Zen on Elliott

A recent randomised, double blind trial reported promising results for ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fifty-eight children aged 6 to 12 years, described as having mild ADHD, received ashwagandha or placebo for eight weeks while taking no other ADHD medication. The mean ADHD Rating Scale score fell from 45.8 to 29.0 in the ashwagandha group, compared with 45.2 to 44.9 in the placebo group: a highly significant 16.5-point difference. Parent-rated executive function, sleep disturbance and anxiety also improved. The size of the reported benefit is striking, although a baseline score of about 45 on a 54-point scale is difficult to reconcile with the description of “mild” ADHD.

The active treatment was an ashwagandha root extract given in gummies at 150 mg twice daily (300 mg/day). This aqueous extract was standardised to approximately 5% withanolides, giving a nominal 15 mg of total withanolides daily. The paper did not provide an extract-to-root ratio, so its dried-root equivalent cannot be calculated reliably, although it is probably in the order of 3 to 5 g/day.

The heavy reliance on parent-derived ratings, together with virtually no improvement in the placebo group, raises questions about expectancy bias and the effectiveness of blinding. Independent teacher ratings would have strengthened the findings.

From a Functional Herbal Therapy perspective, ashwagandha is particularly indicated when ADHD occurs alongside poor stress tolerance, disturbed sleep, anxiety or difficulty with emotional regulation. It offers a way to support this broader pattern of dysregulation alongside attention and behaviour. The trial provides further grounds for its use, but its short duration and some arithmetic inconsistencies in the results tables make independent replication important.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42602386/

We some rare double appointments available tomorrow if you are looking for a couples appointment, or just want to come with a friend!

Send Kellie a message to book on 0408147516, or head to Fresha —> https://www.fresha.com/book-now/zen-spa-beauty-wellness-ja5nhp6o/all-offer?share=true&pId=158375

What if the reason you're tired, bloated and low in iron starts in your stomach?

One possible piece of the puzzle is H. pylori. This tiny bacterium doesn't just live in your stomach. It reshapes it.

It makes an enzyme that turns urea into ammonia, which softens the acid around it and makes the stomach a more comfortable home. Over time, that can change how well you digest protein and absorb B12, iron and other key nutrients, and low energy is often the first thing women notice.

You might also notice:
🔸 Burning or gnawing upper tummy discomfort
🔸 Nausea, burping or reflux-like symptoms
🔸 A heavy, full feeling after small meals
🔸 Low B12 despite a good diet
🔸 Stubborn skin concerns like acne

The good news is that your gut can find its balance again. It usually comes down to the small, everyday things: a wider variety of plants on your plate, replenishing what's run low, and giving your nervous system a chance to settle. If you'd like to know where you stand, GI-MAP testing is one option, and we're always happy to talk it through.

Read our full blog for a gentle, food-first approach 👇

https://www.zenonelliott.com/zen-blog/h-pylori

🌿 What's happening in clinic?

We had a case come through that's such a good reminder of why we never stop at "your bloods are normal."

Testosterone on paper? Right in range. But something still felt off — low energy, a stubbornly flat feeling that didn't match the numbers.

Turns out the total testosterone wasn't the whole story. Most of it travels bound to a carrier protein called SHBG, and while it's bound, it's not actually doing any work in the body — only the *free* portion is active. When SHBG runs high, you can have a "normal" total number and still feel like you're running on empty.

What nudges SHBG up? A few common culprits:
- Under-eating or very low-calorie diets
- High training load without enough fuel behind it
- Liver and thyroid function, since SHBG is made in the liver

And some of the nutrients we lean on to support healthy balance:
✨ Zinc — a key player in testosterone production
✨ Boron — well studied for supporting free testosterone
✨ Magnesium — quietly supports the metabolic picture behind it all

The biggest lever, though? Simply eating enough. Consistently. Before any supplement gets a look in.

This is exactly the kind of detective work we love in clinic — the number on the page is never the end of the conversation.

I felt very clever today, hanging this sign on the fence.

I made the holes in the sign and put metal discs in them, then used rope to hang it over the fence. (Go me! 👏)

BUT

As the traffic drives past it creates a lot of wind and the sign flips back over the fence 😩 💨

Any suggestions on how I can weigh it down without marking the fence paint or putting holes in the fence?

🙏🏻 Kel

We opened Zen on Elliott in 2017.

We have had clients come and go during that time, but many have stayed, and they have become more than clients. They have become friends.

When we lose a friend from our clinic, it hurts. We get to know you, your family, you confide in us, and us in you. Over the years we see you more frequently than some family.

Yesterday I found out that one of my longest clients, passed away unexpectedly. She has been with us every 4-6 weeks since 2018. I have met her family, seen her struggles and triumphs, and this news has completely broken me.

I hope she knew how much I appreciated her.

I will miss her.

Kel

I meant to post this earlier this week! Sorry Cass!

Our lovely client Cass is raising money for pancreatic cancer. If you want to donate, you can scan the QR code in the image (zoom in) and it will take you to her fundraising page.

Thank you for your support!

💜