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Ferritin: What your test result actually shows, and why both low and high can matter
Ferritin is the marker that tells you what's actually in your iron stores, not just what's circulating in your blood right now. It's also one of the most misunderstood results on a blood test, since both a low reading and a high one can be telling you something important, and they don't mean the same thing.
Nicola Shubrook
6 min read


Iron and your thyroid: The connection nobody mentions
If your thyroid results keep coming back normal but you still have every symptom of an underactive thyroid, fatigue, low mood, weight changes, cold hands, low iron could be part of why. Your thyroid needs iron to actually make and use its hormones, and this link rarely gets mentioned.
Nicola Shubrook
2 min read


Iron and energy: why you're exhausted even when your GP says you're not anaemic
Being told your bloods are "normal" doesn't always mean your iron is where it needs to be for you to actually feel energised. There's a real gap between not being anaemic and having enough iron on board, and that gap is where a lot of unexplained fatigue lives.
Nicola Shubrook
2 min read


Iron and your brain: why low iron can affect your mood, focus and memory
Iron isn't just about energy, it's one of the raw materials your brain uses to make the chemicals behind mood, focus and motivation, which is why low iron so often shows up as low mood or brain fatigue before it shows up as anything else. We see iron issues come up again and again in clinic, usually because someone's bloods came back "normal" but they still don't feel right (remember normal doesn’t always mean optimal for that individual). Understanding what iron actually doe
Nicola Shubrook
2 min read


Why folate matters for your mental health in midlife, and why folic acid is not the same thing
Folate (vitamin B9) plays a significant role in mood, brain function, and mental wellbeing throughout life. Midlife women are one of the groups most likely to be low in it. In this post we look at why folate matters for your mental health, why many women aren't getting enough, and why the synthetic version you'll find in most supplements is not a reliable substitute.
Nicola Shubrook
6 min read


Is There a Link Between Bile Acids, the Microbiome, and Mental Health?
We often think of bile as simply a digestive fluid, something that helps break down fats after a meal. But emerging research is revealing a much broader role. Bile acids are not just digestive helpers; they are powerful signalling molecules that interact with the gut microbiome, influence inflammation, and may even shape brain function.
Sophie Nielsen
3 min read


Methylation, Detoxification & Depression: The Hidden Biochemical Block
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.
Nicola Shubrook
5 min read


Vitamin D: The Hidden Link Between Menopause, Mood and Immunity
What if the missing piece to your low mood is something as simple as vitamin D?
Nicola Shubrook
4 min read


How Circadian Rhythm Disruption Triggers Depression in Midlife Women
How Circadian Rhythm Disruption Triggers Depression in Midlife Women
Nicola Shubrook
4 min read


Gut Empowerment: Unlocking the Power of Short-Chain Fatty Acids for Vibrant Midlife Health
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 mai
Nicola Shubrook
2 min read


Creatine for the mind: what the latest science says about brain and mental health benefits
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 supplement, as it can enhance muscle strength and power, and can therefore lead to better results. However, creatine is now being researched for its potential neurological and psychological benefits, including improving cognition, memory and mood. How creatine is used by the body for energy Whilst we can get creatine from food, meat and
Nicola Shubrook
2 min read


Is biohacking an unhealthy obsession?
In recent years, biohacking has become more mainstream: influencers on social media, apps and tracking devices that we can use to monitor everything from stress levels, sleep and blood glucose levels, books, supplements, and even a Netflix documentary about an anti-aging advocate who spends millions every year to live longer. Biohacking is essentially an approach to achieving optimal physical and mental health by making changes to your diet and lifestyle that allow you to n
Nicola Shubrook
3 min read


Is there a link between the gut and brain in children with ADHD?
Discover how gut health impacts ADHD in children. Explore the gut-brain axis and how improving gut health can support mood, behaviour, and A
Sophie Nielsen
3 min read
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