Her Health™ Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Kate Browde – paediatrician and allergy specialist – for one of the most practical and useful conversations on kids' health that we've had on the show.

From eczema prevention and the allergic march to food allergy desensitisation, house dust mites, and the surprising role of iron in immune health – Dr Kate unpacks the science behind why allergies develop, how to prevent them, and what to do when they're already there.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: allergy factors rated – breastfeeding, skin barrier, iron, probiotics, and early allergen introduction
🍼 Getting allergens into the tummy, not the skin – why this distinction determines whether allergies develop
 🧬 The allergic march – how eczema in infancy can trigger a cascade of conditions
🥜 Why peanuts dominate food allergies – and what the LEAP study changed about how we feed babies
🥛 Allergy vs intolerance – the key difference, delayed reactions, and when testing can't help
💉 Desensitisation – how oral immunotherapy works, who it can cure, and why early diagnosis is everything
🏠 Managing environmental allergies – house dust mites, the three pillars of allergy management, and when nasal sprays outperform antihistamines
🩸Iron and allergy – why deficiency compounds allergic disease and when to start supplementing in babies

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction
0:38 – Meet Dr Kate Browde, paediatrician and allergy specialist
1:14 – Rapid fire: allergy factors rated
4:50 – Why allergens need to enter the gut before the skin
7:14 – The allergic march: eczema, food allergies, and asthma
10:54 – How food allergies develop through a compromised skin barrier
13:57 – Milk allergy vs lactose intolerance: the key difference
18:07 – Early allergen introduction: the LEAP study and the new guidelines
24:40 – Desensitisation: can food allergies be cured?
31:25 – Environmental allergies and the three pillars of allergy management
34:51 – Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and quercetin: what works
39:08 – Iron and allergies: why deficiency matters and when to supplement
👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/qv_TPkXEtaM
 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

 Dr Kate Browde | https://kidsallergy.co.za/kate-browde/
 Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #Allergies #Eczema #FoodAllergy #KidsHealth #KidsAllergies #PaediatricHealth #HouseDustMite #Immunotherapy #Desensitisation #IronDeficiency #Probiotics #AllergyPrevention #Breastfeeding #Pregnancy #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics® – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Vanessa Lapiner – Cape Town dermatologist – for a no-nonsense, science-led guide to what's actually happening in your skin and what to do about it.

From the gut–skin axis and adult acne to peptides, pigmentation, and the ingredients that genuinely make a difference – this conversation gives women the dermatological depth they need to take ownership of their own skin health.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: skin health factors rated – sunscreen, retinoids, sugar, skin cycling, sleep, and more
🛡️ The Dr L framework: Defend, Renew, Liberate – a structured approach to building an effective skincare routine
😴 Sleep and your skin barrier – why good sleep improves skin barrier function by 30%
 Sugar and the skin: how a high-sugar diet damages collagen
🦠 The gut–brain–skin axis – how stress, cortisol, and gut permeability show up on your skin
🔴 Adult acne – why it looks different to teenage acne, and the real drivers behind it
💊 Antibiotics vs probiotics for skin – why the future of acne treatment may lie in the gut
🔬 Peptides decoded – the four categories of topical peptides and what each one actually does
⚠️ Injectable peptides: the controversy and the red flags
🎨 Mixing skincare brands – whether sticking to one range is science or just marketing
🌑 Pigmentation explained – melasma vs sun-induced pigmentation and why treating them differently matters
🌿 Managing melasma – supplements, topicals, and the vascular component most people miss

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction
0:39 – Meet Dr Vanessa Lapiner, dermatologist
1:16 – Rapid fire: skin health factors rated
3:19 – Sleep and your skin: why good sleep improves skin barrier function by 30%
5:13 – Omega-3 and the skin barrier: oils vs water for hydration
6:14 – Antioxidants: why they outperform chemical filters for UV protection
10:01 – How much does diet actually affect inflammatory skin conditions?
10:56 – The gut–brain–skin axis explained
12:46 – Adult acne: why it's increasingly prevalent and what's driving it
14:45 – Why overusing actives and treatments can make acne worse
19:36 – Antibiotics vs probiotics: where dermatology is heading
22:25 – Renew: cell turnover, chemical exfoliants, and how retinoids work
28:10 – Liberate: targeted, skin-concern-specific treatments
28:36 – Peptides: the four categories and what each one does
30:44 – Injectable peptides: the regulatory landscape and why caution is warranted
36:30 – Pigmentation: melasma vs sun-induced pigmentation explained
37:39 – Melasma: why it's a factory, not a stain — and how to manage it
39:19 – Supplements for melasma: polypodium leucotomos, glutathione, and resveratrol
40:51 – Topicals for melasma: sunscreen, tyrosinase inhibitors, and tranexamic acid

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: 👉 https://youtu.be/pDllEpVtTfA 
 Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000779961062
Amazon 👉 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/ba01f13b-63ed-45f4-9f3a-9a28157606ec/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-21-acne-pigmentation-ageing-skin-a-dermatologist's-perspective

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

 Dr Vanessa Lapiner | https://atlanticdermatologyandlaser.co.za/dr-vanessa-lapiner/
 Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #SkinHealth #Dermatology #AdultAcne #Melasma #Pigmentation #SkincareScience #GutSkinAxis #Peptides #Retinol #Antioxidants #BeautyFromWithin #WomensHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.
In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Catriona Boffard – sexologist and psychotherapist – for a rare, genuinely honest conversation about female sexual health that goes far beyond the surface.
From pain during sex and desire discrepancy to neurodiversity, sensory processing, and the role of upbringing in shaping our relationship with pleasure – this episode covers the full picture of what actually influences women's sexual health and satisfaction.

Together, they discuss:

🔥 Rapid fire: factors affecting sexual health rated – neurodiversity, trauma, stress, hormones, and more
🧠 What a sexologist actually does – and the three most common reasons people seek help
😣 Pain during sex – what causes it, the anxiety feedback loop, and how it's treated
💔 Desire discrepancy – why mismatched libido is almost universal and what's really driving it
🧬 How upbringing and cultural messaging wire the brain around sex
🔎 Neurodiversity and sexual health – the most overlooked connection in women's well-being
📉 Why neurodiverse women struggle more with hormonal regulation
🏠 The division of labour and desire – the direct link between domestic load and low desire
♥️ Love languages through a neurodivergent lens – and what counts as quality time
👁️ Eye contact, intimacy, and why one-size-fits-all advice can backfire
💊 Supplements and sexual health – how systemic health improvement influences desire
🛋️ The one tip every couple needs – and why it doesn't have to to wait for a crisis

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction
0:40 – Meet Dr Catriona Boffard, sexologist and psychotherapist
1:06 – Rapid fire: factors affecting sexual health and satisfaction rated
2:35 – What is a sexologist and what are the most common reasons people seek help?
5:03 – Pain during sex: how common it is, what causes it, and how it's treated
10:13 – Desire discrepancy: what it is and why it's almost inevitable
12:52 – How upbringing and cultural messaging shape your relationship with sex
18:42 – The role of the brain in sexual desire and interest
25:00 – Neurodiversity and sexual health: the most underlooked connection
29:18 – Why neurodiverse women are diagnosed at major hormonal events
31:25 – How neurodiversity affects sensory experience and pleasure in the bedroom
36:49 – The division of labour and desire: why domestic load directly lowers desire
40:06 – Love languages through a neurodivergent lens
45:24 – Eye contact, intimacy, and why blanket advice can backfire
47:18 – The one tip every couple needs: therapy as protection, not cure
48:49 – Supplements and sexual health: how systemic well-being influences desire

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: 👉 https://youtu.be/Of4Yh8cRmOw
Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000777794494
Amazon 👉 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/ef8f3c44-4f1c-42b1-8760-1e1ee1feb5cf/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-20-sexual-health-through-a-neurodivergent-lens

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:

Dr Catriona Boffard | https://catrionaboffard.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/sexologywithcatriona/?hl=en
Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #SexualHealth #WomensHealth #Neurodiversity #DesireDiscrepancy #Sexologist #MentalHealth #Perimenopause #PelvicHealth #LoveLanguages #ADHD #WomensWellness #RelationshipHealth #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.
In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Lizle Oosthuizen – doctor and fertility specialist – to give women a clear, evidence-based fertility framework.
From egg quality and sperm health to egg freezing, miscarriage, IVF, and egg donation – this conversation covers the full fertility landscape with the honesty and clinical depth that most women never get from a single appointment.

Together, they discuss:
🔥 Rapid fire: fertility factors rated – Dr Lizle's honest scores on age, sperm quality, CoQ10, alcohol, and PCOS
📉 Why infertility is becoming more prevalent – and what's actually driving it
🥚 Egg quality vs egg supply – what you can and can't control💊 The supplements that matter for fertility and what the evidence shows
🧬 Miscarriage – when to investigate, what causes it, and how it's assessed
❄️ Egg freezing explained – the best age, how many eggs you need, and what Dr Lizle did herself
🔬 Eggs vs embryos – why embryos give you more information but less autonomy
👶 Genetic testing of embryos – why six embryos may only mean two real chances
⚖️ Surrogacy in South Africa – what the law requires and when it applies
🩺 Egg donation – who it's for, how it works, and the role of epigenetics
💊 Prenatal supplements – when to start and why to continue through breastfeeding
📅 When to seek help – the timelines by age and why waiting costs you options
🩸 Irregular periods, ovulation sticks, and PCOS – what helps and what doesn't
🔄 Cycle syncing – what the evidence actually shows
😰 PMDD vs PMS – how severe it can get and what can be done

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Introduction
0:40 – Meet Dr Lizle Oosthuizen, doctor and fertility specialist
1:01 – Rapid fire: fertility factors rated
2:29 – The fertility landscape in 2026: why infertility is on the rise
4:12 – The sweet spot for fertility: when is egg quality at its best?
5:17 – Sperm quality and male fertility: what men need to know
7:38 – What you can actually do to support egg and sperm quality
9:09 – The supplements Dr Lizle recommends & the evidence behind them
11:44 – Miscarriage: how common it is and when to seek investigation
14:13 – What causes miscarriage and how it's investigated
17:01 – Egg freezing: the best time, the process, and Dr Lizle's personal experience
20:50 – Eggs vs embryos: pros, cons, and why embryos give you more information
23:15 – Genetic testing of embryos
27:49 – When to seek fertility help: timelines by age
29:40 – Surrogacy in South Africa: the legal requirements explained
31:12 – Community Q&A: egg donation explained
33:50 – Should everyone trying to conceive take a prenatal?
36:52 – Cycle syncing: what the evidence actually shows
38:14 – PMDD vs PMS

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

Youtube: https://youtu.be/hNmZZm-sfSo
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000775879121
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/17c4c526-21d7-4ebe-a70a-445b2d5a41d9/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-19-fertility-egg-freezing-know-where-you-stand

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us: Dr Lizle Oosthuizen | https://www.instagram.com/dro.fertility/
Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #FertilityHealth #Fertility #WomensHealth #EggFreezing #IVF #FertilitySpecialist #EggDonation #Miscarriage #PCOS #Prenatal #FertilitySupport #ReproductiveHealth #MidlifeWomen #Phytoceutics

Welcome back to another episode of the Her Health™ Podcast by Phytoceutics – a space for women to feel informed, empowered, and supported through science-led conversations on modern health and well-being.

In this episode, Phytoceutics® CEO and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Laura Johnston sits down with Dr Mignon Laub, an aesthetic GP, to cut through the noise of the aesthetic medicine industry and give women an evidence-based, honest framework for ageing well from both the inside and the outside.

From how the face changes at every structural layer to when fillers, bio stimulators, and facelifts are actually warranted – and when they're not – this conversation is the practical guide to aesthetic medicine many women may never get from a practitioner.

Together, they discuss:

🌟 Rapid fire: Dr Mignon's honest scores on Botox, fillers, bio stimulators, sunblock, and more
🦴 How the face ages from the inside out – what's happening at the bone, fat, and skin layers
🧬 How much genetics determine how you age – and what lifestyle factors still make a difference
🌿 Beauty from within – the three supplements Dr Mignon considers non-negotiable for skin health
💉 The fear around fillers – where it comes from, whether it's warranted, and how to prevent overfilling
📅 A decade-by-decade guide – what to focus on in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond
🔬 Bio stimulators and skin boosters explained – what they are, how they differ from fillers, and when to use them
⚠️ GLP-1 face – what rapid weight loss does to your skin and how to manage it
🧪 Peptides: what the research actually shows and why Dr Mignon urges caution
📲 What to avoid – why social media is the wrong place to get aesthetic advice

📌 TIMESTAMPS:

0:37 – Meet Dr Mignon Laub, aesthetic GP
1:08 – Rapid fire: aesthetic treatments and healthy ageing rated
2:09 – How the face ages from the inside out: bone, fat, and skin
4:34 – Beauty from within: lifestyle, diet, and the top three supplements for skin health
5:27 – The fear around fillers: where it comes from and is it warranted?
7:19 – A decade-by-decade guide: what to focus on in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s
9:19 – Bio stimulators and skin boosters: what they are and how they work
12:10 – When to consider a facelift – and how to know when it's time
15:23 – GLP-1 face: what rapid weight loss does to your skin16:22 – Peptides: the copper peptide, the controversy, and what the research actually says
18:35 – Community Q&A: best foods for skin, combining peptides with injectables, and what patients need to hear
23:24 – What to avoid: why social media is the wrong source for aesthetic advice

👉 Subscribe now to join the conversation and never miss an episode of Her Health™.

🎧 Listen to the podcast:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/BQSLFxxrKBk
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/her-health-podcast/id1846133718?i=1000773950823
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89df8e78-60a1-46f3-88fd-66551e317339/episodes/518127c7-50a4-40de-9d93-062abd88755a/her-health%E2%84%A2-podcast-ep-18-botox-fillers-ageing-an-aesthetic-gp's-honest-take

💸 Use the code HERHEALTH at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 20% off your first order.

📲 Connect with us:
Dr Mignon Laub | https://www.instagram.com/drmignonlaub/?hl=en Phytoceutics® | https://www.instagram.com/phytoceutics_za/?hl=en

#HerHealthPodcast #AestheticMedicine #HealthyAgeing #SkincareScience #Botox #Fillers #BioStimulators #AntiAgeing #BeautyFromWithin #WomensHealth #SkinHealth #GLP1 #Retinol #Peptides #Phytoceutics