What if adult acne isn’t hormonal after all, but an inflammatory signal from the gut asking for help?

In this thought-provoking episode, naturopath Asha Evertsz unpacks the gut–skin–brain axis and reveals why most adult acne is less about hormones and more about systemic inflammation, microbial imbalance, and stress. Drawing on years of clinical experience treating complex female acne, Asha reframes the condition as a terrain issue, not a topical one, where digestion, bile flow, and microbial diversity determine how the skin behaves.

You’ll hear how chronic stress, impaired digestion, and microbiome disruption from antibiotics, the pill, and Roaccutane alter immune pathways and ignite the mTOR signalling cascade that fuels breakouts. Asha walks through the stool markers that matter, including secretory IgA, zonulin, SCFAs, and Akkermansia, and explains the overlooked roles of bile, stomach acid, and pancreatic enzymes, her “guardians of the gut.” She demystifies the H. pylori connection, showing how low stomach acid and disrupted FOXO1 and IGF-1 pathways link directly to acne through poor absorption, excess sebum, and inflammation.

From there, we get practical. Asha outlines her phased gut-repair framework: fortifying mucosal defences, feeding the microbiome with fibre and polyphenols, introducing strain-specific probiotics, and only then layering in antimicrobials like berberine, a clever mTOR modulator. She shares clinical pearls on using bovine immunoglobulins to rebuild IgA and barrier function, timing omega-3s once bile flow is restored, and using zeolite, curcumin, and green tea to bind and calm the system during detox. From the outside in, she explains how corneotherapy protects the skin’s acid mantle and microbiome with topical pre-, pro-, and postbiotics, ditching harsh actives that create “leaky skin.”

Whether you’re a practitioner ready to move beyond surface-level acne care or a clinician refining your gut-first protocols, this conversation offers a test-led roadmap for rebuilding both inner and outer barriers, turning chronic flare-ups into calm, resilient skin.

Connect with Asha: Acne Naturopath | Asha Evertsz | Home

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

What if one of the most overlooked tools in recovery wasn’t a therapy or a stretch - but a specific protein that rebuilds what pain breaks down?

In this episode, integrative physiotherapist Matthew Craig takes us inside the evolving role of targeted collagen peptides in real-world rehabilitation - from fresh surgical scars and stubborn tendon pain to cancer-related cording, fascia restriction, and the creeping loss of bone strength in midlife.

Pain doesn’t follow a neat script, and neither does healing. That’s why Matthew unpacks where collagen makes the biggest impact: in poorly perfused tissues that heal slowly, in post-cancer recovery where cording tethers movement and amplifies pain, and in athletes who need to back up high training loads without joint flare-ups. He shares practical guidance on dose and timing - why 10 g daily supports ongoing repair, and why acute or “critical window” healing may call for 20 g split across the day.

We explore the nuances of collagen type and quality, from type I and III for tendon, skin, and fascia integrity to type II for cartilage and joint comfort. Matthew explains how hydrolysed, bioavailable peptides stimulate fibroblast activity, remodel scar tissue, and improve movement tolerance so that manual therapy and strength training deliver better results.

The conversation extends into bone health for peri- and post-menopausal women, where targeted collagen has shown measurable gains in bone density—small but powerful changes that shape long-term mobility and independence. Matthew also clears the air on athletic recovery, DOMS, and muscle support, debunking the myth that collagen is “just for beauty.”

It’s a clinical roadmap that bridges rehab, recovery, and resilience:

• Why and when to add collagen to a care plan
• Post-surgical healing for scars, fascia, and pain
• Selecting types I, II, and III for clinical goals
• Dosing for acute and ongoing recovery
• Cancer rehab, cording, and restoring movement
• Collagen’s emerging role in bone density support
• Pairing collagen with whole-protein and loading for results

Collagen isn’t a cosmetic extra - it’s protein with a purpose, especially when matched to the job. If you’re navigating surgery, tendon pain, cancer rehab, or simply want stronger bones and better training outcomes, this episode gives you the practical playbook every clinician should hear.

Connect with Matthew: https://www.bouncerehab.com.au/team/

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

What if the very nutrient celebrated for preventing neural tube defects is now tipping into excess, disrupting biochemistry, fuelling anxiety, and shaping the health of the next generation?

In this thought-provoking conversation, clinician–researcher Carolyn Ledowsky - now nearing the end of a four-year PhD - shares her evidence-based re-evaluation of folic acid, methylfolate, and the overlooked role of men in preconception care.

Carolyn unpacks why folic acid isn’t the villain, but why unchecked intake poses real risks. We explore unmetabolised folic acid and methylation bottlenecks, the stability challenges of methylfolate, and why folinic acid may offer a practical interim solution. She outlines a pragmatic public health roadmap: cap daily intake at 400–500 mcg, remove voluntary fortification to prevent hidden excess, and individualise care with methylfolate plus B12 and cofactors where needed.

This conversation also delves into recurrent pregnancy loss and the striking results of tailored protocols - removing folic acid, lowering fortified foods, using methylfolate, testing MTHFR/DHFR status, and including the partner. Importantly, Carolyn brings men into focus, highlighting emerging evidence that male folate metabolism and genetics directly influence fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

And in a surprising clinical insight, she reveals how elevated B6 often normalises quickly with lysine - reshaping how we think about nutrient “toxicity” in the post-viral era.

If you care about smarter prenatal nutrition, realistic fortification policy, and giving couples the best chance of healthy conception, this episode provides a science-led roadmap for clinicians, policymakers, and future parents alike.

Connect with Carolyn: mthfr support

Read Carolyn's Paper:

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health