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Is it perimenopause or insulin resistance? Why insulin resistance may be making your perimenopause worse

I've been seeing more and more women in the clinic who are dealing with insulin resistance, and a lot of them aren't even aware of it. Its usually the stubborn weight gain and skin tags that are obvious clues for me. If I suspect insulin resistance, I usually refer them for some blood tests to get a clearer picture. Insulin resistance happens when insulin levels are consistently high. The hormone insulin helps control the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. With insulin resistance, the body's cells don't respond normally to insulin. Glucose can't enter the cells as easily, so it builds up in the blood. This can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. This reduced ability to respond to insulin affects metabolic flexibility, making it harder...

cholesterol foods

What is causing my high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a topic that causes so much confusion when it comes to our health. Cholesterol is necessary in our body as it helps to build our sex hormones – estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, vitamin D and is essential for our cell membrane health and bile production. When our levels of cholesterol are tested the standard blood tests will usually include Total Cholesterol HDL LDL Triglycerides LDL cholesterol is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because too much of it can cause fatty deposits to build up inside the walls of our arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart and brain. HDL cholesterol helps to remove the LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream which is why it’s often referred to as “good” cholesterol. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood, used...

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What is causing my bloating?

There are so many causes of bloating and its not always about the food. This is an area that can confuse so many and I want you to know that its not always about the food as I outline below. Yes some food groups can cause our gut to bloat after eating them. This can be a normal physiological reaction. Normal bloating shouldn’t cause too much discomfort and it passes after a short period of time. I believe our bodies are designed to eat real, whole foods. Our bodies know what do to with them, they are designed to break them down and digest them. As we get older it becomes harder to digest foods such as dairy as we stop producing much of the enzyme to...

Nutrients to support your immune health during Winter

While it’s not possible to completely prevent or avoid colds and viruses there are things we can do to support our immune system this Winter. With 70% of our immune system in our gut it seems logical that the food we eat is one of the most important ways to support our immune system. Natural, wholefoods deliver the enhancing, protective properties we need.  It’s also a good time to eat foods high in flavonoids, which support your immune system, think bright, colourful and seasonal foods and herbs. There are also a few nutrients and lifestyle changes to keep an eye on or to include during the Winter months that specifically support our immune system. Vitamin C No surprise here – vitamin C is long known for its role in...

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How to support your health during Christmas and New Year

Its 5 weeks until Christmas. Whats you plan for supporting your health through this time? Are you thinking its a write off already that will be full of indulgence that is out of your control but you will start a diet in the new year? Its such a common and easy pattern to fall into but it often leads to feelings of helplessness and constant dieting mentality. How about reframing that thought? How about thinking of what you can do and how you will look after yourself over this time.  We are out of our normal routines but every time we eat and drink its an opportunity to nourish ourselves and an opportunity to choose health. Remember this. Just because its a time of celebration it doesnt have to mean a sacrifice...

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Why do I feel so bloated?

Do you often feel bloated and tired? We’ve all experienced bloating at some point or maybe all the time. There are a number of reasons that can cause bloating and fatigue and I see it so often with clients for a range of different reasons. Its common but not normal to feel bloated. Its also important to consult a health professional to work out what is causing the problem rather than second guessing and eliminating foods that you think are causing the problem. So here are some common reasons for feeling this way, which are not always food related. Stress This probably doesnt seem that logical but it can happen especially when we spend the day running around and inhaling our food as we go. Properly chewing our...

How gut health is key to clear skin

When it comes to beautiful skin its easy to focus on beauty from the outside in when its just as important to focus on beauty from the inside out. Your skin is not just a layer, its an organ and is an amazing indicator of what is going on inside your body - specifically your gut health. A lot of skin conditions from acne, dry skin to redness are a manifestation of our body’s internal needs, particularly nutritional ones. If our body is not getting the nutrients it needs or digesting food properly due to poor gut health, our skin wont receive the support it needs. Also if we are not detoxifying properly the skin will suffer. This can affect skin elasticity and collagen production resulting...

Steps to better digestive health

Our gut is central to every aspect of our health. It is where we digest and absorb the goodness from our food. If functioning well, we effectively utilise all the nutrients we put into our body and it gets what it needs to function effectively. When your digestive system is off, your health can suffer in all sorts of ways. This includes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn or gas.  You may also experience food allergies, weight gain, skin problems and more. If unaddressed, these symptoms can easily manifest into more chronic health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, motility issues, anxiety, depression and more. Here are some easy tips of what can help support your digestive naturally. Chew your food A key tip to improve your...

Are your hormones balanced?

I think hormones are highly underrated when we are talking about our health and particularly hormone balance. They play such a crucial role when it comes to how we feel each day as they affect every aspect of our health and wellbeing....