Carrying excess weight - especially abdominal fat - could point to elevated cortisol levels. Naturopathic doctor Faryal Luhar discusses possible causes and how cortisol surges affect our physical and mental health. She outlines the role of hormones like DHEA, testosterone, leptin, and ghrelin, and offers practical advice on how to regain and maintain healthy cortisol levels. Sponsored content.

Apart from weight loss, time-restricted eating offers significant benefits, especially in our current epidemic of metabolic disease. What - however - do you need to know? Functional medicine health coach Anita Hamilton-Williams explains why men and women should approach intermittent fasting differently, take into account autoimmune conditions or cortisol dysregulation, and how to get intermittent fasting under way.

Perimenopause is a natural transition, but suffering debilitating symptoms is optional. Dr Faryal Luhar explains how hormonal changes can affect women’s physical, mental and emotional health. Awareness of the signs of perimenopause, including sleep disturbances and weight gain, is crucial; their root cause needs to be addressed. Learn how this life phase can be managed holistically and naturally. Sponsored content.

Skin-to-skin contact during the 6 hours after birth has an enormous impact on the bond between Baby, Mom and Dad. Childbirth educator Cozette Laubser from BabyGym® describes how this affects a baby’s brain and those of its parents, and the role played by the triune brain, oxytocin, dopamine and cortisol. She offers practical guidelines for babies born prematurely or by Caesarean section - and supporting bonding once Baby goes home.

Is menopause the beginning of the end, or the start of a woman’s most creative years? Positive psychology coach and international endurance athlete Erica Terblanche explains how, instead of growing “invisible”, women can develop courage and compelling visions for their lives. Sharing her own gruelling journey, she offers practical tools to help women move into the power version of themselves.

Clinical sexologist Catriona Boffard discusses the most important sex organ, the brain: its role in arousal, why the mind and the body aren’t always on the same page, common misconceptions regarding sexual intimacy, and the importance of feeling safe. She clarifies the dual control model, false versus realistic expectations, and using your mind to heighten your sexual enjoyment. Sensitive content: intended for adult listeners.

Many menopausal and perimenopausal women lack down-to-earth support. Functional medicine health coach Anita Hamilton-Williams explains which hormonal and other changes trigger certain symptoms. She discusses practical solutions - including targeted nutrition - from a holistic and bio-individual viewpoint, bearing in mind the role of stress. Most of all, Anita offers support in affecting these changes step by step.

Functional medicine, an individualised approach that treats not by symptom but by cause, leads to more lasting results. Functional medicine health coach Anita Hamilton-Williams discusses its success regarding chronic conditions; its focus on genetics, biochemistry, nutrition, lifestyle and behaviour changes; and why genetics needn’t determine our disease profile. She mentions the tests she uses, case studies, and good news concerning ageing.

Dr. Elna Rudolph, medical doctor and sexologist, talks about the difference between menopause and perimenopause; her approach to menopause; symptoms like hot flushes, vaginal dryness, sleeping problems, weight gain and osteoporosis; how these can be treated by balancing your hormones; and the dos and don’ts of dating later in life.