Helen Perks BSc.

25/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BXjHUpEZ3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

24/04/2026

At the start of this year, I made a quiet decision that 2026 was going to be about me too, not just professionally, but personally.

For years, like so many of us, I have put my family first and myself somewhere further down the list, much further down the list! This week feels like a small but important shift.

Ballet for the very first time earlier this week, and today my first in person Pilates class, which I absolutely loved. I’m under no illusion that getting out of bed tomorrow will not be graceful in any sense. I seem to have discovered muscles that have been quietly hiding for years, but it was completely worth it.

What I did not expect was how much I would enjoy the sense of connection as well. Being in a room with others, all learning, all focusing, all having a bit of a laugh, it reminded me that movement is not just about the body, it’s about community, energy, and doing something for yourself.

Having an instructor who is also a physio made it feel safe, purposeful, and genuinely supportive, which is exactly what I talk about within my RESPECT® model when it comes to Physical Movement.

This is not about extremes or pushing yourself into the ground, it’s about showing up for yourself, trying something new, and building strength in a way that supports your life.

So this is me, gently putting myself back on the list.

Now I am curious, what do you prefer, Pilates or yoga, or have you tried something completely new recently?

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today

23/04/2026

This is where understanding the biology matters.

There is no single solution, but there are ways to support what is happening in your body.

The goal is not restriction or guesswork, it is reducing inflammation, supporting your joints, and helping you stay on treatment with better quality of life.

More evidence based support is coming over the next few days.

Follow so you do not miss it.

With Warmest Wishes,
Helen. X

Helen Perks BSc
The Cancer Nutritionist

BSc Nutritional Medicine | Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC | Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
AFMCP Graduate | Systems Approach to Cancer (SATC)

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com
🍲Nourishing Soups by The Cancer Nutritionist

19/04/2026

This morning I got up early because I knew this week was going to be full.

By 11am I had made, butternut squash, lentil and madras soup, celeriac soup, gluten free banana loaf, gluten free beetroot brownies, apricot and walnut breakfast bars, rhubarb and stem ginger with cacao and coconut crumble, plus a big batch of muesli not pictured.

This is exactly what I teach my clients, because most people don’t just struggle with dinner, they get caught out with breakfast, lunches, and snacks.

That’s when energy crashes, sugar cravings kick in, convenience foods creep in, and symptoms start to spiral, so I plan ahead.

Main meals are already batch cooked and in the freezer from previous weeks.
This is about making the mornings easy, packing lunches without thinking, and having nourishing options ready to go.

No stress, guesswork, or grabbing whatever is quickest, instead, real food ready when you need it, which is what consistency looks like behind the scenes.

Preparation is key when it comes to eating a nutrient-dense diet on busy work days.

RESPECT® Your Future By Nourishing Today.

18/04/2026

Planning the week ahead in the sunshine.

This isn’t just about getting organised,it’s about setting my circadian rhythm.

Getting outside within the first 10–20 minutes of waking is one of the simplest, yet most powerful things you can do for your health. That early morning light hits your eyes (even on a cloudy day) and signals to your brain that it’s time to wake up properly.

It helps to regulate:

• your sleep–wake cycle
• hormone balance
• energy levels throughout the day
• even mood and focus

consistency is key.

Before the emails, before the noise, step outside, breathe, and let your body know it’s daytime.

Simple habits like this are often the ones that make the biggest difference, and it’s free!

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

15/04/2026

Can you guess what I’m about to make? 😉

13/04/2026

This is not just a “healthy plate”, this is a strategic plate.

Every single element is there for a reason.

🌿 Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi help support the gut microbiome, which plays a critical role in immune function

🌿 Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli provide sulforaphane, studied for its role in detoxification pathways

🌿 Fibre from beans and greens feeds beneficial gut bacteria

🌿Protein supports muscle mass, metabolism, and recovery

When it comes to cancer support, we are not just thinking about calories, we are thinking about, the gut microbiome, inflammation, detoxification, immune surveillance, and cellular health.

This is how food becomes more than food.
It becomes part of the plan.

Helen Perks BSc
The Cancer Nutritionist

BSc Nutritional Medicine
Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC
Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
AFMCP Graduate
Systems Approach to Cancer (SATC)

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com
🍲 Nourishing Soups by The Cancer Nutritionist

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today

12/04/2026

Struggling With Nausea?

Ginger is not just something you add for flavour.

It is one of the most well-researched natural compounds used in supportive cancer care.

There are multiple human studies and meta-analyses showing that ginger can significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, particularly when used alongside standard anti-emetic medication. That is just one part of what it does.

Ginger contains bioactive compounds such as gingerols and shogaols, which have been shown to:

🌿 Influence inflammatory pathways, including COX-2

🌿 Provide antioxidant support

🌿 Support gastric emptying and digestion

🌿 Help maintain gut function during treatment

This is important because the gut is central to:

• Immune function
• Nutrient absorption
• Inflammation regulation
• Treatment tolerance

When you support the gut, you support the whole system.

This is where nutrition is clinically relevant.

Important note!

Ginger is generally safe, but doses, timing, and suitability should always be individualised, especially alongside chemotherapy, anticoagulants, or other medications.

Food is not a replacement for treatment, but it can absolutely support how your body responds to it.

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

10/04/2026

Beetroot is one of the most underrated foods in cancer nutrition.

Betalains, the compounds responsible for that extraordinary deep red colour, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and cancer cell inhibiting properties in research. Beetroot also supports nitric oxide production, improves blood flow, supports liver detoxification pathways and feeds beneficial gut bacteria.

When your body is going through treatment, or recovering from it, this really matters.

This is not just about what you are eating, it’s about how your body is functioning at a cellular level.

Simple additions like this can support energy, recovery, and overall resilience alongside treatment.

Always individualise, especially if you are under active treatment or on medication.

I juice mine fresh. No sugar, or additives, just pure root vegetable medicine, with a squeeze of lemon juice to help with iron absorption.

If you are going through treatment or recovery and looking for simple daily habits that support your body, this is one of the easiest places to start.

Save this, and share it with someone who might need it.

Helen Perks BSc
The Cancer Nutritionist

BSc Nutritional Medicine
Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC
Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
AFMCP Graduate
Systems Approach to Cancer (SATC)

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com
🍲 Nourishing Soups by The Cancer Nutritionist

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today

10/04/2026

Beetroot is one of the most underrated foods in cancer nutrition.

Betalains, the compounds responsible for that extraordinary deep red colour, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and cancer cell inhibiting properties in research. Beetroot also supports nitric oxide production, improves blood flow, supports liver detoxification pathways and feeds beneficial gut bacteria.

When your body is going through treatment, or recovering from it, this really matters.

This is not just about what you are eating, it’s about how your body is functioning at a cellular level.

Simple additions like this can support energy, recovery, and overall resilience alongside treatment.

Always individualise, especially if you are under active treatment or on medication.

I juice mine fresh. No sugar, or additives, just pure root vegetable medicine, with a squeeze of lemon juice to help with iron absorption.

If you are going through treatment or recovery and looking for simple daily habits that support your body, this is one of the easiest places to start.

Save this, and share it with someone who might need it.

Helen Perks BSc
The Cancer Nutritionist

BSc Nutritional Medicine
Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC
Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
AFMCP Graduate
Systems Approach to Cancer (SATC)

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com
🍲 Nourishing Soups by The Cancer Nutritionist

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today

10/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Q4qufAEKA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It’s been a full-on week…

This week alone I’ve supported clients with:

🌿Stage 4 breast cancer

🌿Stage 4 ovarian cancer with spread to the liver and lungs

🌿Stage 4 pancreatic cancer

🌿Anal cancer

🌿Multiple sclerosis

🌿Autoimmune disease

🌿Thyroid and complex gut issues

🌿Severe digestive symptoms with no clear answers

🌿A male client with osteoporosis, sinus and gut issues

No 2 cases are ever the same, even when diagnoses are similar, the underlying drivers are often completely different.

I’ve also had 3 comprehensive stool analysis results returned this week.

These tests go far beyond what’s typically available on the NHS, looking at:

• Commensal (beneficial) bacteria balance
• Opportunistic bacteria
• Pathogenic bacteria
• Yeast and fungal overgrowth (e.g. Candida)
• Parasites and parasitic activity
• Viral markers (where present)
• Microbial diversity and overall microbiome balance

Digestive function
🌿Pancreatic elastase (enzyme output)
🌿Fat digestion (steatocrit, long-chain fatty acids)
🌿Protein digestion markers
🌿Carbohydrate digestion markers
Absorption markers
• Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate
• Beta-glucuronidase activity (linked to oestrogen recycling)

Inflammatory markers
🌿Calprotectin
🌿Lysozyme
🌿Eosinophil protein X

Immune function
🌿Secretory IgA (sIgA)

Gut barrier integrity
🌿Zonulin (where included depending on panel)

• Occult blood (hidden blood in stool)

• pH of the stool environment

• Metabolic byproducts of gut bacteria

• Antibiotic sensitivity and resistance (for certain pathogens)
• Natural antimicrobial sensitivity (where applicable)

As expected, each client’s results tell a completely different story.

Some require GP-led intervention, including antibiotics, where appropriate.
Others we support with targeted nutritional and natural antimicrobial strategies.

One result has flagged occult blood, which has been followed up promptly with a GP referral.

This is what root-cause medicine looks like, no guessing, no one-size-fits-all, and not “everything is normal”.

Alongside this, I’m continuing to review clients advanced hormone testing, including DUTCH testing, looking at:
Oestrogen and progesterone levels Testosterone levels
• Oestrogen metabolism and detoxification pathways
• Cortisol patterns and stress response
• Melatonin and sleep regulation

Analysing how your hormones are processed in the body matters, particularly when we’re looking at long-term health risks and hormone-related cancers.

I work alongside the NHS, not against it, but I ask the questions that don’t always get asked. I look at the patterns that often get missed, and I help my clients make sense of what is actually happening in their body.

If you’ve been told “everything is normal” but you don’t feel normal, or you want a more personalised, evidence-based approach to your health, you’re very welcome to book a free 20-minute call or send me a message.

No pressure, at all, just a conversation.

Oh, and my week isn’t over yet!

This weekend I’ll be cooking and photographing 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners, alongside writing an article for a 3 page feature in a national magazine.

It’s out in June, so keep your eyes peeled 👀

With warmest wishes,

Helen Perks BSc
The Cancer Nutritionist

BSc Nutritional Medicine
Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC
Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
AFMCP Graduate
Systems Approach to Cancer (SATC)

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com
🍲 Nourishing Soups by The Cancer Nutritionist

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today