If you think of the vaginal swab you do at the doctor’s as equivalent to the internet in the 1990s—it shows some information but it’s limited and often leaves out crucial details—then MicroGenDX is like the internet in 2025: fast, efficient, and able to show us nearly everything we need to know.
No more guessing! Those frustrating, recurrent infections that don’t respond to antibiotics or antifungal treatments? No problem. Those lingering UTIs with no apparent cause? We’ll find it.
Read MoreFor many men, your 30s feel like the start of a new chapter. You may be more settled in your career and relationships, but health-wise, it can also be a time when cracks begin to show. Fatigue that doesn’t shift, stubborn weight gain, slower recovery after workouts, and changes in libido or mood are all common. Read on to see how addressing underlying mitochondrial and metabolic changes can improve your health.
Read MoreYou’ve addressed biofilms, cleared your thrush and or bacterial vaginosis — now what? Prevention is everything. Once the infection is removed or reduced, the next step is to recolonise with protective species and maintain an environment that keeps those opportunists in check. Read on to see what the science says works and other helpful tips.
Read MoreRecurrent or resistant thrush can be incredibly frustrating—especially when you've done all the “right” things, and yet the symptoms persist. One lesser-known reason why some yeast infections don’t fully resolve is the presence of biofilms.
Understanding what biofilms are—and how they can protect Candida (the yeast responsible for thrush)—can offer a clearer path to lasting relief.
Read MoreTired of having the itch down there? That fishy odor getting you down? Resistant thrush infections, particularly recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), pose significant challenges for 138 million women globally each year. That’s 138 million women that do not have success with prescription fungal suppositories like clotrimazole. That is too many for a condition that we actually know how to treat effectively. Read on to find out about two key elements that may be the difference for the future of your vaginal microbiome.
Read MoreWhen it comes to fertility we always hope it will be easy. We are biologically made to reproduce after all. However with ever increasing infertility rates we instead need to acknowledge we may require some assistance. In 2022 approximately 1 in 4 New Zealanders experience infertility and 1 in 8 require some form of medical assistance to achieve a pregnancy. Read more to understand how you can naturally increase your chances of conceiving naturally and through assisted reproductive procedures.
Read MoreThe estrobolome is an amazing new term used to discuss the intricate connection between our ‘estrogen’ and the ‘microbiome’ . Did you know that down there in your gut little species of bacteria are choosing whether you need more active estrogen or more inactive estrogen? We have known for a few years now how the gut plays a role in our mood and now we know it also plays a role in our hormonal balance.
Read MoreMany of us have learned to “trust our gut.” But if we ask most people what our digestive tract is for, they’ll probably explain it as a way of absorbing nutrients and disposing of waste. So where do phrases such as “trusting our gut” or “unable to stomach the results” come from? It turns out there is a two-way street between our digestive organs and our brains. What we eat and the state of our digestive tract can have a profound impact on our moods and behaviors. And probably unsurprisingly at this point, our gut microbiome is also involved.
Read MoreIt is normal for the liver to contain some fat, but if fat accounts for more than 10% of the liver’s weight, then liver function may be impaired and serious complications may develop. There are many ways we can lean up our liver and get our health back on track through diet, herbs and exercise.
Read MoreIn the last 2 years we have all experienced Crisis in the form of a pandemic. In New Zealand we have seen a significant increase in Depression and Anxiety during this time(1). With women 58% more likely to be affected by depression than men (2). Termed by psychologists as ‘crisis fatigue’, a combination of chronic stress, anxiety, poor behavioral habits and loneliness, this constant state of pandemic alertness has led to to a state of apathy and burnout for many people (1). How is this connected to inflammation?
Read MoreMany people associate having a drink with a feeling of relaxation or a warm ‘buzz’, essentially using alcohol as a means of harmless fun. Whilst one or two glasses of wine, or a few beers, can be a nice way of unwinding, excessive consumption can have a significant impact on your health. So how does alcohol affect your body? Slurred speech, poor coordination, nausea, vomiting, lack of judgment, volatile emotions, and blackouts can all follow excessive alcohol consumption. Most people will have experienced one or more of these effects at some point, crossing the line from a moderate intake to an unhealthy consumption. Unfortunately or fortunately for us women these effects can often happen more quickly and have long term impacts on our hormones and menstrual cycles. Making alcohol my number one red flag when it comes to women hormones imbalances.
Read MoreEvading this season’s colds, coughs and flu can feel like an uphill battle through a treacherous warzone. As you forge through uncharted territory, you remain constantly vulnerable to an enemy ambush closing in on you. The same can be said of your body during winter, when it must regularly defend against viruses and bacteria. Poor battle tactics, such as inadequate immune defenses, can increase the chance of viruses and bacteria leading to an infection. Fortunately, arming yourself with tools that enhance your immune response can turn the tables on the enemy and mount a counterattack that could win the war, allowing you to conquer any bugs that may come your way.
Read MoreDid you know there are some indigenous populations that eat over 500 different kinds of plant fibres every year? Most of us are hoping to get 30 different kinds a week let alone 500. As you will be reading about soon, a variety of plant foods builds ‘microbiota variety’ in the microbiome which supports regularity when it comes to using the rest room.
Read MoreNow days there are so many probiotics on the shelf. Should I buy refrigerated or shelf stable? Multi strain or single strain? This article will answer some of the many questions around probiotics and how they may help in different ages and stages of life.
Great health is all in the Gut. From the first day of school through to your well-deserved retirement, challenges can arise at every age; your health is no exception to this. More and more, research is showing that your microbiome (i.e. your gut bacteria) is foundational for good health.
Keep it simple! With the four 'S's.
These days we have more information than we can digest and we can struggle to find what is most important. I have scoured the scientific research and information for you to provide you with these four steps. I choose them as they have a big impact leading to a stronger immune system and more vibrant health. .
Read MoreA few years ago when I was living in Japan I was privileged to the availability of various kinds of mushrooms. Inspired by the Japanese cuisine which is filled with the most delectable broths that surround their noodle dishes such as ramen, I tried my hand at making some mushroom soups. Unknown to me then, these mushrooms were going to become a huge focus in science as we became aware of their immune enhancing benefits
Read More
