Fact, fiction and female health

What’s missing? Identifying and addressing nutrient gaps across the lifespan
What do iron, vitamin D, calcium, iodine and zinc have in common? They are all nutrients of concern for many women at different stages of life. In this session, you’ll explore a practical, food-first framework for identifying key nutrient gaps, understanding how nutritional needs change across the lifespan, and determining when supplementation may be appropriate. You’ll also gain insights into the evidence for some commonly discussed supplements (creatine and collagen) and walk away confident to apply this knowledge in your practice.

Sandra Mikhail is a globally recognised clinical dietitian, author and founder of Nutrition A-Z, co-founder and CCO of HER, and nutrition advisor at Mydrate. With nearly two decades of experience across Australia, the UAE and Switzerland, she specialises in digestive health, eating disorders and sports nutrition, holding degrees from Monash University, ETH Zurich, and the IOC. She is the author of The Gut Chronicles and co-hosts The Gastroenterologist and His Daughter podcast.

Cycle syncing: trend, truth or both?
Cycle syncing has become a popular wellness trend, but how much of the advice is supported by evidence? This session moves beyond rigid food rules and oversimplified hormone claims to explore how nutrition needs, symptoms and health behaviours may shift across the menstrual cycle. You will examine the current evidence on energy intake, appetite, carbohydrate utilisation, protein and iron throughout the follicular and luteal phases and leave with a toolbox of nutrition strategies that you can use to support clients today.

Stefanie Valakas APD is a Certified Fertility and Pregnancy Dietitian, and founder of The Dietologist, Australia’s trusted authority in fertility nutrition. Stef and her team support individuals and couples to optimise fertility, navigate assisted reproduction and achieve healthy pregnancies through practical, evidence-based nutrition care. Stefanie also founded Fertility Friendly Dietitians, a professional education community helping dietitians build confidence, clinical skills and expertise in fertility and reproductive health nutrition.

The perimenopausal brain: nutrition, brain fog and the emerging oestrogen-microbiome axis
Brain fog is one of the most common yet poorly understood symptoms of perimenopause, affecting memory, attention and cognitive performance. In this session, you will explore the underlying mechanisms driving cognitive changes during the menopause transition, including the role of declining oestrogen, inflammation and metabolic health. You will hear about the emerging evidence surrounding the oestrogen–microbiome axis, including how alterations in the gut microbiome may influence circulating oestrogen, insulin sensitivity, visceral adiposity and cardiometabolic risk. You will leave prepared to support women navigating midlife with evidence-based nutrition strategies to support cognitive health.

Sarah Gray is one of Australia’s only dual qualified health professionals in the fields of pharmacy and nutrition. Sarah is also a certified MyMT®Menopause Lifestyle Practitioner and author of It’s Not You, It’s Perimenopause. Sarah’s holistic approach helps clients thrive in all areas of life, with a special focus on perimenopause.