Midlife Blood Tests
When it comes to improving our health, I'm a firm believer that the first step is understanding where our health is today. Knowing what to measure and how to intervene through lifestyle, is key. Some of the earliest warning signs appear in blood work. Even if your blood work has been perfect your whole life and your diet and exercise routine hasn't changed, you'll want to watch for these common menopausal changes.
What is a naturopath? And why choose to see one?
I often meet someone in practice for the first time and they say, ‘I have no idea what a naturopath is! I’m just here because my wife/friend/workmate/brother etc. told me I must come.’ And while I love hearing this, I thought it might be worth answering this question for those people who too might be wondering?
How to eat in your 40s. What you need to know about mid-life nutrition.
There are few subjects as confusing as nutrition. Countless diets exist on the market, all contradicting each other. One claims to eat this, the next to avoid that. It’s no wonder people are confused! It’s time to get back to basics.
Feed Your Skin
Midlife sees a myriad of changes to your body, including your skin. Many of my clients complain of suddenly developing rosacea, acne, eczema, dry itchy skin and sagging - seemingly overnight. No matter what age or stage you’re at, it’s never too late to transform your skin. Here I’ve listed some do’s and don’ts to ensure you continue to age beautifully.
The fog of menopause
Many of us don’t make the connection between forgetfulness and perimenopause, instead blaming it on the stress of juggling work/life/family. Your brain is home to lots of oestrogen receptors so when hormone levels dip during perimenopause, your memory, concentration and ability to think clearly can be affected.
Muscle is your super power in midlife.
Muscle is very easy to lose, especially once you hit the menopause transition. Many women only become aware of this in their 40s, as they start to feel that they no longer recognize their bodies, describing them as softer, rounder, and less responsive to exercise.
This is big…
This week I spent time at Nanga Bush Camp talking with the young leaders of @zero2hero Camp Hero program. We talked about the influence their food choices can have on how they think and how they can make them feel. Their enthusiasm for change always leaves me inspired and I’m grateful for their huge energy. It might sound surprising to some, but young people are really keen to alter their diet if they believe it will improve their mood.
What a student (should) eat in a day.
Good nutrition is part of a good study plan and learning how to properly fuel your brain and body helps you to stay happy and focused while you learn. Whether you’re a student or the parent of a child sitting school exams, here are the basics of what to eat to encourage better productivity and academic performance.
Is Intermittent Fasting Beneficial for Women?
Sure, intermittent fasting may be popular. And maybe your brother or your boyfriend or your husband or even your dad has found it works really well for them. But women are different than men, and our bodies have different needs. The most important thing to do when considering a new diet is to ask yourself, is this diet right for you as an individual – particularly as a woman.
Here’s how to pack on abdominal fat in just two weeks: sleep for 4 hours a night!
When it comes to weight loss, it’s usually diet and exercise that we think of first to achieve a healthy weight. But what if the solution was as simple as getting an extra hour of sleep a night?
Could your weight gain be caused by stress?
Weight gain is one of the most common complaints of perimenopause but it doesn’t need to be. There are a few things to consider… thyroid health, insulin resistance, poor sleep causing high cortisol… and stress!
Everything you need to know about soy and phytoestrogens.
Your guide to harnessing the powers of plant hormones for menopause and the answer to the controversial question of whether it’s safe to eat soy.
Your menopause, your way.
For sure, menopause is a time of change, and making it a positive time of change is not down to luck. It’s about preparing with good nutrition and lifestyle habits that starts in your early forties. Yes forties!
5 steps to improving your PCOS naturally.
If you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome you might be wondering, but what can I do about it? A whole lot!
Unsure if you have PCOS? Here’s how to find out.
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of a reproductive age, believed to affect up to 15% of the female population. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle or no period at all or have symptoms of androgen excess then here’s how to find out if you have PCOS.
Why ‘sugar free’ foods could actually be causing us to gain weight.
If you pick up any product labelled ‘sugar free’, ‘reduced sugar’ or ‘low calorie’, it’s almost certain to contain artificial sweeteners, but could artificial sweeteners actually be causing us to gain weight?
The power of tiny habits.
Good health is the product of daily habits, not a once in a lifetime transformation. Too often we convince ourselves that having massive success requires massive action. But the difference a tiny improvement can make over time is astounding. If you can change your habits, you can change your health. Here’s some of ours…
Wonder what flaxseeds could do for your PCOS?
Flaxseeds are a powerhouse of a food, rich in several biologically active compounds as well as being a great source of both soluble and insoluble fibre. This recent study from 2020 was the first to explore the effects of freshly ground flaxseed powder on blood sugar management, BMI, cholesterol markers, inflammatory markers, and androgen profiles in women with PCOS.