Her Health™ Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and host Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Siobhan Dawson – a psychiatrist with an integrative approach to mental health – to look at what sits beneath anxiety and depression: the biology, the nervous system, and the stage of life a woman is actually in.

From the layered cake approach to diagnosis and the line between healthy distress and clinical illness, to life transitions, the five Rs of mental well-being, and her own experience coming off medication – Siobhan makes the case that psychiatry has to treat the whole person, not just the symptom list.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: mental health factors rated – social media, connectivity, grounding, sleep, exercise, and alcohol

🍰The layered cake approach – how Dr Siobhan assesses anxiety and depression beyond symptoms, from biology to nervous system to life context

💭Normal distress vs clinical illness – how to tell a proportionate response from one that needs intervention

🏭Humans as “factory farmed” – what overstimulation, artificial light, and isolation do to us

🦋Life transitions and rites of passage – why mental health disturbances can signal a necessary shift

🌿 The five Rs – a practical framework for the depleted, overstimulated woman, from circadian rhythm to movement and time in nature

🌱Siobhan’s personal story – her experience with ayahuasca, what psychedelic research is exploring, and why it isn’t for everyone

💊 Coming off antidepressants – why clinician support, lifestyle, and supplements matter

📌TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:37 – Meet Dr Siobhan Dawson, psychiatrist

0:54 – Dr Siobhan’s path from dance to integrative psychiatry

6:17 – Rapid fire: mental health factors rated

8:11 – The layered cake approach: looking beyond symptoms

12:26 – Normal emotion or clinical diagnosis: how long should you feel it?

14:43 – Humans as “factory farmed”: what modern life does to us

16:01 – Life transitions and rites of passage

19:09 – The five Rs: advice for a depleted, overstimulated woman

21:42 – Exercise as a cornerstone: why movement matters for mood

24:20 – Overwhelmed or avoiding: two women, two approaches

26:26 – Dr Siobhan’s ayahuasca experience

27:26 – What psychedelic research is exploring in the brain

32:25 – Coming off antidepressants: what support looks like

👉Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@phytoceutics

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YcH2RyYP8HcN5iimZrzrj?si=1cwoc9r7QmeBBTqSBuqrBw

Apple Podcasts:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/ep-28-antidepressants-anxiety-ayahuasca-rewriting-the/id1846133718?i=1000801085443 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/738ed40a-6983-4d56-9d5c-b4310624a421/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-28-antidepressants-anxiety-ayahuasca-rewriting-the-rules-of-psychiatry

💸Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲Connect with us:

Dr Siobhan Dawson |

Phytoceutics® | instagram.com/phytoceutics_za?hl=en

💬Enjoyed this episode? Listen to our previous episode on women’s mental health with Dr Jessica Stanbridge:

https://phytoceutics.com/blogs/resources/why-so-many-women-are-struggling-a-psychiatrists-take-her-health%E2%84%A2

#HerHealthPodcast #MentalHealth #IntegrativePsychiatry #WomensHealth #Anxiety #Depression #Psychiatry #NervousSystem #Burnout #LifeTransitions #HolisticHealth #MindBody #Wellbeing #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and host Laura Johnston sits down with Frieda Loubser – genetic counsellor specialising in cancer genetics, carrier screening, and inherited risk – for the kind of conversation that makes a complicated field suddenly make sense.

From BRCA genes and breast cancer risk to carrier screening, newborn testing, embryo testing, and the honest truth about direct-to-consumer genetic tests – Frieda brings the clinical precision this topic deserves.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: genetic testing priorities rated – cancer screening, family history, newborn screening, embryo testing, longevity tests, and more

🧬How genetics actually works – the Lego booklet analogy, dominant vs recessive inheritance, and why one faulty copy doesn’t always mean disease

🔎When to get genetic testing – what in your family history matters and how far back to look

🎗️Breast cancer genetics decoded – the three risk groups, what BRCA negative actually means, and why polygenic risk scores are the next frontier

👶Carrier screening and newborn screening – what they test for, when to do them, and why early detection changes outcomes

🔬Embryo testing via IVF – how PGT works, who it’s for, and the informed choices it makes possible

📊Direct-to-consumer genetic tests – why diet, exercise, and longevity tests are rated a two or three, and what clinical utility actually means

💊 Blood tests vs genetic tests – why genetics is not a moment in time, and when combining both gives you a more accurate picture

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:38 – Meet Frieda Loubser, genetic counsellor

1:53 – Rapid fire: genetic testing priorities rated

2:49 – How genetics works: the Lego booklet analogy explained

6:05 – Dominant vs recessive inheritance: when one faulty copy is enough

7:45 – When to get genetic testing and what family history tells us

12:13 – BRCA and breast cancer: the three risk groups explained

17:28 – Carrier and newborn screening: assessing your risk

22:52 – Embryo testing via IVF: how PGT works and who it’s for

25:58 – Direct-to-consumer genetic tests: why diet and longevity tests are rated so low

31:04 – Blood tests vs genetic tests: understanding what each one shows

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/p6IsnvS6DzM

Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000798199502

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/1bf379d8-3f4f-4211-b971-5961c5c918b9/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-27-should-you-test-your-genes-dna-cancer-risk-family-history

💸Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲Connect with us:

Frieda Loubser | https://www.capetowngc.com/about-us

Phytoceutics® | instagram.com/phytoceutics_za?hl=en

💬Enjoyed this episode? Listen to our episode on cancer screening with Dr Tamiya Nair: https://phytoceutics.com/blogs/resources/cancer-screening-early-detection-and-knowing-your-risk-on-her-health%E2%84%A2

#HerHealthPodcast #GeneticTesting #BRCA #BreastCancerRisk #GeneticCounselling #NewbornScreening #CarrierScreening #WomensHealth #FamilyHistory #CancerPrevention #EmbryoTesting #DNAHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and host Laura Johnston sits down with Lauren Marsh – psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist with a special interest in OCD, perfectionism, and disordered eating – for a conversation that goes far deeper than food.

From the genetics of eating disorders and the anxious brain to GLP-1, childhood food environments, burnout, and the therapy types that actually work – Lauren gives women the framework to understand what’s really driving their relationship with food, and what to do about it.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: factors affecting your relationship with food – social media, perfectionism, genetics, burnout, anxiety, and more

🧬 Eating disorder vs disordered eating – where the spectrum starts, what separates the two, and how genetics matter

🪞 Why eating disorders don’t have a certain look – atypical anorexia, larger-bodied presentation, and the GLP-1 risk nobody is talking about.

🧠 Anxiety, OCD, and perfectionism – how an anxious brain develops food-based coping mechanisms and when ambition becomes pathological

👶 Childhood environment and food – how early experiences shape the relationship with food, and what parents can do differently

💬 Therapy types explained – CBT, DBT, focal psychodynamic therapy, and how medication fits alongside them

🥗 Nutrition as intervention – regularity, adequacy, variability, and why an unfed brain is an anxious brain

❓ Community Q&A – body image in children, when health consciousness becomes harmful, and how to recognise disordered eating in someone you love

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:38 – Meet Lauren Marsh, psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist

1:14 – Rapid fire: factors affecting your relationship with food

2:32 – Eating disorder vs disordered eating: where the spectrum starts

4:35 – Atypical anorexia: why eating disorders don’t have a certain look

5:57 – GLP-1 and eating disorders: the risk for vulnerable people

7:21 – Anxiety as the root: how the anxious brain develops coping mechanisms

10:16 – Perfectionism: when healthy ambition becomes pathological

11:45 – OCD and the compulsion cycle: how it overlaps with perfectionism

15:25 – Childhood environment: fostering achievement without pressure

18:18 – Therapy options: CBT, DBT, and focal psychodynamic therapy explained

28:23 – Where medication fits alongside therapy

30:18 – Nutrition as intervention: regularity, adequacy, variability, and spontaneity

40:03 – Stress and burnout: how they change your relationship with food

43:39 – Supplements: who needs them and why

45:05 – Community Q&A: body image, health consciousness, and disordered eating in loved ones

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/w8aJwNbsFHM

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Lauren Marsh | https://laurenhelentherapy.com/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

💬 Enjoyed this episode?

Listen to our previous episode on women’s mental health with Dr Jessica Stanbridge: https://phytoceutics.com/blogs/resources/why-so-many-women-are-struggling-a-psychiatrists-take-her-health%E2%84%A2

#HerHealthPodcast #EatingDisorders #DisorderedEating #MentalHealth #AnxietyAndFood #OCD #Perfectionism #CBT #WomensHealth #BodyImage #NutritionalHealth #Burnout #FoodRelationship #GLP1s #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and host Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Julie Morrison – paediatrician, paediatric pulmonologist, and integrative health specialist – and gets the honest, practical guide to children's respiratory health that most parents wish they'd had sooner.

From crèche syndrome and the chronic cough that never quite goes away to the allergic march, inhaler technique, and the Breathe Thrive framework – this conversation gives parents a clear, evidence-based lens for understanding what's actually going on in their children's bodies.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: children's health factors rated – sleep, RSV and flu vaccines, tonsil removal, outdoor play, supplements, and screen time

🤧 Crèche syndrome and the persistent cough – why frequent illness builds immunity, when a wet cough needs a longer antibiotic course, and how gut health fits in

🫁 Asthma from diagnosis to management – how to differentiate it from chronic bronchitis, when lung function testing is possible, and how to use an inhaler correctly

🌿 The allergic march – how eczema in infancy can progress to food allergies and asthma, and the two interventions that can slow it down

👃 Chronic rhinitis and nosebleeds – the many causes of a perpetually snotty nose and the correct way to use a nasal spray

🌙 The Breathe Thrive framework – why sleep is the foundation of children's health and the other non-negotiable pillars

💊 Supplements for children – when to test before supplementing and what picky eaters actually need

❓ Community Q&A – snoring as a red flag, cold rooms and dirty air cons, and the one thing every medicine cabinet should have

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:40 – Meet Dr Julie Morrison, paediatrician and paediatric pulmonologist

1:11 – Rapid fire: children's health factors rated

5:11 – Crèche syndrome: why frequent illness builds immunity

7:36 – The persistent wet cough: when it stops being normal

8:48 – Antibiotics: when they help and how long to use them

11:53 – Asthma vs chronic bronchitis: how to tell the difference

14:49 – Can children outgrow asthma – and why swimming helps

16:19 – The allergic march: from eczema to food allergy to asthma

19:21 – Inhaler and nebuliser technique: common mistakes

22:07 – Chronic rhinitis, nosebleeds, and nasal spray technique

27:06 – The Breathe Thrive framework and its four pillars

30:35 – Supplements for children: when to test and what to give

33:11 – Community Q&A: snoring, cold rooms, and medicine cabinet essentials

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/5xB1E8TMrR8

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Julie Morrison | https://www.drjuliemorrison.co.za/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

Interested in children's health and allergies?

Check out our episode with Dr Kate Browde – Eczema, Food Allergies & the Allergic March in Kids: https://phytoceutics.com/blogs/resources/eczema-food-allergies-the-allergic-march-in-kids-explained-on-her-health%E2%84%A2

#HerHealthPodcast #ChildrensHealth #Paediatrics #Asthma #AllergicMarch #CrecheSyndrome #SleepHealth #RespiratoryHealth #Eczema #WomensHealth #ParentingTips #NutritionalHealth #NutrientDeficiencies #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Tamiya Nair – radiologist and oncologic imaging specialist – for a grounded, empowering conversation about what cancer screening actually looks like in practice, and what women can do about their risk.

From mammograms and dense breast tissue to the BRCA gene, ovarian cancer detection, and the role of lifestyle in cancer incidence – Dr Tamiya unpacks a topic that induces a lot of anxiety – and makes it navigable.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: cancer risk factors rated – exercise, vitamin D, genetics, family history, diet, and regular screening

📋 How to assess your risk profile – the questions to ask in your 20s and 30s before imaging even enters the picture

🩻 What happens when you find a lump – mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy, and how the diagnostic process actually works

🧬 Dense breast tissue and the BRCA gene – why both elevate risk, what they mean for your screening plan, and what a positive gene result doesn't mean

🔬 Cancer screening beyond the breast – cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, and where imaging can and can't help

📈 Why more people are being diagnosed younger – ageing populations, lifestyle factors, and what is actually within our control

🛡️ What causes cancer at a cellular level – genetic mutations, inflammation, sleep, and more

🔭 The future of radiology – personalised screening, whole-body MRI, and precision medicine

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:40 – Meet Dr Tamiya Nair, radiologist and oncologic imaging specialist

1:11 – Rapid fire: cancer risk factors rated

4:09 – How to build your risk profile before you start screening

5:34 – Breast self-examination: how and how often

6:29 – What mammograms are screening for – and what most lumps actually are

6:56 – What happens when a lump is found: mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy

10:08 – Dense breast tissue: why it raises risk and changes your screening protocol

12:10 – Family history, the BRCA gene, and what a negative genetic test actually means

15:33 – Other cancers women should screen for: cervical, ovarian, and endometrial

18:06 – Why more people are being diagnosed with cancer younger

20:27 – What causes cancer – and why there is no single factor or magic pill

23:07 – Sleep, stress, and lifestyle: what is actually within your control

23:48 – Supplementation and cancer risk: what the evidence currently shows

25:01 – The future of oncologic imaging: personalised screening and whole-body MRI

26:46 – Community Q&A: screening frequency, breast pain, and what to do between mammograms

28:54 – One thing you can do today to reduce your cancer risk

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/w7JMgbtUEbk

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Tamiya Nair | https://morton.co.za/team/dr-tamiya-nair/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #CancerScreening #BreastCancer #WomensHealth #Mammogram #BRCAGene #OncologicImaging #CancerPrevention #Radiology #FamilyHistory #CervicalCancer #WomensWellness #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Jessica Stanbridge – clinical psychiatrist with a special interest in women's mental health – for an honest, validating conversation about why so many women feel like they're not coping right now.

From perimenopause and ADHD to PMDD, dopamine, and the gut–brain axis – Dr Jess unpacks the hormonal, neurological, and lifestyle factors that converge in women's mental health, and what actually helps.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: mental health factors rated – exercise, sleep, social support, ADHD, perimenopause, therapy, and more

🧠 Why so many women aren't coping – the overlap between life load, cortisol, and neurotransmitter dysregulation

🌀 ADHD in women – why it's diagnosed so late, how it presents differently to men, and why motherhood is often the breaking point

😞 PMDD vs PMS – what distinguishes a disorder from regular premenstrual symptoms, and who needs to seek help

💊 Treatment options – antidepressants, ADHD medication, SSRIs, and when to use each; plus saffron as an adjunct for mild symptoms

🔄 The gut–brain axis and dopamine – why serotonin is made in the gut and what the dopamine deficit in ADHD actually feels like

🛏️ The most underrated mental health tool – and the one daily habit Dr Jess recommends above all others

❓ Community Q&A – psychiatrist vs psychologist, PMDD treatment, ADHD in pregnancy, and whether stress can trigger ADHD

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:38 – Meet Dr Jessica Stanbridge, clinical psychiatrist

1:25 – Rapid fire: mental health factors rated

2:19 – Why so many women feel like they're not coping

4:11 – What perimenopause does to mental health

5:58 – How lifestyle, stress, and hormones all converge in the brain

8:17 – Lifestyle changes: where to start

10:01 – Nutritional psychiatry: how diet affects mental health

11:04 – ADHD in women: why it's missed, how it presents, and why motherhood changes everything

15:36 – PMDD: what it is, how it differs from PMS, and who it affects most

18:07 – How to untangle perimenopause, ADHD, and PMDD when all three overlap

19:43 – Treatment options: antidepressants, ADHD medication, and what the data shows

25:04 – The gut–brain axis and serotonin

25:46 – Dopamine reserves and ADHD: why boring tasks feel impossible

29:15 – Community Q&A: psychiatrist vs psychologist – which do you need?

30:39 – How PMDD is treated – and the surprising role of antihistamines

33:11 – Can ADHD be triggered by stress?

33:51 – The most underrated mental health tool and the one daily habit worth building

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/7DcKFrWgM5Q

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Jessica Stanbridge | https://www.instagram.com/drjess_stanbridge/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #WomensMentalHealth #ADHD #PMDD #Perimenopause #Psychiatry #MentalHealth #WomensHealth #GutBrainAxis #Dopamine #Serotonin #Burnout #AnxietyAndDepression #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Kate Browde – paediatrician and allergy specialist – for one of the most practical and useful conversations on kids' health that we've had on the show.

From eczema prevention and the allergic march to food allergy desensitisation, house dust mites, and the surprising role of iron in immune health – Dr Kate unpacks the science behind why allergies develop, how to prevent them, and what to do when they're already there.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: allergy factors rated – breastfeeding, skin barrier, iron, probiotics, and early allergen introduction

🍼 Getting allergens into the tummy, not the skin – why this distinction determines whether allergies develop

🧬 The allergic march – how eczema in infancy can trigger a cascade of conditions

🥜 Why peanuts dominate food allergies – and what the LEAP study changed about how we feed babies

🥛 Allergy vs intolerance – the key difference, delayed reactions, and when testing can't help

💉 Desensitisation – how oral immunotherapy works, who it can cure, and why early diagnosis is everything

🏠 Managing environmental allergies – house dust mites, the three pillars of allergy management, and when nasal sprays outperform antihistamines

🩸Iron and allergy – why deficiency compounds allergic disease and when to start supplementing in babies

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:38 – Meet Dr Kate Browde, paediatrician and allergy specialist

1:14 – Rapid fire: allergy factors rated

4:50 – Why allergens need to enter the gut before the skin

7:14 – The allergic march: eczema, food allergies, and asthma

10:54 – How food allergies develop through a compromised skin barrier

13:57 – Milk allergy vs lactose intolerance: the key difference

18:07 – Early allergen introduction: the LEAP study and the new guidelines

24:40 – Desensitisation: can food allergies be cured?

31:25 – Environmental allergies and the three pillars of allergy management

34:51 – Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and quercetin: what works

39:08 – Iron and allergies: why deficiency matters and when to supplement

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/qv_TPkXEtaM

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000784183849

Amazon: https: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/1494bfb3-b40c-4712-a35a-75acc7e33ef4/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-22-eczema-food-allergies-and-the-allergic-march-in-kids

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Kate Browde | https://kidsallergy.co.za/kate-browde/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Allergies #Eczema #FoodAllergy #KidsHealth #KidsAllergies #PaediatricHealth #HouseDustMite #Immunotherapy #Desensitisation #IronDeficiency #Probiotics #AllergyPrevention #Breastfeeding #Pregnancy #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Vanessa Lapiner – Cape Town dermatologist – for a no-nonsense, science-led guide to what's actually happening in your skin and what to do about it.

From the gut–skin axis and adult acne to peptides, pigmentation, and the ingredients that genuinely make a difference – this conversation gives women the dermatological depth they need to take ownership of their own skin health.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: skin health factors rated – sunscreen, retinoids, sugar, skin cycling, sleep, and more

🛡️ The Dr L framework: Defend, Renew, Liberate – a structured approach to building an effective skincare routine

😴 Sleep and your skin barrier – why good sleep improves skin barrier function by 30%

Sugar and the skin: how a high-sugar diet damages collagen

🦠 The gut–brain–skin axis – how stress, cortisol, and gut permeability show up on your skin

🔴 Adult acne – why it looks different to teenage acne, and the real drivers behind it

💊 Antibiotics vs probiotics for skin – why the future of acne treatment may lie in the gut

🔬 Peptides decoded – the four categories of topical peptides and what each one actually does

⚠️ Injectable peptides: the controversy and the red flags

🎨 Mixing skincare brands – whether sticking to one range is science or just marketing

🌑 Pigmentation explained – melasma vs sun-induced pigmentation and why treating them differently matters

🌿 Managing melasma – supplements, topicals, and the vascular component most people miss

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:39 – Meet Dr Vanessa Lapiner, dermatologist

1:16 – Rapid fire: skin health factors rated

3:19 – Sleep and your skin: why good sleep improves skin barrier function by 30%

5:13 – Omega-3 and the skin barrier: oils vs water for hydration

6:14 – Antioxidants: why they outperform chemical filters for UV protection

10:01 – How much does diet actually affect inflammatory skin conditions?

10:56 – The gut–brain–skin axis explained

12:46 – Adult acne: why it's increasingly prevalent and what's driving it

14:45 – Why overusing actives and treatments can make acne worse

19:36 – Antibiotics vs probiotics: where dermatology is heading

22:25 – Renew: cell turnover, chemical exfoliants, and how retinoids work

28:10 – Liberate: targeted, skin-concern-specific treatments

28:36 – Peptides: the four categories and what each one does

30:44 – Injectable peptides: the regulatory landscape and why caution is warranted

36:30 – Pigmentation: melasma vs sun-induced pigmentation explained

37:39 – Melasma: why it's a factory, not a stain — and how to manage it

39:19 – Supplements for melasma: polypodium leucotomos, glutathione, and resveratrol

40:51 – Topicals for melasma: sunscreen, tyrosinase inhibitors, and tranexamic acid

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: 👉 https://youtu.be/pDllEpVtTfA

Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000779961062

Amazon 👉 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/ba01f13b-63ed-45f4-9f3a-9a28157606ec/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-21-acne-pigmentation-ageing-skin-a-dermatologist's-perspective

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Vanessa Lapiner | https://atlanticdermatologyandlaser.co.za/dr-vanessa-lapiner/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #SkinHealth #Dermatology #AdultAcne #Melasma #Pigmentation #SkincareScience #GutSkinAxis #Peptides #Retinol #Antioxidants #BeautyFromWithin #WomensHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Catriona Boffard – sexologist and psychotherapist – for a rare, genuinely honest conversation about female sexual health that goes far beyond the surface.

From pain during sex and desire discrepancy to neurodiversity, sensory processing, and the role of upbringing in shaping our relationship with pleasure – this episode covers the full picture of what actually influences women's sexual health and satisfaction.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: factors affecting sexual health rated – neurodiversity, trauma, stress, hormones, and more

🧠 What a sexologist actually does – and the three most common reasons people seek help

😣 Pain during sex – what causes it, the anxiety feedback loop, and how it's treated

💔 Desire discrepancy – why mismatched libido is almost universal and what's really driving it

🧬 How upbringing and cultural messaging wire the brain around sex

🔎 Neurodiversity and sexual health – the most overlooked connection in women's well-being

📉 Why neurodiverse women struggle more with hormonal regulation

🏠 The division of labour and desire – the direct link between domestic load and low desire

♥️ Love languages through a neurodivergent lens – and what counts as quality time

👁️ Eye contact, intimacy, and why one-size-fits-all advice can backfire

💊 Supplements and sexual health – how systemic health improvement influences desire

🛋️ The one tip every couple needs – and why it doesn't have to to wait for a crisis

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:40 – Meet Dr Catriona Boffard, sexologist and psychotherapist

1:06 – Rapid fire: factors affecting sexual health and satisfaction rated

2:35 – What is a sexologist and what are the most common reasons people seek help?

5:03 – Pain during sex: how common it is, what causes it, and how it's treated

10:13 – Desire discrepancy: what it is and why it's almost inevitable

12:52 – How upbringing and cultural messaging shape your relationship with sex

18:42 – The role of the brain in sexual desire and interest

25:00 – Neurodiversity and sexual health: the most underlooked connection

29:18 – Why neurodiverse women are diagnosed at major hormonal events

31:25 – How neurodiversity affects sensory experience and pleasure in the bedroom

36:49 – The division of labour and desire: why domestic load directly lowers desire

40:06 – Love languages through a neurodivergent lens

45:24 – Eye contact, intimacy, and why blanket advice can backfire

47:18 – The one tip every couple needs: therapy as protection, not cure

48:49 – Supplements and sexual health: how systemic well-being influences desire

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: 👉 https://youtu.be/Of4Yh8cRmOw

Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000777794494

Amazon 👉 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/ef8f3c44-4f1c-42b1-8760-1e1ee1feb5cf/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-20-sexual-health-through-a-neurodivergent-lens

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Catriona Boffard | https://catrionaboffard.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/sexologywithcatriona/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #SexualHealth #WomensHealth #Neurodiversity #DesireDiscrepancy #Sexologist #MentalHealth #Perimenopause #PelvicHealth #LoveLanguages #ADHD #WomensWellness #RelationshipHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.
In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Lizle Oosthuizen – doctor and fertility specialist – to give women a clear, evidence-based fertility framework.
From egg quality and sperm health to egg freezing, miscarriage, IVF, and egg donation – this conversation covers the full fertility landscape with the honesty and clinical depth that most women never get from a single appointment.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: fertility factors rated – Dr Lizle's honest scores on age, sperm quality, CoQ10, alcohol, and PCOS

📉 Why infertility is becoming more prevalent – and what's actually driving it

🥚 Egg quality vs egg supply – what you can and can't control💊 The supplements that matter for fertility and what the evidence shows

🧬 Miscarriage – when to investigate, what causes it, and how it's assessed

❄️ Egg freezing explained – the best age, how many eggs you need, and what Dr Lizle did herself

🔬 Eggs vs embryos – why embryos give you more information but less autonomy

👶 Genetic testing of embryos – why six embryos may only mean two real chances

⚖️ Surrogacy in South Africa – what the law requires and when it applies

🩺 Egg donation – who it's for, how it works, and the role of epigenetics

💊 Prenatal supplements – when to start and why to continue through breastfeeding

📅 When to seek help – the timelines by age and why waiting costs you options

🩸 Irregular periods, ovulation sticks, and PCOS – what helps and what doesn't

🔄 Cycle syncing – what the evidence actually shows

😰 PMDD vs PMS – how severe it can get and what can be done

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction

0:40 – Meet Dr Lizle Oosthuizen, doctor and fertility specialist

1:01 – Rapid fire: fertility factors rated

2:29 – The fertility landscape in 2026: why infertility is on the rise

4:12 – The sweet spot for fertility: when is egg quality at its best?

5:17 – Sperm quality and male fertility: what men need to know

7:38 – What you can actually do to support egg and sperm quality

9:09 – The supplements Dr Lizle recommends & the evidence behind them

11:44 – Miscarriage: how common it is and when to seek investigation

14:13 – What causes miscarriage and how it's investigated

17:01 – Egg freezing: the best time, the process, and Dr Lizle's personal experience

20:50 – Eggs vs embryos: pros, cons, and why embryos give you more information

23:15 – Genetic testing of embryos

27:49 – When to seek fertility help: timelines by age

29:40 – Surrogacy in South Africa: the legal requirements explained

31:12 – Community Q&A: egg donation explained

33:50 – Should everyone trying to conceive take a prenatal?

36:52 – Cycle syncing: what the evidence actually shows

38:14 – PMDD vs PMS

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: https://youtu.be/hNmZZm-sfSo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000775879121

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/17c4c526-21d7-4ebe-a70a-445b2d5a41d9/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-19-fertility-egg-freezing-know-where-you-stand

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us: Dr Lizle Oosthuizen | https://www.instagram.com/dro.fertility/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #FertilityHealth #Fertility #WomensHealth #EggFreezing #IVF #FertilitySpecialist #EggDonation #Miscarriage #PCOS #Prenatal #FertilitySupport #ReproductiveHealth #MidlifeWomen #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Mignon Laub, an aesthetic GP, to cut through the noise of the aesthetic medicine industry and give women an evidence-based, honest framework for ageing well from both the inside and the outside.

From how the face changes at every structural layer to when fillers, bio stimulators, and facelifts are actually warranted – and when they're not – this conversation is the practical guide to aesthetic medicine many women may never get from a practitioner.

Together, they discuss:

🌟 Rapid fire: Dr Mignon's honest scores on Botox, fillers, bio stimulators, sunblock, and more

🦴 How the face ages from the inside out – what's happening at the bone, fat, and skin layers

🧬 How much genetics determine how you age – and what lifestyle factors still make a difference

🌿 Beauty from within – the three supplements Dr Mignon considers non-negotiable for skin health

💉 The fear around fillers – where it comes from, whether it's warranted, and how to prevent overfilling

📅 A decade-by-decade guide – what to focus on in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond

🔬 Bio stimulators and skin boosters explained – what they are, how they differ from fillers, and when to use them

⚠️ GLP-1 face – what rapid weight loss does to your skin and how to manage it

🧪 Peptides: what the research actually shows and why Dr Mignon urges caution

📲 What to avoid – why social media is the wrong place to get aesthetic advice

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:37 – Meet Dr Mignon Laub, aesthetic GP

1:08 – Rapid fire: aesthetic treatments and healthy ageing rated

2:09 – How the face ages from the inside out: bone, fat, and skin

4:34 – Beauty from within: lifestyle, diet, and the top three supplements for skin health

5:27 – The fear around fillers: where it comes from and is it warranted?

7:19 – A decade-by-decade guide: what to focus on in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s

9:19 – Bio stimulators and skin boosters: what they are and how they work

12:10 – When to consider a facelift – and how to know when it's time

15:23 – GLP-1 face: what rapid weight loss does to your skin16:22 – Peptides: the copper peptide, the controversy, and what the research actually says

18:35 – Community Q&A: best foods for skin, combining peptides with injectables, and what patients need to hear

23:24 – What to avoid: why social media is the wrong source for aesthetic advice

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/BQSLFxxrKBk

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000773950823

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/518127c7-50a4-40de-9d93-062abd88755a/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-18-botox-fillers-ageing-an-aesthetic-gp's-honest-take

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Mignon Laub | https://www.instagram.com/drmignonlaub/?hl=en Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #AestheticMedicine #HealthyAgeing #SkincareScience #Botox #Fillers #BioStimulators #AntiAgeing #BeautyFromWithin #WomensHealth #SkinHealth #GLP1 #Retinol #Peptides #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Fumane Kokoali – a GP with a special interest in holistic women's health – to clear up the confusion around perimenopause and give women the clarity they rarely get from a standard GP appointment.

From the earliest warning signs to HRT, strength training, and the supplements that matter most, this conversation covers the full perimenopause spectrum – and why navigating it well starts with understanding what's actually happening in your body.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: hormonal health practices rated – Dr Fumane's honest scores on HRT, magnesium, and more

🌀 What perimenopause actually is – and why it's almost always diagnosed in retrospect

⚠️ Early warning signs – including the symptoms most women dismiss for years

🩸 Why blood tests often miss perimenopause – and what to investigate instead

💪 Why strength training is non-negotiable – and why cardio alone stops working

🥗 Diet in perimenopause – why intermittent fasting can backfire for women

💊 Dr Fumane's top three supplements for perimenopause and how they work

🧠 Magnesium L-threonate – what it does, who it's for, and when to take it

🌡️ When to consider HRT – the dragon days vs unicorn days framework

💉 HRT vs the contraceptive pill – how they work differently and when each makes sense

🔄 The perimenopause reset – why what worked in your 20s and 30s no longer applies

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:35 – Meet Dr Fumane Kokoali

2:44 – What is perimenopause?

5:12 – Early warning signs

6:51 – Can blood tests confirm perimenopause?

9:11 – The most prevalent symptoms: where to start

10:41 – How perimenopause affects the gut

15:53 – Why strength training is essential

21:48 – Top supplements for perimenopause

25:26 – When to consider HRT

35:05 – Perimenopause and fertility

39:32 – Final advice: perimenopause is a reset, not a decline

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ThRDflLIeE52yXBhcCIhX?si=2a18280fd13249eb

Youtube: https://youtu.be/qTGDUWHBIEs

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Fumane Kokoali | https://womenshealthpractice.co.za/dr-fumane-fumi-kokoali

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Perimenopause #MenopauseHealth #WomensHealth #HRT #HormoneHealth #StrengthTraining #MidlifeWomen #MenopauseSupport #Magnesium #VitaminD #WomensWellness #HormonalHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Lisa Palmer – founder and CEO of Movement Lab – to explore what sustainable movement actually looks like for women in midlife, drawing on over 26 years of experience in Pilates and movement education.

From fascia and breathwork to the movement formula that best supports healthy ageing, this conversation unpacks the science and philosophy behind staying strong, mobile, and confident as your body changes – and why learning to listen to your body may be one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health.

Together, they discuss:

🔥Rapid fire: movement and wellness practices, rated

🌱How Pilates changed Lisa's life – the personal story behind her 26-year career in movement education

🫁Why breathwork matters more than most people realise

🧘Mat Pilates vs reformer vs barre – a clear breakdown of each format and who benefits most

💪The movement formula for midlife women – the combination Lisa recommends for strength, mobility, and healthy ageing

🕸️Fascia: the missing piece of movement – what it is, why it matters, and how to keep it healthy

🌿Menopause, movement, and learning to slow down – how Lisa's relationship with exercise shifted

✅Lisa's non-negotiables for healthy ageing – the daily habits and supplements she credits for staying strong and mobile

❓Community questions answered – how much movement do we actually need, and what matters most for bone and joint health

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:34 – Meet Lisa Palmer, founder and CEO of Movement Lab

1:03 – Rapid fire: movement and wellness practices rated

3:37 – Lisa's journey: from photography to Pilates and founding Movement Lab

5:29 – Breathwork explained: why how you breathe during movement matters

7:37 – Walking barefoot: why it matters more than most people think

9:10 – Mat Pilates vs reformer vs barre: what's the difference and who benefits most

12:28 – The movement formula for midlife women

13:41 – Consistency over intensity: why listening to your body is the most important skill

15:43 – Menopause and movement: how Lisa's training shifted and what she does differently now

17:52 – The supplements Lisa takes daily for her health

19:38 – Fascia explained: what it is, why it matters, and how to keep it healthy

23:04 – How to train your fascia: simple, playful movement that works

25:05 – Stretching: how much do you actually need, and does it depend on your body type

33:28 – Lisa's non-negotiables for staying mobile and strong as you age

35:52 – Community Q&A: one tip for new business owners

38:16 – Community Q&A: what matters most for bone and joint health

39:14 – How much movement do we actually need per day

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwSV4nfoG5srNlzSA9KkGZWhktX6Rh9Oc&si=TMVML-gHUGyso8DM

Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1ThRDflLIeE52yXBhcCIhX?si=2a18280fd13249eb

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Lisa Palmer | https://www.themovementlab.co.za/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #MovementInMidlife #WomensHealth #Pilates #HealthyAgeing #Breathwork #Fascia #Menopause #MidlifeWomen #MovementLab #SustainableMovement #BoneHealth #JointHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Shannon Dougall – founder of Skin Functional – to cut through the noise of the skincare industry and unpack what actually works for your skin.

From skin barrier repair and retinoids to the gut–skin axis and anti-ageing ingredients, this conversation breaks down the science behind great skin – and how to build a routine rooted in transparency, clinical evidence, and real results.

Whether you struggle with breakouts, pigmentation, or premature ageing – or simply want to build a smarter skincare routine – this episode is essential listening.

Together, they discuss:

💉Botox, fillers, microneedling, gut health & omega-3 – Shannon's honest ratings

🧬 The skin barrier – why it comes first and how to protect it

⌛ Retinoids – why Shannon says start in your 20s

🔄 Skin cycling explained – how to rotate actives without damaging your skin

✂️ Skin minimalism – why less is more when it comes to your routine

💊 Peptides vs exosomes – what they are and why you need both

️ ☀️ Sunscreen – the number one anti-ageing product, non-negotiable 365 days a year

🪞 The truth about wrinkles – what they really are and how to slow them down

🧪 Skincare marketing exposed – how to spot false claims and misleading studies

💰 Luxury skincare vs accessible skincare – are you paying for ingredients or margins?

🦠 The gut–skin axis – how your gut health shows up on your skin

🌿 Beauty from within – the supplements Shannon takes daily for her skin

🔴 Acne management – the right ingredients, the right approach, and why it's not a quick fix

🧴 Shannon's exact skincare routine – every step, every product

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:29 – Meet Shannon Dougall, founder of Skin Functional

1:05 – Rapid-fire: skincare ingredients & treatments rated

2:44 – Shannon's journey: from melasma to founding Skin Functional

6:20 – Why your skin barrier comes before everything else

8:08 – Skin cycling explained

8:46 – Skin minimalism: being intentional with your routine

9:25 – How to know what's right for your skin type

10:48 – The right ingredients at every age – 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond

11:49 – Peptides vs exosomes: what's the difference?

12:29 – The three non-negotiables for skin protection

14:18 – The truth about wrinkles – and how to slow them down

15:46 – Shannon's skincare routine

16:55 – The gut–skin axis and beauty from within

17:34 – Supplements Shannon takes daily for her skin

19:00 – The truth about skincare marketing and false claims

20:51 – Luxury skincare vs accessible skincare: what are you really paying for?

24:15 – Community Q&A: best ingredients for acne

26:42 – How long before a product works? Patch testing explained

28:05 – Coming off the pill and breaking out – what to expect

29:10 – Final thoughts: moderation, patience, and skin intelligence

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwSV4nfoG5srNlzSA9KkGZWhktX6Rh9Oc&si=HeSVwAHQonntduE7

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Shannon Dougall | https://za.linkedin.com/in/shannon-dougall-6b0401337

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #SkinHealth #SkincareScience #SkinFunctional #AntiAgeing #SkinBarrier #Retinoids #GutSkinAxis #WomensHealth #SkincareRoutine #Peptides #Exosomes #SkinMinimalism #BeautyFromWithin #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with gastroenterologist Dr Thania Kahn to unpack the truth about gut health in a world full of misinformation.

From bloating and IBS to food intolerances and the gut–brain connection, this conversation breaks down what’s actually going on in your gut – and how to support it with evidence-based nutrition, lifestyle, and medical care.

Together, they discuss:

⚖️ What’s “normal” when it comes to bowel movements and digestion

💊 Magnesium, probiotics & supplements – what actually works

🚫 The truth about at-home gut tests & trending gut health hacks

🥗 Why fibre is foundational for gut, metabolic & heart health

⚠️ Red flags you should never ignore – when to see a specialist

💨 Bloating, IBS & food intolerances – what’s really causing your symptoms

🥛 Lactose intolerance explained – symptoms, causes & management

🍞 Gluten: who actually needs to avoid it (and who doesn’t)

🔭 IBS vs IBD – key differences, symptoms & treatment approaches

🧠 The gut–brain connection – and how stress directly impacts digestion

🧘 Stress, anxiety & digestion – why nervous system support matters

🧬 The microbiome – and how modern lifestyles are disrupting it

🧪 Colonoscopy screening – why it now starts at age 45

🌱 How small, consistent changes can transform your gut health

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

00:53 – Rapid fire: gut health habits rated

08:03 – What does a gastroenterologist do?

10:55 – Gut health red flags you shouldn’t ignore

11:41 – Gastroscopy vs colonoscopy explained

18:07 – Food allergies vs intolerances

24:28 – Lactose intolerance explained

26:03 – Gluten: intolerance vs coeliac disease

29:44 – IBS explained

31:27 – The hallmark symptoms of IBS

32:34 – What is IBD?

36:40– How stress impacts your gut

38:34 – Low FODMAP diet explained

40:56 – Fibre types and how to use them

43:55 – IBS treatment: diet, stress & medication

45:24 – Medications and supplements for IBS

47:36 – Why you feel tired after eating: postprandial fatigue

48:00 – The biggest gut disruptor in modern diets

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@phytoceutics

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com

for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr Thania Kahn | https://www.instagram.com/thaniakahn/?hl=en / https://www.instagram.com/drthaniakahn/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #GutHealth #IBS #DigestiveHealth #Gastroenterologist #WomensHealth #Microbiome #GutBrainConnection #NutritionScience #HealthyHabits #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Jessica Kotlowitz (The Green Dietitian) – a registered dietitian with a special interest in vegan and vegetarian diets and holistic nutrition therapy.

Together, they unpack the complexities of modern nutrition – from veganism and gut health to weight, hormones, and the pressure of conflicting diet trends – and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to eating well.

Together, they dive into:

🌱 Plant-based diets – why it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing

🧠 The connection between diet, gut health, skin, mood & overall well-being

🫘 Why legumes are powerful for gut health – and how to reduce bloating

⚖️ Protein myths, diet trends & the nuance of modern nutrition advice

🩸 Iron deficiency in women – risk factors, symptoms & what to watch

💊 Why vitamin B12 is non-negotiable on a vegan diet

🥗 What a balanced plant-based day actually looks like

🧠 ADHD, appetite & navigating nutrition for neurodiverse children

🍽️ Picky eating – and the “division of responsibility” approach

⚖️ Weight set point theory – and why postpartum weight loss is complex

🔥 Why restrictive dieting and extreme calorie deficits don’t work long-term

⌛ Fasting, hormones & why it may not suit all women

☕ Coffee vs matcha – and the impact on gut health & iron absorption

🧪 Key nutrients to test: iron, vitamin D, B12 & zinc

✨ Building a sustainable, personalised approach to nutrition

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:38 – Rapid-fire: B12, protein, fasting & fibre

2:11 – Jessica’s journey to plant-based eating

4:03 – Transitioning gradually vs going fully vegan

5:29 – Skin, gut health & energy improvements

6:00 – What Jessica eats in a typical day

7:18 – Mock meats vs whole foods

7:58 – Protein, carbs & diet confusion explained

9:17 – Gut health, bloating & legumes

10:43 – Probiotics and microbiome adaptation

11:00 – Iron deficiency in women

12:13 – Breastfeeding, weight & nutrition

16:00 – Postpartum hair loss & nutrient deficiencies

17:05 – Why B12 supplementation is essential

19:10 – ADHD, appetite & nutrition for kids

20:35 – Picky eating & intuitive eating in children

26:05 – Weight set point theory explained

28:03 – Sustainable weight loss strategies

29:20 – Fasting & female hormone health

30:54 – Snacking vs meals – what works best

33:11 – Are gut issues genetic?

34:47 – Supplements when trying to conceive

37:24 – Coffee vs matcha for gut health

38:37 – Gut health red flags to look out for

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast

Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwSV4nfoG5srNlzSA9KkGZWhktX6Rh9Oc&si=Reg7WgkUXiAf9VBD

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com

for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Jessica Kotlowitz (The Green Dietitian) | https://www.instagram.com/the_green_dietitian/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #PlantBasedNutrition #GutHealth #VeganDiet #WomensHealth #NutritionScience #IronDeficiency #B12 #PostpartumHealth #ADHDNutrition #HealthyHabits #Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Kate Chambers – gynaecologist and obstetrician – to unpack one of the most misunderstood conditions in women’s health: PCOS.

Dr Chambers breaks down the science in a clear, accessible way, challenging common misconceptions and reassuring women that a PCOS diagnosis is not a life sentence — especially when it comes to fertility.

Together, they discuss:

🧑‍🔬What PCOS actually is – and why it’s more than just an ovarian condition

📊 The Rotterdam criteria: how PCOS is properly diagnosed

🔄 Why ovulation is disrupted – and what’s happening in the cycle

⚖️ The central role of insulin resistance in driving symptoms

🔥 PCOS as an inflammatory condition – and what that means for your body

🧠 The impact of stress, sleep, and lifestyle on hormone balance

🧪 Why insulin testing isn’t always reliable – and what to look for instead

🧴 Common signs of high testosterone: acne, hair growth & hair loss

💊 The role of the contraceptive pill, metformin & medical treatment

🌿 Evidence-based supplements: inositol, berberine & anti-inflammatory support

🫄 Fertility and PCOS – why it does NOT mean infertility

🩺 When to seek help if you’re trying to conceive

🧫 The difference between ovarian cysts and follicles

🧬 Genetics vs lifestyle – lifestyle triggers of PCOS

🌿 Why a phased approach (medication + lifestyle) is often most effective

🔬 Emerging innovations in women’s health: PRP and ovarian rejuvenation

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:51 – Rapid-fire: stress, sleep, supplements & stength training

2:35 – PCOS myths: fact vs fiction

3:12 – What is PCOS? Understanding the menstrual cycle

5:41 – Follicles vs cysts explained

7:51 – Key signs and symptoms of PCOS

9:53 – Why ultrasounds alone aren’t enough

10:55 – Insulin resistance and why testing is tricky

11:19 – The clinical signs of insulin resistance

12:23 – How PCOS increases testosterone

14:54 – Genetics vs lifestyle triggers

15:58 – When PCOS presents across life stages

18:05 – Medication vs root-cause approach

21:30 – The role of supplements in PCOS

22:36 – Emerging treatments: PRP & ovarian health

25:40 – Fertility: key supplements

26:58 – When to seek fertility support

32:29 – Breast health & mammogram guidelines

35:28 – Anti-inflammatory support & curcumin

36:16 – Final advice: PCOS and fertility reassurance

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@phytoceutics

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com

for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr Kate Chambers | https://www.instagram.com/drkatechambers/ | https://drobgyn.co.za/about-dr-kate-chambers/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #PCOS #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #FertilitySupport #InsulinResistance #GutHealth #AntiInflammatory #WomensWellness #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and host Laura Johnston sits down with Daniella Corder – fitness & nutrition coach, wellness advocate, and certified personal trainer.

Daniella shares her powerful personal journey from a lifestyle centred around alcohol and burnout to building a healthier, more intentional life grounded in movement, nutrition, and long-term well-being.

From strength training myths and protein intake to diet trends, cycle syncing, and the dangers of chronic calorie restriction, this episode is essential listening for any woman wanting to build a healthier relationship with exercise, food, and her body.

Topics Covered:

🙌 Daniella's journey from dependence to consistency

⚖️The “consistently average” philosophy – and why perfectionism fails

💪Why strength training should be the foundation of female fitness

🍞 Why cutting out carbs can do more harm than good

🔥 The truth about fasted workouts and extreme calorie restriction

🧠 Diet culture, “SkinnyTok” trends & the return of unhealthy beauty standards

🍗 How much protein women actually need for strength and satiety

🏋️ The myth of women “bulking” from lifting weights

🔄 Why sustainable habits beat short-term diet trends

🧬 Training in sync with your menstrual cycle – intensity vs expectation

🚶 Why daily movement matters even if you train at the gym

🍎 Fruit, carbs & whole foods – separating nutrition facts from fear

💊 Coach Cords’ core supplement stack: Omega-3, magnesium, zinc & creatine

🦠 How chronic undereating can stall progress

🌱 Small habits that help rebuild consistency when motivation fades

✨ Building strength for metabolic health and ageing well

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:56 – Rapid-fire: training, fasting, supplements & sleep

3:18 – Daniella’s personal journey with alcohol and lifestyle change

8:11 – Breaking habits and redefining health

10:08 – The “consistently average” philosophy explained

12:55 – Protein, carbs and building a balanced diet

14:58 – Why carbs are not the enemy

16:21 – The importance of strength training for women

17:20 – Ideal weekly training structure

19:38 – Coach Cords’ personal training routine

20:18 – What Daniella eats in a typical day

22:06 – Training around your menstrual cycle

25:05 – Why rest and recovery are essential

25:45 – The myth of women “bulking”

28:10 – The rise of “SkinnyTok” and modern diet culture

30:07 – Supplements Daniella takes daily

30:44 – Training and nutrition in perimenopause & menopause

32:52 – How much protein women actually need

35:34 – Hydration, electrolytes & common misconceptions

37:32 – Diet trends: sardine diets, & social media nutrition

39:53 – Rebuilding habits when you fall off track

41:10 – Calorie restriction vs metabolic health

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phytoceuticsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/ep-11-the-fitness-truths-women-need-to-hear/id1846133718?i=1000755798954Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/f7116684-6817-440a-a51c-8d363c6d6e8a/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-11-the-fitness-truths-women-need-to-hear

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com

for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Daniella Corder (Coach Cords) | https://www.instagram.com/coach_cords/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #WomensFitness #StrengthTraining #DietCulture #ProteinIntake #CoachCords #MetabolicHealth #CycleSyncing #HealthyHabits #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and wellbeing.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Raphaella Stander – paediatrician and mom of three – for a refreshingly honest, evidence-based conversation about some of the most debated topics in children’s health today.

From herd immunity and vaccine safety data to practical home hacks and knowing when to worry, this episode is essential listening for any parent wanting clarity, confidence and common sense when it comes to protecting their child’s health.

Together, they dive into:

Herd immunity explained – and why vaccination rates matter 🛡️

Vaccine safety, monitoring & long-term data 🧠

Why measles outbreaks are returning globally 🌍

Meningococcal disease: early warning signs every parent should know 🤒

The new influenza strains – and why flu can be serious in children 😷 ️

Zinc supplementation – when it’s useful and when it’s unnecessary 🌡️

Melatonin in children – hormone, not vitamin 💊

Iron deficiency and its link to sleep challenges 💤

When to test before supplementing 💉️️

Co-sleeping: science, culture & personal choice 🛌

Practical paediatric health hacks (from pimple patches to medication tips) ✔️

Navigating misinformation in the age of social media 📱

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:59 – Rapid-fire parenting & supplement ratings

2:10 – What is herd immunity?

3:24 – Vaccine safety & long-term surveillance

4:12 – Meningococcal disease explained

6:00 – Early warning signs of meningitis

8:35 – Why measles outbreaks are increasing

10:24 – Vaccines and autism: what the data says

11:28 – Zinc & over-supplementation in children

13:22 – Melatonin: risks & when it’s appropriate

15:17 – Iron deficiency & sleep

17:04 – Molluscum contagiosum hack

18:42 – Co-sleeping: science vs culture

22:35 – New influenza strain & what parents should know

25:28 – Antivirals and prevention

26:14 – Final advice for overwhelmed parents

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phytoceutics/videos

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://a.co/d/8W7rmS2

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr Raphaella Stander | [https://www.atlanticchild.com/]

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #ChildrensHealth #Vaccinations #Paediatrics #Influenza #ParentingSupport #EvidenceBased #ImmuneHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and family well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Nadia Khan, specialist paediatrician known for her deeply holistic, root-cause approach to children’s health.

Together, they unpack one of the most important – and often overlooked – conversations in paediatrics today: why so many children are being labelled and medicated without first investigating what may be driving their symptoms beneath the surface.

Together, they dive into:

🧠 Children’s symptoms as signals — what the body may be trying to say

⚠️ Why many children are medicated without adequate investigation

🩸 The most common nutrient deficiencies in children

📊The strong link between iron deficiency and behavioural challenges

🧩 ADHD, autism & emotional dysregulation – when to look deeper first

🦠 The critical role of the gut microbiome in brain, immune & mental health

🤧 Allergies, chronic infections & immune dysregulation explained

💤 Sleep issues, restlessness & sensory challenges as early red flags

🏠 The pressure on parents from schools – and advocating for your child

💊 Pharmaceuticals vs nutraceuticals – finding balance and common sense

🌱 How modern diets and ultra-processed foods impact children’s health

🤍 Trusting parental intuition in a complex healthcare system

🔬 Practical blood tests parents can consider requesting

✨ Simple, proactive steps to support children’s long-term well-being

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:51 – Rapid-fire parenting & supplement ratings

2:34 – Why nutrient deficiencies are so commonly missed

4:36 – The most common nutrient deficiencies in children

4:57 – Why parents should seek second opinions and trust their instincts

7:11 – Behavioural issues in children: looking beneath the surface

8:10 – ADHD, autism & the importance of proper assessment

10:01 – Iron deficiency in children: how common is it?

11:00 – Patterns from infancy to later behavioural challenges

12:55 –The gut microbiome and children’s health

16:08 – Frequent infections: what’s normal vs concerning

17:01 – When antibiotics and procedures may be overused

18:56 – The role of schools and early labelling

21:01 – Pharmaceuticals vs nutraceutical support

22:29 – Allergies, vitamin D & gut health links

24:10 – Why modern food is impacting children’s biology

29:13 – The many signs of iron deficiency in children

31:19 – Maternal iron status & early childhood autism risk

32:33 – Key nutrient tests parents should consider

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phytoceutics/videos

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://a.co/d/8W7rmS2

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr Nadia Khan | https://www.instagram.com/dr.nadia.khan/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #ChildrensHealth #Paediatrics #NutrientDeficiency #IronDeficiency #GutHealth #ADHD #AutismSupport #ImmuneHealth #ParentingSupport #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to slow down, tune in, and feel deeply supported through science-led conversations on modern health challenges.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Simone Silver, a Functional Medicine Practitioner and hormone specialist, to unpack one of the most common – and most misunderstood – health issues of our time: burnout.

Together, they explore what burnout really is (and what it’s not), why so many women are living in a “wired but tired” state, and how chronic stress silently rewires the brain, hormones, gut, and immune system.

Episode Topics Include:

📈 Rapid-fire burnout and lifestyle ratings

🔥What burnout actually is – and how it differs from stress

⚠️ Early warning signs women often dismiss

🧠 The stress response explained: HPA axis, cortisol & the autonomic nervous system

😵‍💫 “Wired but tired” – why you feel exhausted yet can’t switch off

💥 How chronic stress impacts the brain, gut, hormones & immune system

🦠 The gut–brain axis, mood changes & microbiome disruption

😞 Anxiety, low mood, brain fog & emotional overwhelm explained

🧬 Neuroplasticity & how stress rewires the brain – and how to rewire it back

🛑 Why pausing is essential (and why it’s so hard to do)

🧘 Practical tools to calm the nervous system – even in one minute

🎨 The role of creativity, joy & pleasure in healing burnout

🌙 Sleep, nutrition & movement as the non-negotiable foundations

🩸 Stress, female hormones & why PMS worsens under pressure

💊 Supplements that may support burnout recovery:Magnesium, B vitamins, Omega-3s, probiotics, adaptogens & more

✨ How to rebuild resilience without doing more

📌TIMESTAMPS:

0:51 – Rapid-fire stress & lifestyle ratings

3:16 – Stress vs burnout: the medical difference

5:10 – Early warning signs women ignore

6:15 – Chronic stress, recovery & the “empty glass” analogy

7:18 – Why women are especially vulnerable to burnout

8:14 – The stress response triangle: brain, adrenals & autonomic nervous system

11:40 – Cortisol explained: high, low & overload

14:06 – Stress, mood & the gut–brain axis

16:25 – Stress, immunity & inflammation

17:45 – Hormones, pregnancy & autoimmune risk

18:17 – Can the body recover from burnout?

19:19 – Neuroplasticity & rewiring the stress response

21:26 – Processing stress: therapy, senses & creativity

22:10 – How to get out of burnout (stop, think, act)

26:25 – Stress, menstrual cycles & emotional overwhelm

27:25 – Progesterone, magnesium & PMS under stress

28:53 – One-minute tools to calm your nervous system

33:08 – Diet, lifestyle & the 80/20 rule

34:23 – Supplements for chronic stress support: general & targeted

36:32 – Burnout, libido & loss of creativity

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phytoceutics/videos

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://a.co/d/8W7rmS2

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your next order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr Simone Silver | https://www.instagram.com/drsimonesilver/?hl=en
| https://www.youtube.com/@DrSimoneSilver | https://hormonalhealth.co.za/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsimonesilver/
Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Burnout #ChronicStress #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #NervousSystem #GutBrainAxis #Neuroplasticity #MentalWellbeing #SelfCare #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® — a platform for women to feel supported, informed, and empowered through expert-led conversations on health and wellness.

In this deeply insightful episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Jenny Rose, a Psychologist, behavioural expert, neuroscience researcher, and mom, for a powerful conversation on children’s development, attachment, resilience, boundaries, and intentional parenting. From toddlers to teens, this episode unpacks what children truly need at each stage of development — and how parents can show up with confidence (and less guilt).

Together, they dive into:

🧠 Children’s brain development from infancy to adolescence

🤍Attachment theory explained – and why relationship is everything

🏠 Intentional parenting vs perfection (and why guilt is so common)

🛏️ Co-sleeping, reward charts, preschool & time-outs – rated and unpacked

💊 Omega-3 and magnesium for children’s brain development and sleep

🧸 Why you can’t over-love or over-comfort a baby

🧱Boundaries, co-regulation & emotional validation in early childhood

🔥 Tantrums, meltdowns & how to respond without making things worse

🌱 Building intrinsic motivation, resilience & emotional strength

⌛ Quality vs quantity time – what children actually remember

🎨 Why boredom is essential for creativity and internal motivation

🧩 Supporting children through friendship struggles, rejection & bullying

🧠 Tween & teen brain development – what’s really going on neurologically

📲 Social media, screen exposure & rising teen mental health challenges

👥 The importance of mentors & “safe friends”

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:55 – Rapid-fire parenting ratings: co-sleeping, reward charts & more

2:57 – Why time-outs don’t work & the power of co-regulation

5:05 – Omega-3, magnesium & brain development in children

6:39 – Quality vs quantity time with kids

7:44 – Why boredom is essential for development

9:20 – Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation

12:04 – What intentional parenting really means

14:25 – Letting go of perfection & parental guilt

17:52 – Attachment theory explained

19:18 – Separation anxiety & healthy independence

20:16 – Infancy (0–2): love, responsiveness & brain development

22:30 – Early childhood (2–7): boundaries, tantrums & regulation

27:59 – Tweens (7–12): friendships, resilience & rejection

32:34 – When to step in vs step back (bullying & struggle)

35:07 – Teen years (13–18): listening, boundaries & brain development

38:30 – Why teen behaviour can feel so erratic

39:24 – Mentors, safe friends & mental health support

40:30 – Teenagers’ mental health & social media

41:19 – Scaffolding independence & letting go as parents

43:54 – Jenny’s top tip: perfect parenting does not exist

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@phytoceutics/videos

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://a.co/d/85waFiw

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr Jenny Rose | https://www.instagram.com/drjennyrose/

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Podcast #IntentionalParenting #ChildDevelopment #AttachmentTheory #ParentingSupport #ResilientKids #WomensHealth #BrainDevelopment #MentalHealthAwareness #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to learn, connect, and be empowered through expert insights into health and well-being throughout all stages of life.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Laura Johnston, sits down with Natasha Smit, a Clinical Neuropsychologist, for a fascinating deep dive into the brain – how it develops, how it changes over time, and how we can actively invest in our brain health at every stage of life. From neuroplasticity and dopamine to dementia prevention and children’s brain development, this conversation is packed with practical, science-backed insights every woman (and parent) should know.

Together, they dive into:

💊 Rapid-fire ratings on brain tools & supplements:

Omega-3, exercise, cold therapy, melatonin, PQQ, NMN, dopamine detoxes & more

🧠 How the brain develops from birth through adulthood

🔄 Neuroplasticity: how the brain can rewire and change at any age

📊 The shocking dementia statistic – and why lifestyle matters decades earlier

😴 Why sleep is the number one non-negotiable for brain health

🏃‍♀️ Exercise, blood flow & why movement fuels cognition

🥑 Diet for the brain: fats, protein, inflammation & nutrient deficiencies

📵 Dopamine dumps vs dopamine drips – and how social media hijacks the brain

🧩 The 63-day rule for habit change and rewiring your brain

👶 How children’s brains develop (and why early years matter most)

🌈 Neurodivergence, early intervention & setting children up for success

🌅 Negativity bias, mindset & retraining your brain for well-being

🍄 Can psychedelics really benefit your brain?

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:55 – Rapid-fire brain & supplement ratings

3:08 – Dementia risk & why brain health starts early

3:44 – Why investing in your brain matters

5:07 – Sleep, exercise & lifestyle foundations

8:00 – Diet, inflammation & the cost of nutrient deficiency

9:24 – The 63-day rule & neuroplasticity explained

11:35 – Building cognitive reserve & lifelong learning

12:08 – How children’s brains develop

13:37 – Parenting, stimulation & early brain foundations

15:35 – Screen time, dopamine & boredom

17:07 – Neurodivergence & early intervention

19:12 – Teen brains, pruning & executive function

21:00 – Dopamine dumps vs dopamine drips

23:04 – Negativity bias & rewiring thought patterns

24:59 – How to rewire your brain for positive thinking & habits

25:52 – One key tip to foster your relationship with your brain

27:35 – Brain fog explained

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™

🎧Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/2FYKELcfWFM

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-6-neuroplasticity-rewiring-your-brain-her-health/id1846133718?i=1000744040982

Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/3c437c15-79d5-43c3-b4bc-97a610f8c0c1/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-6-neuroplasticity-rewiring-your-brain-%E2%80%93-her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com

for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Natasha Smit | ⁠https://www.njsmit.com/⁠

Phytoceutics® | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en⁠

#HerHealthPodcast #Phytoceutics #BrainHealth #Neuroplasticity #DementiaPrevention #WomensHealth #MentalWellBeing #Parenting #Neurodiversity #Dopamine #SleepHealth #HealthyAgeing #WellnessJourney

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to learn, connect, and be empowered through expert insights into health, performance, and healthy ageing.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Laura Johnston, sits down with Rene Naylor, physiotherapist and performance strategist, to unpack what elite sport can teach us about injury prevention, recovery, resilience, and staying strong and fit at every stage of life. Drawing on her years working with the Springbok Rugby Team, including their historic 2019 World Cup victory, Rene shares powerful lessons that go far beyond the rugby field.

Together, they dive into:

🩺 What a performance strategist really does

💊 Rapid-fire ratings on recovery tools & supplements: Cold plunges, saunas, red light therapy, Omega-3s, magnesium, collagen, peptides, adaptogens & more

🏉 Behind the scenes of working with the Springbok Rugby Team

🛡️ Injury prevention strategies for elite athletes – and everyday women

😴 Why sleep is the foundation of recovery, performance, and fitness

🏋🏼 The importance of strength training for women as we age

🧠 Warrior mindset, resilience, and team culture in high-performance environments

🔥 How stress, training load, and recovery impact injury risk

👩‍⚕️ Training considerations for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s & beyond

...and more!

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:54 – Rapid-fire recovery & supplement ratings

3:51 – Lessons from elite performance & leadership

7:31 – Injury prevention: what really matters

9:24 – Sleep, hydration, nutrition & recovery basics for women

9:56 – Strength vs cardio: finding the right balance

11:56 – Training routines through your 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond

13:51 – Rene’s personal training & supplement routine

16:23 – Nutrition strategies in elite rugby

18:08 – Sleep tracking & injury risk

20:16 – Women in leadership & resilience

22:25 – Trauma, mindset & high performance

24:14 – Recovery for real life, not elite sport

27:49 – Rene's advice to women at every stage

30:39 – The power of mentors & community

31:45 – Final advice: listen to your body

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/b0xmHU4pr7Q

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000741324754

Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/e1dee349-e089-42df-8a37-96268b63f5c1/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-5-building-resilience-women%E2%80%99s-fitness-recovery---her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Rene Naylor | https://www.instagram.com/rene_naylor/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Phytoceutics #WomensHealth #InjuryPrevention #StrengthTraining #Recovery #SleepHealth #HormoneHealth #Menopause #Exercise #WomenInSport #Leadership #Resilience #WellnessJourney

Welcome back to the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to learn, connect, and be empowered through expert insights into health and wellness.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO Laura Johnston sits down with Dr. Ledivia Strauss, a medical doctor with a special interest in integrative medicine, to explore the foundations of hormonal health – and how understanding your hormones can transform your energy, mood, metabolism, and overall well-being.

Together, they dive into:

💛 Why your menstrual cycle is considered your “fifth vital sign”

🧬 The roles of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women’s health

📉 Why missing periods (amenorrhea) is a major red flag

💊 The truth about hormonal contraception and what it really does

🔥 How stress, training, and undereating disrupt your hormones

🌡️ What’s happening during PMS, perimenopause & menopause

🥶 The benefits and limitations of cold plunging, fasting & sauna use

👉 Rapid-fire supplement ratings: Omega-3, Probiotics, Ashwagandha, Sulforaphane, Berberine, Magnesium L-Threonate & more

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

1:09 – Rapid fire: Hormone-supporting supplement ratings

4:13 – What are hormones?

5:00 – Understanding oestrogen, progesterone & testosterone and other hormones

6:34 – Why women need testosterone

7:11 – When a missing period becomes a medical concern

8:12 – What is a "normal" menstrual cycle?

9:48 – Hormonal contraception: what women should know

16:22 – Cold plunging for women: what the science says

17:40 – Exercise and nutrition for each phase of your cycle

20:23 – The benefits of saunas for detoxification

21:55 – How stress affects your hormones & what you can do about it

26:59 – The phases of the menstrual cycle

29:05 – Understanding peri/menopause and how it affects your hormones

30:19 – Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer risk

32:29– How to know if you're reaching perimenopause

34:30 – Tips to promote hormonal health throughout all stages of life

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/JGc8wA4iUXc

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000738438656

Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/c3857aa7-3696-465e-b90c-fd3fc31153cc/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-4-unlocking-hormonal-health---her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr. Ledivia Strauss | https://www.instagram.com/drlediviastrauss/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking prescription or chronic medication.

#HerHealthPodcast #Phytoceutics #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #MenstrualHealth #Contraception #MetabolicHealth #PMS #Perimenopause #Menopause #CycleSyncing #Supplements #WellnessJourney

Welcome back to the third episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to learn, connect, and be empowered through expert insights into health and wellness.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Laura Johnston, sits down with Dr. Tracy Flowers, a GP and Functional Medicine Practitioner with a special interest in women’s health, to explore the science of sleep – and how improving your rest can transform your energy, mood, and overall well-being.

Together, they dive into:

💤 Why sleep is foundational for overall health

🌙 The difference between deep, REM, and light sleep

🛌 Dr. Flowers’ Four S’s for better sleep: Sight & Screens, Substances, Sameness, and Stress

🫖 Natural supports like magnesium and apigenin for deep, restorative rest

💬 How to build a nighttime routine that actually works

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

1:00 – Sleep: Rapid Fire Ratings
2:52 – Why sleep is foundational for health
5:18 – What is disordered sleep and how to manage it
7:57 – Circadian rhythm and light exposure
9:41 – The stages of sleep explained
12:35 – Sleep needs and sleep deterioration as you age
14:32 – Dr. Flowers’ Four S’s for Better Sleep
17:27 – The power of a cool environment for sleep quality
20:52 – Supplements that support relaxation and deep sleep
24:00 – Laura’s ultimate sleep stack: Bettersleep™, Magnesium L-Threonate & Apigenin
25:10 – Creating sustainable bedtime habits
25:58 – Can you catch up on sleep debt?
27:41 – Should you be napping?
29:24 – What makes a night owl and an early bird: Individual chronotypes

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRLzpPMggrc

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718

Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com

for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr. Tracy Flowers | https://www.instagram.com/drtracyleeflowers/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking prescription or chronic medication.

#HerHealthPodcast #Phytoceutics #WomensHealth #Sleep #BetterSleep #Energy #MagnesiumLThreonate #Apigenin #FunctionalMedicine #WellnessJourney

Welcome back to episode two of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to learn, connect, and be empowered through expert insights into health and wellness.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Laura Johnston, sits down with sex & wellness coach Nicki Brivik to explore libido, confidence, and communication through the ages – and how they can transform your intimate relationships.

Together, they dive into:

💖 How confidence and communication impact intimacy

🔥 The difference between spontaneous and responsive desire

🧠 Understanding your emotional needs and your partner’s

💌 Sexual “currency”: building erotic connection daily

🛑 Brakes and accelerators: what boosts or blocks desire

💃🏻 Tips for adventurous, playful, and connected sex at every life stage

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

1:00 – Rapid-fire advice: libido in your 20s, 30s, 40s+

2:56 – The biggest myth about libido

5:11 – Responsive vs. spontaneous libido explained

8:08 – Emotional needs and relationship connection

12:10 – Power of date nights and intentional connection

15:10 – Self-confidence and shifting focus as we age

18:49 – Communication styles and connection

22:49 – Sexual “currency” and the erotic thread

27:51 – Brakes and accelerators: stress, arousal & pleasure

30:28 – Practical tips for long-term intimacy and playfulness

32:00 – Knowing your body: practical advice for self-pleasure

39:48 – Nicki's top tips for communication, confidence, and libido

👉Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode.

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com

for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Nicki Brivik | https://asknicki.co.za/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19630203536&gbraid=0AAAAApSH6c9mUxCK2bOAg6ioZ_oplh3sl&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvva46b7GkAMVpplQBh2b9ysLEAAYASAAEgKsyvD_BwE

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Phytoceutics #WomensHealth #Libido #Intimacy #SexualWellness #Confidence #HealthyRelationships

Welcome to the very first episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to learn, connect, and be empowered through expert insights into health and wellness.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Laura Johnston, sits down with Dr. Lauren Knight, a leading Cape Town dermatologist, to explore how your skin evolves through every stage of life – from your teens to menopause – and what you can do to protect and nourish it from within.

Together, they dive into:

💧 The truth about popular beauty ingredients like Vitamin C, Collagen, and Hyaluronic Acid

🧴 How your skin health reflects your internal health

🦠 The growing science behind the gut–skin connection and probiotics

☀️ Whether you can reverse sun damage and reduce your risk of skin cancer

💅 How to care for your hair and nails safely

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:30 – Introduction to the Her Health™ Podcast

1:25 – Rapid-fire ingredient review: Vitamin C, Omega-3, Zinc, Collagen

3:20 – Hyaluronic Acid, Silicon, Resveratrol, Probiotics

5:30 – How skin changes through life: tweens, teens, 20s, 30s, 40s+

14:26 – Reversing sun damage & protecting your skin

17:34 – The gut–skin axis: probiotics & inflammation

21:14 – Nail care & UV exposure risks

23:57 – Hair health & hormones: postpartum, perimenopause, thinning

28:17 – Supplements for every life stage: key tips for tweens, teens, 20s+

32:29 – Key takeaways: practical advice for skin, hair & nail health

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode.

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with Us:

Dr. Lauren Knight | https://www.instagram.com/derm.discovered/?hl=en

Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Phytoceutics #WomensHealth #SkinHealth #Skincare #WellnessJourney