If you are one of the many women who experience the intense emotional and physical symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), you know how disruptive it can be. PMDD is more than just “bad PMS” — it affects your whole being, both mind and body, in the days leading up to your menstrual cycle. But as overwhelming as it may feel, there is hope. Nature offers us many tools to restore balance, and one of the most accessible and effective is calcium.
Subclinical hypothyroidism can create disturbances in many areas of a women’s health. This condition, marked by elevated TSH levels, subclinical low T4 and often normal T3, often goes unnoticed . There is one silver lining, it is often transient and reversible in nature when the underlying causes are addressed. Recent studies offer promising natural interventions, specifically with selenium and myoinositol.
Are you feeling hormonally imbalance but your lab tests are telling you you're in range? You're not alone. The DUTCH test combines the latest in hormonal research with cutting edge technology to bring human beings comprehensive and accurate information about their hormones. People of any gender and sex can do the DUTCH test.
At some point menstruating human beings will experience cyclical symptoms associated with hormonal mood disorders. Often discussed as Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) its big sister premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is often missed, and underdiagnosed. PMDD affects 3-8% of menstruating women (2). It is more severe and disabling than PMS. Let's take a look at what PMDD is and my go to natural treatments.
Taurine is largely known as that ingredient that is in energy drinks and largely flies under the radar of other nutrients when it comes to supplementation. But could this amino acid be one of the most important nutrients to support energy, slowing down ageing, exercise performance and reduce the effects of stress? Click to read more.
Read MoreIron deficiency is the most common deficiency for women worldwide (1). Iron deficiency affects 33% of non pregnant women, 40% of pregnant women and 42% of children around the globe (1). Despite global efforts to educate women and eradicate this health issue it is still prevalent (1). So what do you do if you think you have low iron? Read on to learn how you can check your iron stores and your options to increase them if they are low.
Read MoreAlmost three years on from the first New Zealand coronavirus cases and across the country there is a subset of patients that sustain an acute SARS CoV-2 infection (1). They develop a wide range of persistent symptoms that do not resolve over many months. This condition has been labelled Long COVID or Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) (1).
Long COVID has been estimated to affect 30% to 45% of populations around the world (2, 3). Due to the majority of the NZ population contracting the virus later than the rest of the world the percentage of the population affected by Long COVID is still emerging.
Many of us have learned to “trust our gut.” But if we ask most people what our digestive tract is for, they’ll probably explain it as a way of absorbing nutrients and disposing of waste. So where do phrases such as “trusting our gut” or “unable to stomach the results” come from? It turns out there is a two-way street between our digestive organs and our brains. What we eat and the state of our digestive tract can have a profound impact on our moods and behaviors. And probably unsurprisingly at this point, our gut microbiome is also involved.
Read MoreIn the last 2 years we have all experienced Crisis in the form of a pandemic. In New Zealand we have seen a significant increase in Depression and Anxiety during this time(1). With women 58% more likely to be affected by depression than men (2). Termed by psychologists as ‘crisis fatigue’, a combination of chronic stress, anxiety, poor behavioral habits and loneliness, this constant state of pandemic alertness has led to to a state of apathy and burnout for many people (1). How is this connected to inflammation?
Read MoreEvery year, around one in four New Zealanders experience anxiety in a way that makes it difficult to cope with daily life. Ranging in severity from a background level of worry to an overpowering force, anxiety can lead to difficulty sleeping, a racing heart, panic attacks, fatigue, digestive upset, sweating or headaches – interfering with your ability to live your life.
While anxiety can often feel insurmountable, there are several worry-busting habits you can develop to help minimize its effects. Read on to discover these top four habits that can leave you feeling more calm and in control.
Read MoreFeeling occasionally anxious is a normal response to modern life especially in the unpredictable events of 2020. However we don’t want this feeling to overwhelm and fill most of our days. It is hard when we are in this anxiety loop to get out of it which is where herbal medicine and specific nutrients can be our greatest friend. In this article I will list some of my favourite herbs and nutrients that regulate calming neurotransmitter production, calm down the fight flight response and help create that brain space so you can create shifts for long term reduction in your anxiety.
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