Alex Mercer · April 19, 2026
Across the many conversations I’ve had about this, questions about inulin intake rank far more commonly than most people expect — and most conversations reveal the same pattern: widespread uncertainty about which foods actually contain meaningful amounts, and how much would be needed to make a real difference. As a prebiotic fibre, inulin works by … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 17, 2026
Rapid consumption during meals ranks among the most predictable triggers for post-meal bloating, yet the mechanisms behind it operate in ways many people never consider. When your typical eating pattern involves speed — whether that’s consuming lunch at your desk, standing over the counter, squeezing meals between back-to-back commitments, or browsing while you eat — … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 16, 2026
The moment the afternoon bloating hits, it’s unmistakable—a tightness spreading across my lower abdomen, a heaviness that makes even breathing feel laboured. When people describe this exact sensation to me, the conversation often turns to what’s happening at the cellular level: oxidative stress, a weakened intestinal barrier, or a liver that’s struggling to keep up … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 15, 2026
If you’ve been researching antioxidant supplements for gut or liver health, you’ve probably come across two names more than any others: alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and glutathione. Both are powerful. Both are well-studied. And the question of whether to take them together — and how — comes up constantly in my experience. The short answer: … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 14, 2026
Lithium (common in bipolar treatment) — keto’s diuretic effect changes kidney function and can alter lithium levels significantly. Levels must be monitored closely Valproate — another common mood stabiliser; its metabolism may shift on keto Any antidiabetic medication — keto dramatically lowers blood glucose and must be coordinated with your prescriber Bring this plan to … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 13, 2026
Someone sat across from me last month describing a pattern I’ve encountered countless times: six weeks into her ketogenic protocol for mental clarity, the fog hadn’t lifted — if anything, it had thickened. Her energy flagged by mid-afternoon. What she didn’t realize was that her shift away from fortified grains and legumes had quietly created … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 12, 2026
I made an early misstep in my experience: I assumed that anyone struggling with mood instability simply needed to avoid excitatory foods and ramp up calming nutrients. What I didn’t grasp—not until I began studying the neurochemistry more carefully—was that glutamate itself sits at the centre of how the brain regulates mood, and that the … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 10, 2026
Your doctor tells you mental health struggles are primarily neurochemical—fix the serotonin imbalance with medication—while a wellness blogger insists the real culprit is your blood sugar crashes and inflammatory diet. The truth is neither framing captures the whole picture. Metabolic psychiatry sits at the intersection: it proposes that brain function depends not just on neurotransmitter … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 9, 2026
Researchers employed MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) neuroimaging to measure outcomes, enabling direct visualization of shifts in how the brain’s chemistry functioned. The findings proved remarkable: Brain glutamate concentrations fell measurably — this excitatory neurotransmitter, when present at excessive levels, correlates strongly with mood swings and the cellular damage patterns observed in bipolar disorder Nine in … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 8, 2026
Following a low-residue diet before a colonoscopy does not have to mean days of misery and near-starvation. With the right plan, clients consistently tell me it was far more manageable than they expected. If your doctor has handed you a…