Notes FROM WITHIN

Empowering you with knowledge to take charge of your own health.

Photography by Vanessa Rowe

Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

PMS and PMDD: Symptoms, Causes, and Nutritional Support

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) are conditions that significantly impact the physical and emotional wellbeing of many women during their reproductive years. While PMS is common, PMDD is a severe, debilitating condition recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a distinct disorder since 2019, listed under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as GA34.41 (World Health Organisation, 2019). FROM WITHIN provides an evidence-based overview of PMS and PMDD, including symptoms, causes, and how a certified practising nutritionist can support women in managing these conditions.

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

Nutritional Biochemistry – Why Nutrients Are Fundamental to Health and the Mechanism of Action of Some Key Nutrients

Nutritional biochemistry is the study of the molecular interactions between nutrients and the body, focusing on how dietary components influence physiological processes and overall health. Nutrients are fundamental to health because they serve as the building blocks for cellular structures, energy production, and the regulation of metabolic pathways.

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

A Simple Way to Reduce the Chemical Load on Your Body: Wash Your Fruits and Vegetables!

In today’s world, the food we consume is often laden with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemical residues. Even organic produce can carry traces of environmental pollutants (Lu et al., 2018). These chemicals accumulate in our bodies over time, contributing to a phenomenon known as "toxic burden," which can negatively impact health and wellbeing. One simple yet effective way to reduce this toxic burden is by thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables with a specialised produce wash designed to remove chemical residues.

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

How nutrition and working with a qualified nutritionist can positively impact living with an autoimmune condition.

Autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), thyroid disorders (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease), and coeliac disease, occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. These conditions can lead to chronic inflammation, pain, fatigue, and a reduced quality of life. While medical treatments such as immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory drugs are often necessary, emerging research highlights the critical role of nutrition in managing autoimmune diseases.

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

Strengthening Your Immune System for Winter

As winter approaches, the risk of respiratory infections rises. This is due to factors including reduced sunlight exposure, colder temperatures, and increased indoor activities (Mourtzoukou & Falagas, 2020). A strong immune system is essential for preventing seasonal illnesses, and current research confirms that targeted lifestyle and supplementation strategies can enhance immune defences (Calder, 2020).

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

What is preventative medicine? Exploring the importance of root cause resolution from a clinical nutritionist’s perspective.

In today’s fast-paced, modern world, health issues are often treated as isolated symptoms rather than as part of a larger, interconnected system. As a qualified practising nutritionist, I have seen firsthand how this approach fails to address the underlying causes of chronic conditions, leading to a cycle of temporary relief and recurring problems. The key to health span, lies in understanding and addressing the root cause of health issues, rather than merely treating symptoms.

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

The Power of Personalised Nutrition and Nutritional Compounding

In a world where health and wellness are more important than ever, it’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition no longer works. Each of us are unique—our genetics, lifestyles, health conditions, and nutritional needs differ, which means our paths to optimal health should too. At FROM WITHIN, we believe in the transformative power of personalised nutrition and nutritional compounding, two revolutionary approaches that allow us to create personalised dietary strategies and targeted nutrient therapies designed just for you.

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

Long-Term Skin Health: A Scientific Perspective

Achieving healthy, radiant skin is a goal many individuals strive for. While genetics play a significant role, lifestyle choices and skincare practices can profoundly impact your skin's long-term health and appearance. This note from within delves into the science behind effective skincare, exploring the impact of both topical treatments and nutritional strategies, with a particular focus on how the epidermis and dermis affect your skin's appearance.

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Joanna Cooper Joanna Cooper

Personalised Nutrition in the Digital Age

In today's hyperconnected world, we're inundated with information. From social media to YouTube, nutritional advice is readily available at our fingertips. While this accessibility is undoubtedly beneficial, it has also led to a cacophony of conflicting viewpoints.

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