Our Upcoming Speaker

Your gut response?

Ever had a gut feeling or gut response? While you may feel neither is based on logic, nevertheless you may not be far off the mark because your gut, your nervous system and your brain are linked with remarkable and far-reaching implications!

On Wednesday, 2 September, 2026, at 10.00 at the DR Church, Helderberg, 82 Firmount Road, Monte Sereno, Prof Nola Dippenaar will explain the vital role played by the gastro- intestinal tract (GIT) in health. It is effectively the “petrol tank” of the body and all 9 metres of it play a vital role in general health.

Integral to its functioning is the presence of friendly bacteria, also known as the microbiome. These assist the body to digest certain foods that the stomach and small intestine are unable to digest and thus play a key role in proper digestive functioning.  They are also vital for maintaining the integrity of the gut wall or epithelial barrier, and for maintaining the intestinal immune system by protecting it from harmful bacteria and viruses, and for regulating its inflammatory response.

The bidirectional interactions between the gut, the nervous system, and the brain are called the gut-brain axis.  Alterations in these interactions can play a role in several brain or gut disorders. 

Nola Dippenaar’s initial degrees were in chemistry and physiology followed by a Master’s in biochemistry from Cambridge. Her PhD was in the field of cancer and fatty acids. She first taught at Medunsa before becoming a professor in the medical school of the Pretoria University, teaching physiology and biochemistry to medical students. Her current research and interest are in insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, an aspect of functional medicine.

She consults privately on the physiology and biochemistry of the human body, relating to health aspects that enable individuals to take responsibility for their health. To this end she established a company called Health Insight in April 2006, while continuing her academic career until 2013 as an extraordinary professor of physiology. Presently she is an emeritus professor and has opened two offices for her company in the Western Cape.

During her lecturing career she was twice voted lecturer of the year by the university’s medical and dental students; she has delivered many papers at local and international conferences, and she was chair of the SA National Pugwash Group, a division of the International Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.

The years of experience and wealth of knowledge of our speaker means this will be a talk not to be missed!!

There is no charge for members; visitors pay R20 at the door.

Enquiries: Denise Fourie 0722111173