Pain and Prejudice
Fourteen years after being diagnosed with endometriosis, Gabrielle Jackson couldn’t believe how little had changed in the treatment and knowledge of the disease. In 2015, her personal story kick-started a worldwide investigation into the disease by the Guardian; thousands of women got in touch to tell their own stories and many more read and shared the material. […]
It Starts with the Egg
It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett is a comprehensive guide that delves into the scientific and practical aspects of improving egg quality and fertility. Many women are not aware that egg quality is not just about achieving pregnancy – egg quality influences what a menstrual cycle looks like – whether it’s heavy or […]
How to Be the Love You Seek
In How to Be the Love You Seek, Dr Nicole LePera harnesses the latest scientific research to teach us how to recognise our dysfunctional patterns, identify their roots in our earliest relationships, break painful cycles, build security and share compassion with ourselves and others. In reconnecting with ourselves, we can form new connections and relationships […]
Rest is Resistance
Your body is a site of liberation. It doesn’t belong to capitalism. Love your body. Rest your body. Move your body. Hold your body. So many of us have got ‘Rushing Woman Syndrome‘, constantly in a hurry to do so many things and be there for so many people. Tricia Hersey, in her book Rest […]
The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child
The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child by Thom Hartmann delves deep into the idea that ADHD traits are not just challenges, but can also be viewed as gifts or advantages in certain contexts. He refers to the condition as the “Edison gene,” suggesting that the same traits that may cause […]
The Quick Roasting Tin
As a single mother with a teenage daughter and a busy practice, The Quick Roasting Tin is exactly the sort of recipe book I like – quick preparation, fast cooking times and tasty low carbohydrate meals (a few need adapting!) with minimal washing up. The Quick Roasting Tin is a cookbook by Rukmini Iyer, part […]
Super Gut
“Super Gut” by Dr. William Davis goes beyond the basics of gut health, delving into the complex interplay between our microbiome and various aspects of our health and well-being. Dr. Davis presents a compelling argument that a healthy gut is central to overall health, influencing everything from weight management to mental health. Key aspects of […]
Cured
“Cured: Strengthen Your Immune System and Heal Your Life” by is written by Dr. Jeffrey Rediger, a psychiatrist and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, exploring the world of spontaneous healing and remission from chronic and fatal diseases. “Cured” delves into numerous case studies of patients who experienced remarkable recoveries from illnesses such as cancer, […]
Hormone Intelligence
Hormone Intelligence: The Complete Guide to Calming Hormone Chaos and Restoring Your Body’s Natural Blueprint for Well-Being is written by Aviva Romm, a physician specialising in integrative medicine for women and children. Here she offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing hormonal health. In this book she explores the complex network of hormones in […]
Metabolical
“Metabolical” by Robert Lustig is a compelling deep dive into the pitfalls of modern nutrition and healthcare systems. Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist, exposes how processed foods, loaded with sugar and devoid of fiber, are the root cause of many metabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. He argues persuasively that the food industry and […]
Adenomyosis Demystified: Functional Medicine Strategies for Relief and Recovery
Adenomyosis is characterised by a constant pain on the top of the uterus. Adenomyotic lesions are fundamentally wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair, which progress to fibrosis, with ensuing greater tissue stiffness, results in impairing endometrial repair and eventually can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Wounding may be caused by medical uterine procedures, imbalance vaginal microbiome […]
Navigating Endometriosis: Latest Insights and Natural Treatment Strategies from Functional Medicine
Endometriosis most likely starts with differentiation and migration of Mullerian tissue during the formation of the embryo resulting in patches of this tissue being laid down in abnormal locations in the pelvis or elsewhere in the body. Later in life, these misplaced patches of tissue develop into endometriosis when they are exposed to oestrogen. The […]
Transforming Fibroid Care: Exploring Functional Medicine Approaches for Natural Relief
The controlling factor in fibroids is excess oestrogen producing oxidative stress (inflammation) causing DNA damage which goes on to cause symptoms. The shrinking of fibroids depends on reducing oestrogen levels, repairing DNA damage with vitamin D and managing inflammation with antioxidants. Fibroids are the most common growths in the uterus. Their growth is stimulated by […]
The surprising reason why viral infections surge in winter
As the chill of winter sets in, so does the dreaded wave of viral infections. It’s a perennial question: why are we more susceptible to these infections during the colder months? The surprising answer is that it’s not because the cold makes us cold – it’s because the cold air is less humid and that […]
Anti-virals for every stage of infection
Cold and flu season is almost upon us as, winter’s chilly temperatures and drier air cause more of us to fall ill from viruses like the flu, colds, respiratory syncytial virus, and Covid. We all know the miserable symptoms – coughs, congestion, fever, body aches. But did you know that natural compounds found in foods […]
From SAD to glad: tryp the light fantastic
Do you start feeling sad as the days get shorter in the winter? Do you get more tired, lose your motivation, avoid friends and family, eat more starch and sugar and put on weight? This seasonal cluster of symptoms is associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs at the same […]
Be cool to boost your metabolism and prevent winter weight gain
In the summer, bright sunlight keeps our metabolism running high, partly because insulin is a solar hormone and is stimulated by sunshine. When the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, our bodies become more insulin resistant, want to conserve energy and store fat. The cold weather makes us want to stay bundled up indoors […]
Immuni-Tea: A Zesty Immune-Boosting Brew
Swap your regular tea – or other hot drink – for Immuni-Tea, a warm aromatic brew of spices, herbs, lemon and honey and it can go a long way to boosting your immunity and both preventing and fighting off viral infections. With this recipe you can make a batch of Immuni-Tea as frozen cubes to be dropped […]
The ultimate anti-viral protocol for winter: prep and kill
As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, many of us become more susceptible to catching viral infections like colds and flu. This winter, instead of just hoping you don’t get sick, why not take proactive steps to boost your immune system and fend off illness? In this post, I’m sharing my anti-viral protocol – a […]
Have a Healthy, Happy Winter: Seasonal Health Strategies for Women
The winter season brings unique challenges for maintaining wellness. Shorter daylight hours can drain our mood and disrupt circadian rhythms. Dry indoor air, freezing temperatures outdoors, and being cooped up inside more often can take a toll on our mind and body. For us, the impact of winter on health can be particularly pronounced. Shifting […]
Your body is trying to tell you something
Our bodies are incredible. Every day, our complex systems work in harmony to keep us alive and functioning. But sometimes, our bodies send us subtle signs or symptoms that something is amiss. These clues can be so minor we brush them off or don’t even notice them. However, paying attention to the whispers of our […]
Sore, swollen breasts? An iodine deficiency may be to blame
Do your breasts become tender, swollen, and painful at certain times of the month or during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Breast sensitivity often gets chalked up to normal hormonal fluctuations. But these symptoms may actually indicate an underlying iodine deficiency. Iodine is a mineral that plays a critical role in thyroid health and breast tissue regulation. […]
Could your wrinkles be a sign of osteoporosis?
If you look in the mirror and see new wrinkles forming, you likely blame aging skin. But emerging wrinkles may actually be signalling diminishing bone density. It turns out osteoporosis and skin crepiness share some surprising connections. Several studies reveal that women with osteoporosis and osteopenia tend to have more pronounced wrinkling and other signs […]
Why pain under your right side ribs may signal gallbladder trouble
If you’ve ever felt a sharp, cramping pain under your ribs on the right side of your abdomen, it likely signals a problem with your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ that stores and concentrates bile created by the liver. Bile helps digest fats from the foods we eat. Issues like gallstones or inflammation […]
Unbearable period pain? It could be endometriosis
Do your menstrual cramps cause so much pain that it disrupts your daily activities? Extreme cramping is not normal. Having intense pain during your period is common. But when cramps become so excruciating that they disrupt your daily life, it may signal a condition called endometriosis. For most women, the very first period brings agonising […]
Spotting after your period? It might be a vaginal infection
Seeing blood spots in your underwear when your period ended days ago can feel puzzling and concerning. Known as intermenstrual bleeding, spotting between periods and ovulation is not normally cause for alarm. But in some cases, it can indicate an underlying vaginal infection needs treatment. The most common culprits of bleeding between cycles are bacterial […]
Dark circles under the eyes plaguing you? Excess histamine may be why
If you constantly battle dark circles under your eyes no matter how much sleep you get or concealer you use, excess histamine could be the culprit. Histamine is a chemical involved in immune responses, stomach acid acid secretion, and regulating wakefulness. It also helps control our menstrual cycles, ovulation, and oestrogen levels. Excess histamine can […]
Bloating after every meal? How low stomach acid might be the cause
Do you feel gassy and bloated after eating meals? While overeating can easily cause bloating, there’s another culprit that often goes unconsidered – low stomach acid production. Your stomach relies on hydrochloric acid (HCl) to break down food and kill off any potential pathogens. Adequate HCl is especially crucial for digesting protein rich foods like […]
How to Tell If You’re Perimenopausal
Are you experiencing changes in your body that you can’t quite explain? Feeling like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster? It might be perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause. Understanding the signs and symptoms can help you navigate this natural and inevitable part of your life. During perimenopause, which typically starts in our 40s […]
Save money, get rid of hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, anxiety, low moods, fatigue and weight gain within 6 weeks and feel like yourself again by Christmas
The International Menopause Society is marking the day by publishing a report encouraging women to “have a health audit – and take action at the time of the menopause to avoid chronic diseases in later life.” Actions taken at the time of the menopause can avoid chronic diseases in later life, according to a report […]
Bust through 30+ menopausal symptoms with my Menopause Supplement Cheatsheet
Apart from the 7 core symptoms that include hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, low moods, brain fog, fatigue and weight gain, menopause can come with another 30+ symptoms. It’s really intense right? But I can help you with all of those. Why are there so many symptoms? Oestrogen is the ultimate multitasker: apart from managing […]
The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond
Coming across Louann Brizendine’s book about menopause was a moment of sheer joy. The Upgrade – which is exactly how I see menopause – links the physical metabolic changes that declining oestrogen brings, to the emotional changes that we can experience, and explains why the mature brain is so much better than what came before. […]
50 years of Ms Magazine
Ms Magazine – helping women to seize the power we have and to use it, to act collectively, to realise that together we can make change happen -is 50 this year, menopausal and still empowering. It helped — and continues to help — ignite a revolution for women’s rights. Last month the founders and leaders […]
Are you Celebrating World Menopause Day?
WMD began in 2019, to raise awareness of menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. Awareness raising is crucial for us to not feel alone with the life impacting symptoms of menopause, but it can also create fear and expectation of the misery to come. That’s certainly how I felt when […]
Fuck you Fifties (and beyond) – No More Rules
On my 40th birthday my best friend ordered a birthday cake for my party, from a du jour artisan London bakery. It turned up on the morning of the party day looking very plain, so she took it to a local Polish bakery, and asked them if they could decorate it with some fancy icing, […]
