Defining Health

Defining Health

Renee Bailey is a devoted Clinical Nutritionist committed to empowering individuals on their journey to optimal health. Holding a Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) and currently pursuing a Master of Sexology (Professional) at Curtin University, and is dedicated to continuous learning and professional growth.

Renee is recognised as a Certified Practicing Nutritionist (CPN) by The Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists (AARPN) and is a committee member of The Nutrition Society of Australia (Brisbane Regional group). She is also a member of The Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM) and holds clinical membership with The International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research.

With over 15 years of experience in corporate leadership and management roles, coupled with a background in successfully building and managing small businesses, Renee brings a wealth of expertise to her practice. She has a commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards and a drive for the ongoing pursuit of knowledge.

At 45 years of age, Renee's approach to healthcare is characterised by a multidisciplinary, multi-system, cooperative, and supportive methodology. Her evidence-based strategies integrate nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle modifications to foster optimal health outcomes. Renee firmly believes in addressing the root causes of health issues rather than simply treating symptoms.

As a wife and mother of two girls, Renee's passion for nutrition and well-being is deeply personal, having faced her own health challenges, including anxiety and hormonal imbalances, Renee understands the toll life's demands can take on one's well-being. Her transformative journey from exhaustion, stress, and weight gain to renewed vitality guides her empathetic and cooperative approach. Renee recognises the frustration of searching for answers and the importance of finding a compassionate healthcare team.

Renee is unwavering in her commitment to uncovering the root causes of health issues, assisting individuals to forge a path to their best versions, embracing a life of vitality, balance, and well-being.

I don’t treat symptoms or problems, I treat people.
I specialise in finding the root cause of your health issues, because I believe the greatest health transformations happen when you address the underlying causes, not the symptoms.

Myth 9: Fat-free products are the healthier option“Fat-free” does not automatically mean healthy.Many processed fat-free...
11/03/2026

Myth 9: Fat-free products are the healthier option

“Fat-free” does not automatically mean healthy.

Many processed fat-free products contain added sugars, stabilisers, artificial flavours, and thickeners to compensate for lost texture and taste.

And here’s the irony, without fat, foods are often less satisfying, leading people to eat more overall.
Whole foods don’t need marketing labels.

Myth 8: High-fat foods are unhealthy by defaultSome of the most nourishing foods available are naturally high in fat:• E...
10/03/2026

Myth 8: High-fat foods are unhealthy by default

Some of the most nourishing foods available are naturally high in fat:
• Eggs
• Salmon
• Full-fat yoghurt
• Nuts and seeds
• Olive oil
• Avocado
These foods provide satiety, fat-soluble vitamins, and essential fatty acids.

Fat is not a “bad food category.” It’s a macronutrient your body requires to function, including for hormone production, brain health, and cell membrane integrity.

Myth 7: Everyone reacts the same way to cholesterolWe are not metabolically identical.Some people are more sensitive to ...
09/03/2026

Myth 7: Everyone reacts the same way to cholesterol

We are not metabolically identical.

Some people are more sensitive to dietary cholesterol than others due to genetics. However, the majority of people show minimal changes in blood cholesterol when eating cholesterol-rich foods.
This is why personalised nutrition matters.

Blanket dietary rules rarely work because humans are not one-size-fits-all.

Myth 6: Margarine and vegetable oils are always healthier than butterThis one surprises people.Many industrial seed oils...
08/03/2026

Myth 6: Margarine and vegetable oils are always healthier than butter

This one surprises people.

Many industrial seed oils and margarine products are high in omega-6 fats. While omega-6 fats are not inherently “bad,” modern diets tend to contain them in excess, far more than omega-3 fats, contributing to a pro-inflammatory balance.

Whole food fats like olive oil, avocado oil, butter, nuts, and seeds tend to be more stable and less processed.

The goal isn’t fear, it’s balance and quality.

Myth 5: Eating fat increases diabetes riskType 2 diabetes is driven primarily by insulin resistance, not dietary fat int...
07/03/2026

Myth 5: Eating fat increases diabetes risk

Type 2 diabetes is driven primarily by insulin resistance, not dietary fat intake alone.
Highly processed fats (trans fats, fast foods, refined baked goods) and high sugar foods are harmful. But whole food fats like olive oil, nuts, fatty fish, avocado, and full-fat dairy are associated with improved blood sugar control and better metabolic health.

In many cases, reducing refined carbohydrates and sugar, not healthy fats, improves insulin sensitivity.

Again, it comes back to dietary quality.

Myth 4: Pregnant women should avoid high-fat foodsPregnancy is a time when fat becomes even more important.The developin...
06/03/2026

Myth 4: Pregnant women should avoid high-fat foods

Pregnancy is a time when fat becomes even more important.
The developing brain is largely made of fat. Nutrients like DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid), choline, and fat-soluble vitamins are essential for fetal development.

Egg yolks, fatty fish, full-fat dairy, and other nutrient-dense fat sources provide critical building blocks for both mother and baby.

Restricting fat during pregnancy can mean restricting vital nutrients.

Myth 3: Saturated fat causes heart diseaseThis is one of the most controversial areas in nutrition and also one of the m...
05/03/2026

Myth 3: Saturated fat causes heart disease

This is one of the most controversial areas in nutrition and also one of the most misunderstood.
While saturated fat can increase LDL cholesterol in some individuals, research does not show a consistent, direct link between saturated fat intake and heart disease outcomes in the general population.

What matters far more is the overall dietary pattern.

A diet built around whole foods like vegetables, quality protein, healthy fats, looks very different from a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, processed seed oils, and processed junk foods.
It’s not about demonising one macronutrient. It’s about the context of the whole plate.

Myth 2: Cholesterol-rich foods are bad for youEggs. Shellfish. Full-fat dairy. Organ meats. These foods are often labell...
04/03/2026

Myth 2: Cholesterol-rich foods are bad for you

Eggs. Shellfish. Full-fat dairy. Organ meats. These foods are often labelled “high cholesterol” but they are also incredibly nutrient dense. Egg yolks provide choline (critical for brain health), B12, selenium, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, & K. Full-fat yoghurt contains protein, calcium, and beneficial fats. Liver is one of the most nutrient-rich foods available.

For most people, dietary cholesterol has minimal impact on blood cholesterol levels. Your liver tightly regulates cholesterol production, it’s not a simple “eat cholesterol, raise cholesterol” equation.

Food is more than a single nutrient.

Myth 1: Eating fat makes you gain weightWeight gain doesn’t happen because you eat fat. It happens when you overeat nutr...
03/03/2026

Myth 1: Eating fat makes you gain weight

Weight gain doesn’t happen because you eat fat. It happens when you overeat nutritionally empty foods.

In fact, including healthy fats in meals can actually support weight management. Fat slows digestion, stabilises blood sugar, and helps you feel satisfied for longer. When you remove fat completely, you often end up hungrier and more likely to overeat the wrong foods.

Quality matters, of course. Deep-fried takeaway is not the same as avocado, nuts, eggs, olive oil, or full-fat yoghurt.

Fat isn’t the problem. Unhealthy food choices are.

9 Myths About Dietary Fat and Cholesterol - (And why we need to stop fearing food)For decades, we were told that fat was...
03/03/2026

9 Myths About Dietary Fat and Cholesterol - (And why we need to stop fearing food)
For decades, we were told that fat was the enemy.

Butter was swapped for margarine. Egg yolks were tossed out. Full-fat dairy was replaced with “light” versions. Supermarket shelves filled with fat-free everything, and we were assured it was better for our hearts, our weight, and our health.

But here’s the truth: nutrition science has evolved. And much of what we were told about fat and cholesterol simply doesn’t hold up.

As a clinical nutritionist, one of the most common conversations I have with patients is around fear of fat, especially in women navigating midlife, metabolic changes, and hormonal shifts.
So over the next 2 weeks I am going to gently unpack some of the biggest myths.

I want to share an important update that could shape the future of menopause care in Australia.In January, Australian ph...
11/02/2026

I want to share an important update that could shape the future of menopause care in Australia.

In January, Australian pharmaceutical company Lawley Pharmaceuticals launched legal action after the PBAC declined to recommend PBS listing for AndroFeme 1, a female-specific testosterone treatment for post-menopausal women with distressing low libido (HSDD).

Here’s why this matters:
• Men have access to at least 8 PBS-subsidised testosterone products
• Women have access to none
• Women currently pay 14–16 times more for equivalent treatment

AndroFeme 1 has been TGA-registered since 2020 and is approved in Australia, the UK, NZ and South Africa, but remains privately funded here.

This isn’t just about one product. It’s about equity. It’s about whether women’s sexual health and quality of life are taken seriously.

I see the impact of this gap in care every day in my practice.

If this matters to you, please consider signing the Healthy Hormones petition calling for fair PBS access to testosterone for women.

Change in women’s health doesn’t happen quietly — it happens when we speak up together.

https://c.org/DgjvFXbM62

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48 Ashgrove Avenue
Ashgrove, QLD
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