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Tag: menopause

Stress, Anxiety & Gut Health: What’s the Link?

Written by trish on . Posted in Gut Health.

Unfortunately, it’s a sign of the times that, to a greater or lesser extent, everyone seems to be plagued with some degree of anxiety or worry. Stress has become a pervasive part of modern life, and its impact on our health is profound. If you’re someone who suffers from digestive issues, you may have noticed a direct link between your stress levels and how your gut feels. It’s not just your imagination – science backs up this connection. Have you ever heard yourself say ‘I have a gut feeling about this’ or ‘I’ve got butterflies in my stomach.’ This is your powerful gut-brain connection, also known as the gut-brain axis.

What Is the Gut-Brain Axis?

The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication system between your gut and your brain. It involves multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormones, and neurotransmitters. This connection ensures that your brain and gut are constantly in sync. For example, when you’re stressed, your brain sends signals to your gut, which can result in symptoms like bloating, cramps, or changes in bowel habits.

Your gut also communicates with your brain through its microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in your digestive system. A healthy gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays a significant role in regulating mood and anxiety levels. In fact, about 90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in your gut!

How Stress and Anxiety Affect Your Gut

When you’re stressed or anxious, your body enters ‘fight or flight’ mode. This response is designed to protect you in life-threatening situations, but chronic stress keeps your body stuck in this state, wreaking havoc on your digestion. Here’s how:

Reduced Digestive Function: Stress diverts energy away from digestion, leading to issues like bloating, indigestion, or constipation.

Imbalance in Gut Microbiota: Chronic stress can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, contributing to inflammation and digestive disorders like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Increased Gut Permeability: Stress can weaken the lining of your gut, leading to ‘leaky gut syndrome,’ where toxins and partially digested food particles escape into your bloodstream, triggering inflammation and other health issues.

Heightened Sensitivity: Stress can amplify the gut’s sensitivity to pain and discomfort, making even minor digestive issues feel worse.

The Stress-Gut Cycle

Unfortunately, the relationship between stress, anxiety, and gut health is a vicious cycle. Stress worsens gut health, and poor gut health exacerbates stress and anxiety. For instance, if your gut microbiome is out of balance, it can impact the production of serotonin and other mood-regulating neurotransmitters, leaving you feeling more anxious and stressed. This, in turn, can further damage your gut, creating a feedback loop that’s hard to break.

How to Support Your Gut-Brain Connection

The good news is that by focusing on improving your gut health and managing stress, you can break the cycle and reclaim your vitality. Here are some practical strategies:

Mindful Eating: Take time to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Avoid eating when you’re stressed or distracted.

Probiotics and Prebiotics: Incorporate foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and fibre-rich fruits and vegetables to support a healthy gut microbiome.

Stress Management Techniques: Practices like yoga, tai chi, meditation, and deep breathing can help calm your nervous system and improve digestion.

Adequate Sleep: Prioritise 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to allow your body and gut to heal and reset.

Stay Active: Regular physical activity can boost serotonin levels and improve gut motility.

Limit Processed Foods: Reduce sugar, alcohol, and highly processed foods, which can negatively impact your gut health.

Seeking Professional Support

If you’re struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, or digestive issues, consider working with a nutritionist or gut health specialist. Personalised guidance can help you address the root causes and create a tailored plan for healing. We cover this and more in the 8 week programme.

Discover the Secrets to a Blissfully Happy Gut in 4 Easy Steps!

Written by trish on . Posted in Gut Health.

Are you on a quest for that elusive feeling of gut happiness? Here at Trish Tucker May Nutrition, we believe wholeheartedly in the magic of transforming our health through the foods we love and lifestyle choices that radiate positivity. 

The Foundation of Gut Health: Dietary Fibre and Nutrient-Rich Foods

First up on our digestive delight tour is the cornerstone of gut health – fibrous, colourful fruits and veggies! 

We often overlook the simplest truths, but these natural treasures are our gut’s best friends. They’re not just about making our plates look pretty; they pack a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals, and most importantly, fibre. 

Imagine fibre as the ultimate cheerleader for your gut, promoting a party of beneficial bacteria and keeping things moving smoothly, if you know what I mean. 

A rainbow on your plate truly does wonders!

Hydration: The Cornerstone of Digestive Efficiency

Secondly, let’s talk hydration. The elixir of life, water, plays a critical role in our overall health and especially in our digestive system. Keeping well-hydrated helps our body effectively break down foods and absorb nutrients while ensuring our gut landscape is just moist enough for everything to flow seamlessly. Let’s make water our beverage of choice (and maybe that occasional herbal tea) instead of too much coffee and alcohol.

Mindful Eating and Stress Management: Harmonizing the Digestive Process

Do you know the power of mindful eating and stress management? In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to forget that how we eat impacts our digestion massively. By taking the time to eat in a relaxed environment, chewing thoroughly, and truly savouring each bite, we engage our digestive system in the most harmonious way possible. 

Dietary Diversity: Cultivating a Rich Microbial Ecosystem

Embrace diversity in your diet. 

Encourage an environment where beneficial gut bacteria can thrive by mixing up your food choices. Experiment with new foods, embrace fermented favourites like sauerkraut or kefir, and tickle your taste buds with unexpected flavours. Variety isn’t just the spice of life; it’s the lifeblood of a thriving digestive ecosystem.

Here’s to a fulfilling and joyful journey towards gut wellness. The road to well-being is both beautiful and uniquely yours—let’s embark on this remarkable journey together.

For more information about the 8-week gut transformation programme click here

Nourish Your Gut for a Positive Menopause

Written by trish on . Posted in Gut Health, Hormone Health.

🎉 Wow! I’m blown away! 🙌 Huge thanks to those who have already purchased a copy of my new book.

Nourish Your Gut for a Positive Menopause

The feedback so far has been everything I knew it would be. Women are already starting to feel empowered, excited, and educated with the tools to make menopause a chapter in their life that they don’t need to dread!

You don’t need to do this alone. Grab your copy of the book and be sure to head over to our FB community to feel supported that bit more. 📚💪😊

BUY NOW – Amazon for immediate delivery. 

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Australia

Or at Trish Tucker May (After a successful book launch at Community, Sundara and World Yoga Festival I am having a family holiday on the beach at Putsborough. All book orders will be posted once I get back.)

The Healing Power of Menopause Global Summit 2023.

Written by trish on . Posted in Hormone Health.

I’m excited to announce that I’m among over 20 guest speakers, educators, scientists, women’s health specialists, menopause, and gut health professionals, including Kate Codrington, Dr. Sarah Mckay, Professor Joyce Harper, Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, Rachel Lankester, Shola Arewa and many others featured on The Healing Power of Menopause Global Summit 2023.

You’ll receive not only facts, solutions, support, and guidance, but also wisdom, connection, shared experiences, practices and gifts you can apply straight away.

Click here to sign up for this event –  at no charge

During this 5 day event you will learn:

  • What exactly is happening to your body and brain
  • How to navigate perimenopause and get the support you need
  • Remedies and practices for all ranges of symptoms and needs
  • That nature, rest, and reorganising can be your best friend
  • How the transition to post-menopause can result in the best years of your life

Nourish Your Gut – for a positive menopause

Written by trish on . Posted in Hormone Health.

A must read for knowing the best foods to support your hormones

💜 explore proven cleanse techniques to support your gut health

🩵 enjoy 139 mouthwatering recipes your whole family will love

💜 real life case studies to help inspire your own journey

🩵 step by step guide to making lasting changes

💜 chakra balancing chart with easy ways to check what is out of alignment

🩵 never shared before insights to my own personal journey 😲 you will be shocked when you read these

Plus the first 30 people will get a signed copy and bonus recipes included in my 8 week Programme

Pre-order your copy here

WOMEN’S GUT HEALTH RETREAT UK

Written by trish on . Posted in Hormone Health.

Women’s UK retreat yoga, gut health retreat September 2023

A completely nurturing & immersive women’s wellness retreat in a stunning location in Dorset
Friday ~ Monday 4 days & 3 nights
Offering yoga, sound bath, meditation, talks with guest presenters & more.

All women welcome.

Fully catered for by award winning Naturopathic nutritionist, hormone & gut health specialist Trish Tucker May.
Passionate about using vibrant foods & natural medicines to nourish & heal, her lovingly put together menu will leave you glowing from the inside out!
Trish will share an inspiring & informative talk on ‘hormone & gut’ health. You will feel nourished with vibrant, organic plant based food, juices and smoothies.

Take a break from your busy life. Step off the busy treadmill and out of your daily routine. Recharge, reconnect and reset your gut health and your hormones.

More dates and locations coming soon.


Beat the bloat with water

Easy steps to beat the belly bloat

Written by trish on . Posted in Gut Health.

Did you know that 80% of women will suffer worse bloating as they approach the menopause along with a host of other unwanted symptoms?

Many women aren’t aware that there are some easy and quick ways to sail through this time and come out feeling better than ever.

Here are 5 simple steps to beating the belly bloat. You can watch a video here and please subscribe.

  1. Hydrate with 2 litres of water everyday but not while eating.
  2. Avoid trigger foods especially processed wheat, alcohol and sugar. Keeping a food diary can help with understanding the foods that trigger your symptoms.
  3. Chew your food well – slow down, sit down and just eat while eating – no watching, walking, driving or working.
  4. Digest enzymes that betain HCL can help immensely – talk to me about the best supplements. I stock them here
  5. Add in fermented and cultured foods to build bacteria – kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi can help. They are easy to make. I have a video here

If you’re struggling with any of this and would like to talk to me privately, I offer a free 30-minute call where I can find out more about you and see how best I can help.

Click on the book a call button on my website.

Need help right now – call me 07 984 326 956 or book a book directly into my calendar here

 

SPECIAL INVITATION

Extra weight?
Chronic health issues??
Lethargy?
Poor sleep?

Hormone hell?
Belly bloat?
Depression?
Irritability?

Yes…you can most likely chalk that all up to poor gut health.

All of these symptoms are your body’s way of telling you it’s time for a change.

So let’s do this. Together.

I will be running the Time To Nourish Kitchen Programme from the 14th Sept – 2nd Nov. We will meet each fortnight. You will have lifetime access to the entire programme which includes veg, vegan and omnivore recipes, shopping lists, and menu planners so it takes the guess work out of what to eat.

Each time we meet we will be making and tasting some of the recipes that you chose. We will also be exploring the cleanse and restore techniques. You will get a personalised welcome pack with some goodies and supplements. The programme also includes eBooks and chakra healing meditations for you to do at home.

Space is limited to 7 women and 4 places are already taken. Talk to me if you wish to join for one or all sessions.

I am so excited to offer this version of the programme where you will taste juices, smoothies and ferments from ingredients from my organic kitchen garden and local produces. Let me know if you have any questions. I would love to welcome, nurture and nourish you this Autumn.

Please email me here if you’d like to book: [email protected]

Best foods to boost libido - man holding a woman

Best Foods to boost libido

Written by trish on . Posted in Gut Health, Hormone Health.

Ladies, we need all the help we can get when hormones are fluctuating in the perimenopause and menopause.

Your sex drive, or libido, is greatly influenced by biological and physical factors. What you put into your body can have a direct impact on how you feel and how your body reacts to physical stimulation.

Different foods stimulate different hormones and chemicals in your body and stimulating the right ones can help improve your libido.

Here are some foods that can help improve your performance and increase your sex drive.

1.Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and a host of antioxidants, both of which have been linked to higher sperm count in men.

2.Avocados are good for your health in general, but especially for your heart health and blood circulation. They are packed with vitamins E and B6, potassium, and monounsaturated fats, which are all important for a strong, healthy heart.

3.Almonds contain selenium, zinc, and vitamin E. These minerals and vitamins have been shown to improve sexual health and performance. Zinc is helpful in producing testosterone, while vitamin E is good for heart health and selenium is helpful with fertility issues. The omega-3 fatty acids in almonds may also improve sex drive.

4.Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamin. Potassium helps with high blood pressure, which has an impact on erectile function. The beta-carotene provides vitamin A, which may be helpful in cases of infertility.

5.Pesto is great for peak performance because of its high levels of zinc. Women with higher levels of zinc are found to have better sex drive, and the pine nuts in pesto are an excellent source for this.

6.Watermelon is a great libido booster. It contains more lycopene than tomatoes and is comparable to Viagra in its ability to relax muscles and increase blood circulation to certain areas of your body.

7.Pomegranate is good for virility. Pomegranate has a positive effect on erectile dysfunction and has antioxidants that are linked to improved blood flow.

8.Coffee contains a particular stimulant that promotes a good mood, especially women.

9.Chocolate increases both serotonin and dopamine levels, leading to a happier, more relaxed, and less stressed state of mind. It is a great mood booster and has been shown in studies to heighten feelings of arousal and sexual passion.

10.Celery contains steroids called androsterone and androstenol. When consumed, these chemicals travel through our sweat glands and work to attract the opposite sex. It also has arginine, which helps expand blood vessels in the same way Viagra does.

If you would like to learn more about our Time To Nourish packages for the perimenopause and menopause email [email protected]

Love Trish

Top Tips To help you with emotional eating.

Written by trish on . Posted in Brain Health, Gut Health, Hormone Health.

Do you suddenly feel hungry, stressed and overwhelmed?

Do you crave specifically unhealthy foods? Do you feel guilty or ashamed after eating?
Do you feel as though you have to eat immediately? Is your hunger satisfied when you’re full?

Physical hunger won’t make you feel shame about eating food, whereas emotional hunger is often linked with unpleasant emotions.

How to stop eating emotionally?

It can be difficult to stop emotional eating, especially when it’s become a habit over a long period of time. But don’t worry—it’s absolutely possible to address emotional eating and pay attention to your true hunger cues, allowing you to work through your emotions separately.

This will improve your physical and your mental wellbeing, and will be an important step to healing your gut and balancing your hormones.

If you feel hungry, drink water first.

Sometimes you can be dehydrated and confused about hunger sensations.

Wait five minutes before eating when you feel hungry.

Try to identify your emotions before eating. How are you feeling? How do you want to feel?  If you are feeling tired, bored, lonely, angry, sad it can be helpful to find another way to sooth other than food.

Have a list of your tools in your toolkit and post it on the fridge. This could be a short walk, legs up the wall, lying down, calling a friend, or listening to your favourite music.

Keep track of your eating habits to identify your triggers.

My clients find it useful to track daily food in the client app – this helps with accountability.

Keep healthy snacks on hand for when you are physically hungry
Things like carrot sticks and hummus or a handful of nuts will help to satisfy true hunger – and if you don’t want to eat them, it’s a sign that you may not be physically hungry,

Incorporate healthy habits into your daily life

Go for walks – anything to get OUT OF THE KITCHEN!

Eat regular well-balanced meals – DON’T SKIP MEALS. This adds to stress.

Get enough sleep and

Connect with friends and family

All these will help to boost your mental health and help you to address your emotional eating.
Triggers such as boredom, sadness and stress can result in overeating—even positive emotions such as excitement and happiness can be a trigger, as well as using food as a reward.

By working to understand why you’re eating emotionally, you’ll be better able to recognise your trigger emotions and be able to actually work through them instead of reaching for food.

If you are struggling with bloating and emotional eating please download the free eBook.

To get started download the free eBook to beat the belly bloat and balance hormones. https://passion4juice.groovepages.com/