Annika Nourishing New Life

Annika Nourishing New Life Nutritionist DipION, mBANT, CNHC. Specialising in Women's Health, Fertility & Beyond. PCOS expert.

13/04/2026

PMS?
Endometriosis?
Fibroids?
Oestrogen dominance and your fertility

Some women experience symptoms of oestrogen dominance like PMS, heavy bleeding, menstrual cramps, fibroids, and endometriosis. Women with oestrogen dominance produce too much oestrogen, or too much of certain oestrogen metabolites, and too little progesterone, and typically are not able to clear old oestrogen out of the body optimally. Abnormal oestrogen levels can lead to infertility or difficulty conceiving.
Functional testing, such as the DUTCH test, will not only measure levels of oestrogen and progesterone but your oestrogen metabolism as well. When your oestrogen metabolism is healthy, you will be able to bind and clear oestrogen effectively, reducing symptoms of oestrogen dominance.
If you suspect that you may have oestrogen dominance, a DUTCH test in addition to nutritional therapy will be a great way to support your symptoms and encourage healthy, balanced hormones.
If you would like to know more about the DUTCH test, book a free health review now via my Bio or https://calendly.com/annika-nourishingnewlife/free-health-review
Additionally, pop me an email info@annikanourishingnewlife.co.uk












05/04/2026

How flaxseed may support perimenopause �

Flaxseed are one of the richest sources of lignans, which are plant compounds that may help to gently restore hormonal balance naturally, by promoting the healthy metabolism of oestrogen and helping to keep levels in check.��
They are also a source of omega-3. Studies have shown that omega-3 can significantly help to reduce vasomotor symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes.��
Plus, omega-3 is key for maintaining cellular health, allowing our cells to properly communicate and is a key nutrient needed to support serotonin, our feel-good neurotransmitter, therefore supporting mental health.��Research also shows that flaxseed can also help to stabilise blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. Adding flaxseed into your daily routine may help to reduce the risk of insulin resistance and the dreaded menopausal weight gain.�� Menoligna not only contains milled sprouted flaxseed, but it also has the added lignans with 300mg per 30g serving, plus it contains other key nutrients such as Calcium, Vitamin D, and B vitamins.
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01/04/2026

Fix Your Hormones with Fats
Essential fats are fatty acids your body can’t produce on its own, so you must get them from food. The main types are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega-3s, especially EPA and DHA, are vital for brain function, mood and hormone balance. DHA is a building block of brain and nerve cells, while EPA reduces inflammation and supports heart and joint health. Omega-6s are also essential, but most Western diets are far too high in omega-6 and too low in omega-3, driving inflammation, hormone disruption and brain fog.
Sources of healthy fats:
Fatty fish* (salmon, sardines, mackerel) – rich in EPA and DHA
Algae oil supplements – plant-based DHA/EPA
Chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts
Seaweed
Avocados, nuts, seeds, nut butters
Cold-pressed olive oil
Organic eggs
* Wild fish often contains pollutants like mercury and microplastics, while farmed salmon can have lower omega-3s and exposure to antibiotics and pesticides. Smaller, sustainable wild fish such as sardines or mackerel are safer choices.





27/03/2026

Protein digestion and absorption matters

Your body’s ability to digest and absorb protein is essential. Even the highest-quality protein won’t benefit you if your digestive system isn’t functioning well. Protein digestion begins in the stomach, where strong hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) is needed to break down protein molecules.
When stomach acid is low (a common issue due to stress, ageing or frequent use of antacids), protein isn’t properly broken down, which can lead to bloating, discomfort and poor nutrient absorption. Sluggish bile flow and low digestive enzyme production can further impair protein digestion, putting extra strain on the liver and contributing to symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and skin issues.
To support better protein digestion:
Chew your food thoroughly to kickstart the digestive process.
Eat in a calm, relaxed state to activate your body’s ‘rest and digest’ mode.
Use bitter herbs like dandelion root or artichoke before meals to stimulate digestive juices.
Sip digestive teas (such as peppermint or ginger) or take herbal bitters to naturally boost stomach acid and bile flow.
When digestion is working optimally, your body can properly absorb amino acids needed for tissue repair, hormone balance, detoxification and immune support.

20/03/2026

What to eat instead – protein from real food
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Rather than relying on packaged protein products, focus on real food sources that are gentle on digestion and rich in other essential nutrients. You don’t need to eat large amounts, just consistent, good-quality sources that work for your body.
Great plant-based protein options:
Lentils, chickpeas and black beans – full of fibre and versatile in dishes
Quinoa – a complete plant protein
Chia, pumpkin and sunflower seeds – nutrient-dense and easy to add to meals
Nuts and nut butters – rich in protein, minerals and healthy fats
Dark leafy greens like kale – help stimulate bile flow, which supports the breakdown and absorption of proteins
If you do eat animal proteins, choose organic or grass-fed options and aim for moderation.
Animal protein is hard to digest and can create an acidic, inflammatory environment in the body. Unless organic, meat and poultry may contain pesticide residues, antibiotics and hormone-disrupting chemicals. Grain-fed meat is higher in inflammatory fats, while grass-fed offers a healthier fat profile and more nutrients.
Eggs and poultry can also be pro-inflammatory – opt for organic, pasture-raised options.
Limit fish like tuna or swordfish due to mercury and toxin exposure. Choose wild-caught, not farmed and avoid canned fish. Farmed fish is treated with antibiotics and chemicals, and can contribute to environmental pollution, while tinned fish contains BPA from can linings and are often packed in inflammatory oils.
Next week I’ll be discussing why protein digestion and absorption matters.

13/03/2026

Why You Shouldn’t Eat Protein-Fortified Foods

The protein trend: more isn’t better
There’s a growing obsession with packing more protein into every meal. Many people are now consuming excessive amounts, especially from isolated or processed sources that can place a burden on the digestive system and liver. What matters most isn’t the total grams consumed, but how well your body digests, absorbs and utilises the protein.
The booming market of protein-enriched yoghurts, snack bars, cereals and protein powders is driven by the belief that more protein equals better health or faster results. But these ultra-processed products are unnecessary and potentially harmful, as they’re loaded with artificial flavours, sweeteners, additives, inflammatory oils and poor-quality protein isolates.
One example is the surge in protein-enriched yoghurts. While plain yoghurt naturally contains around 5g of protein per 150g serving, high-protein versions now pack in 15-20g per pot by adding concentrated milk proteins like whey or casein. Protein shakes and snack bars often deliver 20-30g of isolated protein in one go.
While these numbers sound impressive, a surge of refined protein, especially when separated from whole food sources, can stress your digestion, liver and kidneys, disrupt the gut microbiome and fuel low-grade inflammation.
Next week I’ll discuss What to eat instead – protein from real food

06/03/2026

Why do we need protein?

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks your body uses to grow, repair and maintain tissues, hormones, enzymes and immune function. Every single cell in your body contains protein. It’s essential for:
Muscle and tissue repair
Immune system support
Hormone and neurotransmitter production
Blood sugar balance
Satiety and energy regulation
There are 20 amino acids. Nine are essential, meaning your body can’t make them, so you must get them from food. The remaining 11 are ‘non-essential’, as your body can produce them if it has the right nutrients.
Next week I will focus on why You Shouldn’t Eat Protein-Fortified Foods.

01/03/2026

Calories in Versus out
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As a nutritional therapist I can confirm that “Eat less, move more” is outdated advice — and your body deserves better.
Your body’s not broken…it’s asking for something different.
Metabolism isn’t just about calories in vs. out.
It’s a dynamic, hormone-driven system influenced by:
Blood sugar
Sleep (just one poor night reduces insulin sensitivity)
Stress (cortisol can belly fat and sugar cravings)
Genetics (genes like FTO, MC4R, POMC all affect hunger, satiety, and how fat is stored)
And Nutrient levels
✨Three things you can practically do today:
Focus on meal timing – aim to eat within an hour of waking to prevent cortisol spikes and overeating later.
Swap intense workouts for strength + walking – to support insulin sensitivity without burning you out.
3.Consume omega 3 rich foods – to calm inflammation and help regulate hunger hormones like leptin.

27/02/2026

What people think I do as a nutritional therapist vs what I do

What people think a nutritional therapist does:
Meal plans, recipes and diet plans

What we actually do:
LISTEN
Look at the individual
Cut through the noise of overwhelm
Offer evidence based advice
Analyse blood work
Tell you what’s OPTIMAL not just “normal”
Offer functional testing that dives deep into the issues
Consider the body as a holistic entity and not just looking at individual symptoms
Give tailored supplement protocols
Offer both nutritional AND lifestyle advice
Provide practical and sustainable tips.
Give you a shoulder to cry on.

20/02/2026

NO BAKE RAW CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH

This one is dedicated to women who find points in their cycle where everyone and everything start to irritate them.
Dark chocolate has been scientifically proven to support mood.
It can boost serotonin and encourage the release of endorphins, it contains compounds that can trigger feelings of excitement (and even love) and contains magnesium which can support relaxation, sleep and stress regulation, all crucial for mood stability.

Recipe for one jar:
Approx ¾ cup of ground almonds
¼ cup of maple syrup
Pinch of sea salt
1 heaped tbsp almond butter
1 handful of dark chocolate chips
The healthy fats in here help to support blood sugar and this snack is PCOS approved 💗
Happy snacking☺️ 🍫

12/02/2026

I pay attention to things that most people ignore.

If you want to get to the bottom of your hormone imbalances, you have to look beneath the surface.
Is your blood sugar all over the place?
Are your periods horrifically painful, totally irregular or even absent?
Are you barely sleeping at all?
Are you running on empty with no down time?
Are you stressed?
Are you constipated?

These can be major factors in hormone dysregulation with symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, low libido, infertility, insomnia, sugar cravings, weight gain, heavy periods, and many more.
If you’re bored of hearing “oh just take this pill”… send me a DM and we can book in a free discovery call to see how you can get the support you need.

07/02/2026

Signs your hormones are balanced

When your hormones are balanced, your body lets you know, steady energy, restful sleep, glowing skin, and regular cycles are all strong signs of internal harmony. 🌿
If you’re curious about how to naturally support your hormones through nutrition, lifestyle, and daily habits book a free health review now.

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https://calendly.com/annika-nourishingnewlife/free-health-review, http://link

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