fx Medicine Perspectives Forum: The healthy brain - Clinical application
Join the fx Medicine by BioCeuticals ambassadors, Emma Sutherland, Lisa Costa-Bir and Mick Alexander, hosted by Dr Adrian Lopresti, face-to-face, for an intimate discussion.
Hosted by Dr Adrian Lopresti, clinical psychologist and researcher, this panel will explore the key elements of optimal brain health - going beyond theory into practical insights you can apply in clinic straight away.
Our ambassadors bring decades of front-line experience and will share their top clinical pearls on brain health from multiple, integrative perspectives:
- Lisa Costa-Bir (naturopath, nutritionist & women’s health expert) explores movement as “brain medicine” to slow cognitive decline, while referring to Dr Helena Popovic's work on "Adventure prevents dementia".
- Mick Alexander (integrative pharmacist & naturopath) breaks down the gut-brain and HPA axis plus overlooked medication nutrient depletions.
- Emma Sutherland (naturopath & women’s health expert) discusses hormones, “meno brain” and her top therapeutics.
Enjoy the recording which our live audience described as "not only informative but joyful to watch", very insightful information backed by studies, gave real life examples", and "clinically relevant and practical".
Don't miss out on our first ever live panel discussion. Held in collaboration with @ATMS.
Covered in this episode
(01:57) Key elements of optimal brain health:
An overview of what makes a healthy brain? (Dr Adrian Lopresti)
(10:30) Adventure prevents dementia:
Practical strategies to add to you toolkit - novel activities, grip strength, tongue exercises to increase brain size (Lisa Costa-Bir)
(35:00) Pharmaceutical drugs & the impact to the gut-brain axis:
The significant impacts and potential therapies to maintain the gut-brain connection (Mick Alexander)
(58:20) Hormones & brain function:
Optimise women's brain health in perimenopause and menopause (Emma Sutherland)
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you have read here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.
--------
--------
Managing hot flushes with cognitive behavioural therapy with Dr Adrian Lopresti and Dr Melanie Smith
Menopause is far more than a hormonal shift; it is a complex biopsychosocial transition that impacts every aspect of a woman’s life. In this episode, Dr Adrian Lopresti speaks with UK clinical psychologist Dr Melanie Smith, a leading researcher in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for menopause. Together, they explore how CBT, an evidence-based lifestyle intervention, can help women better manage stress and significantly reduce menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms.
Dr Smith explains the science behind the narrowed thermoneutral zone and how educating women about this physiology can reduce anxiety and improve day-to-day function. Listeners will gain insights into stress management, paced breathing, cognitive reframing, and sleep strategies that enhance wellbeing and quality of life.
Evidence-based and endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and featured in the International Menopause Society 2025 white paper, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers practitioners a valuable, non-pharmacological lifestyle medicine approach. It provides an effective option for women who are unable or choose not to use menopause hormone therapy (MHT), and also complements MHT for those who do. By integrating CBT into menopause care, health professionals can empower women with personalised, compassionate, and holistic support throughout the menopause transition and beyond.
Covered in this episode:
(01:50) Welcome Dr Melanie Smith
(02:54) Symptoms transitioning in to menopause
(04:34) Mood related problems
(09:06) Sleep disturbance
(11:39) Night sweats
(16:08) Hot flushes and blushing
(19:38) Cognitive behavioural therapy and menopause
(26:21) Stress management
(32:18) Lifestyle factors
(39:27) Managing symptoms
(44:35) Learn more about CBT
(47:27) Final remarks
Find today's transcript and show notes here:
https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/managing-hot-flushes-with-cognitive-behavioural-therapy
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics:
www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.
--------
--------
REPLAY: Ubiquinol’s role in heart health with Dr Michelle Woolhouse and Dr Ross Walker
This high-energy conversation features renowned preventative cardiologist Dr Ross Walker and fx Medicine by BioCeuticals ambassador Dr Michelle Woolhouse. Drawing on 45 years of clinical experience, Dr Walker makes the specialist field of preventative cardiology accessible through clear explanations and practical analogies.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and its active form ubiquinol take centre stage as the pair explore emerging evidence and clinical observations on their potential role in supporting cardiovascular function, their relationship with statin therapy, and studies investigating associations with health outcomes.
The discussion also delves into the importance of calcium coronary artery scoring in cardiovascular risk assessment, lipoprotein(a) protocols, the growing challenge of diabesity and insulin resistance, and Dr Walker’s five key strategies for optimising heart health through lifestyle and nutrition.
Listeners will gain valuable clinical insights into assessment approaches, lifestyle modification, and integrative considerations for supporting cardiovascular wellbeing in practice.
Covered in this episode:
(00:57) Welcoming Dr Ross Walker
(02:24) CoQ10’s role in the body
(04:21) The difference between ubiquinol and ubiquinone
(06:23) When to use ubiquinol as supplementation
(09:33) The role of ubiquinol in skin ageing
(11:29) Testing of ubiquinol and other metabolic markers
(15:41) Supplementation
(18:28) CoQ10 for cognition and brain health
(21:40) Oxidative stress and antioxidant support
(27:50) Statins and the power of lifestyle medicine
(42:35) Final remarks
Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/ubiquinol-s-role-in-heart-health-with-dr-michelle-woolhouse-and-dr-ross-walker
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.
--------
--------
REPLAY: Ubiquinol's role in preventative medicine with Dr Michelle Woolhouse and Dr Ross Walker
This high-energy conversation features renowned preventative cardiologist Dr Ross Walker and fx Medicine by BioCeuticals ambassador Dr Michelle Woolhouse. Drawing on 45 years of clinical experience, Dr Walker makes the specialist field of preventative cardiology accessible through clear explanations and practical analogies.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and its active form ubiquinol take centre stage as the pair explore emerging evidence and clinical observations on their potential role in supporting cardiovascular function, their relationship with statin therapy, and studies investigating associations with health outcomes.
The discussion also delves into the importance of calcium coronary artery scoring in cardiovascular risk assessment, lipoprotein(a) protocols, the growing challenge of diabesity and insulin resistance, and Dr Walker’s five key strategies for optimising heart health through lifestyle and nutrition.
Listeners will gain valuable clinical insights into assessment approaches, lifestyle modification, and integrative considerations for supporting cardiovascular wellbeing in practice.
Covered in this episode
(00:57) Welcoming Dr Ross Walker
(02:24) CoQ10’s role in the body
(04:21) The difference between ubiquinol and ubiquinone
(06:23) When to use ubiquinol as supplementation
(09:33) The role of ubiquinol in skin ageing
(11:29) Testing of ubiquinol and other metabolic markers
(15:41) Supplementation
(18:28) CoQ10 for cognition and brain health
(21:40) Oxidative stress and antioxidant support
(27:50) Statins and the power of lifestyle medicine
(42:35) Final remarks
Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/ubiquinol-s-role-in-preventative-cardiology-with-dr-michelle-woolhouse-and-dr-ross-walker
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine by BioCeuticals is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.
--------
--------
Mitochondrial medicine: The biophysics prescription with Lisa Costa-Bir and Dr Christabelle Yeoh
Dr Christabelle Yeoh, integrative medicine physician, joins Lisa Costa-Bir for a deep dive into mitochondria — the organelles influencing nearly every tissue and process in the body. Moving beyond the outdated “powerhouse of the cell” view, Dr Yeoh explains how mitochondria act as processors of energy and evolutionary sentinels of immunity, redox balance, and cellular plasticity.
This episode explores how dysfunction manifests clinically — from fatigue and brain fog to autonomic dysregulation, poor vitamin D supplementation uptake, and maternal-line inheritance patterns. Dr Yeoh also shares practical “biophysics prescriptions”: exposure to sunrise and sunset, blocking blue light, eating only in daylight hours, grounding in nature, and regular movement to support mitochondrial quality control.
Warm, engaging, and invested in her subject, Dr Yeoh empowers practitioners with insights that place mitochondrial health as the foundation for patient care — and shows why aligning with natural rhythms is essential for resilience and recovery.
Covered in this episode:
(01:02) Welcome Dr Christabelle Yeoh
(03:36) What are the mitochondria?
(08:38) ATP and inflammation
(12:42) Mitochondria manipulating us?
(15:21) Mitohormesis
(17:22) Stress
(22:46) Mitochondrial dysfunction
(28:25) Timeline for mitochondrial change
(32:18) Blood testing
(36:05) Zeitgebers
(41:21) Psychological stress
(44:08) Biophysics prescription
(48:52) Latest research
(50:28) Final remarks
Find today's transcript and show notes here: https://www.bioceuticals.com.au/education/podcasts/mitochondrial-medicine-the-biophysics-prescription
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest exclusive clinical tools, articles, and infographics: www.bioceuticals.com.au/signup/
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on fx Medicine is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you learn here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.
FX Medicine is at the forefront of ensuring functional and integrative medicine gains the recognition it deserves and ultimately establishes itself as an integral part of standard medical practice. Our podcasts are designed to promote research and evidence based therapeutic practises, acting as a progressive force for change and improvement in patient health and wellbeing.
New Zealand