Welcome to the Urban Wellness blog

Gut health plays a key role in perimenopause. As oestrogen declines, the gut microbiome changes—often reducing bacterial diversity and affecting hormone metabolism. This can lead to bloating, constipation, loose stools, and food sensitivities, compounding common midlife symptoms. Understanding this connection helps women support their gut, balance hormones, and ease the physical and emotional challenges of menopause transition.

The Gut-Brain Depression Axis: How Dysbiosis Inflames Your Brain. About 90% of your body's serotonin is produced in your gut—but that serotonin doesn't travel to your brain. It stays in your gut and peripheral tissues, regulating digestion, immune function, and signalling. Your brain makes its own serotonin from tryptophan (an amino acid from protein).

Progesterone & Oestrogen Imbalance: The Hormonal Depression Trap in Midlife Women. Depression is so common in perimenopause and menopause. It's not a character flaw. It's a predictable neurological response to hormone dysregulation.

If you've had blood work done showing your thyroid is "fine," but you're still struggling with depression, you're not alone.

Your brain uses more glucose than any other organ in your body - about 20% of all the energy your body produces. But when your blood sugar is dysregulated, spiking and crashing throughout the day, your brain is essentially running on fumes. Over time, this metabolic chaos creates the neurological conditions where depression takes root.

How You Can Rewire Your Brain Away From Chronic Stress - we have broken down some actions you can take to begin to reset the balance.

Deep inside every cell in your body, a process called methylation is happening right now. But when methylation becomes dysregulated you accumulate stress chemicals in your bloodstream, your neurotransmitters don't get cleared properly, your oestrogen backs up, and you feel anxious, depressed, and wired but exhausted.

Cortisol is supposed to be your ally. But when cortisol is elevated chronically, day after day, month after month, it stops being protective and becomes destructive. Chronically high cortisol doesn't just make you feel stressed - it literally rewires your brain toward depression.

7 Physiological Causes of Depression in Midlife Women (That Your Doctor Might Miss)

What if the missing piece to your low mood is something as simple as vitamin D?

Perimenopause is often discussed in terms of hot flushes, erratic cycles and decisions around HRT. For many women, however, one of the most unsettling changes is a sudden shift in their relationship with food and body image.

How Circadian Rhythm Disruption Triggers Depression in Midlife Women

Practical ways to reset your circadian rhythm: Your circadian rhythm is one of the most responsive physiological systems in the body and with small, consistent changes you can improve your mood in just a few weeks.

Why Every Midlife Woman Should Optimise Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the unsung heroes behind vibrant gut health, balanced hormones, and a sharper, more resilient mind. Maximising your body’s production of these vital molecules may just be the next major wellness upgrade for midlife women. Photo by Dannie Sorum  on Unsplash What Are SCFAs? SCFAs are powerful compounds made when your gut bacteria break down the fibre you eat. The three m

Why Maximising Fibre Can Transform Gut and Mental Health for Women 40+ Fibremaxxing started trending over on TikTok, and whilst that may be more for the ‘kids’ (Gen Z) it is a trend that as midlife women, we can get on board with.  This trending health movement is all about encouraging you to increase you daily fibre intake for profound benefits in digestion, hormonal balance, brain health, and overall well-being. This approach is rooted in evidence, not hype, and it is espec

Creatine is a substance found in every cell in the body, and it is essential for producing energy.  It is more commonly known as a sports...

For years as a nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner, I have been talking about the mind-body connection and that...

Is your child struggling with sleep, feeling anxious, or having trouble staying focused at school? Magnesium might be the missing link to...

In recent years, biohacking has become more mainstream: influencers on social media, apps and tracking devices that we can use to monitor...

With so many testing options available today, it can be overwhelming for parents of children with ADHD to know where to begin ...

Every January, we are bombarded with new diets, detox products, and promises of a "healthy" lifestyle, yet if all these quick fixes...

Discover how gut health impacts ADHD in children. Explore the gut-brain axis and how improving gut health can support mood, behaviour, and A

Emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting, can impact daily life. Hypnotherapy offers a powerful approach to reframe fears & reduce anxiety.

Acid reflux vs Silent reflux: What's the difference?