Part 1: Why Dieting Is Actually Making You Binge Eat With OT Alex Kearney

Keto, Carnivore, Mediterranean: What These Diets Actually Do To Your Microbiome

Your microbiome is one of the most responsive systems in your body and in this episode, we're breaking down exactly how to work with it, not against it. We cover the real timeline of microbiome change (hint: it starts sooner than you think), what different dietary approaches actually do to your gut bacteria, and the underappreciated role of when and how often you eat. In this episode: * How quickly your microbiome can shift- what's happening at 24 hours, one week, one month, and three months * What keto and carnivore diets do to microbial diversity, butyrate production, and gut barrier integrity and when they can be genuinely therapeutic * Why the Mediterranean and plant-based diets have the strongest evidence base for microbiome health, and why variety matters more than volume * The migrating motor complex, what it is, why it only activates in a fasted state, and why constant grazing may be contributing to SIBO * Time-restricted eating and its effect on microbial diversity, akkermansia, and circadian alignment * Why your stress levels and sleep can undermine even the cleanest diet * Real client cases from our clinic, including a carnivore protocol that significantly reduced inflammatory markers in a client with Crohn's disease This week's recommendations: * Karah: Homemade coconut kefir: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXLwbwkkzjP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXLwbwkkzjP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] * Teresa: Family Wall app for shared household admin Work with us! If you want to explore what your microbiome actually looks like, book a free discovery call or find us on instagram * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]

What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Endometriosis (And Why It Takes 10 Years to Diagnose)

If you have been told your period pain is normal, this episode is for you. Endometriosis affects an estimated one in nine women, yet the average diagnostic delay is still a staggering ten years. In this episode of Sana Sessions, we take a deep dive into what endometriosis actually is, why it is so frequently missed, and what a comprehensive, root-cause approach to management looks like, beyond the pill and beyond surgery. What We Cover in This Episode What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, responding to hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle. It is not simply a gynaecological condition — it is a multisystem inflammatory disease involving immune dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, and cellular disruption. Symptoms can include severe period pain (dysmenorrhoea), ovulatory pain, pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), heavy periods (menorrhagia), chronic pelvic pain, digestive symptoms such as bloating and constipation, fatigue, recurrent urinary tract infections, and fertility challenges. Critically, symptom severity does not always reflect disease severity. Why Endometriosis Takes So Long to Diagnose Women's pain has historically been underrecognised and underinvestigated. Many women are told their symptoms are normal for years before receiving a diagnosis. Endometriosis can present during adolescence, the twenties and thirties, or may only be discovered during fertility investigations. Understanding your symptoms and advocating clearly within your healthcare team is essential. How Endometriosis is Diagnosed Laparoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Specialised imaging via an endoscan, a comprehensive ultrasound involving external abdominal and internal transvaginal assessment with pressure testing for adhesions, can detect deep infiltrating endometriosis and provides a less invasive diagnostic pathway. The Root Causes of Endometriosis This is where naturopathic medicine offers significant value. Rather than managing symptoms alone, a root-cause approach explores the multiple contributing factors driving the condition: * Retrograde menstruation and bacterial contamination theory (E. coli endotoxins in menstrual blood and peritoneal fluid) * Genetic predisposition involving genes that regulate inflammation, hormone metabolism, immune signalling, and tissue repair * Epigenetic influences including diet, chronic stress, toxin exposure, gut health, and lifestyle patterns * Environmental toxin exposure, particularly xenoestrogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, soft plastics, and food packaging * Impaired immune surveillance allowing abnormal cell implantation and growth * Gut microbiome imbalance and its direct influence on immune regulation and oestrogen metabolism via the estrobolome * Uterine microbiome disruption associated with endometriosis and implantation difficulties * Elevated copper levels driving inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis that supports lesion growth * Defective methylation pathways affecting detoxification, hormone metabolism, and inflammation regulation * Elevated histamine activity amplifying inflammation, oestrogen stimulation, and pain signalling Naturopathic Management of Endometriosis A comprehensive, integrative approach to endometriosis management includes: * Anti-inflammatory nutrition: whole foods, omega-3 fatty acids, diverse vegetables, fibre, and antioxidant-rich foods to reduce systemic inflammation * Gut health optimisation: stool microbiome mapping, digestive function support, and gut barrier repair to support immune health and oestrogen clearance * Methylation support: assessment of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, B6, choline, and magnesium to support detoxification and hormone metabolism * Histamine management: identifying histamine-triggering foods, supporting gut integrity, and providing targeted nutrient support for histamine metabolism * Nervous system regulation: breathwork, restorative movement such as walking and yoga, sleep support, and techniques such as legs-up-the-wall * Environmental toxin reduction: avoiding heating food in plastic containers, switching to glass or stainless steel storage, and reducing soft plastic packaging exposure * Targeted herbal and nutritional supplementation based on individual presentation * Post-surgical support for tissue healing where excision has been performed Building Your Endometriosis Healthcare Team Managing endometriosis well requires a collaborative team. This may include your GP, a specialist gynaecologist experienced in endometriosis excision surgery, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, a naturopath, and an acupuncturist. Taking a support person to medical appointments can help with advocacy and information retention. Key Takeaways * Endometriosis is a multisystem inflammatory condition, not just a period problem * A ten-year diagnostic delay is still common, knowing your symptoms and advocating for investigation matters * Root causes extend well beyond hormones and include gut health, immune function, environmental toxins, methylation, and histamine * Naturopathic support works alongside conventional treatment to address the systemic drivers of the condition * An individualised, comprehensive approach produces the best outcomes Mentioned in This Episode * Endoscan (specialised endometriosis ultrasound) * Gut microbiome mapping and stool analysis * Methylation blood panel (homocysteine, B12, folate, B6, choline, magnesium) * Estrobolome and oestrogen metabolism * Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and xenoestrogens Work with us!  * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]

Why You Look 6 Months Pregnant After Every Meal (And It's Not What You Think)

Why You're Still Bloated (And What to Do About It) If you've ever unbuttoned your jeans after dinner, lived in trackpants to survive the afternoon, or been told "it's just IBS" — this one's for you. In today's episode, Karah and Theresa break down one of the most common complaints they see in clinic: bloating. Not just what it is, but why it's happening, what it's actually telling you about your gut, and what you can do about it starting today. What we cover: * What bloating actually is (and how to tell it apart from general belly weight) * The difference between upper and lower gut bloating — and why it matters * Low stomach acid and enzyme deficiency: the most overlooked cause * Bacterial imbalance and SIBO: why the six-months-pregnant belly builds throughout the day * The carb restriction connection that so many women don't see coming * Food sensitivities, FODMAP tolerance, and why long-term elimination is not the answer * How constipation — even the kind you don't recognise — is making things worse * The hormone link: why bloating gets so much worse in the second half of your cycle * Stress and the gut-brain axis: why eating at your desk is wrecking your digestion Testing we use in clinic: * SIBO breath testing * Comprehensive stool testing * Functional blood tests (iron, zinc, B12, thyroid, stress hormones) * Metagenomic microbiome testing via CoBoime 4 things you can do today: 1. Try apple cider vinegar — one teaspoon in warm water before a meal 2. Avoid large amounts of liquid at mealtimes 3. Eat mindfully — away from screens, chewing properly, breathing deeply 4. Experiment with fibre — psyllium husks, chia, linseed, stewed fruit Resources mentioned: * Free Bloating E-Book — HERE [https://www.thesanaco.com.au/product-page/understanding-bloating-causes-and-symptoms] * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]

Part 2: Why Dieting Is Actually Making You Binge Eat With OT Alex Kearney

In this episode, clinical nutritionist Sienna continues her conversation with Occupational Therapist Alex Kearney on a topic that affects far more people than we often realise overeating and binge eating. This is an honest, evidence-based, and deeply human conversation about our relationship with food, our bodies, and the pressures we navigate every single day. What we cover in this episode: Set point theory and what the evidence actually says Alex unpacks the concept of set point theory, the idea that our body has a biologically preferred weight, and why the evidence around long-term weight loss strategies may not be what we've been told. The focus, she argues, is better placed on behaviour than on body weight. The binge-restrict cycle Sienna shares openly from her own experience of the exhausting cycle of restriction, guilt, and overeating and how healing her relationship with food changed everything. Alex explains the psychological mechanics behind this cycle, including how deprivation and "good food / bad food" thinking can keep us stuck. The nervous system and binge eating Alex explores what's actually happening in the brain during a binge eating episode, including why it can feel like a reflex rather than a choice, how habit loops form, and why willpower has nothing to do with it. First steps toward change Practical, evidence-based starting points for anyone who resonates with what's shared in this episode, including the role of regular and adequate eating, self-monitoring patterns, and guided self-help approaches based on cognitive behavioural therapy.   Resources and Support If anything in today's episode resonated with you, the following are free, evidence-based Australian resources: Crisis and Helpline Support Butterfly Foundation National Helpline — free, confidential support 7 days a week, 8am–midnight AEST Call 1800 334 673 or visit butterfly.org.au [http://www.butterfly.org.au] Free Online Programs (No Referral Required) InsideOut eClinic: free, evidence-based self-help programs available anytime, no referral and no cost Inside Out Institute [https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/], including a Binge Eating eTherapy (BEeT) program for those 16+ Visit eclinic.insideoutinstitute.org.au [http://www.eclinic.insideoutinstitute.org.au] Information and Education National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) — evidence-based information, fact sheets, and resources on eating disorders for individuals, families, and health professionals NEDC [https://nedc.com.au/] Visit nedc.com.au Eating Disorders Victoria — state-wide support, information, and referral pathways for Victorians Call 1300 550 236 or visit eatingdisorders.org.au [http://www.eatingdisorders.org.au] For Families and Carers Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) — free online counselling for carers, educational resources, and peer-led support groups available nationwide and online ReachOut Australia [https://au.reachout.com/mental-health-issues/eating-disorders/eating-disorder-helplines-support-services] Visit edfa.org.au [http://www.edfa.org.au]   Work with us:  * Book a FREE discovery call with our Naturopaths → [BOOK HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary]] * Follow us on Instagram → [@thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]] This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are concerned about your relationship with food or your mental health, please speak with your GP or a qualified health professional.

Part 1: Why Dieting Is Actually Making You Binge Eat With OT Alex Kearney

In this episode, Sienna sits down with occupational therapist Alex Kearney to unpack one of the most misunderstood and stigmatised topics in health: overeating and binge eating. What starts as a well-intentioned effort to "eat healthier" can quietly evolve into something far more complex, and most of us would never even realise it. Alex brings a unique occupational therapy lens to the conversation, exploring how our relationship with food impacts every area of daily life- from our energy and cognition, to our social connections and sense of self. In this episode we cover: * What occupational therapy actually is and why OTs work in mental health * The difference between disordered eating and a diagnosed eating disorder * Why dieting is considered one of the biggest risk factors for binge eating * Set point theory and why your body may be fighting you harder than you realise * The role of social media and diet culture in driving disordered eating rates * The very real physical and psychological consequences of undereating * Signs that your relationship with food may be worth talking to someone about This is part one of a two-part conversation. Part two will cover practical first steps for breaking the binge-restrict cycle and how to access support. Resources and Support If anything in today's episode resonated with you, the following are free, evidence-based Australian resources: Crisis and Helpline Support Butterfly Foundation National Helpline — free, confidential support 7 days a week, 8am–midnight AEST Call 1800 334 673 or visit butterfly.org.au [http://www.butterfly.org.au] Free Online Programs (No Referral Required) InsideOut eClinic: free, evidence-based self-help programs available anytime, no referral and no cost Inside Out Institute [https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/], including a Binge Eating eTherapy (BEeT) program for those 16+ Visit eclinic.insideoutinstitute.org.au [http://www.eclinic.insideoutinstitute.org.au] Information and Education National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) — evidence-based information, fact sheets, and resources on eating disorders for individuals, families, and health professionals NEDC [https://nedc.com.au/] Visit nedc.com.au Eating Disorders Victoria — state-wide support, information, and referral pathways for Victorians Call 1300 550 236 or visit eatingdisorders.org.au [http://www.eatingdisorders.org.au] For Families and Carers Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) — free online counselling for carers, educational resources, and peer-led support groups available nationwide and online ReachOut Australia [https://au.reachout.com/mental-health-issues/eating-disorders/eating-disorder-helplines-support-services] Visit edfa.org.au [http://www.edfa.org.au]   Work with us:  * Book a FREE discovery call with our Naturopaths → [BOOK HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary]] * Follow us on Instagram → [@thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]] This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are concerned about your relationship with food or your mental health, please speak with your GP or a qualified health professional.