Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2025 i Top Sante

October marks Menopause Awareness Month and, as the UK’s longest running health magazine, Top Santé has been covering this important topic in some depth for the past decade or so. With the vast majority of our readers in their 40s-60s, spanning the perimenopause to post-menopause years (as symptoms can last up to 10 years after the last period), I still feel it’s important to help educate women about ways they can navigate this transitional period, emerging stronger and wiser rather than depleted and diminished, which is how we can all feel at times. This is also being done by swathes of health and fitness experts who are reinventing midlife, not only in the UK but across the world. In years gone by, women above age 40 often disappeared from our…

More meno sex, please! Getting frisky on a regular basis may be a type of menopause medicine. Regular sex reduces the risk of genital and urinary symptoms for women during peri- and menopause, says a new study from The Menopause Society. Among 900 female participants, aged 40-79, those sexually active in the last three months reported far less dryness, pain and irritation. Results hint that intimacy curbs genitourinary syndrome – sexual and urinary issues linked to decreased oestrogen – in menopause. A bonus finding was that orgasms and satisfaction did not decrease with age. WALK FAST, AGE SLOW In news that’s bound to put a spring in your step, walking just a bit faster could be the key to ageing well. Researchers from the University of Chicago Medical Centre found…

I HAVE SOME GREAT NEWS FOR YOU. I mean, other than it’s that time of year to dust off your cosiest coats and bossiest boots and sexiest bobble hats. There is a new trend in exercise and, for the health conscious but time poor, it’s a good’un. Get ready for the rise of “micro workouts”. Ok, short, high intensity exercise isn’t exactly ground breaking – but if TikTok says it’s a trend, then we’re going with it. Yes, when it comes to fitness, many of us picture hour-long gym sessions, a sweaty spin class, or a long Saturday run that we might start to dread on Thursday. Of course, with movement, more is more. But in our increasingly busy world, carving out that kind of time can feel impossible. Between…

WHILE I BELIEVE HRT can be a powerful tool for many women, I also know from both clinical experience and personal insight that it’s not the whole picture. Our hormones don’t exist in isolation – they’re influenced by our stress levels, sleep, nutrition, gut health, and how we move our bodies. That’s why I believe lifestyle changes are just as important as HRT. By supporting the body with nourishing food, movement, rest and emotional wellbeing, we create the foundations for hormone balance. Whether you’re taking HRT or not, these lifestyle strategies are essential for long-term vitality and feeling like yourself again. There’s growing evidence that certain lifestyle changes can make a significant difference to how women experience menopause, helping to ease symptoms like hot flushes, sleep issues, brain fog, mood…

Listen to Pandora on Heart FM from 10am-1pm weekdays. Follow her at instagram.com/pandorapresenter PRIMED TO PERFECTION This Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Smoothing Primer (£17.50 superdrug.com) is like slipping on a silky scarf for your face. It has the light, airy feel of whipped mousse and a gentle cooling touch as you apply it – bliss when you’re rushing about and want to feel fresher. The moisture-locking powder smooths and softens, blurring fine lines and pores so that everything looks just that bit more polished. HINT OF A TINT There’s something about a tinted balm that makes me feel instantly put together, and belif Super Knights Berry Tinted Lipcerin (£17, boots.com) has become my go-to. Five years in the making, the balm hydrates, smooths and softens with peptides, shea…

“We believe every woman has the ability to maximise her health and beauty at any age, regardless of health history. With a balanced diet, effective exercise and a positive mindset, you can stay younger for longer, inside and out. We’ll bring you the latest information on wellbeing, fitness, food and beauty, empowering you to make informed choices now and for your future health. What’s gone before can’t be undone or redone, so let’s leave it in the past and focus on what can be changed today! We’re here to help you, one small step at a time.”…

I get up early every day, around 5.30am, and do a little bit of mind work first. Next, I sit on the edge of the bed and turn this way and that, stretching like an animal does, before getting up to have my hot water with lemon and then my coffee while chatting with my partner. Then, I’ll train, which I do four or five days a week at home. I nearly overslept this morning, but whereas in the past I might have panicked about that, now I sit and think, ‘No, I’m going to stretch, and I’m going to take a minute. I’ve got time.’ I just think you become wiser over the years, and you get into a flow and a rhythm. I’d rather take 10-15 minutes to…

The best copy I’ve found of another much pricier powder – it lasts a long time and, so far, the pot doesn’t shatter into pieces if dropped. It sells out so if you see it, buy two. This will help ease you gently into your autumnal look as summer starts to feel aeons away – plus the new No 7 packaging is sleek and gorgeous. I was sceptical of buying make-up from Zara, but I now use this every day. The shades are fairly limited but I use two and mix them. It has light, glowy coverage and a slight iridescence – but don’t worry, not in a ‘90’s way.…

BOOKS TO CHECK OUT… ● The Menopause Manifesto, by Dr Jen Gunter is a bold, evidence-based and feminist guide to menopause by a gynaecologist who tackles misinformation head-on. ● Next Level by Dr Stacy Sims focuses on exercise, nutrition and performance specifically for women in perimenopause and menopause. Ideal if you’re active or want to be. ● Hormone Repair Manual by Lara Briden is a gentle but science-backed look at hormones in your 40s and 50s, from a naturopathic doctor. Great if you want non-HRT strategies. ● Cracking the Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie is a well-researched and accessible overview with interviews from a range of experts. Friendly, digestible, and a good all-rounder. PODCASTS WORTH A LISTEN… ● On Health by Lara Briden is a short and informative…

REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE: • Welcome gift worth £22 • Enjoy home delivery of each issue • Pay just £28.99 for your first 6 issues • Nevermissanissue • Receive our newsletter for free EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBETODAY: ORDER ONLINE at SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/TSPRAI CALL NOW ON 01959 543 747** Quote ref: TSPRAI SCAN THE QR CODE – THE EASIEST & QUICKEST WAY! **Lines open Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate. ‘Subscribing to Top Santé is a great way to receive regular reminders to make healthy changes. Every four weeks the magazinewillbedelivered directly to you, packed with health, fitness, nutrition, skincare, haircare and mental wellbeingadvicefrom experts, helping you stay on thepathofhealth andlongevity.’ PRAI Beauty has helped transform over a million necks with its original neck cream, the Ageless Throat &…

1 EAT A COLOURFUL AND VARIED DIET Aiming for 30 different types of plant ingredients per week is a great way to build a diet rich in different nutrients. Avoiding ultra processed foods and opting for wholefoods instead will help give your body beneficial levels of micronutrients, supporting your brain, heart, energy and more. 2 CONSIDER A MULTIVITAMIN Although not a substitute for a healthy and varied diet, opting for a clean formulation multivitamin (without fillers, binders and other additives) will provide a good foundation level of core vitamins and minerals. Check with your GP on whether this is right for you. 3 HAVE REGULAR PRESCRIPTION REVIEWS The NHS recommends regular medication reviews, at least once per year, and states they are particularly important if taking multiple medications. This will…

● Health & Her Multivitamin for Women Taking HRT (£16.99, healthandher.com). Take two tablets daily alongside HRT for a spectrum of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, folic acid, magnesium and zinc, to boost your brain and hormone health. ● Health & Her Multivitamin for Women Taking Hormonal Contraception (£16.99, healthandher.com). Formulated for the nutritional requirements of women taking hormonal contraception, including vitamins B2, B6, B12, C and E, selenium and zinc. ● DITTO Cycle Supplement (£54, dittodaily.com). This contains 10 nutrients, such as omega-3, magnesium, iron, zinc, and vitamins D and C to reduce menstrual cramps, bloating, mood swings and fatigue. Helpful for PMS, PCOS, endometriosis or perimenopause. ● Metagenics Multi Essentials for Women 50+ Multivitamin (£28, metagenics.co.uk). Contains 28 essential nutrients and botanicals in bioavailable forms, targeting…

Acne EXPERT Kate Monteith-Ross, skincare expert and founder of The Clinic by La Ross in Rochester, Kent. CAUSE Acne is primarily caused by the overproduction of sebum, which can clog pores, and the presence of bacteria on the skin. Factors such as hormonal changes, diet, sugar, stress and certain medications can also contribute to acne. It typically displays itself as various forms of blemishes, including comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules and sometimes cysts, depending on the severity, and this can leave patients lacking in self-confidence and impact them socially. Acne can damage the skin barrier, leading to scarring, which can be incredibly difficult to treat and be distressing for patients. COUCH OR CLINIC? In-clinic LED phototherapy treatments are an incredibly effective method of treating acne. I use the Dermalux…

I’VE LIVED WITH POLYCYSTIC ovary syndrome (PCOS) for as long as I can remember – but I didn’t even have a name for it until my late 30s. Growing up, I never experienced a regular period. Instead, I battled unpredictable cycles, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), mood swings and cystic acne that clung to me well into adulthood. The acne was painful physically, but the mental toll was much worse – it stripped away my confidence and made me constantly self-conscious. What people don’t talk about enough is how PCOS doesn’t just affect your reproductive health, it impacts everything. For me, it was my mental health first. From my teens, I struggled with anxiety that seemed to live in my body. As I entered motherhood, that anxiety morphed into bouts of…

Dinner sorted! Whip up a plant-powered stir fry, curry, salad, sandwich or wrap in a jiffy with Gosh! Sweet Potato Pakora Bites (from £2.20, goshfood.com). Containing nothing but natural veggie ingredients, the flavoursome balls of sweet potato, chickpeas, onion, chilli, tomato, red pepper and more can be heated in minutes or snacked straight from the pack. Sign up to the Top Santé newsletter at topsante.co.uk/newsletter for weekly health and food inspiration! Raise the bar Swerve ultra-processed chocolate with weird emulsifiers and endless artificial flavourings. Instead, raise the bar with vegan chocolate that’s actually delicious. Ombar Organic Pistachio Cream Bar (£2.15, ombar.com) is made with (ethically-sourced) unroasted Ecuadorian cacao filled with a creamy, ganache-like organic pistachio paste. Or try the Pistachio Centres Bar (£3), a luxury treat with rich pistachio cream…

HOW OFTEN DO you get asked to take a dip in a swimming pool fully clothed? I was asked to do that very thing a few months back, as part of a photo as a photo shoot for Menopause Awareness Month for a new campaign by Olive Collective, who wanted to highlight the varied stories and symptoms of women of in perimenopause and menopause and their lived experiences. I was experiences. one of seven women taking part, getting into Charlton Lido fully clothed – though to use the term “fully clothed” was perhaps inaccurate for me, at least, as my outfit was somewhat skimpy! (See the reel pinned to my page at instagram.com/thehealtheditor). We were being photographed by celebrity photographer Sane Seven, who has taken portraits of Hannah Waddingham, Robin…

Star letter ‘A big thank you’ ‘I have been a reader of Top Santé for many years and always look forward to each month’s new edition. I just wanted to give recognition to the people who bring it all together. You have such a variety of experts, everything I read provides excellent advice making my life just a little bit better. For example, I’ve improved my exercise routine and now routinely meditate in the morning. I especially enjoy reading the beauty features as I know I can trust the magazine for good recommendations. A simple thanks from me to you!’ Jackie Paul, via email ‘Dear Jackie, a heartfelt thanks from me for your lovely letter! I know you have been with Top Santé for many years and also follow me on…

AT-HOME AROMATHERAPY Create a relaxing ambience at home with the hand-poured Calming Aromatherapy Candle from Neal’s Yard Remedies (£37, nealsyardremedies.com). Made from a natural blend of organic beeswax and essential oils, the clean-burning candle features soothing notes of rose and geranium for a delicate and grounding aroma. Green goodness Make perfect matcha lattes at home with the Matcha Latte Magic Whisk from Bird & Blend Tea Co(£99, birdandblendtea.com). Available in bamboo or stainless steel, the all-in-one gadget is specially programmed to gently whisk, aerate and froth your matcha, delivering silky-smooth, barista-quality hot or iced lattes at the push of a button. Bird & Blend also creates a huge range of matcha blends, from naturally earthy options to sweeter creations. EVENINGS BY THE FIRE Powered by vegan-friendly vegetable wax, the Eco…

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 49. I didn’t have a routine NHS mammogram because you don’t get called for one until you’re at least 50, but I just felt like something wasn’t right. I didn’t have a lump or any kind of symptoms you would attribute to breast cancer, such as puckering or skin discoloration, but I kept having this niggling feeling. I don’t know whether that was my body trying to communicate with me or not, but I decided to pay privately for an ultrasound between two performances of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe [in which Samantha starred in 2022] in the West End. And thank goodness I did. They immediately discovered an irregular shape at the check-up. That proved to be…

WHEN YOU WORK IN health journalism, you think you’d be well-versed in spotting health conditions in yourself. But some are not so obvious. I never would have considered myself neurodivergent – that certainly wasn’t a word in common parlance back when I grew up. At school in the ‘80s and ‘90s, there were usually only one or two pupils with mental health conditions. I’d always done well at school; I could sit still, concentrate, and produce good work when required – I got the top GCSE results in my school! Nothing outwardly would have suggested there was anything different about the way my brain worked. Which was why, fast forward 30 or so years, when a health coach suggested I might want to look into ADHD, I didn’t think it…

Q WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS FORMS OF HRT, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN “BODY IDENTICAL” AND “BIO-IDENTICAL”? This is a common source of confusion. The first type of HRT was synthetic, and was oestrogen derived from pregnant mares. The early form of progestins were synthetic too – I use the term progestin, not progesterone, as the former is the term for the synthetic version. Natural progesterone is completely different to synthetic, and we’ll come onto that in a bit. But broadly speaking, you have synthetic and then more natural HRT. The more natural variety was and still is called “bio-identical” because it works on your receptors in the same way your natural “endogenous” hormones do or would. Bio-identical HRT is often made in smaller, independent compounding pharmacies, not by large…

THE HOTEL ROOM started spinning the moment I stood up that morning in 2017. Not the gentle wobble you get from getting up too quickly – this was a violent, nauseating whirl that nearly brought me to my knees. As I steadied myself on the mattress, one terrifying thought crashed through my mind: my mother died of a brain tumor; was this how it started for her? I had traveled to Minnesota with friends for a charity walk. Instead of getting excited about that event, I found myself facing one of the lesser-known, and more frightening, symptoms of menopause: vertigo. Of course, I didn’t know that’s what it was at the time. Neither did my doctor. When I saw my physician after returning home, her first instinct mirrored my fears…

WE OFTEN THINK OF beauty routines as a way to slow down ageing, but the latest innovations go a step further: not just protecting, but actively regenerating. Regenerational health and beauty is about strengthening your skin, hair and body foundations now, so they continue to reward you with radiance, resilience and vitality as time goes on. From your late 20s, skin begins to lose its youthful rhythm. Cell turnover slows, collagen and elastin production dips, and oxidative stress leaves its mark. Fine lines appear, firmness softens and pigmentation marks surface. Add in “ inflammageing ” – the chronic, low-level inflammation linked to stress – UV exposure and lifestyle, and skin’s natural repair system becomes less efficient. Regeneration is about waking up those functions, stimulating cells to behave as they once…

• The next-gen youth-boosters for younger skin • Transform your health from the inside out at an Ayurvedic hotel • Spotlight on painful genital health condition lichen sclerosus • Inspiring real-life stories • Warming and filling healthy recipes for autumn… …plus lots more! DON’T MISS IT! The November issue – on sale Oct 24! 4 WAYS TO GET YOUR COPY… 1 Visit frontline-group.co.uk/store-finder. Select Top Santé from the drop-down menu, then input your postcode. 2 Ask your local newsagent to reserve you a copy – they’d be happy to do so. 3 Subscribe so you never miss an issue! See page 36 for details. 4 Buy single issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/ TSA – scroll down to “Buy single issue”.…

SEPTEMBER 2025 COVER STORY Julia Bradbury INSIDE Expert advice to reduce stress, banish migraines and live well for longer AUGUST 2025 COVER STORY Davinia Taylor INSIDE Manage your weight, boost your energy and improve your wellbeing SUMMER 2025 COVER STORY Tess Daly MBE INSIDE Midlife advice on sleeping better, eating well and boosting confidence JULY 2025 COVER STORY Kirsty Gallacher INSIDE Top tips to manage your blood sugar, lose weight and tone up JUNE 2025 COVER STORY Lisa Snowdon INSIDE Expert help to reduce stress, find more energy and get fit in a flash MAY 2025 COVER STORY Denise Lewis INSIDE Get a midlife upgrade with energy-boosting tips and health advice APRIL 2025 COVER STORY Zoe Hardman INSIDE A special gut health focus with expert advice, plus 8 new beauty…

CHICKEN, CHORIZO & BUTTER BEAN SOUP I almost wonder if I can get away with calling this recipe a soup. It’s somewhere between a soup and a stew – somewhere very delicious. Truly, the best time to make this recipe is following a roast chicken. Once the table has been cleared, the last scraps of meat can be shredded from the bone and reserved to use in place of the chicken thighs listed below. Serves 4 ■ 3-4 organic or free-range skin-on chicken thighs■ Drizzle of organic rapeseed oil■ 185g cooking chorizo, sliced or cubed■ 1 large onion, finely chopped■ 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped■ 2 sprigs of rosemary, leaves picked and chopped■ 2 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked and chopped■ 3 bay leaves■ 1 tsp smoked paprika■ 1 litre…