In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of gender-specific research in health and nutrition. Traditionally, much of the scientific research has been conducted predominantly on male subjects, often leading to the application of findings to women without adequate consideration of the physiological differences that exist between the sexes. This oversight can have significant implications for women’s health, particularly in the context of nutrition, where hormonal fluctuations play a crucial role.

Fasting has gained significant popularity as a means to achieve various health benefits, including weight loss, improved metabolic health, and enhanced longevity. However, when it comes to women's health, the effects of fasting can be quite different from those experienced by men. Understanding these differences is crucial for making informed decisions about dietary practices. In this blog post, we’ll explore why fasting may not be beneficial for women and discuss alternative approaches to achieving optimal health.

The contraceptive pill, often hailed as a revolutionary tool for women's reproductive health, is widely used for preventing pregnancy and managing menstrual-related issues such as pain and heavy bleeding... but are we ever fully informed about the potential side effects? And should GPs be handing out this drug as freely as they do, especially for non-pregnancy related symptoms such as acne? In my opinion, no, not without full disclosure of the risks involved.

Leaky gut syndrome has gained increasing attention for its impact on various aspects of health, including hormonal balance. One hormone significantly affected by leaky gut is progesterone, a crucial component in the female reproductive system and overall well-being. Understanding how leaky gut influences progesterone can offer insights into managing hormonal imbalances and supporting gut health for better overall health.

The seed oils that tend to be in question at the moment include sunflower, vegetable, rapeseed and safflower, amongst some others. The common trend of thought is that seed oils have a higher level of omega-6 polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) linoleic acid (LA) compared to omega-3, which makes them inflammatory due to increasing arachidonic acid which is pro-inflammatory.

Let’s start by laying down the basic information – menopause happens to half the population of the entire world. Just in the UK alone it is estimated that there are around 13 million women who are perimenopausal or menopausal – that is a third of the whole female population. It’s no wonder there are so many menopause supplements available, supplement companies would be mad to forget about this demographic… but do they actually work?

In today's fast-paced world, juggling family responsibilities and a hectic work schedule can often make maintaining a healthy lifestyle seem like a daunting task. However, with a strategic approach and a focus on prioritizing wellbeing, it's possible to strike a balance between a demanding job, a brood of children and sustaining a consistently healthy lifestyle.

The perennial debate surrounding the causes of obesity has long intrigued scientists, health professionals, and individuals alike. While diet and lifestyle choices undeniably play pivotal roles in weight management, the influence of genetics on body weight has gained increasing attention in recent years. This blog post aims to explore the intricate relationship between genetics and obesity, delving into the scientific evidence and shedding light on whether our genetic makeup can truly make us fat.

Did you know that most research on sports nutrition and sports performance in general is done on men? Not a huge surprise in my opinion, but what is baffling is that the research is then just applied to women without any consideration for the massive differences between each gender. From HIIT training to intermittent fasting, most of these dietary or exercise choices were first based on men, and newer research shows that due to the complexities of the female menstrual cycle and hormone fluctuations they may not be so useful to simply be applied as a one-size-fits-all approach.

The journey to parenthood can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in life. However, for some couples, conceiving a child can be a challenging and emotionally taxing process. While there are many factors that influence fertility, nutrition plays a significant role in both male and female reproductive health. Read on to explore the ways in which you can prepare your body for conception with nutrition. Preconception should ideally be a three month process so that your body can adapt and adjust itself to these beneficial nutritional changes.

Hormone imbalance is a term that is thrown around a lot… but what does it really mean? Hormone imbalance is NOT a root cause, but a reaction to other factors. It is no good trying to fix the hormones without fixing the reasons for the hormone changes.

Hormones play a vital role in regulating various bodily functions, from metabolism and mood to growth and reproduction. These chemical messengers are produced by various glands in the endocrine system, and their balance is crucial for overall health and wellbeing. However, hormonal imbalance can occur, leading to a wide range of health issues. In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons why hormone imbalance can occur and their potential effects on the body.

Are you in the 10% of females who has been diagnosed with PCOS? Maybe you have recently been to the doctor and been told you have PCOS because you have irregular or non-existent periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, and/or you struggle to lose weight. It is unlikely the doctor explained to you that there are different types of PCOS, and that means different methods of support.

There is one misconception about weight loss that I see almost daily with new clients. This is the notion that they feel like they need to cut out meals, severely restrict calories and generally just eat like a sparrow to lose weight. It is mind blowing how many social media accounts I see that compare the number of calories of two ‘foods’, usually one being ultra processed with zero nutritional content but with less calories, and the other marginally better in terms of nutrition but with higher calories. The angle of these post is to encourage you to choose the ultra processed option because of its lower calorie content. It’s insane and dangerous to people’s health.

When trying to conceive a baby, it is quite common for most of the onus to be on the woman. It is assumed that as the carrier of the baby, the mother is mainly responsible for any fertility difficulties. As we all know, it takes two to tango, and babies don’t arrive on our doorstep delivered by a stalk. Yes, it is true that the woman does carry the baby and should therefore live a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy (and beyond!) to protect the foetus, but this is a different stage to actual conception, which is a two player game.

Progesterone is one of the major sex hormones that is essential for regulating the menstrual cycle and promoting a healthy a pregnancy. If we break up the word, it literally means just that – ‘pro’ meaning to promote, and ‘gesterone’ meaning gestation. As well as this, it is a calming hormone which converts to a neurosteroid called allopregnanolone which calms GABA receptors – this lowers feelings of stress and anxiety.

The answer to the above question is a resounding YES. Stress can play a huge part in our gut microbiome – when we are stressed, the autonomic and circulatory systems send distress signals from the brain to the gut. If you think about it from a physical standpoint, how many times have you felt stressed - perhaps you’re about to do something out of your comfort zone, and you suddenly have the urge to go to the toilet? Stress can both delay emptying stomach contents, and also speed up motility, so that you need to go right this second…or we could have a disaster on our hands.

The dark dreary months of post-Christmas, but pre clocks changing in late March can be tough for anybody at the best of times, but when you are in the throes of menopause, your mood can feel as dark as the days. This window of time can feel like you’re in limbo, not wanting to wish precious time away, but waiting for the first available second it is acceptable to get that massive sunhat out of storage and jump on a plane to warmer climates.

The world of supplements can seem like a mine field at the best of times, firstly you have the bog standard vitamins and minerals that everyone knows about like vitamin C and calcium, but then you’ve got the fish oils, the pro and prebiotics, the amino acids, the medicinal mushrooms and then the multifaceted formulations that have been carefully curated to suit a specific ailment – most of the components of which you have no idea what they are and how they can help, but if the label says ‘women’s menopause formula’ then you’re down for it!

Do you sometimes wake up and no matter how hard you try you can’t shake that bad mood? Everyone and anything that gets in your way is at risk of feeling your wrath, whether it be your partner for not unpacking the dishwasher, the person in front of you in Pret who’s taking 10 years to decide whether to get a pumpkin spice or a gingerbread latte, or the guy who pulled his car out in front of you on the school run. I’ve certainly been there numerous times, and I can think of multiple people, usually women, who can relate.

I think we can all agree that Alzheimer’s is quite a scary word when it comes to anyone in our life, including ourselves. As usual, the research on women is far less than that of men, the first study on Alzheimer’s that even included women was in 1993, and there are still no women-only studies. However, recent research has shed some light on why there is a link between Alzheimer’s and menopause, which is a breakthrough for how we can manage the risks.