Optimising lifestyle and nutrition during all of the unique stages of a woman's life
including adolescence, preconception, pregnancy and into the fourth trimester, perimenopause, menopause and the golden years
At every stage of women's lives, nutrition is a cornerstone of good health.
While as children, the nutritional needs for boys and girls are generally similar, with the onset of puberty, nutritional requirements for women change as we age. Certain vitamins and minerals become especially important at particular times of life and differ through some of the key life stages for women, including adolescence, preconception, pregnancy, the fourth trimester, and well into the phases of perimenopause, menopause and the golden years.
Lifestyle and dietary intake are also powerful tools, useful in supporting or managing key health issues specific to women, at certain life stages.
As a woman, a mother, and someone who is firmly in the perimenopause phase of her life, Dr Bujtor understands the importance and benefits of adequate and appropriate nutritional intake and optimal lifestyle in these periods.
She also has a thorough appreciation and understanding of the juggle modern women often face in looking after their own well-being alongside their many personal and professional demands.
She is passionate about helping other women understand how leveraging small lifestyle and dietary changes can provide powerful support in navigating these key life stages, and changes, to optimise physical and mental health and well-being.
Women's bodies are remarkable, from navigating the changes that occur at each stage of life, to the incredible process of giving life.
Adolescence
During adolescence, adequate nutrition is essential to support the significant physical and mental growth and development that occurs during this period.
Through a collaborative, science-led and education-based approach, Dr Bujtor works with young women helping them to understand the importance of their lifestyle choices during this transformative, and often complex phase of life. She helps them to establish healthy eating habits, understand their changing nutritional needs, and educates them on the importance of maintaining a balanced diet in the context of a balanced lifestyle.
She also addresses concerns such as eating disorders, irregular periods, and acne that may arise during this stage of life, and can assist with health issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.
Dr Bujtor also understands the importance of parental and caregiver support through this period and provides a supportive and nurturing service, that extends to the parents and caregivers.
Pre- and postnatal nutrition
For women in the pre and postnatal stages, nutrition plays a crucial role in the health of both mother and baby. Dr Bujtor helps women considering conception, as well as expecting and new mothers develop healthy and achievable dietary and lifestyle habits that can help to support the mother and child through a positive conception experience, as well as a healthy pregnancy including into the fourth trimester and life beyond pregnancy.
In the pre-conception phase, Dr Bujtor works with women to make optimal and sustainable lifestyle and dietary changes that can help to improve the chances of conception and provide the best environment for growing a new life. She works with individuals to correct any nutrient deficiencies, helps to improve egg quality, and provides information on beneficial diet and lifestyle changes as adjunctive treatments to health issues that can impact fertility such as PCOS, endometriosis and diabetes, assist with weight management and provides support to improve the partner's preconception health.
Dr Bujtor works with expectant mothers to provide education on essential nutrients such as folic acid, iron, and calcium and helps manage common pregnancy issues such as morning sickness, constipation, reflux and indigestion.
During the post-pregnancy phases, Dr Bujtor works with new mothers to establish healthy eating habits that can benefit both themselves and their babies during breastfeeding and beyond, and that are achievable while juggling new parent-hood and its unique demands.
During the perimenopause and menopause phases, hormonal changes can have a significant impact on many aspects of a woman's life.
There are many symptoms relating to the menopause, both physical and psychological, and they can strike when you are younger than you expect, and with more force than you could have imagined!
Peri-menopause and menopause
Dr Bujtor provides expert nutrition support and guidance to women in the phases of perimenopause and menopause. As a nutritionist, in the peri-menopause phase herself she understands that these stages bring unique nutritional needs and lifestyle challenges.
When it comes to menopausal symptoms, the lifestyle versus medicine debate is ongoing. However, these two elements should not be oppositional - rather they are complementary, and can work together to optimise well-being and alleviate symptoms.
Small changes to overall lifestyle including improvements to dietary intake can be a powerful adjunctive tool that helps to manage symptoms and promote overall health and well-being during these transitional phases and beyond into the golden years.
These phases bring unique nutritional requirements and concerns, with hormonal changes significantly impacting nutritional needs, of which some include:
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Calcium: Hormonal changes can impact bone health, making it crucial to consume enough calcium to prevent osteoporosis.
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Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, and it also plays a role in maintaining a healthy immune system.
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Magnesium: Magnesium helps with muscle and nerve function, as well as bone health.
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Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for heart health, and they may also help with mood and joint pain.
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Phytoestrogens: Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body, and they may help alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Dr Bujtor provides guidance, education and support to help women understand how to optimise their dietary intake during these periods to ensure they receive the essential nutrients needed to support a healthy transition. Dr Bujtor passionately believes optimal nutrition is a fantastic foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life, and she is committed to helping women achieve their health and well-being goals.
Symptoms can include...
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vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes)
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insomnia
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palpitations
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joint pain
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headaches
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PMS
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anxiety
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depression
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irritability and mood swings,
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fatigue
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low libido
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skin and hair changes
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weight gain
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breast and pelvic floor changes...
...and the list goes on!