If you’re new to supplements and this is something you’ve thought about or said out loud, this article is for you. It’s January at the time of writing this, and “being healthier” is never higher on the list. The gyms fill up, my clinic gets busier, and people’s interest in using supplements tends to peak. “I want to know what supplements I should be taking.” The … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 53: The power of culinary herbs and spices.
From anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to having a profound effect on the gut microbiome, the properties of herbs and spices are various and broad. “I’ve been inspired by a paper that came out this week on the effect of culinary herbs and spices on the gut. This paper inspired me to put together a full episode of the health benefits of adding more herbs and spices to your … [Read more...]
The health benefits of adding more herbs and spices to your meals
From anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to having a profound effect on the gut microbiome, the properties of herbs and spices are various and broad. Let’s consider why adding more herbs and spices to your meals is a pillar of your long-term health and diet. But first… A significant differentiation between the medicinal herbs I use in my practice and the culinary … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 52: Most prescribed – Saffron for Mental Health
Saffron has taken its place as one of the pillars of herbal medicine for mental health, and in this episode, take a deep dive with Philip on how it might help you. Welcome to the first in a new series of episodes of Free and Inspired Radio called Most Prescribed. In this series, you can learn more about the most frequently prescribed clinical herbs in Philip’s … [Read more...]
Most Prescribed: Saffron for Mental Health
Those who know me well, both personally and professionally, know two things. The first is that everything is "my favourite", and the second is that I love prescribing saffron clinically for mental health. The story of my love affair with saffron began almost ten years ago. On a whim, I travelled interstate to Sydney to attend an informal fireside chat with two world leaders … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 51: Four Things to better help your health in 2023
A somewhat different episode to ring in 2023 on Free and Inspired radio, it’s Philip Watkins’ four steps for better health! Scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! “I tend to shy away from giving the type of advice we’re going to cover in this episode, but more than any other year in my fifteen of practice, I’ve seen more of two types of patients … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 50: The Gut and Hashimoto’s disease connection
Learn about the gut and the brain’s contribution in sustaining and perhaps even triggering Hashimoto’s disease and some possible things to look into if you haven’t already. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common autoimmune condition globally. Discover how autoimmunity works and how it relates to the thyroid and the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease. For example, when the … [Read more...]
The connection between the gut and Hashimoto’s disease
Hashimoto’s disease is the most common autoimmune condition globally.[1] It entangles both the gut and the brain symptomatically. Common examples of these symptoms are constipation and brain fog. But what about the gut when it comes to the triggers of Hashimoto’s disease? In this article, we will look at the gut's contribution in sustaining and perhaps even … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 49: What is the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)?
The dietary inflammatory index, or DII, is an index that helps link diet, inflammation and disease development. In this Free and Inspired radio episode, learn more about this evolving way to assess how inflammatory your diet might be. Why is inflammation significant when it comes to your overall healthspan? Well, chances are that you know someone affected by … [Read more...]
What is the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)?
The dietary inflammatory index or DII helps link diet, inflammation and disease development. Now in its second iteration, the index brings together forty-five different parameters to assess the inflammatory potential of your diet.[1] Over the last fifteen years, researchers have been collating studies highlighting different foods and their contributions to chronic … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 48: Is your blood sugar affecting your anxiety and depression?
Suppose the causes that affect your depression and anxiety may not be what you expect? In this Free and Inspired radio episode, learn how your blood sugar might affect your mood and anxiety. Personal responsibility disclaimer: If there comes a time when you feel like it is difficult for you to take action and the quality of your day is declining rapidly, then getting some … [Read more...]
Your blood sugar can influence your mood and anxiety levels.
Sixty per cent of people with depression still do not seek medical help because of the social stigma around its perceived hindrance to their career or personal life.[1] Suppose you are one of those sixty per cent. In that case, managing your blood sugar and exercise could be two lifestyle choices that can begin your journey towards feeling better, especially if you are … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 47: A Beginner’s Guide to Probiotics – Part 2
Welcome to part two of one of the most downloaded Free and Inspired radio episodes – A Beginner’s Guide to probiotics. In part one of the guide, which you can listen to here, find out what a probiotic is and some tips and tricks to get started if you’ve never taken them. In this episode, discover some of the conditions where probiotics have evidence behind them and where … [Read more...]
How to choose the right probiotic for you.
Is there a way to choose the right probiotic for you? The value of the global probiotics market in 2021 was just under sixty billion US dollars.[1] That’s a lot of options when it comes to choosing the right probiotic for you. A basic search for probiotics on iHerb, the popular online supplement retailer, can deliver up to five hundred confusing options. For example, … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 46: Vitamin D for IBS, sleep and depression.
We're diving deeper into Vitamin D in this Free and Inspired Radio episode. We all know it is for bone health, but what about IBS, depression, sleep and protection from viral infections? Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Hong Kong. Mainly due to the climate, estimates are between sixty to seventy per cent of Hong Kong residents are deficient. This … [Read more...]