Joondalup Naturopath

03/03/2026

Perimenopause is not just a hormone shift.
It’s a whole brain transition.

Research shows measurable changes in memory and energy centres of the brain during this time — but it also shows the brain adapts and stabilises post-menopause.

The transition phase is where most women struggle… and brain changes tend to start in your early 40’s.

The good news? You are not powerless here.
There is a lot you can do to support your brain while it recalibrates, some of these things are:
• Stabilise blood sugar
• Prioritise protein at every meal
• Protect sleep
• Reduce inflammatory load
• Support mineral balance for best neurotransmitter production
• Manage stress intentionally

When you support metabolism, you support the brain.
And the better supported your brain is during this phase, the smoother and shorter that recalibration period tends to feel.

This isn’t about “pushing through.”
It’s about supporting your changing physiology.

If you’ve felt mentally different lately — this is why. And there is a way through 💕

Tash xx

01/03/2026

Most women are told brain fog in menopause is “just hormones.”

That’s incomplete.

Neuroimaging research shows the menopausal transition affects brain regions rich in oestrogen receptors — including areas responsible for memory, focus and emotional regulation.

But here’s what matters most and something I highlight every consultation:
Oestrogen supports brain glucose metabolism.
When it drops, the brain becomes more sensitive to unstable fuel delivery.
If blood sugar is swinging…
If meals are skipped…
If stress is high and sleep is broken…
Symptoms feel louder.

Menopause is not brain decline.
It is a metabolic transition.

And metabolic resilience is protective.

Protein at every meal.
Stable blood sugar curves.
Strength training.
Mineral balance.
Sleep.

This is how you support your brain in this season.

If you feel like your cognition changed overnight, it probably didn’t.
Your metabolism is changing… and it’s causing ripples.

If your brain’s gone AWOL, drop me a line!

Tash xx

28/02/2026

You love your kids.
You don’t love the version of you that feels snappy, exhausted and uncomfortable in your own body.

If you’ve been wondering why your patience is thinner, your weight is creeping up, and your energy is flat — perimenopause changes your stress chemistry.

Lower progesterone.
Fluctuating oestrogen.
Higher cortisol.
Less stable blood sugar.
Mineral depletion.
Slower thyroid conversion.

That combination makes even the most patient mum feel reactive.

This isn’t about willpower.

And it’s definitely not about being a “better mum.”

It’s about stabilising your physiology so your nervous system isn’t constantly in survival mode.

When we support minerals, blood sugar and thyroid function properly, the yelling reduces, the energy improves and the weight can finally shift.

I promise you, you’re not failing.

Your body just needs proper support.

You can break this cycle, let me show you how 💜

Tash xx

18/02/2026

If you’ve been waiting for a Saturday appointment… this is it.

I have one spot left this Saturday 21st February.

If you’re navigating hormone shifts, thyroid symptoms, stubborn fatigue, weight gain, gut problems or you simply just don’t feel like yourself anymore, this is your chance to finally get some answers and a clear plan.

Your health deserves more than “your labs are normal.”

Joondalupnaturopath.com.au
PH: 08 9401 0777

Tash xx

11/02/2026

As hormones change, brain chemistry does too.

Strength training boosts BDNF — a growth factor that protects brain cells and supports mood, focus and resilience.

In perimenopause, when oestrogen declines and brain support drops, muscle becomes one of the most powerful tools for long-term brain health and longevity.

Just another reason why muscle matters more than ever in perimeno and beyond!

Tash xx

09/02/2026

So many people are told “your labs look fine” once they’re on T4 medication — yet they can still feel flat, foggy, tired, puffy or stuck with weight that won’t shift.

Here’s the part that often gets missed:

T4 is only a pro-hormone. Your body still has to convert it into active T3 for it to actually work.

And that conversion depends on things like:
-Nutrient status
-Liver and gut function
-Stress and cortisol levels
-Muscle mass
-Inflammation
-Blood sugar balance

If those pieces aren’t supported, you can be “on medication” and still feel unwell.

Medication can be essential — but it’s rarely the whole picture.

If you’re still symptomatic, that doesn’t mean you’re failing treatment.

It usually means your body needs more support around it.

A little bit of work and digging around why your body is presenting with certain conditions and giving it the support it needs, can go a long way for better health.

Get in touch - Joondalupnaturopath.com.au

Tash xx

31/01/2026

Mental health shifts in menopause are common, biological, and often deeply unsettling — especially when they seem to come out of nowhere.

One day you feel like yourself, and the next you’re more anxious, flat, overwhelmed or unmotivated than you’ve ever been. Not because your life suddenly fell apart, but because your brain chemistry, stress response and blood sugar regulation are all being quietly reshaped by hormonal change.

What’s really happening? 🔍

As oestrogen declines, the brain has less support for key mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA.
At the same time, blood sugar becomes more prone to swings that can drive irritability, anxiety and fatigue, while the nervous system often becomes more reactive to stress and poor sleep.

The result can feel like you’ve “lost your resilience” — when in reality, your physiology is asking for a different kind of support.

If your mental health feels different in menopause, you’re not failing. It’s a sign your body is in transition — and with the right foundations, things can feel steadier again.

Every woman’s journey is different, that’s why it can feel confusing.

Get in touch to start getting the right support you need

Tash xx

29/01/2026

You don’t need another New Year reset.
You need something different.

Every January, I notice a familiar feeling in so many people — a mix of tiredness, frustration, and that quiet sense of “why can’t I get this to stick?” even when they’ve been trying really hard.

If that feels familiar, please know this: the problem isn’t you.

Most resets aren’t built for real life. They’re not designed for busy adults juggling work, family, stress, changing hormones, low energy or ongoing health concerns.

They ask for more when your body is already running on empty.

Real change comes from small, supportive habits that work with your body, not against it.

If you’re feeling flat, foggy or heavy right now, start here this week:
Eat protein first at breakfast, before coffee. Even a small amount can help stabilise energy, focus and cravings later in the day.

This year doesn’t need to be extreme.

It just needs to be sustainable.

Small changes, big benefits.

Tash xx

23/01/2026

Testosterone doesn’t just suddenly disappear — it starts a gradual decline from around the early 30s, and for many men the first signs are subtle.

Lower energy, slower recovery, reduced motivation, increased abdominal weight, poor sleep or brain fog are often brushed off as stress or ageing — but hormones play a major role and are highly influenced by sleep, nutrition, stress and overall metabolic health.

The good news?

Small, consistent changes can make a real difference long before anything becomes “abnormal” on blood tests.

At Belridge Chiropractic, naturopathic consultations support men’s hormone, energy and metabolic health by looking at the whole system — not just symptoms.

Looking for optimal levels in blood testing is key, and treating the body as a whole is essential.

If your energy, strength or recovery isn’t what it used to be, functional testing and a personalised review of your health history can show why — and what to do about it.

See Natasha
Joondalupnaturopath.com.au

11/01/2026

This months Blog to help guide you to reset after Chrissy.

December through January can feel magical, but it can also be the month where your nervous system starts to quietly wave a white flag. Between late nights,

07/01/2026

You don’t need a perfect plan.

You need small, buildable steps — done consistently.

Most women I work with think progress comes from doing everything:
perfect meals, perfect workouts, perfect routines.

But real change happens when we’re being consistent with the smaller things:

• drink water before coffee
• eat protein at breakfast
• take a 10-minute walk
• go to bed 30 minutes earlier
• support your thyroid and nervous system.. not ask more of them.

These small actions may feel insignificant — but done daily, they compound.

Especially when your hormones, thyroid or energy are already under strain,
“all or nothing” thinking keeps you stuck.

Small steps:
✔ reduce overwhelm
✔ calm the nervous system
✔ create momentum
✔ build trust with your body

And momentum is what willlead to results.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to start — this is it.
Choose one small thing today.
Repeat it tomorrow.
Then build.

That’s how sustainable change happens.

Tash xx 💕

10/12/2025

December dan feel magical… but for so many women, it’s the month that can quietly push their body to its limit.

The silly season loads your system with late nights, sugar, emotional stress, disrupted routines and constant “go mode.”
And because your hormones, adrenals and thyroid are highly sensitive to this pressure, December and January become the months where symptoms can start to flare.

Here’s why your body might already be feeling it:
• Your nervous system shifts into overdrive, leaving you wired, anxious or overstimulated
• Your adrenals work overtime, causing fatigue, salt cravings and energy crashes
• Festive foods + stress can slow digestion, showing up as bloating or heaviness
• Your thyroid becomes more reactive, affecting mood, energy, motivation and weight

The good news?
We can help our body through this period by hanging onto some really good habits..

Here are simple ways to support yourself through December:

• Start the day with protein and electrolytes
• Eat regularly to stabilise blood sugar
• Add bitters or ginger before richer meals
• Wind down properly at night (screens off, lights low, calm routine)
• Bring in daily nervous system resets — even five minutes makes a difference
• Swap some alcohol for mineral water and lime
• Move your body gently each day, even 10 minutes

You deserve to move through this season with more calm, energy and clarity — not burnout.

If you’re noticing signs of overwhelm, exhaustion, bloating or mood shifts, this is your reminder to take care of yourself before your body forces you to.

And if you need support, I’m here.

Tash xx