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When Low Body Weight Has Nothing to Do with Wanting to Lose Weight
Low body weight is almost always framed around one thing: wanting to lose weight, or relate to an eating disorder. The narrative is so dominant that when someone is underweight for entirely different reasons, they fall into a gap. They don't fit a typical ‘underweight’ profile, and they often, don't get the right support.
Nicola Shubrook
10 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


Blood Sugar Imbalance and Depression: The Fuel Crisis Your Brain Can't Ignore
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.
Nicola Shubrook
5 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


The vagus nerve: What is it, and why it matters when it comes to your mental health?
For years as a nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner, I have been talking about the mind-body connection and that this ‘connection’ is through several different means: Physically – through our spine and skeletal system Emotionally – our emotions can influence the body, especially our gut and our immune system Physiologically – we know that the gut and the gut microbiome can influence the brain and our moods But one area that has been growing with interest
Nicola Shubrook
4 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


Why diets fail: The impact on your body and your mental health
Every January, we are bombarded with new diets, detox products, and promises of a "healthy" lifestyle, yet if all these quick fixes worked, the diet industry wouldn’t be a multi-billion-dollar business, right? It thrives on our desire for fast results, but what happens when they don’t last? We end up blaming ourselves for not sticking to the latest trend … and the cycle repeats. Beliefs about the necessity of "Veganuary" or other New Year health trends are often driven by cl
Irina Pollastri
4 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


Why intermittent fasting may not be that great for us women in midlife
Intermittent Fasting has been all the rage over recent years and has been hitting the headlines...
Nicola Shubrook
3 min read


What is insulin resistance, and how can it affect your mental health?
Most people think of Diabetes when they hear the word insulin, but insulin, and specifically insulin resistance, can be a contributing factor or cause of poor mental health. You may already be familiar with terms such as blood sugar balancing, insulin or even insulin resistance. Often these words and terms are commonly discussed in relation to conditions such as Diabetes, obesity and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). But what about when it comes to your mental health? It’s
Nicola Shubrook
5 min read


Why genes are not your (mental health) destiny
It is commonly known these days that many health conditions, including mental health, can run in families, either because we know our family history, or because research is beginning to identify certain genes risk factors. With mental health this includes depression, addiction, bipolar, autism and ADHD. Even eating disorders may have a possible genetic component. What we do know about our genes when it comes to mental health Certain genes have been identified that may influe
Nicola Shubrook
2 min read
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