We live in a world where the demands on women—especially mums—are ever-increasing. Between juggling work, family, and personal life, it can often feel like we’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of chaos. The reality is, many women are running on empty. And as this constant state of "doing it all" takes its toll, it's no surprise that burnout has become a buzzword in the world of motherhood.

But burnout isn’t just about being tired. It’s about the physical and mental strain that comes from trying to balance everything with little to no support. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the challenge of nutrient depletion, which is becoming more common for women leading busy lives.

What the Research Says

The Indian Journal of Psychiatry put it powerfully:

"Nutrition can directly affect the brain, altering its structure and influencing neurotransmitter function. Nutritional psychiatry is an emerging discipline that focuses on the use of food and supplements to provide essential nutrients for the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders."

This is not fringe science. This is real, evidence-backed, and it’s not being talked about enough.

ADHD is often the first explanation for a child who’s constantly fidgeting or an adult who can’t seem to focus. But what if some of these neurodivergent behaviours are not true ADHD at all? Modern life is full of hidden factors – from our genetic blueprint to the food on our plate and the stress in our day – that can mimic or exacerbate ADHD-like symptoms. In this post, we’ll explore how genetics (and epigenetics), nutrient deficiencies, and daily environmental stressors interplay to influence behaviour. Understanding these factors can help parents and adults discern between genuine ADHD and lookalike symptoms caused by lifestyle imbalances.

I always knew Sophia was special.
She’s fiercely smart, deeply intuitive, and full of sparkle.
But she also struggles in ways that seemed confusing — anxiety, picky eating, intense emotional outbursts, and constant sensory overload.

Like many mums, I asked myself:
“Am I doing something wrong? Is something going on beneath the surface?”

So I turned to what I know best — functional nutrition and genetics — to better understand her needs.

What I found changed everything.

We often talk about food as medicine.
But what if your genes were part of the prescription?

As a clinical nutritionist, I’ve guided hundreds of women through hormone chaos, gut distress, postnatal depletion, and burnout. But this year, I turned the lens inward — not just as a practitioner, but as a woman, a mother, and someone rebuilding her own vitality after the whirlwind of pregnancy, birth, and a demanding life season.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac® (fluoxetine) and Zoloft® (sertraline), and tetracyclic antidepressants such as Remeron® (mirtazapine), are commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. These medications can be life-changing, but many people wonder: Do they deplete your body's nutrient stores? In this post, we'll explore the scientific and clinical evidence behind SSRI nutrient depletion and tetracyclic antidepressant side effects related to nutrition. We'll also discuss potential nutrient deficiencies (B vitamins, magnesium, CoQ10, etc.), their implications for health and wellbeing, and safe nutritional strategies to support your journey. Our tone is encouraging, empathetic, and forward-thinking – because taking care of your mental health and your nutritional health can go hand-in-hand.

There’s a moment after birth where you're meant to feel settled. The baby’s here, the family’s adjusting, and life is slowly moving forward again. But what if you don’t feel like yourself — weeks or even months later? What if your energy’s still gone, your mood is low, your libido is missing, and your skin just won’t heal the way it used to?

For many women, this isn’t a sign of failure — it’s a sign that something deeper is going on. And that’s exactly where functional testing and nutritional support can offer clarity, direction, and real solutions.

At Legacy Nutrition, we believe that true wellness begins from within — and that includes the essential vitamins that nourish your body and mind. Whether you're balancing hormones, supporting your gut health, or working to achieve optimal energy levels, micronutrition plays a crucial role in your journey toward lasting health. Here's how key vitamins can help support your wellness goals, with a focus on their transformative effects on hormone balance, mood, and overall vitality.

To address the root causes of endometriosis and adenomyosis, a holistic approach that integrates nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and stress management is key. This approach aims to restore hormonal balance, reduce inflammation, and support immune function, ultimately enhancing overall wellness.

When it comes to bariatric surgery, many people — even some healthcare professionals — still think it’s just about eating less and taking a multivitamin. But the truth runs much deeper.

Obesity, from a medical perspective, is a multifactorial disease.
It can be driven by:

• Medication side effects

• Hormonal disruption

• Environmental influences (like learned eating habits from family)

• Cognitive and neurobehavioral factors (such as dopamine-seeking behaviors)

• Immune dysfunctions (like vitamin and mineral deficiencies)

• Genetics and epigenetic factors

Sometimes it’s just one cause; often, it's a combination.
The main point?
Obesity is complex, and healing must address the whole picture — not just food intake.

How Your Inner Dialogue Shapes Your Health

Your thoughts and beliefs are incredibly powerful. They affect how you show up in your world, how you interact with others, and how you respond to the challenges life throws your way. When you have a positive belief system, you are better equipped to navigate life’s ups and downs. You can stay focused on your long-term goals, whether that’s balancing your hormones, managing PMS, or supporting your postnatal recovery.

But what happens when your beliefs are negative? When you carry beliefs like, “I’ll never lose weight” or “I’m not good enough,” these thoughts become self-fulfilling prophecies. You may find yourself engaging in self-destructive behaviors—like overeating, emotional eating, or using alcohol or other substances to cope—that derail your progress.

When we sleep, there’s is a co-ordinated stepwise pattern that occurs in the mind, almost like a computer system doing a ‘shutdown and update’ so we can function as best we can. That’s amazing!

Let’s dig into the research a little further to find out exactly what is happening at each stage so we can walk away with a bit more understanding on the importance of each phase.