Straight Talking Natural Health

STNH 34: Rebecca Edwards – Why we aren’t absorbing iron… and what to do about it

Rebecca Edwards is so awesome that she will be joining us for 3 whole episodes. When we were teeing up an interview, there were literally SO MANY amazing topics being thrown around that we couldn’t choose just one. Rebecca is a speaker, writer, educator, and qualified naturopath. She has more than fifteen years of experience educating on all aspects of complementary and integrative health. She has lectured to undergraduate students in Australia, the UK, and the US, and delivered naturopathic education to healthcare practitioners all round the world. She is also the Director of Education at Activated Probiotics, so she’s across all the latest studies and research. She is also a complete microbiome nerd, and passionate about educating people about all the far-reaching effects a healthy, or an unhealthy microbiome can have on the human body. So over 3 episodes we will be exploring 3 health issues that can be affected by a poor microbiome, and we’ll talk about the latest research in how to manage them. This week’s topic is iron deficiency, especially in women.  Low iron is something that both doctors and naturopaths/nutritionists see a LOT of in clinic. And often, despite giving high doses of iron supplements, levels simply do not budge. It’s so frustrating! So… is it just about finding the “right” type of iron to give to the patient? Or is there something else going on? Enter Rebecca and her incredible knowledge of the biochemistry of iron absorption, and the role of the microbiome (and targeted probiotic therapy) in helping turn the deficiency state around. WARNING: This episode is pretty heavy on the tech side of things, (including a built-in biochemistry lesson, which plays out like a Disney movie!). So keep a pen and paper handy and switch off your other devices, so that you can pay this one your full attention. (And practitioners – I KNOW you’re going to love this one – so many clinical pearls in there!).   A huge thanks to Activated Probiotics for sponsoring this episode. You can find out more about them (and see the results of Rebecca’s great work) by visiting activatedprobiotics.com.au. Their Instagram is here and their Facebook page is here.   Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 34: Rebecca Edwards – Why we aren’t absorbing iron… and what to do about it appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 33: Rebecca Edwards – Saving Our Bones – The role of the microbiome in osteoporosis

Rebecca Edwards is so awesome that she will be joining us for 3 whole episodes. When we were teeing up an interview, there were literally SO MANY amazing topics being thrown around that we couldn’t choose just one.  Rebecca is a speaker, writer, educator, and qualified naturopath. She has more than fifteen years of experience educating on all aspects of complementary and integrative health. She has lectured to undergraduate students in Australia, the UK, and the US, and delivered naturopathic education to healthcare practitioners all round the world. She is also the Director of Education at Activated Probiotics, so she’s across all the latest studies and research.  She is also a complete microbiome nerd, and passionate about educating people about all the far-reaching effects a healthy, or an unhealthy microbiome can have on the human body.  So over next 3 episodes we will be exploring 3 health issues that can be affected by a poor microbiome, and we’ll talk about the latest research in how to manage them.  And our first topic is bone density – yep – prevention of that pesky little sucker known as osteoporosis. Something ALL women… and men (especially those over 40) should be tuning in to learn about. Did you know that Western women have a 50% lifetime risk of osteoporotic fractures? This is super common… and serious, because one the fracture has occurred, there’s also an increased risk of mortality.  Yet… Rebecca says “Calcium supplements are overused in relation to the benefit they give.” Say whattt?  Yep – there’s new research coming out on the gut-bone axis – the direct line of communication between our digestion and our bones. And the role that inflammation plays in the increased breakdown of bones.  Cue – targeted probiotic therapy to improve gut health, reduce inflammation and slow down bone loss.  So tune in and nerd out with us and discover a new way of looking at not just osteoporosis, but also probiotics (it’s not just about pumping in the ‘good guys” into your gut – it’s so much more than that!).    A huge thanks to Activated Probiotics for sponsoring this episode. You can find out more about them (and see the results of Rebecca’s great work) by visiting www.activatedprobiotics.com.au. Their Instagram is here and their Facebook page is here.   Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 33: Rebecca Edwards – Saving Our Bones – The role of the microbiome in osteoporosis appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 32: Kira Sutherland – Nutrition for active women

Meet Kira Sutherland – a highly experienced naturopath, sports nutritionist, and much-loved lecturer and speaker. She is known as one of THE go-to practitioners in our industry when it comes to understanding the needs of active people and athletes. But you don’t need to be at an elite level in order to benefit from her wisdom and knowledge. So even if you are training to run 5km or wanting to get into gym training, listen up, because there will be SO many gold nuggets in here for you. (Oh – and if you ARE an elite athlete, pay extra attention, because this woman has information to share that could literally be game-changing for you.) Most studies done on sports nutrition are done on… you guessed it… MEN. And as Kira says, “Women are not small men.” So it’s time to look into what is best for us females (yay!), whether we’re elite athletes, weekend warriors, or anything in between. In this episode we delve into nutrition for active women, and cover ALL the juicy stuff, including: What to eat before and after training in order to feel good and have more energy. Whether we should train in a fasted state, or whether to eat beforehand. Protein powders – should you? And if so, which one? Pre workouts, and why they’re on the shit list for a lot of women. What to do to protect your adrenals and prevent burnout. … and why Kira reeeally dislikes the word “biohack.” 😉  Want to see more of Kira?  Head to her website here. Check out her Facebook page here. And her Instagram here.    Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 32: Kira Sutherland – Nutrition for active women appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 31: Jade Miles – Futuresteading – Live like tomorrow matters

Many people think that permaculture is JUST about gardening or growing food in a sustainable or organic way… but you are about to learn that it is sooo much more than that. Meet the gentle powerhouse that is Jade Miles. She is passionate about localised food, regenerative farming practices, intentional growing, and operates a farm rich in its diversity of produce. She grows apples, pears and berries, nuts, stone fruit, quince, olives, pomegranates, currants, figs, herbs, flowers and vegetables. Her background in tourism shines through in her business model, as you can visit her property and pick your own fruit. She also operates a fruit tree and perennial plant nursery, and runs regular feasts, gatherings, workshops, schools programs and farm tours educate us about the food that we eat and the skills needed to grow it. If that’s not enough (hmmm… type A, much?), she is also a keynote speaker, a podcaster, a writer, and she has just finished her first book, Futuresteading – Live Like Tomorrow Matters. Jade takes us through the core principles of permaculture, which are: Earth Care People Care Fair Share …and she makes it accessible and do-able for EVERYONE… even if you like in a city, and your “garden” is your balcony! Just like yoga is so much more than just the poses, permaculture is so much more than just growing food. It’s about tuning into the seasons, getting outdoors, slowing down, appreciating (and sharing!) what you have, building a strong local community, living harmoniously with the world around you, and creating a simple life that still feels rich and abundant. Listen as Jade takes us through the simple but powerful shifts we can make as we embrace the bigger picture… and how to do it all in a joyous, no-pressure, non-dogmatic way.   Want to see more of Jade… and check out her book?  Check out the Black Barn Farm website here. Jade can be found on social media here: Facebook. Instagram. Her podcast is on Apple Podcasts here. And her amazing book Futuresteading – Live Like Tomorrow Matters, can be found here.   Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 31: Jade Miles – Futuresteading – Live like tomorrow matters appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 30: Kylie Pinwill – 5 things your mum didn’t tell you about menopause

Today’s guest came into my life as a breath of fresh air on the Sunshine Coast. She was one of the first people to welcome me when I moved to the area, with a coffee and a chat. Turns out we got along famously. She’s an amazing nutritionist who works in a niche that is soooooo needed. You see, she’s all about helping women navigate their perimenopausal and menopausal years with more ease and grace. We were talking last week about the changes that both our bodies are currently going through, and also those of our clients, and we were joking about the fact that no one tells you what you’re in for. Like, not even our mums. We often get told about the hot flushes and the night sweats (often because we’ll see a family member or friend struggling in the hot weather), but menopause is sooooo much more than that. And that a lot of symptoms come as a surprise and/or shock to women. Which is why I’ve got her on the show. We decided that we want to be ALL about the education, so we will be going through the top 5 things your mum didn’t tell you about menopause. And we won’t be pulling any punches. Yep, we will be going into glorious detail… yep, even the vag symptoms! And of course, we will be giving you loads of tips on how to manage your symptoms naturally.   Want more of Kylie?  Head to http://kyliepinwill.com. or follow her on social media here: Facebook. Instagram. … and her amazing Facebook group “Hormone Hub – Perimenopause and Menopause Support Group” is here.    Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 30: Kylie Pinwill – 5 things your mum didn’t tell you about menopause appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 29: Emma Park – The First 1000 Days – microbiome in mums and bubs

Meet Emma Park – she’s a good friend of mine, a bloody amazing practitioner, and a super intelligent human. She’s out-nerds me on all things gut bugs and microbiome, and just quietly, is one of my go-to phone-a-friends when I have a tricky question. So to my zoom clients, when I say to you “I’m just going to check that with a colleague,” it could well be this woman I’m calling. Her wholefood cooking on Instagram stories is to die for, and it’s lucky we don’t live in the same town, otherwise I’d be on her doorstep every single night. She brings her knowledge as a nutritionist and her love of food together in epic meals with loads of veggies and gut loving ingredients. Her love of feeding people healthy meals has even extended to her leading teams in remote parts of Australia on indigenous health and nutrition projects, where their efforts saw health markers dramatically change in their sample populations after just one month’s work. But the reason I’ve got her on the show is because she also wears another hat – you see, her absolute zone of genius is working with pregnant women and new mums to ensure a healthy gut microbiome, through the combination of diet, gut healing strategies and the right probiotics at the right times. So, this episode is all about picking her brain on how to achieve better outcomes for both mums and bubs. In this interview, we will cover: Why is a healthy microbiome so important for BOTH mum and bub? Signs that mum’s microbiome might be out of balance. Why antibiotics given to mum can affect the baby’s microbiome, even after the birth. Which strains of bacteria are needed for the best outcomes. The WORST foods to eat whilst pregnant for the microbiome. What to eat during breastfeeding to improve baby’s microbiome. What if the baby is on formula? Are there still things you can do? The drugs that mess up the infant microbiome. What are the signs that mum’s and bub’s microbiome isn’t right? The good outcomes that can happen when the microbiome is in balance.   Want to see more of Emma?  Website: http://emmaparknutritionist.com.au Facebook: http://facebook.com/emmaparknutritionist Instagram: http://instagram.com/emmaparknutritionist   Extra info (as mentioned in the interview): Rachel Reid – Midwife: https://midwifethinking.com/ Melanie the Midwife: https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/     Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 29: Emma Park – The First 1000 Days – microbiome in mums and bubs appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 28: Lara Briden – The hormone rollercoaster of perimenopause

You may remember Lara Briden from Episode 21 of this podcast, when we had a very enlightening chat about PCOS and endometriosis. She is a naturopathic doctor, an educator, an author, and a women’s health activist. She literally wrote the book on how to have a healthy, stress free, pain free cycle – it’s called the Period Repair Manual and it’s loved by both practitioner and laypeople alike. And now she’s back with a new book called the Hormone Repair Manual – Every Woman’s Guide to Healthy Hormones After 40, which is all about perimenopause and menopause. Which I have to say, that as a woman who is about to have her 45th birthday, I find this more than a little timely. So just like last time, we are going to talk about what’s normal, what isn’t normal, how to address unwanted symptoms naturally, and how we can navigate this tricky time with grace and ease. If you’re a woman over 35 years old, this episode is a MUST. In this podcast we will cover: What a healthy perimenopause (and menopause) is supposed to look like. Why we may be entering into perimenopause MUCH earlier than we think (and what signs to look out for). Why more and more women are suffering from symptoms during perimenopause. Why our periods might get worse before disappearing altogether (and what to do about it). Why going from the contraceptive pill and the hormonal IUD straight into menopause could cause issues. Which foods and drinks could be making your symptoms worse. Natural remedies for perimenopausal symptoms (including Lara’s favourite herbs and a mind-blowing lightbulb moment about iodine!).   Want to connect with Lara? Website: http://larabriden.com. Facebook: http://facebook.com/LaraBriden Instagram: http://instagram.com/larabriden     Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 28: Lara Briden – The hormone rollercoaster of perimenopause appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 27: Sharon Collon – Nourishing the mothers of kids with special needs

You may remember Sharon Collon from Episode 7 of Straight Talking Natural Health, where we talked about ADD/ADHD, and her business, The Functional Family. Several members of her household have ADHD, which in the past led to her becoming burnt out as she learned to navigate everyone’s needs, constantly putting herself last. She developed an autoimmune disease and had to embark on a long road back to recovery, learning a lot along the way about self care. Sadly, this isn’t an unusual scenario for mums of kids who have additional needs. Anecdotally in both our businesses, Sharon and I have both noticed a HUGE link between having neurodiverse kids, and the mums developing chronic illness, especially autoimmune diseases and health conditions associated with long-term stress. So I’ve got her on the show to pick her brain about nourishing the mother, and how to create a structure and lifestyle where EVERYONE is healthy and happy. Listen as we chat about: The warning signs of burnout in mums. The horrible affliction known as “mum guilt” (and why it’s completely pointless!). How to accept help when it’s offered. How to improve communication between family members, reducing stress and strain on everyone. Ninja tips for a more harmonious household. How to bring back the magic and wonder to your relationship with your child. Want to see more of Sharon? Website: http://thefunctionalfamily.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/thefunctionalfamily Instagram: http://instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily     Want more of Jules?  Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 27: Sharon Collon – Nourishing the mothers of kids with special needs appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 26: Jess Jones – The Burnout Club

Meet Jess Jones – she runs a club that in her own words, you never wanted to be in. But sadly it’s a club to which many of us could subscribe, or have been a good candidate for in the past. It’s a club that I think is on the way to have many more members too, if we don’t start taking steps to avoid it. You see, it’s called the Burnout Club, and it’s a place for women to learn a new way to live, work and most importantly, practice self care. And by self-care, I do NOT mean a pedicure or massage (although they’re great). Think of it as a complete mindset shift and habit change for many women. Basically this is rehab for Type A’s. And it’s SOOOOO needed. In this interview, we chat about: Jess’ own burnout story, and how being super-driven placed a massive strain on her career, health and relationships. Why burnout is often driven by unresolved emotional stuff… and what to look out for. The shame associated with burning out, and Jess’ learnings from that. How Jess prioritised self-care, and what that looked like for her (spoiler alert – it’s not a pedicure!). The dangers of using alcohol to relax when you’re burned out. What we need to change in order to come back from burnout (or prevent it happening!).   Want to see more of Jess? Website: http://theburnoutclub.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/theburnoutclub Instagram: http://instagram.com/jessmejones     Want more of Jules?  Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 26: Jess Jones – The Burnout Club appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 25: The Merrymaker Sisters – Self-acceptance, self-kindness and respect for our bodies

You may remember Emma and Carla Papas (aka The Merrymaker Sisters) from long, long ago when they featured on my podcast when it was called Shiny Healthy You. Back then we chatted about all things food, healthy eating, and how to eat gluten, dairy and sugar-free whilst still being excited about food. Since then, their business has taken a bit of a different direction. You see, they have gone down the rabbit hole into yoga, pilates, meditation, and all things body acceptance and self-kindness. But of course they didn’t stop there. They launched an app which has brought everything together in one place – amazing recipes, motivation, pilates, meditation, yoga… the lot. Through their app, their podcast, their blog and their social media, they reach 118,000 people every single month. That’s huge. But what’s even more amazing is that their work has transcended age groups – they serve people who are at all stages of life – from kids and teenagers, to busy mums and professional women, and those aged 60 and beyond. Emma and Carla have a LOT to say about body image and why the fitness industry is built on body shaming. Listen as we chat about: Why their diets became too obsessive to the point of causing stress. Why they never use before and after photos in their marketing. How they get results and motivate their clients without using fear or shame as tactics. How they grew to love and accept themselves and really enjoy feeling confident in their bodies again. This episode is a MUST for anyone who’s been let down by the diet industry, who’s ever felt like they’re not enough, who’s grappling with accepting themselves (curvy bits and all)… and for anyone with a teenage daughter. Want to see more of The Merrymaker Sisters? Website: http://themerrymakersisters.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/themerrymakersisters Instagram: http://instagram.com/themerrymakersisters     Want more of Jules?  Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 25: The Merrymaker Sisters – Self-acceptance, self-kindness and respect for our bodies appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 24: Hayley Dawson – What’s in your tank water?

Some of you may remember Hayley Dawson (aka The Rural Naturopath) from episode number 17 of Straight Talking Natural Health, where we talked about what it’s like to be a natural health practitioner in the country areas of Australia. It was an eye opener that revealed the unique issues that our rural and remote communities face when it comes to wellbeing. I’ve gotten this legend back on the show to share with you a personal story about her own health issues, and a warning. If you’re on tank water, if you visit somewhere regularly that has tank water, or if someone you love is on tank water, listen up, because this episode contains information that you may find shocking, and that you 100% need to hear. Do NOT put this off. This is one of those “take action now” kinda podcasts. In this episode, you will learn: The types of pathogens or toxins we can find in our tank water. The symptoms of water-borne pathogens. How these tank water pathogens can affect mental health. How we can get rid of the bugs out of our systems. How you can get your tank water tested. How you can go about getting the tank cleaned- and what to ask for. Water filters – what’s the gold standard? Want to see more of Hayley?  Check out her website here. Her Facebook page is here. And her online program is here.   Want more of Jules?  Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 24: Hayley Dawson – What’s in your tank water? appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

STNH 23: Caitlin Cady – Meditation, perfectionism, and overcoming the resistance to being still

Caitlin Cady is an absolute powerhouse of a woman whose CV kinda reads like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel. On one hand, she’s a driven business person who owns two nightclubs and has been known to listen to gangster rap. On the other hand, she exudes a calm radiance, is a devoted yogi, and has been described as “spiritual AF.” She has a beautiful, heart-centred business that’s all about getting people to meditate regularly. She makes meditation accessible, enjoyable… and dare I say it… fashionable. (Ahem – just ask her about her super cute line of clothing.) Most of all, she’s now a published writer of a fabulous book, “Heavily Meditated.” In this episode we chat about: What meditation is… and what it isn’t (“There are so many myths around it – that you need a calm mind… that you need to stop thinking”). How meditation helped Caitlin heal from a serious chronic illness… and also “chronic perfectionism.” Why driven women need meditation, and how we can teach ourselves to stop and ACTUALLY do it! Overcoming the resistance to sit still and get it done. How to carve out space for stillness, even when you have kids (and how to be a role model for self care). How to show up, let go and embrace your practice, even when it’s messy, wonky and not perfect. Want to see more of Caitlin? Website: http://caitlincady.com Facebook: http:/facebook.com/caitcady Instagram: http://instagram.com/caitlincady     Want more of Jules? Follow her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/julesgallowayhealth and Instagram at http://instagram.com/julesgallowayhealth. Visit her website at http://julesgalloway.com. Are you at risk of burnout? Take this quiz to find out: http://julesgalloway.com/health-check. The post STNH 23: Caitlin Cady – Meditation, perfectionism, and overcoming the resistance to being still appeared first on The Wellness Couch.