VDA Nutrition

Home
South Africa
Cape Town
VDA Nutrition

Inspiring people on how to eat and live for optimum health + well-being. Qualified Nutrition expert, author and speaker. www.vdanutrition.com

Come play here, have fun, inspire and live consciously. Masters of Science in Nutrition - Expert in alternative and nutritional therapies, health and wellness speaker, author, founder of the Eco diet and VDA nutriiton, consultant to international organizations and research and development expertise in the health industry. Expert in supplement and alternative medicine. My passion is to share my experiences, my knowledge and philosophy on nutrition, life, what inspires and uplifts me!

23/12/2025

As we approach the end of the year, let us take a moment to contemplate the profound truth that we are the ARCHITECTS of our EXISTENCE.

Every thought we entertain and every belief we embrace intricately weaves the tapestry of our reality. 🤍

It is so important to recognize the significant impact of our inner conversations; the words we speak to ourselves and our thoughts carry weight, affecting both our mental state and our physical health.

I love the remarkable finds of Dr. Masaru Emoto who demonstrated that the way we communicate with water can alter its crystalline structure. When water was spoken to kindly, it froze into exquisite harmonious formations, while harsh words led to distorted and chaotic patterns.

It serves as a strong reminder that our cells are always in sync with our emotional state and are impacted by the vibrations we generate, and it highlights the transformative power of self-awareness and intentional living. It encourages us to align our current selves with the vision we hold for our future:

Who is the person you want to be?
How does she think, talk, move, and carry herself?
How does she dress?
What makes her magnetic?
What does she enjoy doing/being?

By tuning into this version of your future self, you can activate so much change.

Try it. It resonates so much with me, creating the beautiful tapestry of my every day, especially when I feel stuck or down.

It is worth a try.

Much love,
Vanessa

18/12/2025

Feel like you are losing sight of yourself?

You’re tired after a full night of sleep
Your digestion feels off no matter what you eat
Your mood swings are untamable
Your libido, it packed up and left without saying goodbye
You are itchy in weird places

Etc

There isn’t anything wrong with you. You are not broken; there is nothing to fix but a crucial time to truly fine-tune every part of your life.

We are in this together.

Visit my latest blog.

www.vdanutrition.com/perimenopause-unspoken-symptoms

16/12/2025

As women, we often chase after the latest supplements, trendy protocols, or exotic treatments promising youthful vitality.

While innovation has its place, longevity isn’t just about biology—it’s deeply social and emotional.

Socio-emotional support regulates cortisol, enhances immune function, and boosts heart rate variability (HRV), all essential for healthy ageing.

I encourage you to nurture your relationships during this time and going forward:

🤍 Spend quality time with loved ones
🤍 Engage in community activities
🤍 Practice gratitude and mindfulness

Then build mental health practices into your daily routine, and make it a habit. Your stress levels will help it too:

🤍 Meditation or breathwork
🤍 Journaling or therapy for emotional processing

A resilient mind and social support system amplify the benefits of physical health practices.

Much love,
Vanessa

11/12/2025

Simply put, Glutathione is the master antioxidant and key to longevity and ageing.

Naturally produced in our bodies, it is a powerful anti-ageing or rather pro-ageing mechanism that neutralises oxidative stress before it can accelerate aging—both visible and invisible.

As we age, from our 20s onwards, levels drop, plus the modern world strips us of any reserves through the exposure to environmental toxins, pollutants, and daily stress.

In my journey towards optimal health, glutathione is the one supplement I never miss.

These are glutathione's anti-ageing and longevity benefits:

● Slows damage to your DNA and cellular structures, reducing the signs of ageing at the microscopic level
● Boosts mitochondrial function, which is crucial for energy production and cellular vitality, extending lifespan
● As it assists the liver in removing toxins and heavy metals, glutathione keeps our body’s cellular environment cleaner and healthier
● Supports immune resilience, helping the body fight off illness as we age
● Reduces excess oxidative stress which accelerates ageing, skin breakdown, wrinkles, and cognitive decline
● Promotes a more youthful appearance, and helps maintain collagen, elasticity, and a vibrant complexion

My Personal Approach: I incorporate glutathione into my daily routine because I believe that supporting my body's natural defenses is key to ageing gracefully and living a long, vibrant life. It’s a simple way to nurture cellular health, enhance resilience, and maintain vitality at any age.

09/12/2025

Poor sleep is not only a bother but also a significant threat to your health.

Neglecting the importance of sleep affects every facet of your daily life:

💤 Your ability to learn and absorb information
💤 Your clarity of thought
💤 Your immune system
💤 Your ageing process

Additionally, consider its effects on your mood, weight, and even your libido.

Inadequate sleep is detrimental to your body, and cultivating this habit raises your risk for serious health issues we all want to avoid, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, heart attack or failure, stroke, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and obesity.

In summary, sleep should not be taken lightly—it’s a matter of great importance, and the right time to improve your sleep habits is now.

⁣

04/12/2025

REAL MAGIC happens when you focus on slow dopamine.

Dopamine is powerful. It’s the brain’s way of rewarding us for behaviours that it deems beneficial but some are richly rewarding, others are cheap

Quick hits of dopamine, aka cheap, from things like alcohol, high-sugar foods, ni****ne, scrolling, online shopping, etc., can feel great in the moment, but it isn't lasting.

I see it with my clients all the time; they know what to do, but it seems the quick 'fix' of pleasure and reward keeps them from achieving their goals.

🤍

We all desire a break from our routines and those parts of life that upset us.

What if, instead of trying to escape these things, we lean toward them to challenge them and then reach a sense of harmony and acceptance?

Have you ever felt a rush of motivation and pleasure when achieving a goal that was difficult to attain?

That's the magic of dopamine at work, the brain's motivation molecule, and real magic happens when we focus on slow dopamine.

Activities like exercising, pursuing goals, cooking, walking in nature, real human connection, learning a new skill, and focused work may not provide an immediate rush, but they create deeper, long-term joy and purpose.

Mastering the dopamine game is about taking control of your brain's chemistry to fuel motivation and achieve your goals.

By avoiding cheap dopamine sources, embracing discomfort, and making conscious choices, you can transform and fulfill your journey of growth and achievement.

Think about creating barriers to prevent easy access, e.g., close the kitchen at 7pm, no phones while eating, cook all your food from scratch for a month, and walk for 10 min after each meal.

The key is to build new habits and rewire your brain.

Start today; make it a conscious choice, and you will reap the benefits.

27/11/2025

I look forward to my next Instagram Live guest, Richard Sutton of

He is an author, keynote speaker, performance strategist, and professional adviser in resilience and reaching full potential, as well as CEO of Sutton Health.⁠

⁠Richard works with CEOs, leadership teams, and companies around the world in driving effective stress management, resilience promotion, and performance realisation. ⁠
⁠
With more than 20 years of experience in the world of professional sport, Richard has worked with top-ranked tennis players, winning Olympic teams, and countless athletes, making him an industry leader in advising on performance, resilience, and adaptability.⁠

⁠Richard is the author of a number of incredible books, but in this discussion we will talk about his latest book—Shift Happens.

'Stress, burnout, and self-doubt aren’t signs of weakness. They’re signals. And if you know how to respond, they can become your greatest advantage.'

This is the essence of Richard's book, with 12 tools that work alongside 12 inspiring stories of high achievers who use them.

They are methods trusted by Olympic athletes, business leaders, and cultural icons such as Lady Gaga, Novak Djokovic, and Billie Eilish, and ways to:

Halve the stress
Unlock creativity
Calm the system
Perform at one's best

I look forward to hearing more.

DATE: Tuesday, 2 December 📅⁠
TIME: 11am (SAST)⁠

Hope you can join us on Instagram.

www.instagram.com/vda.nutrition⁠⁠

25/11/2025

TRUE LONGEVITY isn’t about chasing every new supplement or trend. It’s about establishing a solid foundation—adequate sleep, regular movement, nourishing nutrition, and meaningful connections—that supports your body’s natural capacity to thrive across decades.

I believe in empowering women with personalised strategies rooted in science and lived experience. Your body is an incredible biological system capable of extraordinary resilience when given the right tools and habits.

Read my latest blog—Female Longevity. The Ultimate Protocol—for my comprehensive guide to embracing longevity, one foundational step at a time.

https://vdanutrition.com/female-longevity-the-ultimate-protocol/

Much love,

Vanessa 🤍

20/11/2025

Sleep issues, mood swings, fatigue, low energy, irregular cycles—and more—could be signs that your hormones are out of balance.

There is a LOT you can do naturally to support hormone balance.

Visit the link in my bio for my blog on KEEPING YOUR HORMONES IN HARMONY, NATURALLY, for information, but in short, these are my top herbs and supplements for hormone support, with why.

● Vitex (Chasteberry)
Helps balance oestrogen and progesterone. Many women find they have more regular cycles, reduced PMS, and enhanced mood stability over time.

● Ashwagandha
Promotes balanced cortisol levels and thyroid health, helping you feel calmer, more focused, and more resilient.

● Sulforaphane
Supports detoxification and reduces inflammation, contributing to hormone balance and overall health.

● Saffron
Known for enhancing mood and relieving symptoms of PMS, it also aids in balancing hormones.

● Magnesium
A crucial mineral that helps regulate hormones, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support overall hormonal health. Magnesium can be particularly beneficial for hormonal balance since it supports sleep, reduces stress, and helps regulate various bodily functions.

Be sure to discuss supplement dosages and combinations with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

18/11/2025

Menopause doesn't just alter hormones; it changes where fat is stored in the body.

Hormonal changes shift fat storage to the waistline; it's not just about appearances, it can be a red flag for deeper health risks.

Abdominal obesity (waist circumference > 35 inches or 88 cm for women and > 40 inches or 102 cm for men) signals dangerous visceral fat that drives insulin resistance (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammation, heart disease, stroke, and cancer).�

In fact, stats show that over 60% of menopausal women experience abdominal obesity!

The good news is that it is reversible. The solution isn't found in a pill or an injection, a strategic combination of optimised nutrition, strength training, stress management, sleep, and targeted supplementation can help women reclaim their vitality and reshape their midlife body.

Swipe for my guide on the most effective lifestyle strategies for peri/menopause weight gain.

Remember: consistency is key. Small, sustainable changes, practiced every day, will move the needle over time and help you thrive well beyond menopause.

11/11/2025

I look forward to my next IG Live guest, Matthew Furlonger, co-founder of .

Matt is a licensed brain health clinician and performance coach. His journey into brain health and resilience began over a decade ago after a near-death experience. That moment sparked his ultimate mission: to understand the brain and human potential at the deepest level.

NeuroVita is a Cape Town-based health practice that focuses on enhancing brain health and function, with the basis that as your brain is your greatest asset, when it works better, everything works better.

Their coaching and support focuses on science-based strategies to optimise brain wellness for sharpened focus, energy, enhanced mood, and unlocking mental edge.

They don’t diagnose or prescribe medication but collaborate with medical professionals, when needed, to ensure the best outcomes for their clients.

I will be experiencing their NeuroVitals Brain Health Assessment and their Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy capsule tomorrow, and so I will be able to share firsthand what one can expect.

DATE: Thursday, 13 November 📅⁠
TIME: 11am (SAST)⁠

If you have any questions, comment below or DM me.

Hope to see you online on Thursday.⁠⁠

06/11/2025

SEEKING help with FERTILITY⁠
⁠
It's no coincidence that infertility has increased alongside diabetes and obesity, and many issues around hormone imbalances are primarily caused by pre-diabetes.⁠
⁠
A diet heavy in sugar and refined carbohydrates increases insulin levels, which can trigger hormonal imbalances in women, leading to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).⁠
⁠
Studies show PCOS affects 8-12% of women, similar to the number of couples who suffer infertility.⁠
⁠
PCOS symptoms include:⁠
⁠
➜ irregular or heavy periods⁠
➜ acne⁠
➜ facial hair⁠
➜ scalp hair loss⁠
➜ increased belly fat⁠
➜ increased levels of testosterone.⁠
⁠
Research carried out by Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard on infertility caused by pre-diabetes found that infertility might be treated effectively through diet, lifestyle and supplements to help reverse pre-diabetes and balance your hormones, therefore improving fertility.⁠
⁠
Consider implementing these to reduce PCOS symptoms and reset your hormones:⁠
⁠
● Zero Sugar, including sweeteners, refined grains and all flours⁠
● Remove dairy and all commercially raised animal products. ⁠
● Only grass-fed, organic animal products⁠
● Remove endocrine disruptors, plastics, cosmetics, household cleaning products and choose natural alternatives⁠
● Control insulin spikes in a day⁠
● Inositol, omega 3, berberine and ashwagandha - my choice of supplementation⁠
● Choose foods in their whole state and eat enough fibre for optimal daily elimination⁠
● Lose weight⁠
⁠
Then explore taking these targeted supplements:⁠
⁠
✔ inositol⁠
✔ ashwagandha⁠
✔ berberine⁠
✔ magnesium⁠
✔ omega 3⁠
✔ coenzyme q10⁠
✔ vitamin D3⁠
✔ curcumin⁠
⁠
Have you experienced PCOS? How have you dealt with it? I would love to hear your story.⁠⁠⁠

Address

Cape Town
8005

Website

http://www.vdanutrition.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VDA Nutrition posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to VDA Nutrition:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Cape Town?

Our Story

Masters of Science in Nutrition - Expert in alternative and nutritional therapies, health and wellness speaker, author, founder of the Eco diet and VDA nutriiton, consultant to international organizations and research and development expertise in the health industry. Expert in supplement and alternative medicine. Functional Medicine practitioner and B-School Graduate My passion is to share my experiences, my knowledge and philosophy on nutrition, life, what inspires and uplifts me!