From skin health and gut support to emotional resilience during menopause, the episodes were packed with valuable insights that empower viewers to make informed decisions about their health. Whether you’re interested in prejuvenation for glowing skin, supporting your child’s immunity, managing menopause symptoms, or nurturing your mental health, these discussions offer practical tips and solutions to help you live your healthiest life.
“When your gut is in dysbiosis, it reflects on the outside – in your skin, your hair, and your nails.”
In this episode of the Expresso Show, the conversation turned to the future of skincare – with a focus on prevention, gut health, and smart skin strategies that go more than skin deep. Joining the couch were Laura Johnston, CEO of Phytoceutics®, and Lorette du Toit, owner and CEO of Dermology, who brought over 15 years of experience in skin and laser treatments to the table. Together, they unpacked the concept of “prejuvenation” – the proactive approach to protecting your skin before signs of ageing and damage show up.
“The skincare industry used to be all about treating aged or damaged skin. Now it’s about protecting and preventing – that’s prejuvenation,” Lourette explained.
Instead of chasing one miracle product, Lourette advocated for “stacking” treatments – combining various skincare tools and therapies in one session to achieve real, visible results. Whether it’s for pigmentation, wrinkles, or acne, stacking allows for customisable, targeted treatment that gets to the root of multiple skin concerns at once.
Laura highlighted the crucial connection between gut health and skin. She explained how inflammation, poor digestion, or a compromised gut barrier can manifest as skin conditions like acne, dullness, and even premature ageing. Supporting the gut with high-quality supplements – including omega-3s, magnesium, pre- and postbiotics – can visibly enhance your skin’s radiance and resilience.
“The gut is super important when it comes to immune health – something like 70% of immune health lies within the gut.”
In this episode of the Expresso Show, the spotlight was on children’s health – from vaccine safety to gut support and immune-boosting tips every parent can use. General practitioner Dr. Carmen Briner joined the conversation and brought clarity and compassion to a topic often filled with confusion.
Dr. Briner reassured parents who worry their children might be receiving too many vaccines. She explained that the schedule is based on extensive research to ensure both efficacy and safety. Even when multiple vaccines are administered at once, she said, the antigen load is minimal – much lower than what children encounter naturally in their daily environment. She also pointed out that different countries tailor their vaccine programs to their unique health challenges. For example, South Africa includes the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis – a disease more prevalent here than in places like Australia.
Laura emphasised the importance of gut health when it comes to children’s immunity. “About 70% of the immune system resides in the gut,” she said. “So if we support the gut, we support immunity.”
Supporting your child’s immune system is about balance: using scientifically proven vaccines, nurturing their gut with daily habits, and staying informed with trustworthy advice. As Dr. Briner and Laura made clear, you don’t have to choose between natural and medical support – they work best together.
“Menopause can start for some women as early as the age of 30… and these symptoms can last for 20 years.”
On this Expresso Show episode, Dr. Mary Atkinson joined Laura on the couch – a functional medicine GP with a deep understanding of hormonal health and the emotional rollercoaster many women ride during perimenopause and beyond.
We often assume menopause is something that happens in our 50s – but Dr. Atkinson shared insights from recent research, including data from the Flow app, showing that perimenopausal symptoms can begin as early as age 30. These symptoms, she explained, can last for up to 20 years.
What’s more, 75% of women experience severe or debilitating symptoms – but many suffer in silence, believing they just have to “push through.” The emotional toll of menopause is no small matter – especially at work. Dr. Atkinson cited studies showing that 1 in 3 women experience significant mood changes, and in South Africa, 1 in 5 women step down from leadership roles due to the emotional and cognitive impacts of menopause, such as:
“These are high-achieving women who suddenly feel like they can’t cope,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking, and it’s unnecessary.”
Laura Johnston offered insight into natural, evidence-backed support options that Phytoceutics® has developed specifically for this stage of life, such as saffron for mood management, and adaptogens such as ashwagandha for stress support and healthy cortisol levels.
Menopause and perimenopause don’t have to be endured in silence. As Dr. Atkinson and Laura Johnston made clear, there are effective, natural solutions that can help women feel balanced, resilient, and supported.
“Trauma can also be little things that affect us on an unconscious level. These are things that we are not really aware of but affect our adult relationships later on.”
On this episode of the Expresso Show, the spotlight turned to holistic mental wellness – including the emotional, psychological, and biological factors that impact how we feel every day.
Joining the conversation was Sanam Naran, a counselling psychologist and founder of Conscious Psychology. Together, they explored how awareness, gut health, and practical tools can help anyone start – or deepen – their mental health journey.
Mental health can also show up in unexpected ways – not just in obvious symptoms like anxiety or depression. Sanam explained how it often manifests as people-pleasing, perfectionism, chronic fatigue, or physical symptoms like shoulder tension and headaches.
“We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health,” she reminded viewers. “Acknowledging that is the first step.”
She also highlighted that trauma isn’t always the big, devastating events we associate with the word – like abuse or loss. It can also come from subtle, repeated experiences: emotionally distant parents, comparison to siblings, or growing up around dysfunction. These “little t” traumas build up over time and can deeply impact our adult relationships and emotional patterns.
Laura added that supporting gut health plays a huge role in mental well-being – something increasingly acknowledged by the medical community. The gut is responsible for producing many of the body’s neurotransmitters, including serotonin, which regulates mood.
For those who want a natural, non-pharmaceutical option to support mood, saffron-based supplements like Felix® can be a gentle but effective place to start – especially when paired with daily gut health support with a probiotic like Ceregut®.
To anyone feeling hesitant or overwhelmed about beginning their mental health journey, Laura offered this encouragement: “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Start by making sure you’re okay – and the rest will follow.”
The conversations from this month’s episodes of the Expresso Show reinforced the importance of proactive health care and holistic wellness. From improving skin health through gut support to managing emotional well-being with natural remedies, the advice shared by our experts is a testament to the power of taking care of our bodies from the inside out. By focusing on prevention, nurturing your gut, and embracing natural support, you can create a solid foundation for long-term health. Remember, your journey to better health starts with small, conscious steps.
Use code EXPRESSO at checkout on www.phytoceutics.com for 15% off your next purchase.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking prescription or chronic medication.
