My Wellness Diary
My wellness Diary
What supplements, gadgets, routines am I experimenting with now?
Successes and duds!
26th April 2025
Diary Entry: Testing, Tweaking… and a Tiny Vibration Friend?
Okay, confession time: I’ve been leaning on Mag 07 for far too long to keep things moving 💨 (if you know, you know). But it's really not meant for everyday use—so I'm testing out acacia fibre as a gentler, more sustainable replacement. Early signs? Promising! Less drama, more regularity.
And then there’s this new little gadget I’ve strapped to my wrist: Apollo Neuro. It gently vibrates to calm your nervous system—basically a wearable hug telling your body, “Shh, it’s okay, you’re safe.” 💓
I think it’s helping—I’ve slept better this week and love how it feels during the day. But let me be honest: the app is confusing, the modes never seem to match what I scheduled, and—wait for it—they want a subscription for the upgraded features. After nearly £300?! No thank you. It either works out of the box or it's catching a one-way trip back.
Still testing... stay tuned!”
28th April 2025
Had a dance marathon with hubby Saturday night... and now my histamine is throwing a tantrum. 2 day headache? Oh yes. Thanks, sneaky tomato, chocolate, sourdough, gin and late-night chaos.🤢
On the bright side, acacia fibre is my new BFF — two big scoops a day and my gut is happier than I am on the dancefloor!
Apollo Neuro is still a total mystery. I seriously need to contact them because I have no idea how it actually works!
Today, some random 'Recover' mode started buzzing — not even one I scheduled. Maybe it just knew I needed rescuing?😂
30th April 2025
My histamine hangover hit hard—headache for two whole days but even worse at night. I downed buckets of organic nettle tea on day 2, like a woman on a mission , and boom—on day 3, I felt like a brand new human. Magic leaf powers, activate!
Upped my Acacia fibre to 3 heaped tablespoons—easing in slowly to avoid any windy surprises. It's gentle and keeps things moving... but let’s be real, it’s no Mag 07. Still keeping that one in the emergency holiday kit!
The Apollo Neuro drama continues. Still not pairing properly. It’s vibing on its own schedule—mood ring style. Might rope someone in today to help figure it out. Customer service is sweet, but I’m suspicious this gadget’s got a mind of its own. If it is faulty, maybe I can blag a free subscription? Worth a try 😉
Big win: found gluten-free, seed oil-free, low sugar snack bars that actually taste good (yes, really!). I’ll use them for when I’m away from home. Doves Freee organic gluten free oat bars:
Banana & Chocolate
Chocolate Chip
Apricot with Chia
Apple with Sultanas
😲 They have a cranberry one but it has sunflower oil !!!
No ad. Just a happy, snacky Izzy
1st May 2025
DAO Enzyme Swap: A Little Experiment
Trying out a new brand of DAO enzyme (that’s diamine oxidase — the enzyme that helps break down histamine before it causes chaos).
The one I’ve been using is called NATURDAO Plus, and it’s plant-based. It works pretty well — but I’ve heard that animal-based versions can work even better for some people, so... I’m switching it up!
The new one I’m testing is called DAOfood Plus. Same purpose, slightly different source. No harm in experimenting, right? Especially if it means fewer histamine headaches and mystery symptoms.
I’ll report back once I see how my body responds — fingers crossed for even better nights, clear sinuses, and being able to have some normal food like tomatoes without the body freaking out!
Spent 1 hour with help, trying to pair up the Apollo Neuro. It didn’t. It has to be faulty. I have asked for them to swap it for another one. It’s doing my head in.
7th May 2025
Biohacking Buzz & Fiber Flops💩: My Latest Experiments
So... the Apollo Neuro saga continues. I thought it was faulty (and maybe I just wanted it to be?), but apparently, it’s not broken—it’s just built that way. 😅 According to the support team, when you pair it with your phone, it’s totally normal for nothing to show up on the device itself. Hmmm. Still not 100% sold that mine is working as it should, though.
That said, rumor has it they’re gearing up to launch a fancy new upgraded version soon (with a not-so-fancy price tag), so fingers crossed they iron out the kinks!
And on the gut-healing front: remember how excited I was about acacia fiber? Yeah… I may have hyped it up a bit too much. 🙈 It’s fine, but not the miracle gut-smoothing magic dust I was hoping for. Let’s just say... the search continues! Maybe I’m just holding out for a miracle here—but I want perfection, okay?
Things are flowing fine, but twice a day? That’s the dream. 😏 I know three people (three!!) who are that regular and yes, I’m wildly jealous. Like, "teach me your ways, O Digestive Gods" kinda jealous.
As for the DAOfood Plus (you know, the DAO enzyme that’s supposed to munch down histamine from food like a pro?)... hmm. Honestly? Not noticing a massive difference from my last one—NATURDAO Plus. In fact, I’m starting to suspect the old one might’ve worked a bit better. 🤷♀️ Hard to tell for sure, so I’m giving it a little longer before making the final judgment call.
I should feel something if it’s breaking down histamine on the spot, right? Will report back soon—hopefully from the throne room of digestive victory.
Testing herbs, supplements and gadgets to optimize health.
15th May 2025
Here’s my conclusion on the Apollo Nero: I might not completely understand how to link it to its schedule and the battery life is a bit short, but honestly, I can't imagine living without it!
Recovery mode is the default setting, and that's super handy for us busy bees. Plus, when I connect it to my phone (if I’m bothered to), I can switch it up with other modes like sleep, relax, focus, and more. It’s very relaxing and satisfying to feel the vibration. I miss it when it’s charging. 🌟 So, I’m keeping it!
20th May2025
Choosing between DAOfood Plus and NATURDAO Plus is difficult but NATURDAO Plus has an edge. You only need to take it 5 minutes before meals, making it perfect for holiday and unexpected dining. In contrast, DAOfood Plus requires 20 minutes of prep, which can be tricky.
1st June 2025
Nooooooooooo!😭 Today I am the bearer of bad news.
Research is showing that there is no safe amount of alcohol for your health. It was all lies!😭
Don’t shoot me. I’m just the messenger.
So, here goes (I’ll keep it short and simple to get it over and done with quickly):
Q: Is Moderate Drinking Safe for Your Brain?
A: Short answer: Nope.
Q: Is moderate drinking really harmful?
A: Yes. Even “moderate” drinking (that’s 7 or fewer drinks per week) increases your risk of brain damage by 60%.
It raises your chances of developing vascular brain lesions—tiny blockages that cut off blood and oxygen to your brain. The result?
👉 Cognitive decline, foggy thinking, and memory slip-ups over time.
Q: Does quitting alcohol undo the damage?
A: Sadly, no. Former heavy drinkers had:
More brain lesions
Smaller brain mass
Worse memory + cognitive scores
The damage sticks around, even years after you quit. Alcohol’s impact is cumulative and long-lasting.
Q: What does alcohol actually do to your brain?
A: It causes:
Hyaline arteriolosclerosis (yep, that’s a mouthful) — basically, your brain’s tiny blood vessels harden and narrow
Tau tangles — protein clumps linked to Alzheimer’s
Result? Your brain shrinks, your memory fades, and everyday thinking gets harder.
Q: Is there any safe amount of alcohol for brain health?
A: Nope. A massive study of 313,958 people found no safe level of alcohol when it comes to dementia risk.
Risk goes up with every drink, no matter how light the pour.
Bottom Line:
Even that “just one glass” habit could be shrinking your brain.
Want to stay sharp as you age? Go dry — your future self will thank you.
Dr. Mercola advises taking N-acetylcysteine (NAC) before and after occasional alcohol use — If you are going to drink for an upcoming wedding, holiday, or reunion with friends, NAC is your backup plan. It supports your liver's ability to neutralize acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism that damages DNA.
Take a 200-milligram dose 30 minutes before drinking alongside vitamins B1 and B6, as these nutrients also help reduce the toxic side effects of alcohol.
Sources and References :
Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, January 23, 2024
Neurology. 2025 May 13;104(9):e213555
NeuroscienceNews.com, April 10, 2025
eClinicalMedicine, Volume 76, 102810
er…talking of alcohol…..
Drinking clean alcohol by the beach
2nd June 2025
Back from Portugal — and My Histamine Tolerance Took a Holiday Too!
Just got back from a dreamy week in Portugal (yes, fresh photos coming!). Sunshine, sea air, and… my very first real brush with histamine overload. 😬
I skipped the wine , because even a few sips send my histamine levels spiraling these days. Instead, I sipped my clean cocktails: gin or vodka with sparkling water, plus my trusty travel sidekicks — blackcurrant & ginger powder + a little stevia. Yes, I’m that girl who brings her own drink mix. #HistamineHacks 😎
Everything was fabulous for a few days — until one glorious dinner of traditional Portuguese deliciousness:
-Shellfish rice (hello, tomato sauce)
-Aged sheep cheese (high-histamine but so worth it)
-Snails, cooked the authentic Portuguese way (yes, I’m weird)
-Clean vodka with fizzy water and stevia-still alcohol.
...and probably a dozen other sneaky histamine bombs.
Let’s just say... my body filed a formal complaint. 🥴
Histamine sensitivity is no joke — even on holiday! So now I know: a little is manageable, but a full-on feast? Nope. Lesson learned (again).
👉Now a few extra pounds and a glass full of histamine later it’s time for my routine again which I also enjoy strangely enough! Maybe because I have found alternative nice foods that do the job of keeping me fit and happy without nasty side effects.
Back to my buckwheat noodles with pesto sauce and garlic, parsley and spring onions. Maybe an egg or two with it. And maybe a little bit( a square or 2 or…. 3 or…….4 of that Hu chocolate Hazelnut butter dark chocolate. Mmmm.
My favorite reset button when I’ve indulged just a tiny bit too much is the intermittent fasting. It’s simple, sustainable, and totally histamine-friendly.
👉Confession Time: There Is One Chemical I Take...
Okay, okay — I lied, friends! 😅 and you’ll never guess what it is…
It’s a tablet for flying. Yep. That’s my “guilty” chemical pleasure. #TrueStory
And thank goodness I took it — because on the flight home, just as we were about to land (already over the runway!), the engines suddenly roared to life and the plane started climbing again!
A few dramatic minutes later, the pilot casually informs us:
“Uhh… there was another plane on the runway. So we had to go around.”
Ummm, WHAT?! 😳
Change of subject:
All my life my mum said long hair didn’t suit me and I never had it past shoulder length. And now, at nearly 60, when it’s not supposed to suit women that age, is when I am wearing it long. So there!
5th June 2025
I’m trying something new for the histamine overload/sensitivity:
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine). It supports methylation, a process your body uses to break down excess histamine. If your methylation pathways are sluggish—hello, midlife stress and genetics—histamine can build up and trigger everything from headaches and hives to hormone havoc.
By boosting SAMe levels, you're helping your body detox histamine more efficiently, potentially easing symptoms like bloating, anxiety, and itchy skin. Apparently it has actually helped people according to a group chat I looked at.
But here’s the playful twist: SAMe isn't for everyone. If you're undermethylated, it might help. If you're overmethylated, it could backfire. Always best to start low and go slow which is what I will do starting today. 🤞
Together on this journey,
Izzy x