Defining Health

03/09/2026

Great study

25/08/2026

Eating less and moving more will not help you lose weight!

22/08/2026

18/08/2026

😴 Think sleep is just about feeling rested? Your brain may have much more at stake.

We know poor sleep can affect our mood, energy, appetite and concentration — but new research suggests it may also affect the physical structure of the brain.

A fascinating 2026 study has uncovered a connection between sleep loss, cholesterol metabolism and myelin — the protective coating that helps messages travel quickly and efficiently through the brain.

It’s another important reminder that sleep isn’t wasted time. It’s essential maintenance time for your brain and body. 🧠

I’ve broken down the research, what it means for your brain health, and why prioritising quality sleep really does matter.

👉 Read the full article to learn more.

We often think of sleep as simply giving our body and brain a chance to rest. But sleep isn't a passive state.

27/07/2026

How to turn cleaning in to a weight bearing workout

27/07/2026

Menopause can change your brain, but too often, women are told it is “just stress”.

Every week, I speak with women in their 40s and 50s who tell me:
“I can’t find the right words.”
“I walk into a room and forget why I’m there.”
“I’m struggling to concentrate.”
“I feel like I’m losing my mind, but my doctor says I’m just stressed.”

If this sounds familiar, please know that you are not imagining it, and it may not be “just stress”.

Research following women through the menopause transition has identified measurable changes in the brain, including how different areas communicate and how the brain uses energy.

Estrogen plays an important role in brain function and energy production. As levels fluctuate and decline during perimenopause and menopause, you may experience:
→ Difficulty finding words
→ Slower thinking and processing
→ Memory lapses
→ Reduced concentration
→ Brain fog

These symptoms can be incredibly unsettling, particularly when you are at the peak of your career, managing a family, caring for others and trying to keep up with everything life demands.

What frustrates me is that menopause affects approximately half the population, yet many women are never told that cognitive changes can be part of the transition.

Instead, you may be told that you are stressed or anxious and sent home wondering whether something is seriously wrong.

Here is the reassuring part: for most women, menopause-related brain fog is a transition—not a decline.

Research suggests that the brain can adapt and stabilise following the menopause transition. For the vast majority of women, brain fog does not mean you are developing early dementia.

But that does not mean you should simply accept these symptoms or struggle through them alone.

Supporting your brain health includes prioritising sleep, good nutrition, regular movement, healthy blood pressure, hearing, stress management and social connection. Because menopause can significantly disrupt sleep, identifying and treating the cause of poor sleep is particularly important.

You also deserve an open and informed conversation with a menopause-informed doctor about all available treatment options, including whether menopausal hormone therapy may be appropriate for you. Every woman deserves accurate information so she can make an informed choice about her own health.

If your cognitive changes are steadily worsening, progressing over several months or being noticed by the people around you, please seek further medical assessment. New or concerning symptoms should never automatically be attributed to menopause.

You know your body. You know when something has changed.
Women deserve better than being told that their brain is imagining what their brain is experiencing.

16/07/2026

⚖️ The scales don't tell the whole story... and they may be lying to you.

Have you ever stepped on the scales and thought...

🤔 "How am I still the same weight?"
😩 "I've been eating well and exercising... so why have I gained weight?"

Here's the truth: your weight is only one small piece of the puzzle.

You could be:
✔️ Building muscle while losing body fat
✔️ Carrying excess visceral fat around your organs
✔️ Losing muscle mass as you age
✔️ Dehydrated or retaining fluid

The scales can't tell you any of that.

A Body Composition Scan gives you a much clearer picture of your health by measuring body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat, hydration, metabolic age and more. Providing valuable insights to help you set realistic, personalised health goals based on what's actually happening inside your body.

📍 Body Composition Scans are now available every Thursday from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Neighbourhood Medical.

Whether you're trying to lose weight, improve your health, build muscle, or simply understand your body better, this is the perfect place to start.

📖 Read my latest blog to discover more about why a body composition scan is one of the best investments you can make in your health. https://www.defininghealth.com.au/blog/rm5s06363tod2bi8de4ott2wuqskky

📅 Book your scan today and start measuring what really matters. https://defining-health.betterclinicsapp.com/booking_wizard/wizard_1/d95701ab6a7c7e411ca7b473e567a2f2276b834437ab00b2dad33a5bzn5o6kEIaPvT1prMYo773iGKySCi07QUxQRIhwsN90I-

16/07/2026

This graph really highlights something I wish more women knew…

One of the biggest misconceptions about menopause is that it only begins once your periods stop.

The reality is that many symptoms start years earlier during perimenopause. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to brain fog, poor sleep, mood changes, anxiety, hot flushes, and so much more, often long before menopause itself. These symptoms don't all appear at the same time, and they don't all disappear once you've reached menopause.

In fact, some symptoms become more common after menopause. Genitourinary symptoms such as vaginal dryness, painful s*x, urinary urgency, bladder irritation, and recurrent UTIs often persist or worsen without appropriate treatment, yet they're rarely talked about.

Understanding when symptoms are most likely to occur can help you make sense of what's happening, seek the right support, and know that you don't have to simply "put up with it." There are evidence-based treatments and lifestyle strategies that can make a significant difference to your health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

The more we understand about perimenopause and menopause, the better equipped we are to advocate for ourselves and support other women through this stage of life.

💜 Looking at this graph, which symptom surprised you the most? Or was there something you experienced that isn't talked about nearly enough?

Source: Monteleone P, Mascagni G, Giannini A, Genazzani AR, Simoncini T. Symptoms of menopause—global prevalence, physiology and implications. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2018;14(4):199–215.

22/06/2026

Welcome Renee Bailey to our Neighbourhood Medical Team!

She will be consulting from Neighbourhood Medical in Toowong on Thursdays, starting next week.

Renee Bailey is a Certified Practising Nutritionist, and founder of Defining Health. She has a special interest in women’s health, perimenopause, menopause, and weight management, as well as helping women to improve overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Renee is passionate about empowering people to better understand their health and make sustainable changes through personalised nutrition and lifestyle strategies. She supports patients with a wide range of concerns, including metabolic health, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, sleep issues and mental health challenges such as anxiety, ADHD, and disordered eating.


Renee enjoys working collaboratively with GPs and other health professionals to provide holistic, evidence-based care that supports the whole person, not just their symptoms. She offers individual consultations tailored to each person's unique health needs and goals.

For more information and to book:

http://www.defininghealth.com.au/

17/06/2026

Fantastic day yesterday speaking with the Clinical Nutrition students at Torrens University Brisbane about the important role of AARPN - The Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists in supporting nutrition professionals throughout their careers.

As future practitioners prepare to enter the workforce, understanding the value of professional registration, ongoing professional development, ethical practice, and industry recognition as an allied health professional is essential. AARPN provides Clinical Nutritionists with a professional home, helping to uphold high standards of practice while giving practitioners access to resources, networking opportunities, mentoring, and continuing education.

It was wonderful to connect with such an engaged group of students who are passionate about making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of their future clients. I look forward to seeing the next generation of Clinical Nutritionists grow and thrive within our profession.

Thank you to Torrens University for the opportunity to share more about AARPN and the many benefits of professional registration.