Melisa Byrne Naturopath

07/03/2026

So you are in peri/menopause and although you haven't changed anything, yet your cholesterol has jumped up.

I often see this in clinic .....a woman comes in confused because her GP wants to start her on statins, even though she's eating the same wholefood diet she always has and exercising regularly.

So what changed?

Cholesterol is the back bone for steroid hormone synthesis from the ovaries and when this declines serum cholesterol increases.

During menopause, cholesterol often rises by around 0.3–0.5 mmol/L. That's enough to shift you from the "normal" range to "high" even when your diet and lifestyle haven't changed at all.

This happens because oestrogen plays a protective role in regulating cholesterol and supporting cardiovascular health. When oestrogen declines in menopause, LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) tends to rise, and HDL (the "good" cholesterol) often drops.

However, understanding that this is hormonal changes everything.

It means you're not failing at managing your health. Your body is responding to a significant hormonal shift, and that requires a different approach than just treating the numbers on a pathology report.

This is where the naturopathic approach addresses the root cause.

I work with women to support cardiovascular health through anti-inflammatory nutrition, liver support to help metabolise hormones more effectively, and comprehensive testing to understand your unique cholesterol profile (in particular LDL sub fractions) and what's driving the changes.

It's not about fear or restriction. It's about understanding what's happening in your body and giving it the support it needs during this transition.

If your cholesterol has changed in menopause and you'd like to understand why and what you can do about it, DM me. I'd love to support you.

07/03/2026

A reminder on International Women’s Day 2026, that what you do matters.

I appreciate and see you.

Historically, it hasn’t been easy for women, and if it weren’t for women before me who challenged policy and the status quo, I may not have had many incredible opportunities both personally & professionally as I’ve had.

Both my grandmothers weren’t formally educated, may not have considered owning their business and didn’t have the choices I’ve had.

There is still a way to go for women to close the gap in some industries, including radio and media, which was mentioned by guest speakers Kate Collin & Jodie Oddie event this week.

Happy International Women's Day to the incredible women in this community.

I'm grateful for every one of you AND also special women in my inner circle, including my beautiful friend and hiking companion (pictured) at the IWD event on Wednesday. 🌼🌼🌼

02/03/2026

Trying to lose weight on your own?

If you've been trying solo but not getting results, you may not realise that the missing piece is being coached.

Research shows that people who receive structured coaching or accountability are 2–3 times more likely to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss (≥5% of body weight) compared to those going it alone.

This is why you receive coaching with the Metabolic Balance program.

I couldn't have achieved my degree, improved my fitness or improved my business processes and confidence without coaching and mentors.

It’s not just about willpower.

It’s about structure, accountability, and behaviour change support.

Midlife weight loss isn’t harder because you lack discipline - it’s different because your physiology has shifted. The right support matters.

And it so happens that I enjoy coaching, because it also keeps me authentic and accountable to my clients.

01/03/2026

There are so many wonderful naturopaths who support families, children, men's health, and a broad range of conditions.

However, I made a deliberate choice early in my practice to specialise exclusively in perimenopause and menopause.

Because what I kept seeing was this.....

Women coming to me after being told their symptoms were "just ageing" or "part of getting older."

Women who felt dismissed when they knew something wasn't right in their bodies.

Women navigating this massive hormonal transition without the support or answers they deserved.

When you specialise in one area, you see patterns that others might miss.

I've sat with hundreds of midlife women over the years. I know the questions you're going to ask before you ask them. I understand the frustration of weight that won't shift, the exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix, the joint pain that comes out of nowhere.

This is all I do. And that depth of understanding makes a difference.

When you work with me, you're working with someone who knows exactly what your body is going through in this specific life stage.

If you're looking for someone who truly understands this transition, I'd love to support you.

DM me to book a consultation.

28/02/2026

Any craving ( example chocolate) is a signal that your body is crying out for something.

Often though, you might tend to misread the message and think it is sugar you need when in fact the body wants energy, sorry to say not sugar.

If you tune in, it is often a need for more protein, magnesium, sleep or a mineral.

After my recent blood donation, I started feeling tired, the same feeling when my iron levels are dipping.

So, in honouring this craving, I didn't give in to the need for sugar but (gasp) liver - fresh and organic. I cooked it with garlic, chopped onions and mushrooms and it was just what I needed for lunch that day.

I felt full for hours and actually felt like I had so much more energy (liver contains many more vitamins & minerals than just iron).

So, next time you get a craving, my advice is to listen and respond with nourishing food instead of a sweet, and notice how you feel after eating it.

If you have more energy then it is safe to say you did in fact listen wisely 😊✨

25/02/2026

I couldn’t have said this better myself. Thankyou Leone from Harvesting Health for sharing this.

There comes a moment in every woman’s life where she realises she doesn’t need to become someone new — she simply needs to come home to herself.

Not the version shaped by expectations, burnout, comparison, or the quiet pressure to keep pushing through… but the version that feels grounded, informed, and deeply self-trusting.

Healing isn’t always loud.
Growth isn’t always visible.
And strength isn’t about doing more — sometimes it’s about finally listening to what your body, your mind, and your heart have been asking for all along.

You are allowed to pause.
You are allowed to change direction.
You are allowed to choose nourishment over depletion.

Every small step you take toward understanding yourself is an act of courage.

Today, instead of asking “What do I need to fix?”
Try asking — “What do I need to support?”

Because empowerment doesn’t come from perfection.
It comes from awareness, compassion, and the decision to show up for your own life — again and again.

🌿 Leone
Where natural wellness meets lived experience and evidence-informed care.

23/02/2026

If you wake up feeling 90… but you’re 49… this is for you.

Hormones influence joint lubrication and collagen repair, but I’ve learnt that staying mobile in menopause - and reducing the risk of injury - comes down to these 5 key habits (because I’ve experienced injury myself and now do these to avoid it):

⭐ Preserve lean muscle mass with progressive resistance exercise.

⭐ Aim for protein at every meal - at least 30g per meal, spread across the day.

⭐ Support your joints with supplements: collagen, creatine, vitamins, minerals, and vitamin D.

⭐ Listen to your body: schedule rest days between strength sessions.

⭐ Prioritise sleep - it aids recovery and gives you energy for the next day.

⭐ Strong joints = more freedom, mobility, and confidence as you age.

Please DM for nutritional support for being strong in menopause.

22/02/2026

Your hands hurt in the morning. Your knees ache when you stand. Your shoulders feel stiff.

You've probably thought about getting tested for arthritis.....or wondered if you've overdone it at the gym.

However, what most women don't realise is that joint pain is one of the most common symptoms of perimenopause.

71% of women experience it. Yet so few connect it to their changing hormones.

So what's happening?

When oestrogen declines, it affects the synovial fluid in your joints. This is the fluid that lubricates and cushions your joints, allowing them to move smoothly.

Less oestrogen means less protection for your joints, which leads to inflammation, stiffness, and that aching feeling that's worse in the mornings.

It's not arthritis. It's not because you're getting older or less active.

It's your hormones changing the way your body functions.

As a naturopath, I work with women to address the inflammation and support joint health through anti-inflammatory nutrition, herbal medicine, and addressing the hormonal changes at the root.

You don't have to accept joint pain as your new normal.

If this sounds familiar and you'd like support, DM me. I'd love to help you feel more comfortable in your body again.

21/02/2026

My recent brand shoot....

Join me as I share BTS of my recent branding shoot with the photographer and artist Grier Neilson of .

This recent shoot exemplifies the freedom that I feel and aspire for all women in midlife, to embrace and love the skin (and body) they are in.

This freedom for me comes from not worrying about what other people think about how I look and what I wear but what I like wearing and feel comfortable in.

I’d love to hear from you: what do you love about being your age now? What are the things you no longer worry about?

16/02/2026

Although it might feel like it (if you're in menopause) your body isn't broken because the weight won't shift.

When you've tried keto, calorie counting, intermittent fasting and nothing has worked, it's easy to feel that your body is working against you....

But, what's actually happening is this.....

The hormonal shifts of midlife have changed how your body processes and uses food.

Oestrogen decline affects your insulin sensitivity, your muscle mass, your microbiome and your liver's ability to metabolise hormones

This means your body's nutritional needs are completely different now than they were even five years ago.

I can tell you that Metabolic Balance is a different approach which will work for you because it is scientific.

It starts with a blood test to understand your unique biochemistry.

Then a nutrition plan is created based on what your body specifically needs to support your metabolism, balance blood sugar, and nutritional requirements.

It's not a generic meal plan. It's not based on trends or calorie restriction and it isn't a DIET.

It's a whole food eating approach specific for yourunique biochemistry.

When the body is given the correct nutrition and what it actually needs, that's when I see womens energy improve, weight shift, and that feeling of being back to themselves return.

I've been working with this approach since 2013, and it never ceases to amaze me exactly how powerful personalised nutrition is for midlife women.

If this resonates, DM me and I'll explain how it works for you.

15/02/2026

You don't stop making hormones in menopause.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I hear in consultations.

Yes, your ovaries slow down their production of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. However, your adrenal glands continue to produce these hormones throughout menopause and beyond.

The question is.....are your adrenals getting the support they need to do this well?
This is where naturopathic support makes a difference.

I don't prescribe hormones. Instead, I support your body's own hormone synthesis through:

💫 Nutritional support to ensure you have the building blocks for hormone production
💫 Stress management, because chronic stress depletes your adrenal function
💫 Movement, rest, and time outdoors to support overall hormone balance

When your adrenals are well supported, you're better equipped to navigate menopause with more energy, better mood, and fewer symptoms.

Your body is still capable of producing the hormones you need. Sometimes it just needs the right support to do it well.

If you'd like natural medicine support for your hormones in perimenopause or menopause, DM me. I'd love to help you.

14/02/2026

Why you're always cold... even in summer.

You know the feeling. Everyone else is comfortable, but you're reaching for a cardigan. Your hands and feet are like ice blocks. You need a hot water bottle even on mild days.

This isn't just you being sensitive to the cold.

When you're always cold, your body is trying to tell you something. It might be your thyroid working sluggishly, affecting how your body generates heat.

It could be low iron, meaning your blood isn't carrying oxygen efficiently to warm your hands and feet. Or it's your metabolism slowing down as your hormones shift in midlife.

Adrenal insufficiency means low output of cortisol and aldosterone, contributing to low blood pressure and poor blood circulation in the hands and feet.

Sometimes it's a combination of all four.

The thing is, most women accept feeling cold as just part of getting older. But it's not something you need to live with.

When I see women in clinic who are always cold, I look at their thyroid function, their iron levels, adrenal function and how their metabolism is working. Because there's usually a reason... and once we understand what's happening, we can support your body to feel warm and comfortable again.

Being cold all the time isn't normal. It's your body asking for help.

If this sounds like you, please send me a message.