Dr Etti Barsky

Dr Etti Barsky A doctor with time for YOU
GP & Sports Physician
With interests in exercise medicine, family practice, women's health and functional medicine.

11/11/2025

Struggling with constipation?

When diet + lifestyle aren’t enough, a few options can help get things moving 👇
✨ Stimulants:
Help the gut contract and move. Great short-term fix. BUT watch for cramps + diarrhoea.
🌾 Fibre Supplements
Adds bulk, softens stool, and supports regularity. There are different types of fibre 👇
- Soluble: forms a gel, softens 💧
- Insoluble: adds bulk 🌿
- Fermentable: feeds good gut bacteria 🍎
BUT May cause bloating or gas.

💧 Tip: Stay well-hydrated — fibre won’t work without water!

27/10/2025

💡 Exercise & Your Menstrual Cycle: What Research Says👇

Studies on how your cycle affects performance are still mixed — no clear consensus yet.
🔹 Follicular Phase (Days 1–14)
• Rising estrogen may boost recovery 💪 and endurance.
• Some women notice better strength or stamina, but not all.
🔹 Ovulation (≈Day 14)
• Estrogen peaks 🌸 + slight testosterone surge.
• Research is unclear on effects — maybe more power ⚡ or higher injury risk 🤕.
🔹 Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)
• Higher progesterone = higher core temp 🌡️ + more fatigue 😴 for some.
• Reactions vary widely between individuals.
🔹 Key Point:
No need for strict training changes by cycle phase — track your own symptoms and performance 🩸📈.

❤️ Eat Smart for Your Heart: The Mediterranean Diet ❤️Research shows that the Mediterranean diet lowers cardiovascular r...
01/10/2025

❤️ Eat Smart for Your Heart: The Mediterranean Diet ❤️

Research shows that the Mediterranean diet lowers cardiovascular risk and is one of the best approaches for primary prevention of heart disease – in both men and women.
So, what does it look like?
🥦 Plenty of unprocessed plant foods – vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, and wholegrains
🐟 Moderate amounts of fish & shellfish
🥩 Low in red/processed meat, dairy, animal fats & discretionary foods
🍷 Low-to-moderate wine consumption
🫒 Extra virgin olive oil as the main fat source – thanks to its heart-healthy fats

Small, consistent choices in how we eat can have a big impact on heart health over time.

12/09/2025

September is Cervical Cancer awareness month 🌸

Did you know 🌺?
• Over 90% of cervical cancers are linked to persistent HPV infection
• Regular Pap smears and HPV tests can detect changes early, often before cancer develops
• HPV vaccination is highly effective at preventing infection by the most common cancer-causing strains
Cervical cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable — when caught early.

This month, let’s spread awareness, encourage screening, and protect future generations 😍👍

29/08/2025

Spring is just about here and with that so is the pollen 🌸🐝

If you or anyone in your family struggles with allergies as the seasons change, here’s what you need to keep at home: 🌺

😵A saline nose spray – to flush out the pollen so that it doesn’t stay in your airways for longer than it needs to be…use when coming off the field if you or your kids play an outdoor sport; and just before bed
🥴A steroid nose spray for when your nose starts running or blocking and the post nasal drip start dripping
🤧An anti-histamine for the sneezing or itchy and watery eyes
🤢A mucolytic for when the mucus starts getting thicker– these can be fizzies, syrups or tablets and their job is to thin the mucous that is being produced.

If you want more info….you know where to find me 🙏😁

Today is World Hepititis Day so this is post is a reminder to love your liver‼️ Eat well –  here are some liver friendly...
28/07/2025

Today is World Hepititis Day so this is post is a reminder to love your liver‼️

Eat well – here are some liver friendly foods
• Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, arugula) contain chlorophyll and antioxidants that help neutralize heavy metals and support liver detoxification enzymes 🥬
• Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) boost Phase II liver detox enzymes due to compounds like sulforaphane and help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation 🥦.
• Fatty Fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce liver fat accumulation and inflammation 🐠
• Avocados provide healthy monounsaturated fats and compounds that support liver health and reduce fat buildup 🥑.
• Garlic activates liver enzymes that help flush out toxins and has anti-inflammatory properties 🧄.
• Green Tea contains catechins, antioxidants linked to improved liver function and reducing fat accumulation 🍵.
• Coffee (in moderation) is strongly associated with protective effects against fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, with 3–4 cups daily showing maximal protection in studies ☕️
• Whole Grains (oats, brown rice, quinoa) improve insulin sensitivity and may reduce liver fat, particularly due to fiber like beta-glucans in oats 🍚
• Foods to limit or avoid such as excess added sugar, refined carbs, excessive alcohol, and highly processed foods are well-recognized contributors to liver fat accumulation and liver damage 🍷🍰🍩🍝.

Address

1 Woodyatt Avenue, Highlands North
Johannesburg
2192

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