Brain Food and Nutrition Clinic

28/01/2026

🌿 Menopause changing your mood, memory or digestion?
It turns out the key to feeling more like you again might be closer than you think — and it starts in your gut. 🧠💛

We're exploring how hormonal shifts during menopause can disrupt the gut microbiome and why that matters for mood, energy and cognitive function.

From serotonin production to inflammation and brain fog, your gut and brain are in constant conversation via the gut-brain axis, and supporting gut health could help smooth mood swings, improve focus and boost overall wellbeing. 

Dive deeper into the science-backed connection between menopause, gut health, mood and cognition and discover nutrition-focused strategies that could transform how you feel.

28/01/2026

You may have seen recent headlines linking menopause to brain changes and dementia risk.
It’s understandable if that’s worrying.

The science doesn’t say menopause causes Alzheimer’s.
It suggests menopause is a transition where the brain becomes more sensitive to things like sleep loss, blood sugar imbalance, stress and inflammation.

The empowering part?
Those are things we can support.

17/01/2026

Reflux tablets can be helpful, but long-term use isn’t always neutral.

Many people don’t realise that PPIs can affect:

• vitamin B12
• iron
• magnesium
• digestion and gut bacteria

This blog answers the questions I hear daily.

Which nutrients could be affected by PPI's?
What if I can't be without them?
Are there other ways to manage reflux?

👉 Read the full post, link in comments

I work with clients on reflux meds every week and help them manage their symptoms and restore nutrient balance.

17/01/2026

14/01/2026

January can be financially tight, but your health still matters.

To help ease the January squeeze, all of our functional health tests are now available with Klarna, allowing you to spread the cost over time.

This means you can access deeper insight into your hormones, gut health, nutrients or metabolism without the pressure of paying everything upfront.

Small steps. Clear answers. Support when you need it.

Browse all our testing, link in comments.

13/01/2026

I recently spoke to Hits Radio Birmingham discussing why weight regain after GLP-1 injections is common once treatment is reduced or stopped.

The body adapts to GLP-1 medication. Metabolism changes when muscle mass is lost. Fatigue, low mood, cravings or hair loss are often signs that the body needs support.

If you’re using GLP-1, or thinking about stopping, this article explains why planning matters - https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/birmingham/news/weight-regain-after-weight-loss-injections-was-expected-says-birmingham-nutritionist

I’ve also put together a small number of GLP-1 blood test reviews, designed to support people at different stages, from baseline checks to planned transition support.

👉 https://brainfoodnutrition.co.uk/weight-loss-injections-support-packages/

A Birmingham nutritionist says rapid weight regain after weight-loss...

12/01/2026

https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/birmingham/news/weight-regain-after-weight-loss-injections-was-expected-says-birmingham-nutritionist

A Birmingham nutritionist says rapid weight regain after weight-loss...

04/01/2026

In some people, peptides derived from gluten and dairy proteins can influence brain chemistry and neurological signalling.

These peptides can interact with neurotransmitter systems involved in mood, motivation, focus and emotional regulation.

Some gluten- and dairy-derived peptides also have mild opioid-like effects in the brain, which can reinforce comfort-seeking or habitual eating patterns.

In more sensitive individuals, particularly those with a history of gut–brain axis disruption, chronic stress, neurodivergence or inflammatory load, these peptides may amplify behavioural or neurological symptoms.

Rather than removing foods indefinitely, peptide testing can help clarify whether gluten or dairy peptides are influencing mood and behaviour.

It's simple urine test. Link in comments.

02/01/2026

If your mornings start with bowel urgency, loose stools and panic about leaving the house. Our blog post might help.

This blog explores why morning bowel urgency happens, including:

• cortisol and the stress response
• gut motility timing
• bile acid imbalance
• dysbiosis and SIBO

Understanding the why is the first step to fixing it.

Full article link in comments.

Gut testing + IBS support available

31/12/2025

'You’re fine. Your tests are normal.'

But you're not. You’re exhausted, anxious and struggling to get through the day. Every day.

You know something isn’t right.

This is why I use functional lab testing. I use it to understand how your body is functioning beneath the surface.

This blog explains:
• Who functional testing is for
• What standard blood tests often miss
• When gut, hormone or metabolic testing is right

If you’ve felt dismissed or stuck, this one’s for you.

29/12/2025

Confused by functional lab tests?

-GI360
-Organic Acids Test
-DUTCH Complete
-SIBO testing
This post breaks down:
• Which tests look at gut bacteria
• Which one looks at nutrient issues and mitochondrial stress
• Which one explains hormone chaos
• and when SIBO testing actually makes sense

Read the full breakdown on the blog.