Doctor Verena

22/06/2026

Our mid-year break is fast approaching, so please make sure to stock up on all your supplements ahead of time.

👉🏼 If you need another prescription, please email [email protected] including the brand name and specific supplement you require, so we can ensure you have everything you need while we’re away.

We look forward to coming back feeling refreshed and ready to support you again from the 13th of July onwards.

Verena & Prue 🧡

22/06/2026

One of the simplest ways to support your health through winter? More nourishing meals ✔️

I often make a big batch of bone broth in the slow cooker to use throughout the week. It's one of my favourite ways to add extra minerals, collagen, gelatin and amino acids to family meals, especially during the cooler months when our bodies naturally benefit from more warming, nutrient-dense foods.

👉🏼 This recipe combines fragrant Asian flavours, nourishing broth, quality protein and plenty of greens for a simple lunch or dinner that feels both comforting and energising.

The chicken bites also make great leftovers for salads, lunchboxes or quick meals the next day.

Love healthy recipes like this? You'll find plenty more in Doctor Verena's Kitchen. Link in bio to shop.

Save this post and drop a comment below if you want to give it a try 🧡

15/06/2026

'PCOS' has officially been renamed 'PMOS' and it's far more than just a name change.

For years, the term Polycystic O***y Syndrome has been misleading. Many women diagnosed with PCOS don't actually have ovarian cysts and the name itself fails to capture the condition's true complexity.

The new name, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), recognises what the science has been telling us all along:

👉🏼 This is not just an ovarian condition
💥 It is a whole-body condition

PMOS can affect:
• Blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity
• Hormonal balance
• Weight and metabolism
• Inflammation
• Fertility and ovulation
• Skin and hair health
• Mood, anxiety and mental wellbeing
• Long-term cardiovascular health

As clinicians, many of us have known this for years. The new name finally reflects the broader endocrine and metabolic drivers behind the symptoms that so many women experience daily 🙌

Words matter. A more accurate name leads to better understanding, improved diagnosis, reduced stigma and more comprehensive care.

This is an important step forward for the millions of women living with PMOS worldwide.

Did you know that not all women with "PCOS" have ovarian cysts? Let's talk about this in the comments, I'd love to hear your thoughts 🧡

10/06/2026

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed & exhausted? 💨

In my latest conversation with Jane Applegath - Podcaster on the Epic Vision Zone podcast, we unpack why many women find themselves running on empty despite doing all the "right" things.

LEARN HOW TO REWIRE YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM https://www.instagram.com...

08/06/2026

Yoghurt can be one of the easiest ways to increase protein and support your gut microbiome, but protein content, cultures and quality vary significantly.

Not all yoghurts are created equal. Some are packed with protein and live cultures, while others are packed with fillers, gums and added sugars.

Traditional Greek-style yoghurts are generally the best option for satiety, blood sugar balance and overall nourishment. Coconut yoghurts can still provide probiotic support and can be a great dairy-free alternative, but it's important to note that they are not meaningful protein sources.

What's your favourite yoghurt? Let me know in the comments 🧡

31/05/2026

I swapped my morning coffee for broth in perimenopause and it changed everything ✨

This phase isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about regulating smarter.

When you wake up, your cortisol is naturally rising.
Adding caffeine on an empty stomach is like pouring fuel onto the fire.

This can lead to:

• Anxiety + jitteriness
• Blood sugar crashes
• Increased belly fat storage
• Nervous system overload

Instead, I choose broth first.

Why? Because it gives my body what it actually needs:

• Electrolytes + minerals → for hydration + adrenal support
• Glycine + collagen → to calm the nervous system + support the gut
• Stable energy → no spikes, no crashes
• Digestive priming → setting up the metabolism for the day

This is the shift from stimulation → to nourishment and from wired → to regulated ☑️

And here’s the key. I’m not anti-coffee. I just don’t use it as my first line of energy anymore.

Broth first. Coffee later (after food) 🙌

That’s how you support your hormones, your metabolism and your nervous system in perimenopause.

What do you drink first thing in the morning? 🧡

31/05/2026

Gut healing starts with what’s in your trolley 🛒

This Gut Healing Shopping List is a simple guide to help you focus on the foods that actually support repair, diversity and inflammation balance.

It covers:

🥩 Quality protein: For gut lining support and blood sugar stability
🌱 Wide variety of plant fibres: To build a resilient microbiome
🦠 Targeted prebiotic and fermented foods: To nourish beneficial bacteria
🧈 Anti-inflammatory fats: To support cells and hormones
+ a few gentle extras to soothe digestion

Introduce new foods slowly if you’re sensitive and aim for wide variety across the entire week.

Save this for your next grocery shop 🧡

30/05/2026

You don’t have a weight gain problem… you have a muscle problem.

And it starts earlier than you think.

From around age 30, you begin losing muscle.
By 35+, it accelerates.
And during perimenopause? It speeds up dramatically.

This is why midlife can feel like your body is suddenly “not working.”

Because muscle is your most powerful metabolic organ.

Lose muscle → everything shifts:

• Blood sugar becomes unstable
• Fat gain increases (especially around the middle)
• Energy drops
• Brain fog creeps in
• Hormones feel “out of control”

Why?

Because muscle is where your body:
→ burns glucose
→ regulates insulin
→ produces energy (mitochondria)
→ releases anti-inflammatory + brain-supporting compounds (myokines)

No muscle = no metabolic control.

So if you’re not intentionally building it…
you are losing it.

Your midlife non-negotiables:
→ Strength train (this is medicine now)
→ Eat enough protein (aim ~30g per meal)
→ Prioritise recovery (this is when muscle is built)

This isn’t about getting “toned.”
It’s about protecting your metabolism, brain, and long-term health.

Muscle is your insurance policy for ageing well.

25/05/2026

Your hair is one of the first places your body will down-regulate when something is off.

If you want regrowth, you have to look deeper..

🥗 Nutritional Deficiencies / Imbalances e.g low iron / poor ferritin / iron dysregulation, vitamin D deficiency, zinc deficiency etc

🚺 Hormonal Drivers e.g thyroid dysfunction, poor thyroid conversion, elevated DHT / androgen excess etc

🧬 Metabolic + Cellular Dysfunction e.g blood sugar / insulin dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction / low cellular energy etc

🦠 Digestive + Absorption Issues e.g poor digestion / low stomach acid, gut dysbiosis / malabsorption etc

⚡️ Stress + Nervous System e.g chronic stress, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, overtraining / under-recovery / excessive physiological stress etc

🔥 Inflammatory + Immunity e.g chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions etc

🌱 Detox + Liver + Environmental e.g liver dysfunction / impaired detoxification pathways, environmental toxin / mould / heavy metal exposure etc

💆🏼‍♀️ Local + Scalp Factors e.g poor scalp circulation / scalp tension, scalp inflammation / dermatitis etc

💊 Medication Related e.g medication / contraceptive side effects

Hair loss is a symptom, not the root cause. True regrowth begins when you understand what your body is trying to tell you.

Experiencing hair loss? Book in for a consultation to address it at the root cause.

Link in bio 🧡

25/05/2026

Most takeaway café matcha is…

💥 TOO HOT
Often made with near-boiling water or overheated milk, which strips away both nutrients and flavour. This results in:

• Destroyed catechins (EGCG)
• Reduced antioxidants
• Bitter, harsh taste
• Lost L-theanine calm-focus effect

🌱 LOW GRADE
Good matcha should be vibrant, creamy, slightly sweet and umami.

• Dull green = oxidised.
• Culinary-grade = bitter.
• Old stock = flat.

If it needs syrup? It’s not good matcha.

🥛 SEED OIL MILKS
“Barista” oat/almond/soy often contain:
• Canola oil
• Sunflower oil
• Gums
• Added sugars

🥤 PLASTIC EXPOSURE
Daily exposure adds up.
Hot liquid + plastic-lined cup + plastic lid = chemical leaching.

🍵 Alternatively, when you make matcha at home:

✔️ You control the temperature (should be 70–80°C)
✔️ You choose ceremonial-grade
✔️ You skip seed oils
✔️ You avoid hidden sugars
✔️ You use glass or ceramic
✔️ You turn it into a calming ritual

Matcha isn’t just a drink, it actually sends signals to your metabolism.

The way you make it matters: rushed and overheated or slow and intentional? 🧡