Dr. Jasmina Dedic-Hagan

Home
Australia
Turramurra, NSW
Dr. Jasmina Dedic-Hagan

Functional Medicine Doctor | CMO & Founder, Vitality360 | Helping Women Reclaim Their Energy & Health | PhD Molecular Biology

As Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Vitality360, I help people reclaim their energy, optimise their health, and achieve long-term vitality through evidence backed functional medicine. My approach identifies and addresses the root causes of fatigue, hormonal imbalances, stubborn weight, and metabolic dysfunction, delivering practical, science-based solutions for long-term health. With a background in functional medicine and molecular biology, I bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world application, with a strong focus on women’s health. In my clinical practice, I take a comprehensive approach - integrating nutrition, lifestyle, fitness, and, when necessary, targeted supplementation or medication - to help women feel their best at every stage of life. I am passionate about making complex medical science accessible and actionable. With extensive teaching experience, I specialise in translating the latest research into practical strategies through workshops, content, and expert guidance. At Vitality360, my mission is to empower women to take control of their health, restore their energy, and build long-term resilience.

19/03/2026

Endocrinologists confirm that metabolic rate isn't simply a product of ageing. It's shaped by a complex interplay of insulin dynamics, cortisol patterns, sleep quality, movement habits, and muscle mass - all of which shift dramatically during perimenopause.

1. The insulin piece alone is eye-opening.

When we consistently consume refined carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods, insulin levels stay chronically elevated. Because insulin is fundamentally a fat storage hormone, this creates a self-perpetuating cycle: higher insulin slows metabolic rate, which means less energy burned, which means more fat stored, which drives insulin even higher.

2. Then there's the cortisol connection.

Chronic stress - whether emotional, work-related, or from poor sleep - keeps cortisol elevated, which directly pushes up glucose and insulin. It also drives those 10pm sugar cravings that feel impossible to resist. And when sleep is compromised, cortisol doesn't drop overnight the way it should, meaning you start each day already metabolically behind.

3. Perhaps the most striking research: depriving healthy individuals of quality sleep for just 1-3 nights shifts their energy metabolism dramatically closer to what we see in type 2 diabetes.

That's how powerful sleep is for metabolic function.
The muscle conversation matters enormously too. As estrogen declines through perimenopause, we lose both muscle mass and bone density. Resistance training addresses both - and because muscle is metabolically active tissue, preserving it directly supports your resting metabolic rate.

These aren't inevitable consequences of ageing. They're modifiable factors you can start addressing today.

What's your biggest metabolic challenge right now?

18/03/2026

This is a conversation I have regularly in clinic, and it almost always surprises people. We spend so much time focusing on what we eat, how we move, and which supplements to take, but rarely consider the chemical load we're absorbing through our skin every single day.

Your skin is your largest organ, and it absorbs approximately 60% of what you apply to it, delivering compounds directly into your bloodstream. When those products contain endocrine disruptors like phthalates (hidden under "fragrance"), parabens (preservatives that mimic estrogen), and other xenoestrogens, they interact directly with your hormonal system.

During perimenopause, your body is already navigating significant hormonal recalibration. Estrogen is fluctuating, progesterone is declining, your liver is working to metabolise and clear these shifting hormones efficiently.

When you add a daily chemical burden on top of that; through skincare, haircare, makeup, and personal care products - you're asking an already-taxed system to process even more.

You can make meaningful improvements in hormone-related symptoms simply by reducing their topical chemical exposure.

- Start with the products that stay on your skin longest: moisturiser, sunscreen, and deodorant.
- Look for genuinely fragrance-free formulations.
-Check ingredient lists for anything ending in -paraben.
- Swap gradually as things run out rather than discarding everything at once.

Small, consistent reductions in your environmental chemical load can make a genuine difference to how your body navigates this hormonal transition.

14/03/2026

Something exciting is brewing behind the scenes. 📖 After years of clinical practice and thousands of conversations with women who deserve better answers - I'm putting it all into a book.

I can't share too much just yet. But if you've ever felt dismissed, confused, or alone in your menopause journey - this is being written with you in mind.

More details coming soon.

Watch this space. 🤍

12/03/2026

You're not losing your mind, you're losing estrogen. And nobody’s talking about how it would affect your brain this much.

Estrogen isn't just a reproductive hormone, it directly fuels your brain's energy metabolism, neurotransmitter production, and ability to form new neural connections. When levels fluctuate during perimenopause, your brain literally runs on less fuel.

This can show up as forgetting that's the word on the tip of your tongue, or walking into a room with no idea why, or concentration vanishing seemingly overnight.

Two-thirds of Alzheimer's patients are women, and researchers are now looking at the menopause transition as a critical window for long-term cognitive protection.

This isn't about creating fear, it's about recognising that midlife brain health deserves proper attention, proper testing, and proper support.

Yet most women raising these concerns are met with "that's normal for your age." Nobody checks hormonal status, thyroid function, nutrient levels, inflammation markers, or blood sugar regulation - all of which directly affect how your brain performs.

What you can do right now:
1. prioritise sleep - it's when your brain clears metabolic waste.
2. Move daily - exercise increases BDNF, which supports new neural pathways.
3. Stabilise blood sugar - glucose is your brain's primary fuel.

Tag a woman who needs to hear this today.

11/03/2026

The science explaining why the same supplement works for your friend but does nothing for you.

Sarah Berry, PhD from King's College London, presented compelling evidence that personalised nutrition must account for individual microbiome composition. The standout finding: women whose gut bacteria can convert soy isoflavones to a metabolite called equol experience up to 75% greater reduction in menopause symptoms compared to women lacking those bacterial species (PMID: 23511704 | PMID: 30592686).

Before adding another supplement to the pile, ask yourself: have you ever looked at what's happening in your gut first?

09/03/2026

For over 20 years, millions of women were denied hormone therapy because of a deeply flawed study.

The original WHI study primarily included women over 60, used different formulations from current practice, and applied blanket warnings to products with vastly different risk profiles. The updated evidence for women starting before 60 is compelling - reduced cardiovascular risk, cognitive protection, lower mortality, and meaningful symptom relief.

Functional and integrative practitioners have advocated for personalised hormone therapy for years, menopause societies worldwide have been saying this, the FDA just took two decades to catch up.

If you've avoided this conversation out of fear, now is the time to revisit it with a knowledgeable practitioner. Not every woman needs HRT, but every woman deserves to decide based on current science.

Were you ever discouraged from considering hormone therapy?

https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/fda-removes-menopause-hormone-therapy-black-box-warnings

28/02/2026

Before you reach for another antacid or water pill, check what's already sitting in your kitchen and garden.

I get asked constantly about supplements for bloating, reflux, and fluid retention - but some of the most effective interventions have been in our kitchens all along.

👏🏼Ginger: Has prokinetic effects that are well-documented in clinical literature. It accelerates gastric emptying, addressing the root cause of that heavy, sluggish feeling after meals. Contains higher concentrations of the active compounds gingerols and shogaols compared to dried forms.

👏🏼Fennel: Has antispasmodic properties that come from anethole, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the intestinal wall. This allows trapped gas to move through rather than creating that uncomfortable bloating so common in perimenopause. The traditional practice of chewing fennel seeds after meals has solid biochemical reasoning behind it - and it freshens breath too.

👏🏼Parsley-celery combination: Works through gentle aquaretic mechanisms - promoting fluid excretion while maintaining electrolyte balance. Unlike pharmaceutical diuretics that can deplete potassium and magnesium, these support natural kidney function without the mineral-stripping effects. Women experiencing cyclical fluid retention often find relief with a daily green juice containing both.

👏🏼Demulcent Herbs: For reflux, slippery elm and marshmallow root. These create a physical barrier of mucilage that coats and protects irritated tissue. They're simply giving inflamed tissue a chance to heal while you address underlying causes. Mix a teaspoon of slippery elm powder into water between meals, or find quality lozenges for on-the-go relief.

👏🏼Chamomile: Has gentle anti-inflammatory and smooth muscle relaxing properties. It addresses the heightened gut sensitivity that often accompanies hormonal transitions - that feeling where even "safe" foods seem to trigger discomfort. Peppermint is wonderful for spasms and motility, though I advise caution if reflux is your main issue as it can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Which of these remedies will you try first? I'd love to hear your experiences below!

26/02/2026

PART 2 of Improving Fat Digestion in Midlife 👏🏼 - Because so many of you resonated with my gallbladder-hormone connection post and asked for the deeper functional medicine solutions.

Here's what I actually recommend in clinic:

First, let's talk bitters. These are how humans have supported digestion for millennia.

👉🏽 Globe artichoke has impressive research showing significant increases in bile output (PMID: 12587687, PMID: 26310198).

👉🏽 Dandelion root supports both phases of liver detoxification while stimulating gallbladder contraction (PMID: 33804908).

But herbs can only work if you have the raw materials for digestive secretions. This is where I see so many women fall short:

👉🏽 ZINC deficiency is endemic in perimenopause - and your parietal cells literally cannot produce stomach acid without adequate zinc (PMID: 27957292). Testing serum zinc AND alkaline phosphatase gives a clearer picture than zinc alone.

👉🏽 B VITAMINS power the cellular machinery of acid production. B1, B6, and B12 are particularly critical. Stress, alcohol, and certain medications rapidly deplete these.

👉🏽 For bile specifically, TAURINE and GLYCINE are the amino acids that make bile acids water-soluble and effective (PMID: 708413). Most women don't get enough through diet alone. CHOLINE is a bile component that's chronically under-consumed since we've been told to fear egg yolks for decades (PMID: 6259877).

👉🏽 Betaine HCl can be genuinely transformative for women with confirmed hypochlorhydria - which is far more common than hyperacidity in this age group, despite what antacid marketing suggests (PMID: 32549862, PMID: 23980906).

👉🏽 For those without a gallbladder or with significant bile insufficiency, ox bile supplements provide what your body can no longer produce adequately (PMID: 7054048).

These aren't masking symptoms - they're replacing a missing digestive secretion.

👉🏽 Nervous system state is also essential. You cannot supplement your way out of eating in a stressed, distracted, sympathetic-dominant state. Your gallbladder requires parasympathetic activation to contract (PMID: 27988382).

Which of these approaches resonates most with what you're experiencing?

17/02/2026

What if your "fat intolerance" isn't about the fat?

One pattern I frequently see in during times of hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, perimenopause, etc), is a sudden difficulty digesting fats they've eaten comfortably for decades.

The root cause is often gallbladder function.

Your gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by your liver, releasing it when you eat fats. Bile acts like dish soap, emulsifying fats into tiny droplets your intestines can actually absorb. Without adequate bile release, fats sit undigested, fermenting in your gut.

Research confirms that estrogen increases cholesterol saturation in bile (potentially promoting sludge and stones), while progesterone reduces gallbladder motility. During perimenopause, these hormonal fluctuations directly impact bile composition and release.

This is why gallbladder disease affects women 2-4 times more than men, with rates spiking during the 40s and 50s.

Bile is also your primary elimination pathway for metabolised estrogen. Your liver conjugates used estrogen and excretes it via bile into your intestines. However, certain gut bacteria produce beta-glucuronidase enzymes that can deconjugate this estrogen, reactivating it for reabsorption into circulation.

Up to around 60% of estrogen is recovered in bile, meaning your gut health and intestinal transit time significantly influence circulating hormone levels.

This is why adequate fibre intake matters, it binds estrogen and supports healthy elimination.

Signs your gallbladder may need attention:
→ Bloating or nausea after fatty meals
→ Pale, floating, or greasy stools
→ Right-sided discomfort under ribs
→ Persistent constipation
→ Low vitamin D despite supplementing
→ Dry skin and brittle nails

The good news is that bile function often responds well to targeted support.

Have you noticed your digestion of fats changing in midlife?

11/02/2026

Are you winning gold in the stress Olympics? I know for a time in my life I sure was...

I don't blame myself though, we've been culturally programmed to believe rest is self-indulgent. But rest is what helps us function at our highest capacity. Push through exhaustion and you get lower quality output, depleted adrenals, and the inflammatory conditions driving your worst perimenopausal symptoms.

Research from Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith identifies seven distinct rest types we need, and most of us are deficient in at least three.

The counterintuitive finding?

Active rest often restores us more than passive rest. A walk in nature does more for your nervous system than sitting on the couch doing nothing or scrolling. This makes sense biochemically (gentle movement and nature exposure shift us into parasympathetic dominance, supporting the vagal tone essential for hormone regulation).

During perimenopause, when estrogen fluctuations already compromise stress resilience, intentional rest becomes non-negotiable medicine.

Which of the 7 rest types are you missing most? Tell me below!

Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jan/19/how-to-start-resting?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

07/02/2026

Certain people over 80 have brains that look decades younger on MRI scans - with no cortical thinning typically seen in ageing.

What sets these "superagers" apart?

Less than 10% of people who THINK they qualify actually meet the strict criteria. But when researchers dig into what makes them different, the answers aren't what you'd expect.

Genetics play a smaller role than anticipated. Instead, lifestyle factors dominate - particularly these four:
▪️ Consistent physical activity (not necessarily intense - just regular)
▪️ Strong social connections and meaningful relationships
▪️ Continuous learning and mental challenges
▪️ Optimistic mindset with sense of purpose

One finding particularly struck me: superagers have more von Economo neurons - specialised brain cells linked to social behaviour.

Our connections literally shape our brain structure.

Perhaps most encouraging?

Many of these exceptional agers didn't start their health journeys until later in life. One woman began powerlifting at 64 and now, at 78, has muscle cells comparable to women in their 20s.

What about nutrition?

Interestingly, researchers found NO single "superager diet" - they observed a wide range of eating patterns.

However, common threads emerged: most avoided ultra-processed foods and prioritised whole foods. One 89yr old avoids refined sugar and gluten, eating largely plant based with some fish and chicken. A 78yr old runner has baked his own organic sourdough for 40 years and never touches processed food. Another enjoys porridge with blueberries - but also admits to Saturday night takeaways.

As one superager put it: "My tip is to be grateful for what you have and use it for a purpose."

PMID: 25632151
PMID: 29175073

📖 Summary: The Guardian - "What are the secrets of the superagers?"
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/24/secrets-superagers-people-body-mind-decades-younger

06/02/2026

The real driver of muscle growth is mechanical tension - your muscles working against meaningful resistance. When you lift something genuinely challenging, sensors in your muscle fibres activate pathways that signal tissue building

(PMID: 20847704, PMID: 3316913)

Here's the practical distinction most people miss:

- Mechanical tension = the weight is heavy enough that your reps slow down and feel "grindy." Your muscles are straining against real resistance. THIS builds muscle.

- The burn = that acidic ache from chemical byproducts (metabolic stress). You can get this doing endless reps with a water bottle. Without sufficient resistance, it means nothing for growth.

- Soreness = you did something unfamiliar. Not necessarily effective. Downhill walking causes soreness without building any muscle (as noted in related discussions of muscle damage vs. growth).

For women in midlife, this distinction matters enormously.

We're already managing hormonal shifts affecting recovery, sleep and inflammation. Training to destruction isn't just unnecessary - it's working against us.

Work to "near failure" where your final few reps feel challenging, then stop. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps over weeks. Your body responds to consistent challenge, not occasional punishment. Recent meta-analyses confirm training close to (but not always at) failure produces similar hypertrophy gains with less fatigue and better recovery (PMID: 36334240).

Address

Turramurra, NSW
2074

Website

http://www.lindenhealth.com.au/, https://v360.health/

Alerts

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

Shortcuts

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