Did you know women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as men, and oestrogen may be a key reason why? In this episode, Dr Lucy Burns and Dr Mary Barson break down the real science behind oestrogen's role in brain health and dementia prevention, why the infamous 2003 WHI study sent doctors running scared for decades, and what the latest evidence actually means for women in midlife. If MHT is not right for you, don't worry, protecting your brain is never a one-trick pony. This is the episode every woman in midlife needs to hear. 

Research mentioned in this episode: 
Paganini-Hill A, Henderson VW. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1996 
Kim YJ et al. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2021 
Nerattini M et al. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2023 
Cipriano GL et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024 
Melville NA et al. The Lancet Healthy Longevity. 2025 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/can-hrt-prevent-dementia 

Did you know women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as men, and oestrogen may be a key reason why? In this episode, Dr Lucy Burns and Dr Mary Barson break down the real science behind oestrogen's role in brain health and dementia prevention, why the infamous 2003 WHI study sent doctors running scared for decades, and what the latest evidence actually means for women in midlife. If MHT is not right for you, don't worry, protecting your brain is never a one-trick pony. This is the episode every woman in midlife needs to hear.&nbsp;
Research mentioned in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Paganini-Hill A, Henderson VW. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1996&nbsp;</li>
<li>Kim YJ et al. Alzheimer's &amp; Dementia. 2021&nbsp;</li>
<li>Nerattini M et al. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2023&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cipriano GL et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024&nbsp;</li>
<li>Melville NA et al. The Lancet Healthy Longevity. 2025&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/">https://www.rlmedicine.com/</a>&nbsp;
Episode, show notes &amp; transcript <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/can-hrt-prevent-dementia">https://www.rlmedicine.com/can-hrt-prevent-dementia</a>&nbsp;

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now. 

Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong. 

We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine, are here with you every step of the way. 

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now.&nbsp;
Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong.&nbsp;
We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine, are here with you every step of the way.&nbsp;

Real health from real doctors on health and weight loss

Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now. Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong.

We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real Health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine are here with you every step of the way. 

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now. Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong.
We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real Health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine are here with you every step of the way.&nbsp;

Real Health and Weight Loss

308 Can HRT Prevent Dementia?

Ever wondered why some women sail through perimenopause while others feel like everything's fallen apart? In this episode, Dr Lucy is joined by pharmacist and nutritionist Sarah Gray, author of It's Not You, It's Perimenopause, to explore the surprising link between your gut and your hormones. 

Sarah introduces listeners to the estrobolome, a group of gut bacteria that may help support how the body processes oestrogen during the menopause transition. They chat about why gut diversity often dips in perimenopause, and continues in the post menopause period. 

They also discuss the real differences between prebiotics, probiotics and fermented foods, and why not every yoghurt or jar of sauerkraut on the shelf actually contains live cultures. 

If you've been putting your symptoms down to just getting older, this chat offers a fresh, evidence-informed way to think about what might really be going on, and some simple, practical changes to try. It's a fascinating listen for anyone wanting to feel more at home in their body during perimenopause and beyond. 

Here are Sarah’s links and special offer for our listeners: 
🌐 Website:https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/
📚 Book:It’s Not You, It’s Perimenopause https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/perimenopause-book

🎁 Special offer: Get 10% off Sarah’s book with code PERI10. 
📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_nutrition_pharmacist/?hl=en
📘 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063626828191

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/have-you-heard-of-the-estrobolome 

Ever wondered why some women sail through perimenopause while others feel like everything's fallen apart? In this episode, Dr Lucy is joined by pharmacist and nutritionist Sarah Gray, author of It's Not You, It's Perimenopause, to explore the surprising link between your gut and your hormones.&nbsp;
Sarah introduces listeners to the estrobolome, a group of gut bacteria that may help support how the body processes oestrogen during the menopause transition. They chat about why gut diversity often dips in perimenopause, and continues in the post menopause period.&nbsp;
They also discuss the real differences between prebiotics, probiotics and fermented foods, and why not every yoghurt or jar of sauerkraut on the shelf actually contains live cultures.&nbsp;
If you've been putting your symptoms down to just getting older, this chat offers a fresh, evidence-informed way to think about what might really be going on, and some simple, practical changes to try. It's a fascinating listen for anyone wanting to feel more at home in their body during perimenopause and beyond.&nbsp;
Here are Sarah&rsquo;s links and special offer for our listeners: 🌐 Website:<a href="https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/"> </a><a href="https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/">https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/</a> 📚&nbsp;Book: It&rsquo;s Not You, It&rsquo;s Perimenopause&nbsp;<a href="https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/perimenopause-book">https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/perimenopause-book</a>
🎁 Special offer: Get 10% off Sarah&rsquo;s book with code PERI10. 📸 Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_nutrition_pharmacist/?hl=en"> </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_nutrition_pharmacist/?hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/the_nutrition_pharmacist/?hl=en</a> 📘&nbsp;Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063626828191"> </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063626828191">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063626828191</a>
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/">https://www.rlmedicine.com/</a>&nbsp;
Episode, show notes &amp; transcript <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/have-you-heard-of-the-estrobolome">https://www.rlmedicine.com/have-you-heard-of-the-estrobolome</a>&nbsp;

321 Have You Heard of the Estrobolome?

Ever wondered why random aches and pains, a frozen shoulder or stubborn hip pain seem to show up out of nowhere in midlife? In this episode, Dr Lucy chats with physiotherapist Katherine Tsebelis, founder of Physio Moves and creator of the Vibrant Femmes masterclass, about the surprising link between perimenopause, menopause and musculoskeletal pain. 

Kath explains why declining oestrogen may contribute to tendon issues like plantar fasciitis, greater trochanteric pain syndrome and frozen shoulder, and why these are so often misdiagnosed as unrelated injuries. She shares how isometric loading, gentle strength work and simple exercise snacks, like squatting while the shower warms up, may help ease pain and support your bones and joints for many people. They also discuss why it's worth chatting to your doctor about HRT, and why enough protein, calcium and vitamin D matter too. 

If you've been putting your aches and pains down to just getting older, this conversation might change how you see them. You'll come away with practical, doable strategies to keep moving and build strength, wherever you are in your menopause journey. Tune in to find out how small, consistent steps can make a real difference.

Instagram: Kath Tsebelis Physio

Get free workbook on the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: kathtsebelis.com 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/what-do-sore-feet-have-to-do-with-menopause

Ever wondered why random aches and pains, a frozen shoulder or stubborn hip pain seem to show up out of nowhere in midlife? In this episode, Dr Lucy chats with physiotherapist Katherine Tsebelis, founder of Physio Moves and creator of the Vibrant Femmes masterclass, about the surprising link between perimenopause, menopause and musculoskeletal pain.&nbsp;
Kath explains why declining oestrogen may contribute to tendon issues like plantar fasciitis, greater trochanteric pain syndrome and frozen shoulder, and why these are so often misdiagnosed as unrelated injuries. She shares how isometric loading, gentle strength work and simple exercise snacks, like squatting while the shower warms up, may help ease pain and support your bones and joints for many people. They also discuss why it's worth chatting to your doctor about HRT, and why enough protein, calcium and vitamin D matter too.&nbsp;
If you've been putting your aches and pains down to just getting older, this conversation might change how you see them. You'll come away with practical, doable strategies to keep moving and build strength, wherever you are in your menopause journey. Tune in to find out how small, consistent steps can make a real difference.
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kathtsebelisphysio/">Kath Tsebelis Physio</a>
Get free workbook on the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause:&nbsp;<a href="http://kathtsebelis.com">kathtsebelis.com</a>&nbsp;
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/">https://www.rlmedicine.com/</a>&nbsp;
Episode, show notes &amp; transcript https://www.rlmedicine.com/what-do-sore-feet-have-to-do-with-menopause

320 What Do Sore Feet Have to Do with Menopause?

Why is it so hard to start a healthy habit, even when you know it's good for you? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary share a simple mindset tool that can make exercise, sleep and other healthy choices feel far easier to stick to. 

They explore why your brain naturally magnifies the effort of a task while minimising its benefits, and how your reticular activating system decides what you notice and focus on. You'll hear about noble procrastination, that sneaky habit of putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own, plus why getting comfortable with a bit of discomfort helps you grow. Relatable stories, from dog walks in the rain to cold morning swims, show how this plays out day to day. 

The idea at the heart of it all is simple: shift your focus to what you're gaining rather than what it costs you, and healthy habits may start to feel a lot more doable. Press play to hear how a small change in perspective could make this week's healthy choices that bit easier. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/how-to-motivate-yourself 

Why is it so hard to start a healthy habit, even when you know it's good for you? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary share a simple mindset tool that can make exercise, sleep and other healthy choices feel far easier to stick to.&nbsp;
They explore why your brain naturally magnifies the effort of a task while minimising its benefits, and how your reticular activating system decides what you notice and focus on. You'll hear about noble procrastination, that sneaky habit of putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own, plus why getting comfortable with a bit of discomfort helps you grow. Relatable stories, from dog walks in the rain to cold morning swims, show how this plays out day to day.&nbsp;
The idea at the heart of it all is simple: shift your focus to what you're gaining rather than what it costs you, and healthy habits may start to feel a lot more doable. Press play to hear how a small change in perspective could make this week's healthy choices that bit easier.&nbsp;
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/">https://www.rlmedicine.com/</a>&nbsp;
Episode, show notes &amp; transcript <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/how-to-motivate-yourself">https://www.rlmedicine.com/how-to-motivate-yourself</a>&nbsp;

308 Can HRT Prevent Dementia?

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