Series 5 | Episode 8 with Vera Wellness - recorded live in Australia

Today, the FINALE of season 5 the Best in Women's Health podcast has dropped and this episode is so special, like no other I’ve recorded to date.

It featured an interview I conducted at an event while on a recent trip to Australia, where I had the absolute pleasure of visiting a truly exquisite integrative health practice - Vera Wellness @verawellness.com.au

I speak with founder gynecologist Dr. Peta Wright @petavirginia and her colleague, who is also a leading gynecologist, Dr. Thea Bola.

We debunk some of the overriding myths around endometriosis and chronic pain, and explore how they have seen as gynecologists a traditional approach of laparoscopies that is failing so many women with endometriosis and chronic pain.

We talk about the importance and the necessity of an in integrative approach to chronic pelvic pain and supporting women with a diagnosis of endometriosis, including the terminology and how diagnosis is delivered to women.

It's an incredibly powerful and unique episode because it's live, but also because these two women are absolute pioneers in changing the shape and our attitude to women's menstrual health in general.

Discover more abut Vera Wellness.

Series 5 | Episode 7 with Rachel Jessey - The nervous-endocrine-immune systems

In the penultimate episode of season 5 in my podcast, I speak to the brilliant Rachel Jessey. She talks to us about how she has over the years leveraged her extensive experience with long covid and post-viral conditions to explore and illuminate the complex interactions between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems.

We also talk in quite a lot of detail about quantum physics! But please don't be scared by that, you are going to be in love with it especially as she illuminates the concept of structured water.

⁠Discover more about Rachel Jessey here.

Series 5 | Episode 6 with Robyn Puglia - The immune system + autoimmunity

This week’s podcast guest should be no stranger to most of you and is current in front position to feature on all of my podcast seasons to date - the spectacular Robyn Puglia. Robyn is a functional nutritionist and a fully certified IFM practitioner who has a particular specialist interest, passion, and immense understanding of the immune system and the area of autoimmunity. In this episode, we talk about this entirely complex system, but as you will learn, Robin has just such an innate understanding of her work that she's able to take really complex conversations and provide illumination to this subject matter. And we talk about one specific component that is really interesting - the very important difference between the term autoimmunity and autoimmune disease. 

Calling all practitioners - you will not want to miss this episode and I guarantee it will leave you with so many moment you can relate you and will also give you elements for learning too. PLUS I’m delighted to share that Robyn will be joining as a guest speaker on my Affiliate Mentoring programme for 2025.

⁠Discover more about Robyn, her practice, and professional programmes here.

Series 5 | Episode 5 with Dr Leah Hechtman - Understanding the Ovary

There is no greater area where we have been demanding the deserved attention to be heard than women’s health. It is undeniable that women’s life stages & female specific conditions have, until recently, been neglected & woefully underfunded in research.

But there are amazing clinicians who are at the forefront of women's health research - in this episode, I interview and talk to Dr. Leah Hitchman, who is a globally respected naturopathic clinician specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and holistic reproductive health. In this particular episode, I asked Leah if we could focus on just the ovaries rather than the entire menstrual cycle. And boy did we go really deep… The conversation is so illuminating

I cannot wait for you to listen to this. There are some real clinical pearls - let me know if there are elements in this episode you’d like to delve into further!

Discover more about Dr Leah Hechtman here

Series 5 | Episode 4 with Dawn Waldron - Uncoupling Cancer

Dawn Waldron - an expert in integrative health, specialising in a functional approach to cancer. This episode is a real treat, as Dawn joins me to talk about what she set up her bestselling Substack account Uncoupling Cancer, and how she draws on almost three decades of personal and professional experience as both a breast cancer survivor and nutritionist in supporting women with cancer.

We explore and talk in detail about taking a metabolic approach to cancer and surviving cancer, and she talks to me about how we can harness nature's benefits to support recovery. This is a fascinating episode. You will learn a huge amount and you will be so enthralled listening to her, as I was!

If you enjoyed this podcast …… Beginning on Friday 15th November for three consecutive Friday mornings, Dawn is delivering a webinar series called Dynamic Metabolism, with Emma Beswick, co-founder of LifecodeGx looking at the subject of metabolism and nutrigenomics in the context of cancer: https://www.lifecodegx.com/training

Discover Dawn’s Substack here.

Series 5 | Episode 3 with Professor Jerilynn C Prior - Progesterone and Bone Health

Spending time speaking with Professor Jerilynn Prior is a humbling experience that always gives me new insight - and this week’s podcast episode does not disappoint.

In this episode, we focus on discussing osteoporosis. She shares with us her ABCs of osteoporosis prevention and treatment. We also, of course, talk about HRT and why she and I both believe that this term should no longer be used.

We also delve into the misnomers around using DEXA scans to diagnose osteoporosis. 

Find out more about CeMCOR here.

Series 5 | Episode 2 with Lara Briden - Metabolism Repair for Women

This week, I welcome back to the podcast for the third time, the most world renowned naturopathic doctor Lara Briden. Lara is the author of the Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual, and in this episode we talk in great detail about her latest book, Metabolism Repair for Women. This is a compassionate science-based guide to balancing insulin, facilitating weight loss, and most importantly, improving and optimising health.

Laura and I first up delve into what metabolism actually means. We discuss metabolic flexibility, how if you have metabolic inflexibility and what this actually means for health. We also talk in quite a lot of detail about what the key movers and shakers are in terms of the metabolic hormones and how you can talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about assessing those.

This is a really illuminating and fundamental conversation to be having with Lara, and I know that you are going to absolutely love every minute of this episode. Metabolism Repair for Women is available to purchase here.

Find out more about Lara Briden here.

Series 5 | Episode 1 with Dr Nicky Keay - The Myths of Menopause

The pod is back and it’s a helluva first episode…. Perfectly timed for the lead in to World Menopause Day tomorrow, Dr Nicky Keay joins me to talk about her new book The Myths of Menopause - and I can honestly say, this book (I’ve seen the proof) will be a mastery of a resource for women and healthcare professionals. ,

We delve into talking about myth number 1 of many! - “Menopause only happens in middle-aged women.” Discuss everything from what perimenopause is, how to know if a woman is in perimenopause and about HRT (how could we not)!

Nicky shares a truly unique perspective as a medical doctor but also as a woman who has experienced the challenges of navigating perimenopause and menopause and leaving with a perspective on how we can help women approach this in a more positive way - to build up women’s confidence.

The Myths of Menopause is available for pre-order now using discount code (appropriately) Athena - click here

Click here to register for Nicky’s free book launch event at UCL on 4th December 2024 from 6-8pm where YOU can meet some of contributors and ask questions.

Find out more about Dr Nicky Keay here.

Series 4 | Episode 11 with Dr Fiona McCulloch - PCOS Diagnostic Criteria and Practice Guidelines

The final episode of The Best of Health season 4 is out today with special guest Dr Fiona McCulloch ND featuring an in depth conversation around PCOS and diagnosis - this is a must-listen for all nutritionists and functional medicine practitioners!

As a woman with PCOS Fiona is passionate about health education and advocacy for women with PCOS, and serves on the medical advisory committee of the PCOS Awareness Association and as an expert on IVF.ca. She is also a medical advisor to Open Source Health and frequently lectures to professionals at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Fiona gives us a unique insight to the PCOS updated diagnostic criteria and practice guidelines as well as her own experience of supporting diagnosis with adolescents and adults. Check out my insta stories for a little snippet of the episode.

Find out more about Dr Fiona McCulloch ND here.

Thank you to everyone who has listened, commented, shared the podcast and of course all of the fabulous guests. I honestly love recording the sessions and knowing that it’s making a difference to listeners too means the world to me.

Series 4 | Episode 10 with Henrietta Norton - Perimenopause, the more turbulent, less talked about lifestage

This week my guest is the impressive Henrietta Norton: nutritional therapist, author of the best selling book: Take Control of Your Endometriosis, founder of visionary food supplement brand - Wild Nutrition, and I’m very lucky to not only count Hen as a colleague but also a friend.

I couldn’t invite Hen back on the podcast without asking her to share more about her Food-Grown® supplements - which have revolutionised the supplement industry for the better…. We discuss the groundbreaking Perimenopause Report that Hen wrote to change the way our daughters experience perimenopause and this theme continues throughout the episode discussing perimenopause symptoms and support, the challenges of managing perimenopause as a woman, the importance of education, the art of listening to our bodies, the value of rest in regulating our nervous system.

There are so many wonderful golden nuggets within this podcast episode and Hen is a dream to talk with and listen to.

Head to my Insta stories for a little snippet of the episode - or listen in full now.

Find out more about Wild Nutrition here.

Series 4 | Episode 9 with Leslie Kenny - Longevity and Spermadine

Have you heard of spermadine?

If not (and even if you have) this week’s podcast episode should be a real educational delight for you. I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with @lesliesnewprime an Oxford-based entrepreneur born in California and a graduate of Berkeley and Harvard Business School. Leslie is founder of @oxfordhealthspan a Longevity Expert with plenty of life experience and evidence-based science as her basis.

Leslie shares her personal story of a diagnosis of an array of autoimmune conditions in the 30’s (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism) drove to the reject the dire prognosis and instead immersed herself in studying with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition on a quest for a more holistic solution.

Leslie shares how her specialist interest in spermadine and it’s use in her own journey to wellbeing, developing her brand of spermadine / Primeadine® as well as diving into how our body makes it, and get it from our diet and how it increases longevity and results she’s seen when embraced by women from perimenopause into menopause.

Head to my Insta stories for a little snippet of the episode - or listen in full now.

Find out more about Oxford Healthspan here.

Series 4 | Episode 8 with Lara Briden - Menopause and Metabolism

Another incredible podcast episode ready for your listening pleasure this week - Lara Briden was so generous to gift me an hour of her time to talk about metabolism with women in perimenopause and through menopause.

We discuss what effects metabolism - from genetics and weight resistance, to the impact of epigenetics, the relationship of oestrogen therapy and insulin resistance, and how evolutionary mismatch means modern women approaching menopause are not recalibrating our metabolism like our ancestors.

Lara is a dream to listen to - she effortlessly describes the influence of oestrogen on satiety, what metabolic inflexibility is and provides a really logical approach to the latest intermittent fasting craze.

I honestly cannot recommend this episode enough for practitioners and anyone who was interested in Lara & Nicky Keay’s talk last year.

Find out more about Lara Briden here.

Series 4 | Episode 7 with Dr Mandy Leonhardt - understanding POI (Premature Ovarian Insufficiency)

Back in Season 3 of The Best of Health podcast, I had the first opportunity to feature Dr Mandy Leonhardt in an episode and our friendship and professional relationship has flourished since. I was honoured to have Mandy join me on the expert panel at my womens health masterclass last year and I couldn’t help but ask her back on the pod to develop further into understanding POI - Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

POI is such a hugely complex health condition and women are significantly underserved and dismissed by our existing health system. Mandy’s expertise in POI shines through in this episode and One little golden nugget Mandy leaves with us is if a young woman has a gap of 4 months or more between periods, this need expert health support and investigation. She passionately explains POI, the importance of testing and diagnosis and also the challenges of women with POI getting the right treatment, throughout their life stages.

We also steer our conversation towards about PCOS and surgical menopause and discuss the reality of PMDD affecting 5% of women and what is happening with chemicals in the brain in women with this mental health condition.

Plus Mandy gives us a little exclusive to her new book coming out in summer 2024, focusing on hormones, skin and hair.

Find out more about Dr Mandy Leonhardt here.

Series 4 | Episode 6 with Ann Marie McQueen - the Media and Changing the Narrative to Perimenopause and Menopause Transition

Over Covid I made a number of wonderful podcast discoveries - one such golden find was Ann Marie McQueen from Hot Flash Inc, so needless to say I was so happy when she agreed to join me for a chat for The Best of Health Season 4.

Ann Marie McQueen is a journalist with over 30 years experience, including reporting on complementary and mainstream health care including covering the early days of marijuana law reform, holistic and alternative treatments, transgender issues and abortion rights in North America.

Ann Marie shares how her own experience of perimenopause led her to delve into researching clinical studies, treatments, products, guidance in the perimenopause - menopause transition space and the dire lack of relevant content led her to launch Hotflash Inc in June 2020.

In this episode we discuss women’s denial of the approach of perimenopause / menopause and the growing conversation in society around women’s health and the more natural approach to the journey of perimenopause to menopause. Ann Marie also shares her own take on GP support, HRT and GP dosing and most importantly - how to present the facts to women who are in such need of making informed decisions about their health.

Find out more about Hot Flash Inc here

Series 4 | Episode 5 with Dawn Waldron - Nutrition, Nutrigenomics + Cancer

This week on the pod, I’m joined by a dear friend and colleague Dawn Waldron. Dawn is a qualified nutritional therapist and a nutrigenomic expert. Dawn is unique - as one of the first nutritional therapists to specialised in cancer, with over 26 years of knowledge and experience.

In this episode we of course delve into what drove Dawn into the specialism of nutrition and cancer - firstly her own experience of breast cancer and later, how a diagnosis of precancer on her tongue lead her interest into nutrigenomics.

We discuss how cancer impacts women and methylation and how Dawn supports clients through treatment and building longevity post-cancer. We discuss some of the nutrients that we know are absolutely critical for anyone with a cancer diagnosis and how identifying any genetic SNPs can help us map out and identify commonality in different cancer presentations. Dawn also shares with us her amazing concept of the “Power Journey” to rebuild back to health after a cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy treatment and the aftermath.

I could honestly talk to Dawn all day long - this is a brilliant episode for practitioners and also anyone with an interest in nutrition, nutrigenomics and cancer.

Find out more about Dawn here

Series 4 | Episode 4 with Robyn Puglia - the prevalence of autoimmunity in women

This week on the pod, I’m joined by @robynpuglia and I’m sure for the majority of you Robyn needs little introduction, as a Clinical Nutritionist and IFM Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with a specialism in autoimmunity.

We of course delve into autoimmunity and why in particular it impacts millions of women, why it appears to be on the rise, affecting 20% of the population and the underlying factors - our triad of: genetic predisposition, immune system dysregulation and environmental triggers.

It’s no surprise that Robyn is a published author - listening to her mix of passion, and incredible knowledge is absolutely captivating. Robyn generously talks us through her fabulous concept of immunological lasagne and shares her thoughts on gender bias in autoimmunity medical research and continued misogyny in women’s health care.

Robyn also fabulously naturally weaves in references to one of my all time favourite films - Love Actually and calls out the pioneers or “Taylor Swift’s” in women who are standing up, shouting out and leading the charge for better proactive healthcare for women. AND calls out the podcast as a love letter to those who are striving for answers or those championing for a better way to help women with their health 💌

Robyn is running a practitioner mentoring programme, commencing in January 2024 - head over to her website to find out all the details. This is a really powerful episode - if you’re a practitioner and in need of an inspiring pick me up, you need to listen to this.

Find out more about Robyn here.

Series 4 | Episode 3 with Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott and Pharmacist Rizvan Batha

Another new episode released today in The Best of Health series. This week, I’m joined by Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott, who studied Medicine at Cambridge University and graduated with a Masters in Neuroscience, Medical Ethics and Law. She has been an experienced senior GP in a large NHS partnership in West London for over two decades but is now dedicating her career to Functional Medicine and the use of bioidentical hormones to provide an expertise in integrative women’s health. Ghazala led her career into integrative women’s health and bioidentical hormones and gives us a unique insight to a GP prescribing HRT to women.

We are also joined by leading Pharmacist Rizvan Batha who beautifully explains so many concepts like the difference between bioidentical, body identical and compounded hormones and introduces the wonderful concept of hormone restoration.

This really is another must listen episode for any women trying to fully understand the options of HRT. Available to listen from most podcast platforms - take a listen and drop me a comment if you enjoyed the episode.

Series 4 | Episode 2 with Dr Jerilynn C Prior - the importance of the menstrual cycle as a teenager

Jerilynn C. Prior has over forty years life experience as an Endocrinology Professor. In 2002 she founded The Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research, studying the physical and psychological causes and effects of ovulation disturbances on women’s overall health. The centre also publishes scientific results and disseminates information directly to women.

This episode is a must listen to - for any women’s health clinical practitioner and for anyone with a keen interest in women’s health and ovulation through the life cycle. The episode has had a profound impact on me - Jerilynn was so generous with her time as she has been throughout her professional career - bravely standing up and a beacon for women’s health.

I am fully committed to supporting the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research - it’s a not-for-profit and the foundations that Jerilynn has established need to continue beyond her retirement. If you can support the centre through any charitable donations, please do: https://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/

Series 4 | Episode 1 with Dr Nicky Keay - the importance of the menstrual cycle as a teenager

First up in this season I welcome back my fabulous colleague Dr Nicky Keay to talk about the demystifying education around the menstrual cycle, specifically in the age group of teens and young women.

We both share such a passion about improving education with this age group about the menstrual cycle. We touch upon everything from the changing age of menarche, the health benefits of the menstrual cycle, peak bone mass, the impact of the oral contraception pill and how nutrition impacts our hormones.

Nicky has a captivating way of talking about women’s hormones - grab a cuppa and tune in via wherever you listen to your podcasts [search The Best of Health] and I also highly recommend Nicky’s book “Hormones, Health and Human Potential” if you want to delve deeper into the topic.

Find out more about Dr Nicky Keay here

Series 3 | Episode 8 with Lara Briden - perimenopause and ageing well

My last podcast episode of season 3 is the incredible Lara Briden - it was like Christmas come early spending an hour speaking with her and I’m so grateful for her time.

If you’ve not discovered Lara before, this is an incredible introduction to her natural ease of explaining perimenopause, menopause, HRT, metabolic flexibility, insulin resistance and so much more. But overall she gives the gift of hope - for all women going through perimenopause, there is so much you can do to overcome symptoms and to excel as you enter menopause and the next stage of life.

Find out more about Lara Briden here

Series 3 | Episode 7 with Patrick Holden - why our food system is in need of reform, for our health and futures generations health

One of the many inspiring speakers at the Integrative and Personalised Medicine conference this year was Patrick Holden, Founding Director and Chief Executive of the @susfoodtrust. Patrick’s session really resonated with me as he shared his passion about the application of Nature’s principles of Harmony to food and farming.

I am thrilled that Patrick agreed to join me in a podcast this season to discuss why our food system is in desperate need of reform.

With nearly 50 years of farming experience, Holden Farm Dairy is now the longest established organic dairy farm in West Wales. As well as being hands-on at the farm, his role at the Sustainable Food Trust works towards accelerating the transition towards more sustainable food systems and influencing government policy - he only recently returned from COP27.

I’m so grateful to Patrick for his time to talk about how sustainable food systems directly impact our health. Check it out - you won’t regret it!

Find out more about The Sustainable Food Trust here

Series 3 | Episode 6 with Toral Shah - Epigenetics and Cancer: the impact of social determinants for health

This week’s podcast has been a long time in the planning so I am absolutely delighted to finally share with you my podcast episode with Dr Toral Shah. 
We discuss how interactions between genes & environment impact both the risk of developing cancer and the intersection with social determinants of health. Toral talks about her own family’s personal cancer experience frankly, to help educate people about epigenetics and cancer. She also shares how stress is a major risk factor and we touch upon how personalising nutrition and lifestyle advice can be a huge support to your body to reduce the risk of cancer but also through perimenopause.

This is an incredible episode and I highly recommend you take an hour out of your day to listen.

Find out more about Toral Shah here

Series 3 | Episode 5 with Dr Victoria Sampson - the importance of your Oral Microbiome

This week on the podcast I was delighted to speak to Dr Victoria Sampson, a dentist and scientist (shortlisted as one of the most promising young scientists in Europe for Forbes under 30) to talk about the second most diverse microbiome in our body that been largely ignored - the oral microbiome. Victoria helps shed a light on this wonderful microbiome and is really fascinating with you consider that the teeth are the only non-shedding surface in the body, so it’s a really unique environment when you also consider the amount of things that are now in our mouths beyond food and drink - like braces, invisalign, fillings, crowns.

The mouth is the gateway to gastro-intestinal tract, so if there is an imbalance in the oral microbiome there are systemic body-wide implications. We discuss everything around the oral microbiome including implications of an oral microbiome imbalance on men and women’s fertility, to the topic of fluoride and also the importance of brushing and flossing. As always, I could have chatted and listened to Victoria all day - this episode is packed full of gems for anyone interested in their optimal health. 

Find out more about Dr Victoria Sampson here 

Series 3 | Episode 4 with Dr Emma Ping - Understanding ADHD, Women's Hormones & Menopause 

This week’s podcast episode was a huge eye-opener for me and features Dr Emma Ping, an accredited registered member of The British Menopause Society who is passionate about offering women holistic, patient-centred, bespoke advice and support and another passionate believer that it’s never too late start improving your life.

Dr Ping reached out to me to generously share her specialist knowledge in ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) and her particular interest in women and how hormones influence ADHD symptoms. 

I found this episode a huge education and a really fascinating guided expert insight into women’s health, the neurodivergent brain, and the connection between female hormones and ADHD.

Find out more about Dr Ping and the Menopause Care clinic here.

Series 3 | Episode 3 with Jenna Macciochi - exploring the part our immune system plays in ageing well

This week’s podcast episode features immunologist Jenna Macciochi and we delve in exploring the part our immune system plays in ageing well.

The Immune System is a part of the body that we have all become acute more aware of in the last 2 years so I was thrilled to get Jenna on the podcast as the queen of the immune system to explain the many different facets to this beautiful system and how environmental factors like stress impact it as well as her thoughts on supporting immune functionality. 

It was such a wonderful conversation, we discussed as working mothers ourselves the personal experience we both have encountered with the natural changes to our hormone levels on immune system and wider health as a whole! 

It’s a fabulous episode for anyone with an interest in looking after your immune health through all life stages.

Find out more about Jenna Macciochi here.

Series 3 | Episode 2 with Emma Beswick - understanding your metabolism and nutrigeomics

If you’ve been listening to my podcast since season one then today’s guest will be a familiar voice… I had the joy of spending an hour with my wonderful friend and professional colleague Emma Beswick from @LifeCodeGx

Emma and I discuss metabolism and how nutrigenomics profiling can give a truly unique insight to how you generate and use energy, as it relates to weight loss and weight management, energy for optional brain health, and summarise the involvement and usefulness of sirtuins in anti-ageing interventions….. It’s fascinating folks ….. The next frontier of  truly understanding and navigating YOUR metabolism as we age is here!

Find out more about Lifecode Gx

Series 3 | Episode 1 with Dr Mandy Leonhardt & Dr Hannah Short - premature ovarian insufficiency and early menopause

Joining me on the podcast mic this week was not just one but two incredible women who are so passionate about supporting and educating women through menopause. So much so, that they together wrote a book about it! This weeks episode features Dr Mandy Leonhardt & Dr Hannah Short who co-authored The Complete Guide to Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Early Menopause.

Early menopause is so poorly understood, not just by the general public but indeed healthcare providers and policy makers so this this episode we discuss everything from understanding what exactly induced menopause (medical and surgical) is and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, the differences and tests / investigations that can be used to confirm or rule out as well as support for women including HRT options.

Find out more about Dr Mandy Leonhardt
Find out more about Dr Hannah Short

Series 2 | Episode 9 with Dr Tina Peers - understanding Histamine, Hormones & Long Covid

This is the final episode of season two of my podcast and a truly fantastic episode that everyone can benefit from listening to.... The incredible Dr Tina Peers joins me to talk about how her own daughter's health led on a crusade to get to the root cause of her issues. Dr Peers wonderfully explains what histamine is and what happens when we have too much. Trained as a GP and more recently focusing on menopause, mast cells disorders and long COVID, Dr Peers provides a wonderful explanation of the interplay between the immune system and the endocrine system. 

If you're interested in long-covid and treatment - this is the episode for you. Dr Peers talks about long covid and mast cell activation and how her own quest to find appropriate diagnosis and treatment for clients drove a national campaign to collect information and share evidence-based practice with other health practitioners for long-covid treatment clinics. 

Find out more about Dr Tina Peers here

Series 2 | Episode 8 with Emily Blake - understanding urinary tract infections and the 'Gut-Vagina-Bladder' Axis

Prepare yourself for a hugely insightful podcast with Emily Blake from Invivo Healthcare. During this episode we discuss Urinary Tract Infections, one of the most common types of infection which pose a significant burden on the quality of life of women in particular at different life stages. Emily talks us through the urinary microbiome and delves into the strains of bacteria that inhabit it. We continue to talk about the relations between the different microbiomes the Urinary Microbiome and the vaginal microbiome and how we can support and aid the prevention and management of UTIs. what we can do to restore balance to the urinary ecosystem by harmonising the gut-bladder-vagina axis.

I'm sure you'll agree, Emily's passion for understanding the urinary ecosystem is infectious and sheds a light on so much new evidence that is helping us understand this wonderful system more. 

Find out more about Invivo Healthcare here

Find out more about Emily Blake here

Series 2 | Episode 7 with Lorna Driver-Davies - laying the groundwork for our teen girls and young women

Supporting our young girls and women through adolescence is such an important role and the best place to start is understanding what's happening in their body. I am delighted to have the wonderful Lorna Driver-Davies join me on the podcast to focus on exactly this and her specialist area of support Nutritional Therapy, Functional Medicine & Naturopathy. We start with the basics: understanding what is happening to our young girls and the key vitamins and minerals we should be mindful of when girls start their menstrual cycle. We also discuss the teenage microbiome, what's important to consider if young people are choosing  vegetarianism / veganism, the importance of teenagers getting complex carbs, and of course nutrition for teenage skin. 

Find out more about Lorna here

Find out more about Wild Nutrition here

Series 2 | Episode 6 with Emma Beswick - understanding epigenetics and women's health

I couldn't resist to ask the lovely Emma Beswick from LifecodeGx back on the podcast for another episode to delve into epigenetics and women's health. In this episode Emma talks about how your behaviours and environment can cause changes that affect the way our genes work. We discuss her wonderful Female Health Hormone panel that helps us understand how women are “set up” to produce, receive and clear oestrogen and progesterone, and the benefits of this panel specifically for women at perimenopause / menopause life stages who are at the cross-road of considering HRT. Plus if that isn't enough, we also discuss an amazing metabolite ALLO that has anti anxiety effects and new genes on LifecodeGx reporting that help us in this area.

Find out more about LifeCode Gx here. 

Series 2 | Episode 5 with Sandra Greenbank - understanding autoimmunity and women's health

This episode focuses all on fertility with wonderful expertise shared by the delightful a Nutritional Therapist who focuses specifically on fertility. Sandra explains the importance of nutrition and how it can impact fertility and optimum conditions for conception including plenty of tips about managing stress and essential nutrients.

Find out more about Sandra's clinical practice here.  

Series 2 | Episode 4 with Robyn Puglia - understanding autoimmunity and women's health

Robyn Puglia is a wonderful friend and colleague who trained in functional medicine the same time as me many years ago. Robyn and & reunite our passion for women's health in this episode discussing everything relating to autoimmunity and women's health. Robyn's own journey to understanding her autoimmune condition is an incredible and inspiring story and she explains the immune system with so many illustrative analogies. Another fabulous episode with golden nuggets of information for you to take away & I hope you agree. 

Find out more about Robyn's clinical practice here.

Series 2 | Episode 3 with Dr Nicky Keay - understanding the menstrual cycle, PCOS and Endometriosis

I enjoyed the podcast episode with Dr Nicky Keay so much last season that I had to invite her back, this time to focus specifically on the endocrine system and shining a light on the menstrual cycle - absolutely essential for all women!

This episode really hones in on understanding the menstrual cycle, how the hormones in our body adjust throughout the system and nutrients to support us each month. Dr Keay also so eloquently explains what’s happening in women’s bodies in relation to endometriosis and PCOS, including the clinical testing that’s involved for a true diagnosis.

I highly recommend this episode for women who notice irregularities with their menstrual cycle, a good starting point to understanding what going on in your body.

Find out more about Dr Nicky Keay here.

Series 2 | Episode 2 with Debbie Cotton - understanding the vaginal microbiome

In this episode I talk to Debbie Cotton about everything relating to the vaginal microbiome. Debbie explains the concept of microbiome so easily and goes on to explain what a 'normal' microbiome would be and what happens in a case of dysbiosis. Debbie's depth of knowledge goes even further explaining how particular testing can help identify and imbalances and also support making healthier choices for an optimal environment and how probiotics can support the optimal health of the vagina. 

Find out more about Debbie Cotton here.

Series 2 | Episode 1 with Tracey Randell: IBS, SIBO & histamine

The UK Queen of SIBO and IBS, my dear friend and colleague Tracey Randell joins me for the opening episode of season two and it’s a helluva episode for you to wrap your ears around. It’s all about the gut and bowels, but don’t let that put you off - Tracey talks about getting to the root cause of gut and digestion issues, painting a lovely picture to understand what’s going on in our body in the case of IBS, SIBO while touching upon dysbiosis and untangling the impact of stress on our bodies and the the role histamine has to play in our bodies and hormonal health.

Find out more about Tracey's IBS Clinic here⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Episode 1 with Humphrey Bacchus: microbes & gut health

This was a wonderful episode to record as we discussed everything from the growth of a love of microbes, the relationship between our ecosystem and our health, the change in perception of the gut and our common love of microbiology, right through to the panels and products Invivo have created. But don’t worry - this isn’t a full-on science lesson, Humphrey has a wonderful way of relating microbes to normal everyday life.

Find out more about Invivo Healthcare here

Episode 2 with Melanie Lawson: fish oils, Omega-3 and Omega-6

If you haven’t heard of Bare Biology before, they specialise in high quality and purity EPA and DHA fish oils. Our conversation naturally is led by delving into the difference between Omega-3 and Omega-6 plus uses for their mental health, memory, cognition and anti-inflammatory properties. The journey that took Melanie to personally using fish oils, sourcing high-quality fish oils, and then founding Bare Biology is really inspirational. Plus Mel shares a sneaky little hint about their newest product in development towards the end!

Find out more about Bare Biology here

Episode 3 with Henrietta Norton: women's health, endometriosis, immune health & food grown supplements

I had such an engaging conversation with Hen all focused on women’s health: from fertility right up to menopause, specifically talking about Hen’s personal experience of endometriosis. We also delve into the sustainability ethos behind the global “food-grown” brand Wild Nutrition, from choosing herbs and creating new formulations. The sound quality is a bit glitchy at times from Hen.... But it was SUCH a fabulous conversation so I didn’t want to cut any of it. So bear with it and hope you enjoy!

Find out more about Wild Nutrition here

Episode 4 with Ben Brown: IBS, Diet Plans, Gut Microbiome

This episode features Ben Brown, naturopathic physician, lecturer, speaker, author & colleague. Ben and I delve into discussing IBS, touching upon the microbiome, testing, restrictive diets and the importance of diversity in your diet. It’s a wonderful conversation and I highly recommend listening to Ben’s insight at every opportunity!

Episode 5 with Deirdre Nazareth: functional osteopathy, chronic pain & gut health, endometriosis

In this episode I had a wonderfully insightful conversation with my wonderful friend & colleague Deedee Nazareth, Functional Medicine Practitioner and Osteopath. Our conversation flows from discussing how gut health and the microbiome impacts chronic pain and how you can manipulate the microbiome to lower the inflammatory response. We also discuss how taking a functional medicine approach and understanding the role of osteopathy can be so helpful for so many women. This episode is full of practical tips around breathing and posture that we can all implement to positively impact our health and wellbeing - have a listen and I’ll guarantee you’ll get so much from listening to Deedee’s wonderful expertise.

Episode 6 with Melanie Brown: Nutrition, Fertility & PCOS

Fertility and nutrition is a really hot topic, especially if you are a woman of a certain age trying to conceive… This podcast episode features one of the best Nutritionists specialising in fertility, IVF and pregnancy - the lovely Melanie Brown. I have known Melanie for such a long time and we so naturally fell into a conversation about how nutrition plays a key role in the health of our reproductive system. We talk about terminology used around women’s health, her top tips for nutrition when trying to conceive, managing PCOS and the difference between folic acid and folate.

This week’s episode is another bumper issue, so easy to listen to with great practical tips.

Episode 7 with Dr Nicky Keay: Hormones, Perimenopause & Female Hormone Mapping

I recently was introduced to Dr Nicky Keay, the Chief Medical Officer at Forth with Life and as soon as I realised her speciality and passion for female hormones I had to ask her on the podcast. Dr Keay is a lecturer, endocrinologist, research fellow with extensive experience in the field of hormones and is also a passionate dancer! This episode of the podcast is really special and flows so naturally from reflecting on women’s menstrual cycles, hormones and optimal health, perimenopause and the importance of exercise reviewing your lifestyle during this lifephase. We also touch upon the impact of the oral contraceptive pill on hormones, and how Forth’s female hormone mapping works, so women can navigate the fluctuations of their hormones for a better understanding of their body.

Find out more about Forth here

Episode 8 with Emma Beswick: Nutrigenomics, Vitamin D & Histamine, Stress and Getting to the Root of Health issues

The final episode of Season 1 of The Best of Health podcast. And no one better to finish with than my lovely colleague Emma Beswick. As two self confessed geeks - we have a wonderful conversation about nutrition and genetics. Emma explains the concept of nutrigenomics and illustrates it perfectly through Vitamin D and Histamine as examples. We also talk about the impact of stress on our body and how her company Lifecode Gx is helping people to get the root of health issues within our control.

Find out more about LifecodeGx here