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The secret to conception no one talks about

By Brett Nethell

Infertility rates are climbing, yet most conversations about conception still revolve almost entirely around women's health. While egg quality and the uterine environment matter tremendously, there's a critical piece of the fertility puzzle that's been overlooked for far too long... the man's health and the quality of his sperm.

The truth is, conception doesn't start when sperm meets egg. It starts months earlier, in the bodies of both partners, as cells develop and prepare for the monumental task of creating new life.

The father's influence

Most people assume that if a man can conceive, his contribution to the baby's health ends there. But research shows something far more profound. sperm carries not just DNA, but epigenetic information that influences how genes are expressed in the developing baby.

Think of epigenetics as instructions for which genes get turned on or off. If a father's body is dealing with inflammation, nutrient depletion, or toxin overload at the time sperm is developing, those stress signals can be transmitted to the embryo. This affects everything from implantation success to long-term health outcomes.

Healthy, high-quality sperm creates the foundation for stronger embryo development, easier implantation, easier pregnancy, lower risk of miscarriage, and healthier genetic expression in the baby. But sperm quality isn't just about count. It's about structure, motility, and most importantly, DNA integrity.

Oxidative stress from seed oils, plastics, poor nutrition, and mineral deficiencies damages sperm DNA. This doesn't just make conception harder, it can affect the baby's lifelong health trajectory.

Here's the empowering part, sperm takes approximately 72 days to fully develop. That means the three months before conception are a critical window where a man's lifestyle choices literally build the genetic foundation for the next generation.

The mother's influence

While sperm quality sets the stage, the woman's body provides the entire environment where new life grows. Conception happens when her body signals that it's safe, nourished, and ready to sustain pregnancy.

The body spends roughly 90 days maturing an egg that could become a future baby. During this maturation period, every factor, stress levels, nutritional status, sleep quality, toxin exposure shapes egg quality. And egg quality directly influences conception rates, implantation success, miscarriage risk, pregnancy complications, and the baby's resilience.

Her body becomes your baby's first home. If that environment is inflamed, undernourished, or chronically stressed, the embryo develops in those same conditions. But when hormones are balanced, the liver efficiently clears excess estrogen, the gut is healthy, and mineral stores are robust, the body can thrive through conception, pregnancy, and beyond.

This is why preconception care isn't just about "getting pregnant." It's about building the foundation for a vibrant, healthy pregnancy and a thriving baby, starting months before conception even occurs.

How modern life depletes fertility for both

Here's what a typical day looks like for many couples trying to conceive:

She wakes up exhausted despite eight hours in bed, grabs an oat latte, and rushes to her high-stress job. Her lunch comes in a plastic container, microwaved at her desk between back-to-back meetings. Dinner is quick, maybe grilled chicken with microwaved rice. She's proud of her discipline, she trains hard at the gym seven days a week, avoids red meat and butter because they're "bad for you," and uses all the right skincare products to stay looking young.

He starts his morning with cereal and oat milk, throws on his usual synthetic workout gear under his work clothes, and heads to the office. Lunch is a processed sandwich, wrapped in plastic. After work, he hits the gym hard, he's training for a marathon. Dinner is lean protein and rice because he's trying to stay fit. He drinks from plastic water bottles throughout the day and uses conventional body wash and deodorant without thinking twice.

They're doing everything "right" according to mainstream health advice. So why isn't conception happening? The answer lies in what modern life has stripped away and what it's added in.

The 4 things to be most mindful of when trying to conceive

1. Stop fearing cholesterol

For decades, we've been told that cholesterol is the enemy. So she avoids egg yolks, he drinks oat milk, and both reach for lean proteins. But here's what nobody mentions... cholesterol is literally the raw material your body uses to build sex hormones, testosterone, progesterone. Every single one.

When you starve your body of dietary cholesterol and healthy fats, you're starving your hormone production. His testosterone drops. Her progesterone struggles. Suddenly, the very building blocks of fertility are missing, and they don't even know it.

The irony? In trying to be "healthy," they've made conception harder.

Bring back cholesterol-rich whole foods like eggs, organ meats, butter, and full-fat dairy. These are the raw materials your body needs to make hormones naturally. Your grandparents ate them without guilt, and fertility rates reflected it.

2. Avoid environmental toxins, where you can

His polyester boxer briefs might seem like a small detail, but synthetic fabrics such as polyester are lowering sperm production. Sperm develop best in a slightly cooler environment, which is why testicles hang outside the body in the first place. Those polyester pants he wears all day? They're creating a sauna effect that can damage sperm quality over time, as well as leaching chemicals through the thinnest skin part of the body.

Meanwhile, both of them are surrounded by endocrine disruptors they don't even see. The plastic containers they microwave lunch in. The nonstick pans. The conventional cleaning products under the sink. The fragranced laundry detergent. The pesticides on non-organic produce. Every single one of these products contains chemicals that mimic or block hormones in the body, scrambling the delicate fertility signals that need to function perfectly for conception to occur.

While it’s impossible to entirely avoid environmental toxins, and we shouldn’t live in fear, we can be intentional about reducing exposure. Small, mindful swaps add up over time. Here are some guides you may find helpful:

3. Replenish nutrient deficiencies

Magnesium, zinc, and copper are the silent drivers of fertility, supporting hormone balance, egg quality, sperm motility, and stress regulation. Yet modern soil is depleted, processed foods stripped, and many people now avoid the very foods richest in these minerals.

Butter, organ meats, red meat, and eggs are fertility medicine precisely because they contain these minerals.

Oysters and red meat for zinc
Sea salt and magnesium-rich water for electrolyte balance
Eggs and organ meats for bioavailable copper and B vitamins

For a deeper dive, check out:

4. Don't overfatigue the body

She's proud of her intense workout routine. He's training for races and doing ice baths because he read they're good for recovery.

But here's the uncomfortable truth... chronic stress, even stress that looks like "healthy" habits, actively depletes the hormones needed for fertility.

For her, stress converts progesterone precursors into cortisol instead. Her body is begins choosing survival mode over reproduction mode. That progesterone she needs to build a healthy uterine lining and sustain early pregnancy? It's being cannibalised to make stress hormones. Extreme endurance training, chronic under-eating, overworking, and even regular ice plunges can all signal to her body that now is not a safe time to grow life.

For him, chronic stress and overtraining suppress testosterone. His body thinks it's under threat, so it diverts resources away from reproduction and toward survival. Fewer, slower, weaker sperm are the result.

The body conceives best when it feels safe, an in an environment of abundance.

Swap chronic cardio for restorative movement, walking, strength training, and sunlight.
Prioritise sleep and deep relaxation.
Support progesterone and testosterone naturally by lowering stress, eating enough, and allowing recovery.

Struggle to let go? Read Our guide to stress release

When both partners invest in preconception health, they're not just increasing their chances of getting pregnant. They're investing in the lifelong health of their future child, giving that baby the best possible genetic and epigenetic start.

And while that might sound like pressure, it isn’t. Not everyone is given the opportunity for a perfect head start, and that’s okay. What matters is knowing that so much is within your control. Every nutrient you replenish, every toxin you remove, every night of rest, it all speaks life into the body that’s preparing to create another.

Published on: October 11, 2025

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6 wellness secrets from Japanese grandmothers

Japan’s approach to wellbeing has long fascinated the world, and yet, to understand it, you must begin not in a clinic, but in a kitchen. Sit beside an elderly woman in rural Hokkaido as she tends her kombu broth or folds laundry still warm from the sun. Nothing she does is “for health,” yet everything she does sustains it. Here are six things she might teach you about... 1. Shinrin-yoku (森林浴), forest bathing “Listen carefully. The trees speak in a language slower than ours.” Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” is perhaps the most emblematic of Japan’s health rituals. Though the term was coined in the 1980s, its essence runs back through Shintō and earlier animist beliefs, the idea that every tree and stream carries a kami, a living spirit worthy of reverence. The forest, in this sense, is not merely beautiful, it is inhabited, watching. To “bathe” in the forest is to immerse the senses… the scent of cedar, the hum of insects, the soft crackle of soil beneath bare feet. Modern research now confirms what Japanese elders have always known. Trees release phytoncides, antimicrobial compounds that calm the nervous system, reduce cortisol, and enhance the activity of natural killer cells. Even 20 minutes among trees can lower blood pressure and restore heart rate variability. 2. Kombu dashi (昆布出汁), seaweed broth for mineral repletion While we may spend money on electrolyte powders and neon sports drinks, Japan has long had its own ancestral electrolyte. Kombu, harvested from the cold northern waters of Hokkaido, is rich in iodine, calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals drawn up from the deep sea. When simmered gently (never boiled, so as not to cloud its sweetness), it releases umami, the fifth taste, meaning “essence of deliciousness.” For centuries, kombu broth was the first food given after childbirth, illness, or fasting. Elders believed it “restored the salt of life,” replenishing what blood and breath had lost. The broth was also used for women recovering from menstruation or postpartum depletion, the sea’s minerals seen as restoring the internal tides of the womb. Modern nutrition now echoes this wisdom... iodine from kelp supports thyroid function and hormone synthesis, while its calcium and magnesium balance the nervous system. The glutamates in kombu enhance nutrient absorption, turning simple soups and stews into mineral elixirs. If kombu isn’t available, try other mineral-rich seaweeds like wakame, dulse, or Atlantic kelp. Even a pinch added to soups or grains can deepen flavour and nutrient content. 3. Ofuro (お風呂), the evening bath ritual At dusk, the sound of running water carries through most Japanese homes. The ofuro, a deep wooden or porcelain tub is filled, the temperature precise, often infused with yuzu peel in winter or hinoki (cypress) leaves in summer. Bathing in Japan is an art of surrender. It is neither indulgence nor hygiene but instead, purification. Once submerged, the heat expands blood vessels, releasing muscular tension. The body, long held upright by duty, softens. Circulation improves, the nervous system settles, and melatonin begins its nocturnal rise. Elders say the bath washes away more than dirt, it dissolves tsukare, the fatigue of the spirit. Afterwards comes a light meal, perhaps rice porridge or pickled plum, and sleep, deep and untroubled. The ofuro is, in its essence, a return to womb warmth, a nightly rebirth through heat and stillness. 4. Natsume (棗), jujube dates for post bleed replenishment In Japan, the days following menstruation or childbirth are treated as a sacred time for restoration.The body is understood to be low in ketsu, blood energy, and is nourished slowly back to balance. One of the oldest restoratives for this is natsume, the jujube date. Women would simmer dried jujubes with ginger and goji berries, letting the infusion turn the colour of dark tea. The drink replenished ketsu, the vital current thought to govern fertility, mood, and skin tone. To be low in ketsu was to feel cold, light-headed, or faintly hollow, symptoms of circulation and hormone imbalance we now understand in physiological terms. Modern research affirms much of this old intuition. Jujube is dense in iron and vitamin C, a pairing that accelerates red blood cell synthesis. Its saponins act as gentle adaptogens, supporting adrenal recovery and moderating cortisol. Polyphenols and triterpenes within the fruit improve liver detoxification and protect against oxidative stress. Studies also show jujube to enhance serotonin production and increase slow-wave sleep, the deep stage of rest crucial for hormonal recalibration and cellular repair. 5. Rajio Taisō (ラジオ体操) , the morning broadcast of movement Every morning across Japan, at precisely 6:30 AM, music begins to play on national radio. 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But beyond the biology, Rajio Taisō is a daily act of belonging, a reminder that health, in Japan, is rarely a solitary pursuit. 6. Mottainai (もったいない), the spirit of no waste Few words capture the Japanese worldview as completely as mottainai. Literally, it expresses “what a waste.” Spiritually, it is an expression of sorrow for the misuse or neglect of life’s gifts. To waste food, time, or materials is to disrespect the kami, the sacred essence residing within all things. In the kitchen, mottainai takes form through acts of transformation: bones simmered into broth, fish heads turned into soup, vegetable peels boiled into dashi. Even leftover rice is steeped in tea to become ocha-zuke, humble, restorative, and born from nothing wasted. Mottainai asks us to see sacredness in materiality, to recognise that the peel, the bone, the scrap of fabric, all carry stories of energy and labour. Anthropologists note that mottainai may have emerged from Japan’s Shinto roots, a worldview where spirit is embedded in every object, from the mountain to the teacup. To throw something away carelessly is to sever a spiritual thread. In a disposable world, mottainai offers an ecological ethic that predates the language of sustainability by centuries. It teaches us to consume with awe.

Why modern healthcare is failing you

We live in the most medically advanced era in human history, yet chronic disease rates are skyrocketing. Despite unprecedented access to healthcare and wellness technology, people are sicker, more tired, and more disconnected from their bodies than ever before. The promise of modern health solutions rings hollow when millions still struggle with persistent symptoms, low energy, and conditions that never quite resolve. The truth is, we've lost sight of what real health looks like. We've traded ancient wisdom for quick fixes, whole foods for synthetic pills, and natural living for sterile convenience. Somewhere along the way, we stopped asking "why" and started accepting band-aid solutions as normal. But our bodies remember what we've forgotten and it's time we listened. Let’s dive into these different areas and what to do instead. Band aid solutions, not root cause approach Modern healthcare often focuses on managing symptoms rather than addressing what's actually driving them. If you've got recurring headaches, you'll likely be offered painkillers. Trouble sleeping? Here's a prescription. Skin flaring up? Try a cream. While these may bring temporary relief, they rarely solve the deeper problem. A true root cause approach looks beneath the surface. That headache might be from chronic dehydration, mineral imbalance, or poor posture. Sleep issues could stem from circadian disruption, stress hormones, or nutrient deficiencies. Skin conditions connect back to gut health and inflammation. When we only treat the surface symptom, we're essentially putting a band-aid over an engine warning light without ever fixing the engine. Real healing comes from asking "why" over and over until we uncover the foundational issue and then addressing that through nutrition, lifestyle, and environment. Synthetic nutrients over whole foods The modern world has convinced us that health can be bottled. Multivitamins, fortified cereals, and isolated synthetic pills promise to "cover the gaps," but synthetic nutrients rarely work in the body the same way as nutrients from whole foods. In nature, vitamins and minerals don't exist in isolation, they come packaged with co-factors, enzymes, and other compounds that help with absorption and effectiveness. For example, vitamin C in an orange comes alongside bioflavonoids that boost its impact, while iron from liver is paired with vitamin A and copper to make it more usable by the body. When we rely on synthetic versions, the body often struggles to absorb or utilise them properly. Worse, they can sometimes create imbalances by flooding the system with one isolated compound while ignoring the bigger picture. Not to mention the quality of a lot of synthetic supplements is questionable, many being filled with fillers or being fakes. Whole foods, especially nutrient dense ones like organ meats, raw milk, beef, eggs, seafood, and fresh produce, provide a complete nutritional package that works in harmony with the body, the way nature intended. Fearing sunlight We've been taught to see the sun as a threat, something to hide from, cover up, or block out with chemicals. But sunlight isn't the enemy; it's the giver of life. Without it, plants couldn't grow, ecosystems wouldn't exist, and human health would collapse. For us, sunlight is one of the most powerful drivers of health. It regulates circadian rhythm, boosts mood, and supports hormone balance. It's also the body's primary source of vitamin D, a nutrient essential for immunity, bone health, and energy. When we avoid the sun altogether, we often trade short term protection for long term deficiencies. The problem isn't the sun itself, but our modern lifestyle. Too much artificial light, too little time outdoors, and diets that make our skin more prone to burning. By building up safe, gradual exposure and nourishing the body from within, sunlight becomes a powerful ally, a life-giving force to embrace, not fear. Pasteurising and cooking everything In the modern world, we've been taught that food must be sterilised, pasteurised, or heavily processed to be "safe." While this approach can extend shelf life, it often comes at the cost of nutrition and vitality. Raw milk, for example, contains living enzymes, beneficial bacteria, and delicate proteins that are destroyed during pasteurisation. The same goes for unpasteurised, freshly squeezed juices, they're bursting with natural enzymes and vitamin C but aren't meant to sit on supermarket shelves for weeks. Traditional raw cheeses, fermented vegetables, and naturally cultured foods all rely on living microbes to develop flavour, preserve themselves, and nourish the gut. Even organ meats, when high quality, are more nutrient dense in their raw state or gently cooked than when overcooked. Across cultures, raw foods have long been celebrated, think steak tartare, raw kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi. These aren't dangerous, they're powerful foods especially when from high quality sources. By cooking and processing everything into sterile, shelf stable products, we strip food of its life force. Real health comes from embracing fresh, raw, and living foods that support digestion, immunity, and resilience the way nature intended. Convenience over health The modern world is built on convenience. Everything is faster, easier, disposable but often at the cost of our health. What makes life simpler in the short term can slowly wear down the body over time. Take the kitchen, non-stick pans leach toxic compounds when heated, plastic bottles and tupperware release hormone-disrupting chemicals, and microwaves or foil cooking can leach heavy metals into your food. Even the coffee pod machine brings with it heated plastics and metals that sneak into your morning brew. It doesn't stop there. Polyester clothes shed microplastics into our skin and waterways, chemical cleaners pollute our homes, and wireless headphones keep low-level radiation right by the brain. All marketed as safe, all defended in the name of convenience. The truth is, health often requires slowing down and choosing better tools, stainless steel instead of non-stick, glass instead of plastic, natural fabrics instead of synthetics, sunlight and fresh air instead of chemical sprays. Convenience might save time now, but it rarely saves your health later. Over-reliance on wearable tech Wearable devices promise to make us healthier by tracking every heartbeat, step, and hour of sleep. But the obsession with data often pulls us further away from real health. Instead of tuning into how we feel, we start outsourcing our intuition to a screen on our wrist. Chasing "perfect" sleep scores, step counts, or recovery numbers can create unnecessary stress and the data isn't always accurate. Many people wake up feeling great, only to be told by their device that they "slept poorly," instantly shifting their mindset for the day. There's also the overlooked issue of constant EMF and Bluetooth exposure. Keeping a device strapped to your body 24/7 means low-level radiation is always with you, right against your skin. Over time, this is another modern stressor layered onto the body. True health isn't about obsessing over numbers. It's about balance, consistency, and listening to your body's signals. Our ancestors thrived without trackers by moving naturally, resting with the sun, and living in rhythm with the environment. Technology and data can be a useful tool, but it shouldn't replace intuition or add more hidden stress to our lives. The ancestral disconnect Modern life has pulled us far from the lifestyle our bodies were designed for. We live indoors under blue light, stare at screens, eat processed foods, and chase convenience, relying on synthetic powders and gadgets to fill the gaps. Eating shows this divergence most clearly. Our ancestors ate whole, nutrient-dense foods: organ meats, seafood, eggs, seasonal vegetables, natural fats, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir, and whole dairy. They turned to natural sugars from fruits and honey, not artificial sweeteners, and included saturated fats and cholesterol, essential for hormones, brain function, and overall health. These foods delivered vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and probiotics in forms the body could actually use. Modern diets, by contrast, prioritise shelf life and convenience, stripping food of potency and complexity. We’ve become so focused on managing disease that we’ve forgotten how to build health. The solution is to reclaim the principles that kept humans thriving for millennia and weave them into our modern lives: whole foods over synthetic shortcuts, sunlight over avoidance, quality over convenience, and intuition over data obsession. Real health isn’t complicated, but it does require choices that honour what our bodies truly need. When we stop masking symptoms and start addressing root causes, energy returns, resilience builds, and health follows. Your body already knows how to be healthy. It’s carried that blueprint for thousands of generations.

8 signs your body is trying to tell you something

Your body is constantly communicating with you, sending subtle signals that something might need attention. While we often dismiss these signs as minor inconveniences or just part of life, they can actually reveal important information about what's happening beneath the surface. Learning to recognise and understand these messages is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward better health. Important disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. The signs discussed here are common indicators that your body may need support, but they are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're experiencing persistent symptoms or have concerns about your health, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider who can properly assess your individual situation. 1. Waking up between 2-4 AM Not every middle-of-the-night wake-up is a red flag. Sometimes it's as simple as drinking too much water before bed or a loud noise disturbing your rest. But if you find yourself consistently waking during these early morning hours, your body might be signalling deeper imbalances. One of the most common culprits is mineral and electrolyte deficiencies and imbalances, especially magnesium, sodium, or potassium, which can trigger a need to urinate during the night and make it harder for your body to maintain a deep, restful state. Blood sugar dropping too low overnight can also trigger a stress hormone spike that jolts you awake. Histamine release can disturb sleep as levels tend to rise naturally at night. If you notice this pattern regularly, it's worth examining your nutrition, hydration, and stress levels rather than brushing it off as normal. Make sure you're getting adequate electrolytes (particularly magnesium), enough carbohydrates, and sufficient food overall throughout the day. 2. Bloating and gas Digestion should feel smooth and energising, not uncomfortable. If you regularly experience bloating after meals or deal with excessive gas, your body is telling you that something in your digestive process isn't working optimally. Persistent bloating often points to issues like inadequate stomach acid production, sluggish bile flow, gut microbiome imbalances, or food intolerances (often from processed ingredients). When food isn't broken down properly, excess fermentation in the gut creates gas and discomfort. Over time, these digestive struggles can lead to nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and further stress on your system. Rather than masking symptoms with quick fixes, focus on supporting your gut health. This means optimising stomach acid levels, improving enzyme activity, eating nutrient-dense whole foods, paying attention to what works well for your gut and what causes issues (note: this doesn’t necessarily mean you are strictly intolerant to a certain food, just that at this time that particular food is a strain on your gut) as well as working toward a balanced microbiome. A well-functioning digestive system should be quiet, efficient, and free of daily bloating. 3. Skin issues Your skin reflects the state of your gut health. While topical creams and serums can provide temporary relief, they're essentially band-aids that don't address the root cause. True skin health originates in your gut. Conditions like eczema and psoriasis are frequently linked to gut inflammation, poor digestion, or microbiome imbalances. Hives can indicate histamine intolerance, demonstrating just how closely your skin and gut are connected. When your digestive system struggles, toxins and undigested food particles can leak into the bloodstream, triggering immune reactions that manifest on your skin. Instead of relying solely on topical treatments, prioritise restoring gut health and lowering inflammation. Remember, healthy skin is built from the inside out. Natural sun exposure also plays a crucial role in skin health. 4. Low libido A healthy sex drive isn't just about desire, it's a reflection of balanced hormones, adequate energy, and a body that is not under stress. While short periods of reduced libido due to stress or fatigue are normal, a prolonged lack of interest can signal something deeper. Chronically low libido often points to elevated stress hormones, low testosterone or DHT, thyroid imbalances, or nutrient deficiencies. It can also indicate a body running on empty from too much stress, poor sleep, or insufficient nourishing food. A robust sex drive is actually your natural state when hormones are balanced and your body feels properly supported. Supporting libido means returning to the foundations. Focus on nutrient-dense foods rich in saturated fats and cholesterol for hormone production, regular movement to boost circulation, and maximising vitamins and minerals that keep your body in balance. When your body has the raw materials and energy it needs, a healthy sex drive often returns naturally. 5. Headaches and brain fog That heavy, foggy feeling in your head or frequent headaches aren't just annoying inconveniences, they're clear signals that your body is under stress. Both symptoms often trace back to gut health, since inflammation in the digestive system can affect the brain through the gut-brain axis. Nutrient deficiencies play a significant role too, especially magnesium, B vitamins, and electrolytes, all of which impact mental clarity and pain regulation. Blood sugar swings, dehydration, and food sensitivities can make your brain feel sluggish and unfocused. These symptoms are your body's way of saying something deeper needs attention, rather than simply reaching for another painkiller or extra cup of coffee. To address these issues effectively, focus on restoring gut balance, lowering inflammation, and ensuring adequate nutrient intake. A clean, whole-food diet, sufficient minerals, proper hydration, and digestion-friendly practices can make a dramatic difference in clearing mental fog and easing head pain. 6. Feeling tired even after 8 hours sleep Waking up exhausted despite a full night's sleep is a clear sign that your body isn't truly recharging. This frustrating symptom often has multiple interconnected causes working together. Blood sugar fluctuations can trigger cortisol spikes that keep your body in a light, restless state. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly magnesium, B vitamins, potassium, and sodium, can prevent your nervous system from fully relaxing. Gut imbalances can interfere with serotonin and melatonin production, making deep sleep harder to achieve. Chronic inflammation or liver stress can further disrupt your energy, even when you technically "slept enough." Even your breathing pattern matters. Nasal breathing is superior to mouth breathing during sleep because it naturally slows your breathing rate, promotes carbon dioxide capacity, and helps maintain balanced oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, increases stress responses, dries out airways, and reduces restorative sleep quality. Mouth taping can really help promote nasal breathing only. To improve your sleep quality and morning energy, eat mineral-rich foods, support gut health, lower inflammation, and practice nasal breathing at night. Adding consistent daylight exposure and calming evening routines helps reset your circadian rhythm, giving your body the conditions it truly needs to wake up refreshed. 7. Unusual or strong body odour While occasional sweat is completely normal, persistent or unusual body odour can signal that something is off internally. Body odour often reflects gut health, liver function, and how efficiently your body is processing and eliminating waste. Imbalances in the gut microbiome, poor digestion, or food sensitivities can cause compounds like sulphur or ammonia to be released through sweat. Hormonal fluctuations and chronic inflammation can alter your natural scent, while certain nutrient deficiencies, particularly zinc, can make odours more pronounced. Simply covering up with extra deodorant or perfume isn't the solution. True improvement comes from addressing root causes: supporting gut health, improving digestion, balancing hormones, and lowering inflammation. Nutrient-rich foods, adequate hydration, stress management, and gentle detox practices like movement or sauna sessions can help your body naturally eliminate toxins and maintain a healthier scent. 8. Cold hands and feet, even in warm weather If your extremities are always cold, even when the temperature is comfortable, it can indicate that your metabolism or circulation isn't functioning optimally. This isn't just a minor inconvenience, it's your body signalling that systems responsible for energy, circulation, and detoxification need support. Slow metabolism, often linked to thyroid imbalances, can reduce your body's ability to generate heat. Poor blood circulation or lymphatic stagnation can make it difficult for warmth and nutrients to reach your hands and feet. Chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies like iron or magnesium, and low cellular energy production can all contribute to perpetually cold extremities. Improving thyroid function, supporting metabolism through nutrient-dense foods and regular movement, and stimulating circulation and lymph flow through massage, exercise, or gentle stretching can help restore warmth and overall vitality. Listen to your body Your body is remarkably intelligent, constantly working to maintain balance and health. These are some ways it communicates to you that something needs attention. Rather than ignoring or suppressing these symptoms, view them as valuable information that can guide you toward better health. Remember, addressing these signs often comes down to the fundamentals: nourishing your body with whole foods, ensuring adequate nutrients and minerals, managing stress, supporting gut health, moving regularly, and getting quality sleep. Small, consistent changes in these areas can create meaningful improvements over time. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms persistently, consider it an invitation to check in with your body's needs and if you feel it necessary then seek guidance from an expert who can help you address your unique situation.

Biohacking is broken, here’s why...

The health and wellness space has never been noisier. Every day brings new studies, conflicting expert opinions, and Instagram influencers promising revolutionary results from their latest protocol. While access to information can be empowering, it often becomes paralysing. The real challenge isn't finding health advice, it's learning how to filter through the noise and trust what actually works for your body. The trap of constantly chasing new ideas One of the easiest ways to stall your progress is by constantly jumping ship to the next diet, or health hack you hear about. The truth is, your body needs consistency and time to adapt before you can tell if something is working. If you're always switching, you never give yourself the chance to see results. This constant switching creates optimisation paralysis. You become so focused on finding the perfect protocol that you never actually implement anything consistently. Meanwhile, someone else is getting real results from a simple, boring routine they've followed for months. The solution is to design your own plan and commit to a specific timeframe for seeing results. Give yourself at least a month of focused execution before making any adjustments. This prevents knee-jerk reactions to every new piece of information while still allowing room for course correction when something genuinely isn't working. Why outsourcing decision making to influencers doesn't work It's tempting to do whatever the latest influencer recommends, but blindly following them means you're outsourcing your health to someone else's experience and body. What works for them may not work for you, or at least how you do things will be slightly different since you don’t live in Costa Rica! Advice online can be useful as inspiration, but it should never replace your own thinking. The key is learning how to filter information and apply it to your unique situation instead of copying someone else's routine. Following conflicting health approaches simultaneously will only create confusion. You can't bounce between vegan, carnivore, lion diet, or Ray Peat protocols and expect clarity. Instead, curate your information sources carefully. The internet will never stop producing new and conflicting nutrition information. Instead of trying to keep up with it all, you need a personal filter. Ask yourself these questions before jumping on the latest trend or seeing new conflating information: Does this apply to my current goals? Do I resonate with this or is it just click bait? Is it relevant to my body right now? Have I given enough time to what I'm already doing? Does this actually help me right now with an information gap or does it just confuse me further? This filter helps you stay grounded and prevents you from getting overwhelmed. With a filter like this, you can use information as inspiration, but let real life feedback be your guide. The best tool at your disposal... The best tool you have at your disposal is your body, it gives you constant feedback if you're willing to pay attention. Energy levels, digestion, mood, sleep, skin health, these are real-time data points far more valuable than another health podcast episode. Ignoring these signals while forcing yourself into someone else's personal protocol means you'll end up wasting time and effort on things that don't actually serve you. Real progress starts when you use your body's responses as your compass. The problem is that most people have lost touch with these internal signals. We've become so accustomed to external validation and expert opinions that we've forgotten how to listen to our own bodies. Start paying attention to how you feel after meals, how your energy changes throughout the day, how you perform in workouts, the quality of your sleep and the health of your skin. These are some of the most reliable signs. If a program or way of eating promises fat loss but leaves you feeling terrible, that's a red flag worth listening to. Yes, there can be adjustment periods when starting something new, but these shouldn't drag on for weeks. Your body is telling you something important, don't ignore it in favour of pushing through based on someone else's success story. Less is more when it comes to supplements Loading up on 15 or 20 supplements at once might feel like you’re covering all your bases, but in reality, it often places more stress on the body than support. Not only can different supplements compete for absorption (especially if taken all at once), but it also makes it difficult to know what’s actually helping you. Our bodies were never designed to thrive on pills and powders. For thousands of years, humans nourished themselves through whole foods, organ meats, bone broths, raw dairy, fresh seasonal produce, foods that deliver nutrients in their most bioavailable and synergistic form. No capsule can replicate that. When it comes to supplementation, simplicity and intention are key. Start by focusing on real, nutrient-rich foods first. Then, if you know through blood work or clear signs of deficiency that your body is lacking in something specific, that’s when targeted supplementation can be truly helpful. So many people see a quick improvement from a supplement, only for it to taper off, and then feel trapped, afraid to stop taking it. But when you build your foundation on whole foods, you’re working with the body’s natural design, creating nourishment that is sustainable, not just situational. Health isn't about finding the perfect protocol, it's about developing the wisdom to understand why you live and eat the way you do, to know what works for your body and the discipline to stick with it consistently. This means becoming comfortable with uncertainty, trusting your own experience over external opinions, and focusing on foundations rather than optimisation hacks. The irony is, people will spend hundreds on biohacking tools while ignoring the basics that would actually move the needle. And if you need a reminder of what some of those basics are: Here are 8 habits so solid, you’ll stop overthinking health. (But of course, remember, these are starting points. Let these ideas become your own, and your body’s wisdom will guide the rest.)

25 ways to use baking soda

Baking soda is the kind of ingredient that’s quietly sitting in the back of your cupboard… while holding the power to replace half the products under your sink and in your bathroom cabinet. It’s simple, mineral-based, cheap, and wildly effective, which is exactly why you don’t hear much about it anymore. Because a substance that can clean your home, freshen your body, soothe your skin, and support your health, all for under £1 a box, doesn’t exactly fit into the business model of modern convenience. But your great-grandmother probably knew. And now you do too. Here are 30 ways to use baking soda 1. Pesticide rinse Let’s start with one of the easiest wins: cleaning your produce. That shiny apple from the supermarket? It’s probably carrying a light coating of pesticides, wax, or something unpronounceable used to keep it shelf-stable. A baking soda soak is one of the most effective ways to remove surface pesticides. Fill a bowl with cold water, add a tablespoon of baking soda, and soak your fruit or veg for 10–15 minutes. Give it a rinse, and you’re done. 2. Toothpaste Finding a truly clean toothpaste is harder than it should be. Most are filled with foaming agents, artificial sweeteners, fluoride, preservatives, or microplastics disguised as “polishers.” Even the so-called “natural” ones often sneak in ingredients that don’t belong anywhere near your mouth. Sometimes, it’s easier (and better) to just make your own. A simple mix of baking soda and coconut oil creates an effective, gentle toothpaste that neutralises acidity, supports a healthy oral microbiome, and helps whiten teeth, all without stripping enamel or disrupting your hormones. 3. Laundry powder replacement Most commercial laundry detergents are packed with synthetic fragrances, surfactants, and preservatives, many of which can irritate the skin or disrupt hormones over time. Baking soda offers a simple, effective alternative. Add ½ cup directly into the drum of your washing machine to help soften water, neutralise odours, and lift stains. Clothes come out clean, fresh, and free from residue, especially useful for those with sensitive skin or washing baby clothes. For extra softness and a subtle scent, add a splash of white vinegar and a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or lemon) to the fabric softener drawer. It’s a low-cost, non-toxic swap that genuinely works. 4. Anti-inflammatory bath An especially restorative ritual as the days grow colder. Adding 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda to a warm bath can help reduce inflammation, buffer lactic acid, and support oxygen flow to your tissues, making it deeply soothing for tired bodies, sluggish circulation, winter fatigue, and skin that’s dry or reactive this time of year. It’s particularly helpful for those with low thyroid or chronic stress, where over-breathing leads to a loss of carbon dioxide, a compound your cells need to properly absorb oxygen. By helping retain CO₂, baking soda supports cellular repair, steadier energy, and a body that feels just a little more regulated, even on the coldest days. 5. Deodorant Body odour doesn’t come from sweat, it comes from bacteria. And baking soda makes it really hard for that bacteria to survive. Dust a pinch under each arm (or mix with a little coconut oil) and it will keep you fresh all day, without aluminium, without artificial scent, and without blocking your pores. It’s not fancy, but it’s effective. And your hormones will thank you. 6. Itchy skin relief Whether it’s dry winter skin, bug bites, or an eczema flare, baking soda is surprisingly soothing. Make a paste with a little water and apply it directly to itchy areas, or add a few tablespoons to a bath to calm the whole system. It helps rebalance pH, soothe irritation, and bring fast relief, especially when skin feels reactive and nothing else is working. 7. Your entire cleaning cupboard, replaced There’s something deeply satisfying about replacing six plastic bottles with one paper box. Baking soda scrubs sinks, removes stains, lifts grease, deodorises bins, and unblocks drains.It pairs beautifully with vinegar for fizz-powered cleaning (grout, tiles, stovetops), even your oven won’t stand a chance. Want a multipurpose cleaner? Stir a spoonful of baking soda into warm water with a splash of vinegar, a strip of lemon peel, and a few drops of essential oil. That’s your spray. And beyond the sparkle, there’s a deeper benefit. Most household cleaners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which can disrupt hormones, irritate the lungs, and affect long-term health, especially in small spaces or homes with little ones. Baking soda cleans without polluting your air or coating your surfaces in chemicals you then absorb through your skin. 8. Sleepy drink It’s not the usual sleep remedy, but half a teaspoon of baking soda stirred into warm water before bed might be one of the most underrated ways to calm your system. It works by reducing acidity and helping the body retain carbon dioxide, something often lost through over-breathing in stressed or hypothyroid states. When CO₂ levels are balanced, oxygen gets delivered to your cells more efficiently, and your nervous system gets the signal it’s safe to slow down. The result? Deeper, more restorative sleep. Fewer wake-ups. And a calmer, steadier morning. 9. Natural face scrub Mix with honey or water for a gentle exfoliant that unclogs pores without microbeads. 10. Bug bite paste Mix with a splash of water and apply to bites or stings. Soothes itching, calms inflammation, and helps reduce swelling. 11. Fridge freshener Pop an open bowl in the back of the fridge to absorb smell. 12. Diaper rash soother Add a tablespoon to baby’s bath to calm irritated skin and balance pH, gentle and effective.13. Fungal infection relief Used topically or in a foot soak, baking soda creates an environment less hospitable to fungal overgrowth.14. Heartburn relief A classic. Mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and sip slowly. It neutralises excess stomach acid and brings fast, natural relief.15. Fatigue recovery When fatigue feels cellular, baking soda can help. Taken in small amounts, it buffers lactic acid and supports better oxygenation, helping restore energy at a deeper level.16. Pre-workout support A pinch of baking soda in water before training can help buffer acid buildup, delay muscle fatigue, and improve stamina, especially in short, intense sessions. (Used by athletes long before pre-workout powders existed.)17. After-cooking hand scrub Rub a pinch into wet hands to remove garlic, onion, or turmeric smells.18. Migraine or tension relief Relieve tension headaches or migraines triggered by acidity or stress through a small dose in water or a warm bath soak, especially paired with magnesium.19. Anti-dandruff Massage into wet scalp to help loosen flakes and balance scalp oils.20. Pet bed deodoriser Sprinkle onto pet bedding between washes to neutralise odours without perfuming your animal.21. Foot softener Soothe tired, aching, or smelly feet with a warm baking soda bath. Softens calluses and freshens naturally.22. Clogged drain Baking soda + vinegar = natural drain cleaner. Let it fizz, rinse with boiling water, and say goodbye to blockages.23. Air freshener jar Mix baking soda with a few drops of essential oil, place in a small jar with holes in the lid. Passive freshness, no spray required.24. Respiratory support Inhaling steam with a pinch of baking soda (and optional thyme or eucalyptus) can help clear sinuses, soothe irritated airways, and reduce coughing during seasonal colds. 25. UTI support (short term) A small pinch stirred into water may help soothe urinary irritation. not a cure, but can offer gentle, temporary relief when needed. Know of any others? We'd love to hear ↓

How to prepare your home for winter (without the toxins)

Just as animals prepare their dens and birds migrate with instinctual grace, we too are meant to transition with the seasons. As the days contract and darkness stretches, your nervous system craves warmth, your immune system seeks fortification, and your home becomes more than shelter, it’s your cocoon for restoration. This is the season of candles, wool blankets, and simmering pots, but the details matter. A home filled with synthetic scents, stale air, and artificial heat might look cosy, but it won’t support the deep, biological need for safety, slowness, and clean, nourishing space. Here’s how to prepare your home for winter, the non toxic way. 1. Create a circadian sanctuary The sun dips earlier, and the body begins to shift with it. Melatonin production rises with darkness, cortisol quietens, and we’re biologically wired to wind down sooner. But most homes fight against this natural rhythm. Overhead lighting mimics midday sun, and screens keep our minds buzzing well past when our bodies want to rest. Instead, try... Beeswax candles: A golden, gentle light that doesn’t spike cortisol. They also purify the air by releasing negative ions that bind to pollutants. Red incandescent bulbs: a simple, affordable alternative to red light panels. These bulbs mimic the frequency of firelight and sunset, helping to preserve circadian rhythm without stimulating the brain. Salt lamps or amber bulbs: Offer a warmer glow that supports melatonin production. Firelight or wood-burning stoves: If you’re lucky enough to have one, nothing is more ancestral than a crackling fire as your evening companion. 2. Swap synthetics for natural scents What we call “cosy” in winter is often laced with hormone-disrupting chemicals, plug-in diffusers, synthetic candles, “winter spice” sprays heavy with phthalates. These fragrances hijack your endocrine system and agitate your breath. Instead, scent your space with nature’s medicine. Simmer pots: Fill a cast iron pot with water, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a sprig of rosemary. Let it gently steam throughout the day. Essential oil diffusers: Opt for oils like cedarwood, fir needle, sweet orange, and frankincense, they’re calming to the nervous system, grounding to the lungs, and antimicrobial to the air. You can also stud oranges with whole cloves to make traditional pomanders, they’re beautiful, functional, and will scent your home for weeks. 3.Surround your skin with ancestral fibres In winter, the body becomes more attuned to its environment, constantly scanning for warmth, familiarity, and cues of safety. Textiles play a quiet but powerful role here. Natural fibres like wool, cotton, and linen help regulate body temperature and humidity, offering warmth without overheating. When your environment supports thermoregulation, your nervous system stays calmer, your sleep is deeper, and your energy is better conserved. Wool throws and sheepskins for the floor. Affordable options often appear second-hand so keep an eye on charity shops, vintage markets, or online platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Linen or cotton sheets instead of polyester blends. Flannel bedding for that cocooned, tucked-in warmth 4. Stock your ancestral pantry Autumn is the pause between the growing and the resting. It’s the season of gathering and your kitchen becomes a sacred space to preserve what’s left of summer and prepare for the stillness ahead. In the old ways, this was the time to cure, ferment, dry, and jar. Ancestral homes would hum with the scent of simmering fruits and bubbling krauts, filling pantries with shelf-stable nourishment that would carry them through the darker months. A truly autumnal pantry might include: Fig or blackberry jam, simmered slowly with raw honey and lemon zest, a way to bottle the last of the sun. Sun-dried tomatoes or fermented garlic, preserved in olive oil for winter stews Rosehip syrup, rich in vitamin C and immune support Jars of fermented vegetables. Think red cabbage kraut, carrot sticks with dill, or kimchi for digestive fire Dried summer herbs like thyme, oregano, and mint, hung in bunches Root vegetables, onions, and squashes 6. Embrace rituals of stillness Winter doesn’t carry the same momentum as summer, and it’s not supposed to. It’s a slower season, one that supports repair, reflection, and recalibration. Productivity shifts inward. The external stillness is mirrored in the body. Run magnesium-rich salt baths by candlelight, letting your muscles melt back into your bones. Often overlooked, adding 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda to the bath can enhance tissue oxygenation, support cellular repair, and create an environment less prone to inflammation. These baths nourish the thyroid, boost circulation, and help restore the mineral balance often depleted in colder months. For anyone feeling the drag of the colder weather, low energy, cold hands, sluggish metabolism, this is a ritual worth returning to. Pour herbal teas like nettle, raspberry leaf*, or cinnamon into thick mugs and hold them close. *We know many in our community are pregnant and while raspberry leaf tea is incredible for winter, we recommend avoiding it during the first trimester. It can have a mild stimulating effect on the uterus, which is why it's typically reserved for later stages of pregnancy After bathing, warmed oils or tallow can be massaged into the skin to nourish circulation and calm the body. For those prone to dry skin or seasonal eczema flare-ups, this becomes especially important. The colder months often bring lowered humidity and indoor heating, both of which can dehydrate the skin and aggravate inflammatory conditions. Tallow becomes a powerful ally here… its bioavailable nutrients and skin-identical structure help restore moisture, reduce inflammation, and support true healing, not just surface relief. Want to make your own? Here's our Whipped Tallow Moisturiser recipe. These small, tactile moments are how we signal safety. How we remind the body it’s being cared for, even as the temperature drops and the days draw in. Once your home is softened and stocked, all that’s left is to nestle into it. And what better way to end the day than with a mug of Bone Broth Hot Chocolate with a couple of pillowy Gut Healing Marshmallows melting on top. Let winter come. You’re ready. What's your favourite autumn ritual? ↓

More than just a supplement

All-in-one, 100% grass-fed beef protein powder, enriched with collagen, colostrum and beef organs. Designed to replace multiple supplements using whole-food nutrition.

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Blue packaging for the 'Organised' whole food organ blend product, emphasizing nutrition and longevity benefits.

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