing demographic data, lack of randomisation, and lack of information on the extent of lifestyle changes.

Semen analysis may reflect the overall health of men, not just their fertility. Men with infertility or abnormal semen are at a higher risk for hospitalisation and early death. For example, men with infertility had a 26% higher risk for death (95% CI, 1.01-1.59), and men with oligo- or azoos***mia had a 67% higher risk (risk ratio, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.26-2.21) than those with normal s***m counts.

Abnormal s***m parameters often reflect poor health or disease and are linked to a higher risk for cancer. Studies have shown that men with infertility have an increased risk for prostate and testicular cancer.

For more information see: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/what-your-s***m-says-about-you-2025a1000kve?ecd=wnl_tp10_daily_250807_MSCPEDIT_etid7624212&uac=48709HJ&impID=7624212
and
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40481278/
and
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34184957/

24/10/2025

⚠️ Gene Tech Bill: Is New Zealand heading toward a glyphosate-ready future?

Despite nearly 15,000 public submissions — with 97% opposing the Gene Technology Bill — Parliament’s Health Select Committee is still pushing it forward.

This isn’t just a policy shift. It’s a step toward a farming future built on genetic engineering and chemical dependency, rather than soil health, biodiversity, and farmer resilience.

At the same time, regulators are proposing to raise allowable glyphosate residue limits in food by up to 9,900%. Together, these moves could erode public trust, compromise food integrity, and threaten the very foundation of New Zealand’s clean, green reputation.

Meanwhile, Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has welcomed New Zealand First’s strong stance against the Gene Technology Bill, commending the party for protecting our environment, public health, and GE-free global reputation.

OANZ is calling on all MPs to follow suit — and to prioritise robust protections for human health and the environment, transparent regulation, and consumer choice in any future reform of gene technology law.

As OANZ GE spokesperson Brendan H***e reminds us:
“Once genetically engineered organisms are released into the environment, there is no turning back.”

At Farmer’s Footprint NZ, we believe true progress lies in regenerative, transparent, and community-led farming — not in shortcuts that ignore the lessons of nature.

👉 Now’s the time to speak up.
🔗 Read more:
nomoreglyphosate.nz/gene-technology-bill-glyphosate-ready-nz
https://oanz.squarespace.com/new-blog/oanz-commends-nz-first-for-standing-firm-on-gene-tech-bill

24/10/2025

The findings of a landmark study have revealed that gluten sensitivity, which affects approximately 10% of the global population, is not actually about gluten but part of the way the gut and brain interact. The research review, published today in The Lancet, examined current published evidence for non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) to better understand this highly prevalent condition.

A landmark study has revealed that gluten sensitivity, which affects approximately 10 per cent of the global population, is not actually about gluten but part of the way the gut and brain interact.

18/10/2025

A great listen:

Simon Mills is a world leading expert in herbal medicine with nearly five decades of clinical and academic experience behind him. He's advised governments, trained doctors and led the movement to bring herbal remedies into mainstream healthcare.

Simon doesn't see herbal medicine as a replacement for conventional medicine, rather to fill in the gaps.

He speaks with Susie Ferguson about how herbal medicine is already being used effectively in hospitals and what plants work just as well, or better, than some prescription drugs.

Simon Mills, a world leading expert in herbal medicine has led the movement to bring herbal remedies into mainstream healthcare.

18/10/2025

Blend & Sip – DIY Medicinal Teas Workshop

This workshop is a hands-on session with Medical Herbalist Emily Boese. Learn how to create your own delicious and therapeutic herbal tea blends using plants you can easily grow, find, or buy. In this practical and inspiring workshop, you’ll discover the healing properties of common medicinal herbs, how to pair flavours and actions to craft beautiful blends, and how to use herbal teas safely and effectively at home.

You’ll leave with your own 30g custom tea blend, a set of recipes and ideas to make more at home, and the confidence to begin blending for wellness and gifting. With the holidays approaching, these herbal creations make thoughtful, sustainable gifts for friends, family, and teachers.

Date: Saturday, 8 November 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: South Pacific College of Natural Medicine, 8–12 Arthur Street, Ellerslie, Auckland
Tickets: $30 + GST

Hosted by Emily Boese, Naturopath, Medical Herbalist, and founder of Pōhutukawa Hea
Date
Saturday 8 November 2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (UTC+13)
Location
South Pacific College of Natural Medicine
12 Arthur Street, South Pacific College of Natural, Auckland 1051

Join us for Blend & Sip – DIY Medicinal Teas Workshop, a hands-on session with Medical Herbalist Emily Boese. Learn how to create your own...

18/10/2025

Grow Your Own: DIY Urban Veggie and Herb Garden Masterclass

Discover how easy and rewarding it can be to grow your own vegetables and herbs at home. Join gardening expert Jane Wrigglesworth at the South Pacific College of Natural Medicine for a hands-on DIY Urban Vegetable & Herb Gardening Workshop. Designed for beginners and home gardeners alike, this 90-minute session will give you the confidence and practical know-how to start your own edible garden, no matter how small your space.

You’ll learn the essentials of soil, sunlight, and containers, get step-by-step guidance on planting seeds and seedlings, and take home your very own starter herb pots. Jane will share seasonal tips, natural pest control solutions, and sustainable practices like composting and re-growing from kitchen scraps.

The workshop finishes with a tour of South Pacific College of Natural Medicine’s thriving herb garden, plus time for Q&A. For just $20, you’ll leave with knowledge, resources, and inspiration to grow fresh kai for your whānau.

All ages welcome – under 18 must be supervised by an adult.

When: Saturday 1 November 2025 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (UTC+13)

Where: South Pacific College of Natural Medicine - 8-12 arthur street, Ellerslie, Auckland 0616

Discover how easy and rewarding it can be to grow your own vegetables and herbs at home. Join gardening expert Jane Wrigglesworth at the South...

15/10/2025