Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Health, and Science for Women 35+

I am delighted to connect with Dr. Sarah Berry today. She is a professor at King's College London and the Chief Scientist at the science and nutrition company, Zoe. As an academic leader in nutrition science, Sarah has conducted over 35 human nutritional studies, and she currently leads the world's largest in-depth nutrition research project, the ZOE Predict Study. Her research is at the forefront of personalized nutrition, deepening our understanding of fats and the structure of food. Her recent studies explore menopause, snacking, cardiometabolic health, and more. 

In our conversation today, we explore the general tendency of s...

Today, we have the first episode in a two-part mashup series focused on metabolism and weight loss resistance. 

I am delighted to be joined today by Dr. William Li, Michelle Shapiro, and Lara Adler. Dr. Li and I explore how our metabolism shifts throughout our lifetime, the role of excess body fat, the influence of lifestyle choices, and the distinction between different types of fat. Michelle and I discuss the complex relationship between weight, shame, and self-perception, including how internal dialogue, orthorexia, and adverse childhood events shape our health journey. Lara and I examine how metabolic health a...

Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with Dr. Aaron Hartman, a triple-board-certified physician who recently wrote the book "Uncurable." 

In today’s expansive conversation, we delve deeply into the structural flaws of traditional allopathic medicine. Dr. Hartman shares how his own clinical approach has evolved and recounts Anna’s story, explaining how her experience became a turning point in his professional growth. We highlight the importance of lifelong learning, patient advocacy, and the benefits of removing restrictions to allow providers to deliver patient-centered care. We examine the legacy of the Flexner Report, the rigidity it introduced to moder...

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Doug Lucas for the first episode of a two-part masterclass on bone health. Dr. Lucas is double board-certified as both an orthopedic surgeon and an osteoporosis specialist. He is on a mission to show the world that osteoporosis is both preventable and reversible.  

In our discussion today, we take a deep dive into existing guidelines and their limitations and examine how Depo-Provera and oral contraceptives affect women’s bone physiology, particularly in younger women. We clarify why no ovulation means no bone balance, how breastfeeding affects bone health, and the import...

It’s Nurse Practitioners Week, and today, we have a special episode to highlight a historic moment in time.

On November 11, the FDA changed the labeling on hormone replacement therapy. 

Join me for a short, focused episode where I read a recently published JAMA article detailing those changes, to keep you up to date on this significant development.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

How recent FDA updates are changing menopausal hormone therapy

The history of estrogen’s role in heart and bone health

How past research spark...

I’m excited to share a new AMA episode with you today, dedicated to risk factors specific to women.

In this AMA session, I dive into the lifestyle factors that influence lipids, exploring the latest research and discussing Lp(a) and ApoB. Rather than answering your individual questions, I have woven them into the overall outline to create a cohesive and informative conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

How women’s lifestyle choices directly affect their lipid profiles

How knowing if you’re a hyper absorber or hyper producer of choles...

I am thrilled to have Dr. Olivera Bogunovic and Holly Hardman with me on the show today. Dr. Bogunovic is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the medical director of the alcohol, drug, and addiction outpatient program at McLean Hospital. and Holly directed the documentary As Prescribed.

In today’s discussion, we dive into the ongoing benzodiazepine crisis in the United States, with over 92 million prescriptions written each year for medications like Ativan, Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin. We discuss the origin of those drugs in the 1970s as treatments for anxiety and how th...

I am honored to connect with board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Berry Fairchild, today. Dr. Fairchild blends surgical precision with artistry to create natural, lasting results. Known for her expertise in facial aesthetics and complex breast surgery, she is also deeply committed to philanthropy and ongoing international surgical missions.

In our discussion, we explore how societal expectations shape how women perceive themselves, the complex process of facial aging, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle in supporting these changes. Dr. Fairchild highlights the essential elements of effective skin care, including hydration and sunscreen, and the use of retinoids...

I am delighted to reconnect with my friend and colleague Robb Wolf today. Robb is a former research biochemist and a two-time New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling Author of The Paleo Solution and Wired to Eat. 

In our conversation today, we examine the pitfalls of diet dogmatism, the lure of oversimplified health narratives, and the effects of Giardia. We unpack the seed oil debate, exploring how the longevity craze might actually be making us sicker, and we highlight the benefits of sun exposure and targeted lab testing. We also touch on the neuroscience of o...

Today, I am honored to be in conversation with Dr. Brooke Scheller. She is a doctor of Clinical Nutrition, a nationally recognized health expert, and the founder of Functional Sobriety, a nutrition-based program for alcohol reduction. She also wrote How to Eat to Change How You Drink. 

In our conversation today, we discussed the stigmatization of alcohol use and explored the nuances of curiosity and sobriety. We dispel common misconceptions, examine the research on alcohol consumption, tackle the definition of moderation, scrutinize the influence of industry ties, and unravel the issues linked to excessive alcohol consumption. Dr. S...

I am delighted to connect with Dr. Andrea Matsumura today. Dr. Matsumura, affectionately known as the Sleep Goddess, is a board-certified sleep medicine physician, menopause expert, speaker, and the founder of the Dream Sleep Method. 

In our conversation today, we explore how different life stages impact our sleep quality. We discuss the effects of wearable technology, orthosomnia, and sleep stages, and explain why sleep quality is more important than its quantity. Dr. Matsumura highlights the red flags for sleep, breaks down how sleep deprivation affects our health, and examines specific sleep issues, including sleep-disordered breathing, Upper Airway R...

I am thrilled to reconnect with my dear friend, Dr. Stephanie Estima, today.

In this episode, we dive into questions from listeners once more, exploring topics that range from navigating the challenges of perimenopause and parenting to shifting perspectives on fasting, nutrition, and changes in hunger and thirst cues, especially during perimenopause and menopause. We also examine how dairy may become an inflammatory food item in midlife, the benefits of hormesis, hormone therapy, and so much more.

Our conversation today is honest and warm, so it is like sitting down with two close friends. Both...

I am honored to connect with Esther Blum today! She is the bestselling author of "Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat," "Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous," and most recently, "See Ya Later, Ovulator!". Esther currently maintains a busy virtual practice where she helps women balance hormones, lose stubborn body fat, and treat the root cause of health struggles. 

Today we speak about medical gaslighting, how weight gain does not have to be a part of aging, andropause and menopause, and the Women’s Health Initiative. We dive into physical changes and significant symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, the role...

I have received many requests for a masterclass on the gut microbiome, so I am excited to share one with you today.

In our masterclass today, I discuss the microgenderome, explaining how the gut microbiome changes throughout our lives, during puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause. I cover the key shifts in the microbiome that occur, especially as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate. I unpack the symptoms women experience that indicate their microbiome may be non-optimized, offering practical solutions, including lifestyle strategies, hormones, peptides, and targeted supplements.

My goal is to do a solo episode every month. Please...

Today, we have another episode in a series of conversations with experts and highly vetted companies.

In this episode, we feature CocoaVia, a brand of cocoa flavanol supplements made from a proprietary cocoa extract that aims to support cognition and heart health. I am delighted to welcome Dr. Amy Shah, who trained at Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia. Dr. Shah is a well-known expert on metabolic health and intermittent fasting. With a background in internal medicine, allergies, and immunology, she has helped many patients transform their health with cutting-edge nutritional and medical science. 

In our conversation, w...

I am thrilled to have Gary Taubes back on the show today. (He was with me before on episode 137. Gary is an investigative science and health journalist whose work has been pivotal in catalyzing the low-carb keto movement. He has written many books, including his most recent, Rethinking Diabetes, and his articles are in many of the best anthologies. He has also received many science awards.

Today's discussion is particularly significant, given the recent report from the American Diabetes Association revealing that the annual cost of diabetes in the United States reached a staggering $412.9 billion in 2022, with...

As a nurse practitioner, I feel a deep responsibility to my listeners and community to ensure that every guest I bring on shares accurate, evidence-based information. A few months ago, I decided to remove two podcasts from earlier this year to make way for an expert who could speak specifically and authoritatively on breast cancer health. So, I am honored to welcome Dr. Robin Roth today, better known as The Boobie Docs, on her popular breast health social media platform, where she shares information about breast cancer in a fun and educational way. 

Dr. Roth is an a...

Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with a friend and colleague, Dr. Mariza Snyder, to discuss her new book, The Perimenopause Revolution. 

In our conversation, we explore some of the most pressing challenges around aging, including shame in a youth-obsessed culture, the lack of research on women’s health, and the physical toll of the aging process. We explain why the menstrual cycle should be considered a fifth vital sign, and what happens when metabolic health begins to decline in midlife, highlighting the value of apps and technology in empowering women to track their cycles. Dr. Mariza cla...

I’m honored to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today! She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. We connected once before in Episode 221, where we spoke about PCOS and metabolic health.

Today, Dr. Gersh joins me to dive into perimenopause and menopause. We discuss various issues surrounding the Women’s Health Initiative and talk about estrogen as a family of hormones, estrogen-mimicking chemicals, synthetic hormones, and oral contraceptives. We get into the importance of thyroid function, the pro-inflammatory state of a loss of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause, and the impo...

I am delighted to connect with a physician friend and colleague, Dr. Heather Hirsch, today. Dr. Hirsch is an entrepreneur and a board-certified internist by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is also the Founder and CEO of Health by Heather Hirsch, and has a telemedicine practice offering best-in-class individualized care for perimenopause and menopause.

In our discussion, we explore heavy menstrual cycles and the benefits of journaling and shared decision-making. We discuss common and frustrating causes of weight loss resistance in middle age, the power of strength training and adequate protein intake, and estrogen as...

I am thrilled to connect with Anna Runkle today. Anna is known to more than a million subscribers across many platforms as the Crappy Childhood Fairy. For the last 30 years, she has shown people how to heal the symptoms of childhood trauma to live happier, freer, and more fulfilling lives. 

In her work, Anna almost always noticed a haunting sense of disconnection from others as an adult symptom of childhood trauma. Today, she shares her story, and we dive into complex PTSD and shame, exploring the adverse childhood event study, dysregulation, and how neglect affects the brain a...

Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with a previous guest, Dr. Mary Claire Haver. 

Dr. Haver is a board-certified OBGYN, a certified menopause provider, and the founder of Mary Claire Wellness, a private medical practice focusing on women in midlife. Her best-selling book, the Galveston Diet, and her latest New York Times best-seller, The New Menopause, are fabulous resources for middle-aged women.

In our discussion today, we dive into various aspects of perimenopause, looking at the associated challenges. We discuss factors accelerating ovarian aging, the role of contraception, mental health shifts, and the often delayed d...

Today, I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Elizabeth Yurth. Dr. Yurth is double board-certified, as a physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation in addition to anti-aging and regenerative medicine. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Yurth continues to lead the way in orthopedics, cellular and regenerative medicine, and the future of aging.

In our conversation, we explore immunosenescence and its implications for longevity. We discuss the off-label utilization of medications, including low-dose naltrexone, rapamycin, and GLP-1s, and examine other types of peptides, growth hormone secretagogues, and thymic peptides. We speak about hormones and anabolics...

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Stephen Hussey today. He is a Chiropractor and Functional Medicine practitioner who guides his clients back to health using the latest research and health-attaining strategies. 

In our conversation, we explore the challenge of chronic pain, discussing how it is assessed, experienced, and managed. We unpack the concepts of coherence and heart rate variability, highlighting the value of optimizing circadian rhythm for managing hormonal changes and pain in perimenopause. Dr. Hussey also shares his perspective on chiropractic care, the nervous system, fascia, and the role of trauma, metabolic health, and environmental f...

I am delighted to have Jessie Inchauspé, the Glucose Goddess, joining me on the podcast today!

Metabolic health is my passion! It is a huge area of focus in my work, and Jessie is truly a gift in the space! She is a rising star author and biochemist with a clear and accessible way of explaining the science behind glucose metabolism. 

Jessie joins me today to discuss the impact of glucose metabolism and spikes. We dive into her background and how an accident created her pain-to-purpose story. We discuss the role of continuous glucose monitors an...

Today, I am thrilled to be joined by Dr. Sarah Hill, an award-winning researcher, professor, and leading voice in the field of women’s hormones and brain health. She wrote This Is Your Brain on Birth Control and has also authored The Period Brain, which is due to be released this fall.

In our conversation, Dr. Hill dispels the myths surrounding bioidentical hormones and shares her view on how women are not biologically disordered, but just ignored by science. We dive into research on how oral contraceptives affect the brain and how the pill creates a dysregulated st...

Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with my friend and colleague, Dave Asprey, for our third podcast together. 

Dave is the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, the Bulletproof Diet, and the biohacking movement. He is a four-time New York Times best-selling author, and his latest book, Heavily Meditated, is a USA Today best-seller. As a leader in the longevity movement, Dave collaborates with medical professionals, researchers, and innovators to develop groundbreaking techniques and products that enhance mental and physical performance.

In our discussion today, we explore what it means to be triggered, covering the five Fs, t...

Today, I am delighted to reconnect with two previous guests, Dr. Darren Candow.

Dr. Candow is a distinguished professor and an internationally renowned researcher on creatine monohydrate, nutrition, and physical activity, whom I had the pleasure of speaking with on Episode 301, where we discussed creatine. 

We are doing an AMA session today, delving into various themes surrounding creatine, from debunking outdated RDA recommendations to exploring the synergies between strength training and creatine efficacy. We examine the cognitive benefits of creatine, investigating its interactions with caffeine and its implications for bone health, hydration, anabolic resistance, and m...

Today, I am honored to connect with Rachel Frankenthal, a board-certified physician assistant with a master's degree in public health, specializing in gynecologic oncology. Rachel is on the staff at UCLA Health, where she treats women with gynecologic cancers and women at high risk for uterine or ovarian cancer due to genetic mutations or a strong family history. 

In our discussion, we unpack GYN oncology, covering the five GYN cancers, why ovarian cancer is the silent killer, and the labs and ultrasounds to help screen for ovarian cancer. We dive into genetics, including BRCA mutations and Lynch s...

Today, we have the first episode of a series of AMAs with McCall McPherson.

McCall McPherson is the visionary behind Modern Thyroid Clinic, a thyroid-centered functional medicine practice in Austin, Texas. McCall is a physician assistant and thyroid expert. She is a recent TEDx speaker, a frequent guest on podcasts and summits, and the owner, host, and Chief Thyroid Hope Giver of the Thyroid Nations podcast. 

Today, McCall joins me to dive into a range of listener questions, covering whether intermittent fasting damages the thyroid, the role of GLP-1s, constipation, split-dosing medication, adrenal health, A...

Today, we have the next episode in our series of sponsored podcasts with highly vetted companies. 

I am delighted to connect with Sarah Kennedy, the founder and CEO of Calocurb, a revolutionary product for weight management that became commercialized after 15 years and $30 million of research from the New Zealand government. Calocurb currently sells in five international markets and continues to grow rapidly through channels and geographies. 

Sarah is a veterinarian by training and has held several senior executive positions in the agribusiness and food industries.

In our conversation today, we explore the science be...

Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with Dr. Kelly Caspersen, a urologist who empowers women to live their best love lives. She is a two-time author, with her latest being The Menopause Moment.

In our conversation, we cover a wide range of topics, from navigating UTI purgatory and understanding the vaginal microbiome to how vaginal estrogen can dramatically reduce the risk of sepsis and death in the ICU. We unpack the evolving language of hormones- specifically progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone and we examine censorship and bias on social media, and the differences between prescribers and non-prescribers. We...

I am delighted to connect with Shanna Pearson today. She is the Founder and President of Expert ADHD Coaching, which is the most extensive ADHD coaching program of its kind in the world, providing one-on-one, action-based coaching for adults who are easily distracted and seeking personal, professional, and financial success. Shanna is also the author of Invisible ADHD. 

In our discussion, we take a clear and practical look at what ADHD really is. We unpack the chemical changes that occur in the brain, highlighting the gender differences, and exploring why women have become the lost generation and w...

I am thrilled to connect with my friend and colleague, Dr. Anthony Youn, today. 

Dr. Youn is a nationally recognized board-certified plastic surgeon and the author of many best-selling books. He has a massive social media presence and hosts the widely acclaimed podcast The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show.

In our conversation today, we dive into Dr. Youn’s new book, Younger for Life, and he offers valuable insights on skin health and overall well-being. We explore the aging process and address oxidative-free radical damage, chronic inflammation, autophagy, and the impact of processed foods. We also exp...

Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Heather Quaile. She is a double board-certified women's health nurse practitioner and advanced forensic nurse with specialty training in female sexual medicine. Her training focused on integrative gynecology.

Today, we dive into trauma-informed care, defining big and little T trauma, examining how adverse childhood events impact gynecologic care, and clarifying how chronic stress and trauma affect ovarian aging. We discuss the role of recalibration of the nervous and autonomic nervous systems during perimenopause and menopause, and explore the importance of estrogen in supporting serotonin, dopamine, and adrenal health in...

We have the next episode in our series of thyroid-focused podcasts today.

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Tassone, Dr. Alan Christianson, and Dr. Amie Hornaman join me to dive into medications, treatment options, personal preferences, and the fear that often drives medical decision-making. We discuss the current prevalence of thyroid-related conditions and why iodine remains a controversial topic in thyroid physiology. We also cover the role of micronutrients and the impact and symptoms of hypothyroidism, clarifying the concept of thyroid pause, and the specific lab tests required for evaluation, in addition to sharing some practical strategies. 

I am happy to connect with Coach Bronson Dant today. He has spent over a decade guiding and training people in health and fitness. He discovered the benefits of a whole-food, animal-based ketogenic diet for optimizing metabolic health and performance, and wrote The Ultimate Ketogenic Fitness Book.

In our discussion today, we dive into the powerful story of Coach Bronson’s pain-to-purpose journey. We explore the value of mindset and examine how age-related changes impact muscle, inflammation, and metabolic flexibility. He shares his three pillars of muscle health related to nutrient density, bioavailability, and satiety, and we ex...

Today, I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Austin Perlmutter, a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, researcher, educator, podcaster, and entrepreneur. He is on a mission to help people get their brains unstuck for better mental and cognitive health. 

In our conversation today, we explore brain inflammation and its connection to longevity, the differences between acute and chronic inflammation, the influence of environmental factors, and how exposure to negative news and biases can elevate stress and affect our brain health. We examine how consumer culture promotes stress and disconnection, and we unpack the i...

We have the second episode in a series of conversations with Dr. Thomas Dayspring today. 

The esteemed Dr. Dayspring is an expert on internal medicine and clinical lipidology. In this episode, we continue with our last conversation, diving into Lp(a) and the influences of gender, race, and menopause. We explain how estrogen is a PCSK9 inhibitor and explore the significance of brain health and risks for dementia. We tackle cholesterol synthesis and discuss the side effects of statins, clarifying who is most susceptible to their impact on the brain. We also examine the significance of the d...

We have another episode in our series of sponsored podcasts today, with brands I like, know, and trust.

I am delighted to reconnect with Angelo Keely, the founder and CEO of Kion, a supplement company that focuses on helping people look good, feel young, and be strong.

In our discussion today, Angelo explains essential aminos, highlighting their importance and clarifying how to differentiate between various protein powders and other forms of protein. We explore the significance of bioavailability, anabolic resistance, and changes in body composition, discussing how protein needs increase with age and how dieting...