Women’s Health
Menopause
Menopause is the natural part of the progression for females through their mid-life journey, generally occurring between the ages of 50 – 51 years with a transition that can last between 4 – 8 years. Menopause symptoms often have a negative impact on the female quality of life, having a significant effect on a female’s daily personal, professional and social lives. The hormonal changes that occur through the menopause transition also influence health and expression of disease.
Throughout the midlife journey there is an observed gain in percentage body fat and weight and a reduction in lean muscle mass. In part this is related to chronological age, though also to ovarian age and resultant changes in hormonal profiles.
PCOS
A key component of managing Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is managing nutrition and lifestyle changes to reach the core problem rather than just treating the symptoms. PCOS can affect such a wide range of women including prepubertal girls, adolescents with period problems, women with body image or mood concerns, or reproductive to midlife women with metabolic risks.
We use an evidenced based approach to clear confusion and assist managing the multifactorial components including well rounded nutrition, activity levels, stress and sleep. We provide the knowledge and skills to clear the path of hormonal appetite concerns, intuitive and emotional eating concerns to lead you towards optimizing your health and disease risk prevention.
Heart Health
The key to eating for your heart health is to enjoy a combination of foods, chosen regularly, over time, making fresh food the basis of the diet. Rather than focusing on individual nutrients, we encourage the Heart Foundation eating pattern which includes plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrains. A variety of healthy protein sources including fish and seafood, lean meat and poultry, legumes, nuts and seeds will be discussed along with appropriate reduced fat dairy options. Healthy fat choices will be described along with ideas for reducing salt intake. As Dietitians we can identify and support people at high risk or with existing heart disease to make healthy eating changes.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a progressive, chronic condition in which the cells similar to those that line the uterus grow in other parts of the body, affecting 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, 176 million women worldwide.
A recent qualitative studied explored the health changes women experienced when they implemented a range of lifestyle changes, incorporating diet, physical activity and mindfulness. Individual self-directed dietary modification included reducing their intake of gluten and dairy and increasing their intake of vegetable, fruit, fish, with a tendency to select more natural products. They also engaged in an increased level of activity including walking, yoga, along with activities of mindfulness.
Individuals experienced a reduction in symptoms, specifically pain and fatigue, improvement in energy level, sleep, mood and social and mental health.
Dietitian-Nutritionist at Julie Albrecht & Associates, food.body.life are uniquely skilled to support and guide women to implement and maintain appropriate change to facilitate and improvement in their symptom profile and health and well-being.
