What is the collegen / oestrogen link? Studies have shown that estrogen supports collagen production by binding to receptors in the skin known as fibroblasts. Collagen makes up roughly 70-80% of the weight of our skin! At menopause collagen can decline by up to 30% which is why we often see quite a lot of change in our skin and joints…

Modern life has created an energy crisis – and that’s before perimenopause kicks in. The reason we have this energy crisis is because the body keeps going, regardless of how much stress weare under. We’ve created a sophisticated biochemical and endocrine feedback system to deal with adverse events and high life-load. Although we can adapt, this is often to the…

I have two new dates set for the Autumn if you would like to join me for a day discussing how food and lifestyle medicine can help get us back in control and help future proof our body. Friday, 22nd September at Soho House Beach House, Brighton Thursday, 19th October at King Street Townhouse, Manchester “Your knowledge is so vast…

As our oestrogen starts to rollercoaster this can affect our serotonin levels, cue low mood. But we can help support our serotonin production through the food that we eat. First off, we need to make sure we have regular intakes of one of the essential amino acids tryptophan. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin AND melatonin, so good to support…

The menopause is now deemed an inflammatory transition in a woman’s life. This image outlines important factors which can cause inflammation in the body at menopause. Inflammation examples include pain, muscles stiffness, a foggy head, depression, bloating, ezcema (which literally means to boil over in Greek, which is what our immune system is doing!), osteoarthritis and any auto immune condition.…

Are you finding your muscles ache, especially in the morning? Have you got stiff joints or even osteoarthirits? A lot of these symptoms are down to the far reaching effects of fluctuating levels of oestrogen. The menopause is now deemed an inflammatory transition. Declining oestrogen levels can make us more inflamed because oestrogen is one of our natural anti-inflammatory steroid…

Can’t remember why you came into a room? Brain feels like cotton wool? Do you forget what you were talking about mid-sentance or can’t remember colleague’s names? These are all common and often alarming symptoms when we seriously worry that we’re getting early onset dementia. But there are reasons for it. Oestrogen is stimulating to the brain and helps with…

How many of us: …Wake up EXHAUSTED so reach for caffeine…Skip breakfast (not hungry because eaten too late the night before)…Crash mid morning (more caffeine. Snacks)…Eat lunch on the run (often a sad sandwich)…Major energy slump at 3pm (more snacks and caffeine)…Eat late (due to lots of snacking in the afternoon as not that hungry)…Stay up late (so much to…

This is a great chart by Viva! to show plant based calcium rich foods. The reason I use this chart in my clinic so much is because not only are these foods great for calcium, they are also great sources of other essential nutrients needed for bones that are not really talked about. The beauty of Mother Nature is that…

This quote falls just before my Eat section in my book. Thank you Virginia for your sound advice. For most of us we dine well in the evening …but during the day our food choices are often rather reactionary and low in vitality/ rather beige. After our evening meal we often get a second wind. We feel focussed for the…