Doctor Verena

Doctor Verena Dr Verena Raschke-Cheema PhD, MSc. Nutritional Sciences, Kinesiologist, Author

is a highly accomplished academic and clinician in the field of nutritional science. Verena is also a neuro-training kinesiologist, holistic health consultant, author, keynote speaker and mentor. After a decade of clinical practice, Verena's dedication to delivering holistic, evidence-based solutions has seen her become an influential figure in her area of expertise. With credentials including a P

hD and a Masters in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Vienna, Austria, Verena’s internationally-published works, including The Health Benefits of Traditional Food Habits and The Colonial and Neo-colonial Forces Underpinning the 'Nutrition Transition’ are frequently presented at major conferences. Her innovative conceptualisation of the ‘Nutrition Transition’ is now included in the curriculum of leading universities worldwide. Extending her knowledge far beyond the realm of traditional science, Verena is qualified in Neuro-Training Kinesiology, remains a registered professional member of the Australian Institute of Kinesiologists and is committed to ongoing professional development with 'Resolve, beyond Neurology'. Verena has a deep understanding of Ayurvedic medicine, studying with Dr Lilardha Gupta of Vrindaban, India. Doctor Verena's career has allowed her to specialise and gain invaluable experiences in the field of nutritional sciences across various cultures and continents, including Austria, Germany, Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Today, she shares her profound understanding of the Nutrition Transition, gut health, and the path to radiant health with clients in her practice, delivers engaging workshops and seminars, and is a sought-after keynote speaker.

03/08/2026

Struggling with skin issues? The answer may not be another cream or supplement...

Sometimes, the missing piece is creating an internal environment where your body finally feels safe enough to repair.

The nervous system and the skin are deeply connected.

When we're under chronic stress, the parasympathetic nervous system (our "rest, digest and repair" state) becomes less active, while the body stays in survival mode. This can increase inflammation, impair skin repair, liver detox, disrupt the gut-skin axis and make mast cells more reactive, contributing to increased histamine release and histamine sensitivity.

For many people, this can worsen eczema, itching, redness and flare-ups, even when they're eating a low histamine diet and using all the right supplements and skincare products.

That's why supporting the nervous system isn't just about feeling calmer, it's an essential part of a holistic approach to healing the skin from the inside out.

If this changed the way you think about skin health, share it with someone who's tried everything but still isn't getting the results they're hoping for 🧡

Regulation supports the brain and body to feel safe, resilient and better able to navigate the world.Here are seven of m...
03/08/2026

Regulation supports the brain and body to feel safe, resilient and better able to navigate the world.

Here are seven of my favourite evidence-informed supports:

1. 🌿 Saffron - Supports serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, helping with emotional regulation, anxiety, focus and sleep.

2. 😌 Magnesium Glycinate - Calms the nervous system, supports GABA activity, reduces muscle tension and promotes restorative sleep.

3. 🐟 High-Quality Omega-3 (EPA & DHA) - Provides essential building blocks for the brain, reduces neuro-inflammation and supports attention, mood, learning and cognitive function.

4. 🍵 L-Theanine - An amino acid found in green tea that promotes calm focus without causing drowsiness. It can help reduce stress while improving attention.

5. 🧠 Methylated B Vitamins (B6, B9 & B12) - Essential for methylation, neurotransmitter production, myelin formation, energy production and healthy homocysteine metabolism.

6. ☀️ Optimise Vitamin D, Zinc & Iron - These nutrients play critical roles in brain development, immune regulation, neurotransmitter synthesis and emotional regulation.

7. 🧬 Heal the Gut & Regulate the Nervous System - The gut and brain are in constant communication. Supporting the microbiome with a diverse, fibre-rich diet and beneficial microbes, while strengthening the nervous system through polyvagal-informed therapies, sensory regulation, movement, co-regulation, breathwork and quality sleep, creates the foundation for long-term resilience.

The biggest shift doesn't come from one supplement. It comes from creating an internal environment where the brain, gut, immune system and nervous system can work together. Behaviour is communication and regulation begins in the body long before it shows up in behaviour.

Always consult your healthcare practitioner before starting any supplements, especially for children or if taking medications. Individual needs vary and more isn't always better. If you would like personalised support, book a consultation. Link in bio 🧡

27/07/2026

After the busyness of life, I found something we so often forget to prioritise, 'true recalibration' 🙏

Each day was an invitation to slow down. Breathwork, yoga, sound healing, restorative massages and one of the most transformative Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB) sessions I've ever experienced. It was deep somatic healing, a reminder that our bodies hold onto so much until we create the space to let go.

The days were filled with sunshine on my skin, salt water in my soul, fishing, snorkelling, adventures, laughter and precious, uninterrupted time with my family. The simple things really are the greatest medicine.

Every meal at was an experience in itself. Watching former Michelin chef Jose create extraordinary earth-to-table meals, using the freshest local ingredients and fish we caught, all made from scratch with incredible passion and creativity, was unforgettable.

What truly made this experience so special, were Julia and Jose. Their warmth, generosity and genuine care created a space where everyone instantly felt at home. They weren't just incredible hosts, they made the entire experience feel so deeply personal and welcoming.

This wasn't just a holiday. It was a nervous system reset. A chance to reconnect with myself, my family and what truly matters.

As someone who spends every day helping others regulate their nervous systems and uncover the root causes of illness, this was a powerful reminder that we, too, need to pause, receive, restore and simply be. Healing doesn't always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from slowing down enough to let your body remember what safety feels like.

I leave Rote with a full heart, a deeply regulated nervous system, unforgettable memories and immense gratitude for this extraordinary place and the beautiful people who made it so special.

Until next time 🧡

27/07/2026

I see this all the time in clinic...

Women start their day with a bowl of porridge, thinking they're making a healthy choice and in some ways, they are.

Oats do have plenty of health benefits:

✔️ Rich in beta-glucans → supports cholesterol and gut health
✔️ Provide slow-release carbohydrates → helps sustain energy levels
✔️ Contain fibre and minerals → supports digestion and overall health

However, in midlife, porridge alone doesn’t meet your protein needs. Without adequate protein at breakfast, it can be harder to maintain muscle mass, keep blood sugar stable and stay satisfied between meals, leading to energy dips and cravings later in the day.

The goal is to hit approximately 30g protein at breakfast.

So here’s your protein porridge upgrade:

🔸 ½ cup oats
🔸 1 scoop whey protein (20g protein)
🔸 1 tbsp collagen peptides (10g protein)
🔸 ⅓ cup cottage cheese (7–8g protein)

That’s 35g+ protein in one bowl.

Simply blend the cottage cheese or stir it through warm oats, it makes your porridge incredibly creamy without spiking glucose.

Same breakfast. Different physiology 🧡

27/07/2026

Here's how to support GLP-1 naturally 👇

🥩 Protein
✔️ stimulates GLP-1 release
✔️ increases satiety hormones that tell your brain you've eaten enough

🥦 Soluble fibre + resistant starch
✔️ feed beneficial gut bacteria
✔️ increase short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), one of the strongest natural stimulators of GLP-1 production

🦠 Akkermansia muciniphila
✔️ strengthens the gut lining
✔️ improves communication between the gut, metabolism and brain

🍊 Citrus polyphenols
✔️ help stimulate GLP-1 secretion
✔️ support healthy blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity

🌿 Berberine
✔️ activates AMPK, often called the body's metabolic master switch
✔️ helps improve insulin signalling and metabolic flexibility

🥬 Bitter foods
✔️ activate receptors throughout the digestive tract
✔️ stimulate digestive hormones involved in satiety and glucose regulation

💪 Strength training
✔️ improves the body's response to GLP-1
✔️ increases muscle glucose uptake and metabolic health

☀️ Circadian rhythm health
✔️ morning sunlight and consistent meal timing support healthy GLP-1 rhythms
✔️ late-night eating may impair gut hormone signalling

😴 Sleep + nervous system regulation
✔️ poor sleep and chronic stress increase cravings
✔️ a dysregulated nervous system can disrupt appetite-control pathways

The most powerful way to improve GLP-1 may not be a medication.

It may be rebuilding the health of your gut microbiome, metabolism, circadian rhythm and nervous system.

When these systems work together, appetite, cravings and energy often become easier to regulate naturally.

Save this post for the next time someone says metabolism is only about calories.

This nutty fruit crumble has everything you could possibly want in a dessert.With sweet, seasonal fruit and a golden, cr...
27/07/2026

This nutty fruit crumble has everything you could possibly want in a dessert.

With sweet, seasonal fruit and a golden, crunchy topping, it's perfect for cosy weekends at home, family dinners or entertaining friends.

The best part? It's even better the next day. Warm up a bowl for breakfast or serve it as a wholesome after-school snack the kids will happily devour.

Save this recipe for the next time you're craving something sweet, comforting and nourishing 🧡

Not all wraps are as healthy as they look…👉🏼 Many are ultra-processed and contain a long list of additives and preservat...
27/07/2026

Not all wraps are as healthy as they look…

👉🏼 Many are ultra-processed and contain a long list of additives and preservatives.

If wraps are a regular staple in your home, it's worth taking a few extra seconds to flip the packet over and check the ingredients list.

❗️ A wrap might say wholegrain, gluten-free or healthy on the front, but the ingredient list can often tell a very different story.

When choosing a healthier wrap, keep it simple. Look for whole food ingredients and skip the extra additives.

Small swaps like this can make everyday lunches a little more nourishing for you and your family.

Save this post for your next supermarket shop and share with friends 🧡

One of the biggest reasons I see results in clients who have “tried everything” is because I focus on the nervous system...
27/07/2026

One of the biggest reasons I see results in clients who have “tried everything” is because I focus on the nervous system first.

Your nervous system is the master regulator of healing, influencing hormones, digestion, immunity, energy, inflammation, emotions, focus and resilience.

When the body is stuck in fight, flight, freeze or fawn responses, it will always prioritise survival over repair.

In clinic, I use autonomic feedback testing through kinesiology (muscle testing), alongside comprehensive pathology and functional testing, to identify unresolved stress patterns, neurological imbalances, deficiencies, toxicities, inflammation, gut dysfunction and metabolic stressors affecting the body and brain.

By identifying the context of unresolved stress patterns and discharging stored fight/flight/freeze responses, we can begin improving the nervous system's timing and regulation while stimulating neuroplasticity, the brain’s incredible ability to rewire and adapt.

Healing is not about suppressing symptoms.
It is about restoring safety, regulation and connection within the nervous system so the body can finally heal.

Ready to uncover what's keeping your body stuck? Book a consultation. Link in bio 🧡

Why hydroxyapatite is a game-changer for your teeth 🦷Hydroxyapatite is the natural mineral form of calcium that makes up...
27/07/2026

Why hydroxyapatite is a game-changer for your teeth 🦷

Hydroxyapatite is the natural mineral form of calcium that makes up 97% of your enamel and 70% of your dentine.

So when we use hydroxyapatite toothpaste, we’re not coating the teeth with something foreign, we’re replacing what’s already there.

✔️ Here’s why it’s beneficial:

• Remineralises enamel - Helps repair early micro-damage before it becomes decay
• Reduces sensitivity - It fills microscopic tubules in dentine
• Strengthens enamel structure (not just “hardens” it temporarily)
• Supports a balanced oral microbiome
• Non-toxic if swallowed (great for kids + pregnancy)
• Biocompatible - Identical to your tooth mineral

Unlike fluoride, which works by changing enamel chemistry to form fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite works by physically integrating into the enamel structure and rebuilding it. Think of it as biomimetic dentistry, working with the body, not overriding it.

Now, nano vs non-nano?

🟠 Non-nano hydroxyapatite has a larger particle size and is often preferred by those wanting a more natural, minimally processed option.

🧬 Nano hydroxyapatite has a smaller particle size, allowing it to pe*****te deeper into microscopic enamel defects and areas of demineralisation.

Both can be effective, however the purity, formulation and quality of the ingredients are just as important as the particle size.

Your mouth isn't separate from your gut or your brain. Everything we place in our oral cavity interacts with our microbiome and has the potential to influence whole-body health.

Toothpaste is something you use two to three times a day, every single day. That makes it one of the most frequently used products in your routine.

Read the label. Choose intentionally.

Have you tried hydroxyapatite toothpaste yet? 🧡

It’s not just what you eat, it’s what you absorb...🧬 Digestive enzymes help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates ...
27/07/2026

It’s not just what you eat, it’s what you absorb...

🧬 Digestive enzymes help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates so your body can actually access and use the nutrients from food (not just pass them through).

When digestion is working well, you tend to notice the difference with steadier energy, less bloating, clearer skin and a more settled gut.

So here are a few simple foods to support your digestive enzymes 👆

Know someone struggling with digestive issues?

Send this post their way 🧡

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Suite 1, 24 Young Street Novello Building, Young Street Medical
Wollongong, NSW
2500

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Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6am
Friday 8am - 6am

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