Articles & Information

The pelvic floor is a critical, hammock-like structure of muscles at the base of the pelvis. SA Stats: - About 1/3 women suffers from UI. A study in KwaZulu-Natal found a 35% prevalence of UI among women, with 63% of those cases being stress urinary incontinence. - In a study of 100 women in a primary healthcare setting, 86% had Stage III POP. - Among women with POP, 57% reported overactive bladder (50% constipation, 30% anal incontinence, and 32% incomplete bladder emptying)

Did You Know? Substances all strongly activate the reward centre of your brain and produce feelings of pleasure. Use of these substances can lead to substance use disorders (SUDs) — but not always. SUDs can be mild, moderate or severe. Addiction is the most severe form of a substance abuse disorder. What Is Addiction? Addiction is a chronic condition that can affect many aspects of your life, including your physical and mental health, relationships and career. It involves com

Why does nutrition matter? Food provides your body and mind with what they need to thrive, influencing your vitality, productivity, and quality of life at every stage. It also contributes towards: Disease Prevention Energy & Performance Stronger Immunity Mental Health Growth & Development Weight Management Recovery Statistics - 69%of South African women (aged 15+) are overweight or obese. - 20% of women are severely obese. - Obesity is particularly high among black African wo

Female runners are a growing demographic, showing strong performance in ultra-distances, better pacing consistency (fewer ‘burnouts’), and a significant presence in recreational running, with stats showing increased female involvement in marathons globally. Benefits - Physical Health Heart Health: Strengthens heart muscles, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Bone Strength: Weight-bearing exercise that helps build and maintain strong b

Mechanisms… When you inhale a scent, the odor molecules travel directly to the limbic system of the brain, which includes the amygdala (emotion center) and hippocampus (memory center), bypassing the usual sensory processing pathways. This direct link explains why smells can trigger immediate and intense emotional responses and vivid autobiographical memories (the “Proust effect”). Olfactory receptors also exist in skin cells and can respond to scents. Did You Know? Scents can

Quantum Energy Coaching (QEC) and Tension/Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) are unique approaches that differ from traditional or mainstream talk therapies. QEC A unique therapeutic method that combines principles from neuroscience, quantum physics, and kinesiology to rewire the subconscious mind. Developed by Dr. Melanie Salmon, it focuses on unearthing and replacing self-limiting beliefs and thought patterns with positive, affirming ones at a subconscious level to help heal

What We Know… Being screen-free is crucial for better mental/physical health, deeper relationships, and cognitive health by reducing anxiety, improving sleep/focus, fostering creativity, and encouraging real-world skills like empathy, problem-solving, and physical activity, which screens often hinder. It balances the brain’s dopamine system, combating addiction, and helps develop emotional regulation and stronger bonds through face-to-face interactions. In fact, Dr. Sahib Kha

1. Yoga is a 5, 000 year old tradition, and is classified as a form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). 2. 300 million people practice yoga globally (72% are female). 3. The practice produces a physiological state (an interruption in the stress response); a sense of balance and union between the mind and body is achieved. 4. It has 4 basic principles. 5. The most form of yoga practiced is Hatha yoga. 6. Yoga shifts the balance from the sympathetic nervous system

Breathwork has become so trendy in the last few years, especially after COVID, but there’s so much more to it. Breathing acts as a bridge between the conscious mind and involuntary bodily functions. By deliberately changing breathing patterns, we can modulate our nervous system and influence brain function. Physiological Effects… * Autonomic Nervous System Regulation:Conscious breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system), counteracting

Supplements can be extremely overwhelming. Looking at the packed shelves of numerous brand, all promising everything from longevity, to glowing skin and perfect heart health can really make decision-making impossible. All Ages… Multivitamin: A quality women’s multivitamin can help fill dietary gaps. Vitamin D & Calcium: Essential for building strong bones, especially in your 20s, and maintaining them as you age. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. B Vitamins: Such as B1

Research in South Africa consistently indicates that women experience a higher prevalence of visual impairment (VI) and blindness than men. Globally, women make up two out of every three people with vision issues. Stats: - One 2024 study in Limpopo found that 56.1% of participants were women and the overall prevalence of VI was 61.5%. - A November 2024 study in the Eastern Cape observed that 76.4% of participants were female, and of those, 44.58% were affected by VI and blind

Hiking offers a wide range of medical and holistic benefits for women, including improved physical health, enhanced mental and emotional well-being, and hormonal balance support. Benefits: Cardiovascular health Bone density (crucial as we age and estrogen levels decline) Muscle strength and balance Weight Management and Diabetes control Improved sleep Enhanced immune function Arthritis management Stress and anxiety reduction Mood enhancement Increased self-esteem and confiden

While the term ‘ovarian failure’ and all the symptoms that are linked to menopause, are enough to frighten anyone, maybe it’s time to reframe this transformational period in our lives. Did You Know? - In South Africa, menopause occurs around 48 years, compared to the general global average of 51 years. - Most women (up to 80-90% globally) experience some symptoms, and in South Africa, common reported symptoms include hot flushes, bone and joint pain, forgetfulness, irritabili

Herbal remedies are sometimes called ancient medicine, which makes sense as historically, people turned to nature first. Most are taken in the form of teas, infusions, topical poultices or steam inhalations. Roots, bark & bulbs are the most used parts. Did you know? * 90% of people in Africa & 70% in India, use traditional medicine for primary health care. * 38% in the USA, 48% in Australia & 49% in France, regularly use it as a complementary medicine. * Used for: coughs - 34

Proper Oral Hygiene Habits: Brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, using a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste. Holding the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line and gently use short strokes to clean the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Flossing to remove plaque and food particles from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Gently brushing or using a tongue scraper to clean your tongue, as bacteria can build up there, leading to bad breath. Changing y

Plant-based diets have shown beneficial effects on cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and body weight because of high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and photochemicals. Additional Benefits Include Lowered Risks Of: - Heart disease - Type 2 diabetes - Cancers like colorectal & prostrate - Inflammation This is dependent on the diet’s quality and lack of highly processed foods. The importance of a “healthy” plant-based diet is better than unhealthy, processed vers

Every day, we consume around 2.25 billion cups of coffee globally! Coffee contains a number of nutrients, including riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), magnesium, potassium, and various phenolic compounds, or antioxidants. It also contains 1,5 grams (per cup) of soluble dietary fibre. Benefits include protection against: *Type 2 diabetes *Parkinson’s disease *Liver disease *Liver cancer *Cardiovascular problems (like a stroke) *Cognitive decline due to ageing “Women

Most women visit IV bars to cure hangovers, dehydration (flu or food poisoning), jet lag or to boost skin and hair. These bars offer a ‘special blend of vitamins and electrolytes’ - different options according to your needs. A few years ago, you would have needed a medical reason and a doctor to give the go ahead and here’s why: *Overdosing is possible. *Not all vitamins are safe for IV administration. *Lack of medical evidence that it benefits your health, especially if you

We all know that the minute you start sipping on your Aperol, your wearable starts sharing health alarms - especially cardiovascular alerts. It’s also a huge neurotoxin to the white matter in your brain. Now, new research shows that even one or two drinks a week does damage to your entire system. This post is going to focus on the liver specifically.* The British Liver Trust recently revealed that liver disease is the biggest cause of death among 35 to 49-year olds in the UK.

Yip, we’re entering the sunscreen debate and here’s what we’ve found: Sunscreen does not cause Skin Cancer (SC). There’s currently no scientific data, evidence or study to support that it does. But the sun does cause most SC’s and there’s plenty of data to support this: UV exposure causes DNA damage in skin cells, which causes mutations that lead to SC. Getting sunburned at a young age increases your risk and is strongly associated with melanoma. Tanning is also a form of sun