Happy Hormones Podcast

One of the most obvious things you might be noticing as you get older (and a key symptom of menopause) is the way your brain works (or doesn’t!). And it can be scary. Especially if you have dementia in the family.
While some decline is natural, exciting research reveals proactive steps we can take to nurture and protect our cognitive function for years to come.
Want to learn science-backed tricks to optimise your brainpower and age well? This episode is for you! My guest, Susan Saunders, is one of the inspirational women featured in my upcoming book on healthy ageing. Susan's passion for brain health started after caring for loved ones with dementia. Now a qualified health coach, she helps women over 50 build habits that lower their risk of dementia and sharpen their minds.
In this episode, we explore the six pillars for improving brain health and reducing your risk of dementia as you age. Susan shares practical wisdom and simple lifestyle changes to keep your mind sharp and your memory in top shape.
You'll learn how to take control of your brain health as you age, paving the way for a bright future with a strong mind.
–TOPICS COVERED–
00:37 - The single most crucial step we can take to care for our brains in later years
01:48 - How the brain changes after age 50 and the effects of menopause on cognitive function
04:10 - Our brain’s ability to adapt, reconfigure, and overcome post-menopause challenges
05:16 - What got Susan on the journey into understanding neurological health
07:59 - Working on lifestyle factors for dementia prevention
08:57 - The six pillars to a stronger and healthier brain
09:59 - How diet plays a huge role in nourishing the mind
14:18 - The often overlooked importance of protein in maintaining cognitive function
16:34 - How exercise boosts brain fitness
20:36 - The crucial impact of sleep on the brain
21:21 - Practical tips for prioritising and improving sleep quality
23:26 - The link between lack of sleep and diminished mental capacities
26:20 - Exploring the effects of stress on the brain and why it's a major risk factor
28:52 - Cognitive engagement strategies to reduce risk of neurodegeneration
30:56 - Unpacking the "social and built environment" pillar
33:58 - Why there is a strong emphasis on building healthy habits to lower dementia risk
If you enjoyed this episode, please head to Apple Podcasts, give this a follow, and leave a review:https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/happy-hormones-podcast/id1497554597
Read the blog and watch the full interview here; www.happyhormonesforlife.com/brain-health
If you need any help or support with your health or hormones, do contact us for more info on our testing and 1-1 services; www.happyhormonesforlife.com/contact
Connect with Susan Saunders at:Website - https://susansaundershealth.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/susansaundershealth/

I'm flipping the script today to talk about men’s health, with Ross Tomkins, mens health advocate and founder of Alphagenix. He’s also the author of 'Ageing and the Andropause'.
Ross was introduced to me by my dad, who had been instrumental in diagnosing him with low thyroid and testosterone in his 30’s and getting him back to full health. And he has since gone on to support other men with hormone replacement therapy through his company Alphagenix.
Ross explains what happens to men as they age, what is andropause, what to look out for, and how to get the right support. It’s an important conversation - we have come such a long way with menopause, but there’s really not much awareness of andropause and its effects on the men in our lives.
Learn more about Alphagenix here; https://alphagenix.co.uk/
Find out more about our 1-1 testing and support services here; https://happyhormonesforlife.com/contact

You might think that heart health isn't your biggest priority as you go through menopause.
Heart disease is often perceived as a “man's disease”, but it’s actually the leading cause of death among women over the age of 50.
What's even more concerning is that almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly from coronary heart disease show no previous symptoms.
The good news is that there's lots you can do naturally to look after your heart health.
If you prefer to read, head over to the blog;https://happyhormonesforlife.com/hear...
If you'd like information on how we can help you with either health testing or 1-1 support, do get in touch;https://happyhormonesforlife.com/contact

Kim Rahir is an inspiration to any woman in midlife. A busy mum of 3, she was diagnosed with MS at the age of 50 and told she would be on medication for the rest of her life. She felt powerless, so she decided to start strength training alongside her medical treatment to just feel more confident.
As she got stronger, she not only felt happier, but her body started healing. Today she has no sign of MS in her body. Not only that, In 2023 (at the age of 60), she became European Champion in Masters Weightlifting in her age and weight category.
Her journey inspired her to leave her career in journalism in her 50s and become a health coach for middle aged women - with a big focus on reactivating and rebuilding muscle.
I hope you’re as inspired as I was by Kim’s story. You’re never too old to start strength training (or anything else that makes you feel good!).
Find out more about Kim here; www.kimrahir.com
And if you need any support with your hormones or general health, do get in touch; www.happyhormonesforlife.com/contact

Unless you live in a bubble, you won't have escaped the buzz about breathwork in recent years. If you've done yoga or Pilates, you'll know about the benefits, and of course 'Ice Man' Wim Hoff has made his breathwork practice famous.
Despite its recent popularity, breathwork is far from a new phenomenon. Across diverse cultures, it has been practiced for millennia. These days, breathing has evolved into a thriving industry, with a plethora of courses, coaches, and retreats promising transformative experiences.
But you might still be a bit skeptical. Surely breathing is something we all do automatically, the body knows how to breathe right?
Well it used to, but apparently our modern world has made it much more difficult for us to breathe properly. And scientists now are attributing poor breathing to many health related issues, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and poor immune function.
Discover the amazing health benefits of proper breathing, and 4 simple techniques you can start right away.
If you need any help with your hormones or other health issues, do contact us for more info on how we can support you; www.happyhormonesforlife.com/contact

I’ve always known olive oil is good for us, it’s a staple of the Mediterranean diet and well known for it’s health benefits. But I didn’t know quite how much these benefits depended on the quality of the oil and where it came from.
Until I met Sarah Vachon, olive oil sommelier and founder of Citizens of Soil. She explained to me the vital difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, and how to buy and store your olive oil to maximise those health benefits.
I love the ethos of Sarah’s company, not only making the best and freshest olive oil available to us, but championing female growers all around Europe who use regenerative farming methods and produce the highest quality oils.
If you want to try their amazing olive oil, you can get 10% off your first purchase with code happyhormonesforlife at www.happyhormonesforlife.com/oliveoil

While constipation may not be a topic that's openly discussed, it's surprisingly common. In fact, it's thought around 1 in 7 adults in the UK suffer from it.
Unfortunately, it's more common in women, and can get worse as we get older. That means if you're a midlife woman like me, it can be an uncomfortable and often frustrating thing to deal with.
But 'common' doesn't mean it's 'normal'. While occasional bouts (for me especially when I travel!) are nothing to worry about, chronic constipation is a different beast. It not only affects your day to day life, but can increase the risk of more serious gastrointestinal complications.
Luckily there are lots of natural ways we can tackle it.
You can read the blog here; www.happyhormonesforlife.com/constipation
Contact us if you need further help; www.happyhormonesforlife.com/contact

When you're going through midlife changes, it can be really hard to feel good in your clothes. Finding things to wear that accommodate your changing body shape or help you deal with uncomfortable symptoms can be a challenge.
I don't know about you, but my wardrobe struggle is very real!
But my friend Helen Reynolds is here to help! She is a personal style consultant who totally gets these challenges.
I caught up with her to get her top tips and tricks to rediscover your style confidence, and start feeling great in your clothes.
If you'd like to watch the video (some of her tips were demo'd in action!), you can do that here; https://youtu.be/yHs1qVrGn-w
And you can find out more about Helen's free Wardrobe Reboot Challenge here; https://happyhormonesforlife.com/style

After developing what she describes as 'a dysfunctional relationship' with alcohol, Sarah Rusbatch made the decision to remove it from her life in early 2019 and has never looked back.
She's now an acredited 'Grey Area Drinking' coach, helping other women to enjoy the benefits of sobriety and improve their health.
Listen to discover what ‘grey area drinking’ is, and how to know if you’re in that category. Plus why women can be more vulnerable than men to the health effects of too much alcohol, and how to give it up in a society that can make that difficult.
Find out more about Sarah here; www.sarahrusbatch.com
If you need support with your health or hormones, do contact us at www.happyhormonesforlife.com/contact

We know testosterone is a steroid hormone that gives men their deep voices, facial hair, muscle strength and sex drive.
But did you know it plays a crucial role for women too? We only make about 5% of the levels men make, but it's a hormone that we need not only for our sex drive and muscles, but for bone and brain health as well as energy and mood.
And just like oestrogen and progesterone, testosterone levels decline during and post menopause, and this can result in a variety of health issues and symptoms if not addressed.
Do contact us for info on our testing and 1-1 services; www.happyhormonesforlife.com/contact