Podcast appearances and mentions of cynthia thurlow

Welcome to the latest Midlife Minute. This episode unpacks ongoing research on Lp(a), explores how women's lipids change during the perimenopause-to-menopause transition, and clarifies what we can do about it. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How total cholesterol, LDL, and ApoB tend to rise most steeply around the final menstrual period, rather than increasing gradually with chronological aging Why women should have their Lp(a) checked both before and after menopause How oral and transdermal estradiol can affect LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and Lp(a) differently Why I recommend including ApoB when checking your lipids during the perimenopause window How your lifestyle can reduce your cardiovascular risk, even when your Lp(a) is elevated Why omega-3 fatty acids and commonly used lipid medications do not lower Lp(a) Why supplements are not replacements for statins in genuinely high-risk patients  I review the various PCSK9 inhibitors currently available, how they are administered, and their effects  How a CAC, a CT angiogram, and an AI-assisted CT angiogram can help women and their providers determine how aggressive their approach should be when Lp(a) is elevated Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line References: 1. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020. El Khoudary SR, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, et al.Guideline 2. Menopause: A Cardiometabolic Transition. The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2022. Nappi RE, Chedraui P, Lambrinoudaki I, Simoncini T.Review 3. Dyslipidemia Across the Menopause Transition: Mechanisms, Trajectories, and Opportunities for Cardiovascular Prevention. Maturitas. 2026. Castaneda R, Tatit CP, Hurtado Andrade MD, Faubion SS, Shufelt CL.RecentReview 4. Lipoprotein(a) and Women's Cardiovascular Health: A Review. JACC. Advances. 2026. Michos ED, Saucier S, Mehran R, Koschinsky ML. 5. Lipid Metabolism in Women: A Review. Atherosclerosis. 2025. van Oortmerssen JAE, Mulder JWCM, Kavousi M, Roeters van Lennep JE.Review 6. Are Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Midlife Women Due to Chronological Aging or to the Menopausal Transition?. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2009. Matthews KA, Crawford SL, Chae CU, et al.Observational 7. Trajectories of Lipids Around the Menopause Transition in Chinese Women: Results of the Kailuan Cohort Study. Fertility and Sterility. 2023. Dai Q, Wu S, Cao Z, et al. 8. Lipid Management in Patients With Endocrine Disorders: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2020. Newman CB, Blaha MJ, Boord JB, et al.Guideline 9. The Effects of Menopause Hormone Therapy on Lipid Profile in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022. Nie G, Yang X, Wang Y, et al.SR 10. Perspectives on Dyslipidemia and Coronary Heart Disease in Women. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2005. Bittner V.Review 11. Dyslipidemia in Midlife Women: Approach and Considerations During the Menopausal Transition. Maturitas. 2022. Torosyan N, Visrodia P, Torbati T, Minissian MB, Shufelt CL.Review 12. Effects of gender, age and menopausal status on serum apolipoprotein concentrations.13.Lipoprotein(a).The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2025. Mora S, Kronenberg     14. Why, how and in whom should we measure levels of lipoprotein(a): A review of the latest evidence and clinical implications. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2025. Razavi AC, Bhatia HS, Blumenthal RS, Shapiro MD, Mehta A.RecentReview 15. Red Yeast Rice for Hypercholesterolemia: JACC Focus Seminar. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2021. Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Zambon A.Review 16. Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. Drugs. 2023. Blais JE, Huang X, Zhao JV.SR 17. Non-Genetic Influences on Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations. Atherosclerosis. 2022. Enkhmaa B, Berglund L.Review 18. NHLBI Working Group Recommendations to Reduce Lipoprotein(a)-Mediated Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Aortic Stenosis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018. Tsimikas S, Fazio S, Ferdinand KC, et al.Review 19. Consumption of a defined, plant‐based diet reduces lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and other atherogenic lipoproteins and particles within 4 weeks. Clinical Cardiology. 2018. Najjar RS, Moore CE, Montgomery BD. 20. Lipoprotein(a): Current Evidence for a Physiologic Role and the Effects of Nutraceutical Strategies. Clinical Therapeutics. 2019. Santos HO, Kones R, Rumana U, et al.Review 21. Effect of Lipid-Lowering Therapies on Lipoprotein(a) Levels: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Atherosclerosis. 2025. Xie S, Galimberti F, Olmastroni E, et al.Recent 22. Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Postprandial Metabolism of Apolipoprotein(a) in Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis. 2023. Ying Q, Croyal M, Chan DC, et al.RCT 23.Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease. Lancet. 2024. Nordestgaard BG, Langsted A.Review 24. Lipoprotein(a): A Genetically Determined, Causal, and Prevalent Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2022. Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al.Guideline 25.Clinical Trial Design for Lipoprotein(a)-Lowering Therapies: JACC Focus Seminar 2/3.Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2023. Malick WA, Goonewardena SN, Koenig W, Rosenson RS.Review 26.2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Report of the American Collegeof Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2026. Writing Committee Members, Blumenthal RS, Morris PB, et al.Guideline 27. Noninvasive Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Imaging. JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging. 2023. Kwiecinski J, Tzolos E, Williams MC, et al.Review 28. Computed Tomography Angiography Versus Agatston Score for Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Stable Chest Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of the International COME-CCT Consortium. European Radiology. 2022. Wieske V, Walther M, Dubourg B, et al.SR 29. Association of Coronary Artery Calcium Score With Qualitatively and Quantitatively Assessed Adverse Plaque on Coronary CT Angiography in the SCOT-HEART Trial. European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular Imaging. 2022. Osborne-Grinter M, Kwiecinski J, Doris M, et al.Clinical Trial 30. AI-Guided Quantitative Plaque Staging Predicts Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients at Risk for Atherosclerotic CVD. JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging. 2024. Nurmohamed NS, Bom MJ, Jukema RA, et al.Observational 31. The Lancet Commission on Rethinking Coronary Artery Disease: Moving From Ischemia to Atheroma. Lancet. 2025. Zaman S, Wasfy JH, Kapil V, et al.Review 32. Efficacy and safety of novel lipoprotein(a)‐targeted therapies: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2026. Santana AUL, Yusufzai MO, Freitas APS, et al. Recent Opinion

In this episode, I'm joined by Cynthia Thurlow to talk about the connection between gut health and hormones, and how that relationship changes during perimenopause and menopause. We cover the estrobolome, estrogen metabolism, protein, fiber, and intermittent fasting. We also talk about GLP-1s, peptides, HRT, body composition, and using tools like Mira and Oura to better understand your hormones and cycle. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → Gut Health and Hormones  → Perimenopause and Hormone Changes  → Protein, Fiber, and Fasting  → GLP-1s and Peptides  → HRT and Hormone Tracking  Sponsored By:  → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com → REBEL | Shop REBEL for your next favorite find! Discover top brands in home, baby, and outdoor, with savings of up to 70% off. Visit https://fromrebel.com and check it out before your favorite finds are gone. → LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/Kelly. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. → OGEE | Thanks to today's sponsor, Ogee: A higher standard for beauty. Go to https://ogee.com/BEWELL and use code BEWELL to get 20% off certified organic makeup that performs like luxury. Or visit Sephora.com, search Ogee, and shop the Crystal Contour Collection today. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:02:00 - Gut Health and Hormones → 00:03:38 - The Estrobolome and Estrogen → 00:06:54 - Estrogen Dominance and Perimenopause → 00:10:34 - Sleep and Stress → 00:14:06 - Testing and Personalized Health → 00:18:30 - Perimenopause Symptoms → 00:21:14 - How to Know You're in Perimenopause → 00:25:02 - Caffeine and Perimenopause → 00:29:56 - Fasting and Menstrual Health → 00:34:18 - Protein Goals and Meal Prep → 00:37:14 - Blood Work and Microbiome Testing → 00:39:44 - Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Food Sensitivities → 00:41:48 - Body Composition and Aging → 00:43:44 - Peptides and GLP-1s → 00:48:32 - Peptides and Immune Health → 00:51:26 - Responsible Peptide Use → 00:53:24 - HRT and Finding a Provider → 00:57:12 - Oura Ring and Mira → 00:58:10 - Final Thoughts and The Menopause Gut Further Listening:  → Why Blood Sugar Gets Harder to Control After 40 | Brigid Titgemeier Check Out Cynthia Thurlow:  → Website  → Podcast  → Instagram → The Menopause Gut Book  Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Sweet Deal (Book) → Youtube → Facebook

Today, I am honored to connect with Dr. Zaldy Tan, a geriatric medicine and memory disorder specialist whose research career has centered on the Framingham Heart Studies Offspring Cohort. Dr. Tan currently directs Cedar Sinai's memory and healthy aging programs, after previously leading the memory clinic at Beth Israel and Harvard Medical School. His book, Age Proof Your Mind, translates his clinical and research background into a practical framework for people trying to assess and protect their own cognitive trajectory. In our conversation, Dr. Tan explains why middle age is the old age of youth and the youth of old age. We discuss common symptoms of memory issues and those that are reversible. We explore the Framingham Offspring Study and its impact on brain health over time,  looking at the effects of sleep, depression, vitamin deficiencies, alcohol, loneliness, and nutrition, and Dr. Tan shares the three Ds, dementia, delirium, and depression- the red flags he sees in his clinical practice, explains how he helps prepare caregivers for caring for loved ones with neurocognitive memory loss, and discusses late-stage issues, medications, blood-based biomarkers, and the role of genetics in brain health. Stay tuned for a truly fascinating discussion with Dr. Zaldy Tan. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The importance of being sensitive to how your memory changes over time Various factors that could contribute to memory problems The profound effect alcohol has on the brain and neurologic function How social isolation can increase the risk of dementia in future years Dr. Tan discusses the Framingham Offspring Study and the links between metabolic dysregulation and brain MRI markers of brain aging. How the 3 Ds, delirium, dementia, and depression, can overlap The red flags in a patient's history that lead Dr. Tan to believe there may be a more serious issue What care partners should be aware of when a family member is experiencing dementia  The importance of protecting sleep and maintaining consistent sleep patterns for those with memory problems How genetic testing is incorporated into Dr. Tan's care model Bio:  Dr. Zaldy Tan is the Director of the Memory & Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, which U.S. News & World Report ranked in 2024 as the best hospital on the U.S. West Coast and among the top hospitals in the country. He holds the Carmen & Louis Warschaw Endowed Chair in Neurology and is a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Tan was the founding director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Tan performs aging and dementia research covered by The New York Times, Time, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Reuters, ABC News, and NBC News. He regularly speaks at major national and international conferences and is the author of Age-Proof Your Mind and What to Remember When You Are Forgetting. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Zaldy Tan Dr. Tan at Cedars Sinai (Los Angeles)   On Instagram Dr. Tan's book, What to Remember When You Are Forgetting, is coming out on September 15th, 2026. Pre-order HERE.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Cynthia Thurlow joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to explore the estrobolome and its role in metabolizing estrogen and progesterone, stress and cortisol as a driver of hormone imbalance, and DUTCH Test patterns that can signal gut dysfunction. Cynthia and Dr. Jaclyn also discuss: How gut health can impact hormone metabolism, not just digestion The many roles of progesterone, including GABA signaling, myelin maintenance, and neuroplasticity Cyclical symptom tracking to determine hormonal versus non-hormonal anxiety The differences between bioidentical hormone therapy, oral contraceptives, and synthetic progestins Simple daily habits to support gut and hormone health Show Notes Check out Cynthia Thurlow's book, The Menopause Gut, and follow her on Instagram @cynthia_thurlow_! Discover easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to see how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients. 

Welcome to the latest episode in our series of highly vetted companies I like to share with my Everyday Wellness community. Today, I'm delighted to connect with Leslie Kenny, Founder and CEO of Oxford Healthspan. After being diagnosed with multiple autoimmune conditions and being told she was unlikely to have any biological children, Leslie put her autoimmune conditions into remission through nutrition and lifestyle changes and later went on to conceive naturally at 43. Her personal experience led her into a research collaboration with Oxford immunologist Professor Katya Simon, where she was introduced to spermidine, a naturally occurring polyamine studied for its role in autophagy—our cells' internal recycling and cleanup process. She later founded Oxford Healthspan to bring a whole-food Japan-sourced spermidine supplement, Primadine, to market. She also co-founded the non-profit Oxford Longevity Project alongside Oxford scientists to educate the public more broadly on healthspan research. In our conversation, we discuss self-advocacy, autoimmunity, infertility, and empowerment, exploring how modern life affects perimenopause and menopause, as well as spermidine research and its mechanisms of action. We discuss intermittent fasting, autophagy, mitophagy, gut health, food-based sources of spermidine, how our spermidine levels decrease with age, and why supplementation is truly beneficial. Leslie also shares feedback on how Primadine impacts memory, cognition, hair, skin, and nails; how clock genes and circadian biology work; and biological versus chronological age. Stay tuned for a truly fascinating conversation with Leslie Kenny- one you'll most likely want to revisit more than once. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The changes Leslie implemented after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus  How patients need to ask questions and collaborate with their clinicians rather than simply following instructions  Leslie describes how she worked with doctors to monitor her symptoms and address problems early during the perimenopause-to-menopause transition. How Leslie came to learn about spermidine and its connection to autophagy and mitophagy How spermidine can support healthy aging How ultra-processed foods can affect the gut, and foods that contain natural sources of spermidine  The types of improvements customers taking Primadine have reported Leslie explains the distinction between biological and chronological age Why intermittent fasting, although beneficial, may not work the same way for all women Bio:  Leslie Kenny is an Oxford-based longevity entrepreneur, TEDx Oxford speaker, and healthspan advocate. She is the founder of Oxford Healthspan, creator of Primeadine®, co-founder of the Oxford Longevity Project, and Global Executive Ambassador for the Japan Autophagy Consortium, whose senior adviser is Yoshinori Ohsumi, recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering research on autophagy. She is a frequent international speaker and moderator on longevity, biological aging, and the future of preventive medicine, with a particular focus on translating emerging research into practical, evidence-based strategies for extending healthspan. Leslie has been an early advocate for the role of autophagy, cellular renewal, and nutrition in healthy aging, helping to pioneer broader awareness of spermidine and its relevance to longevity pathways. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Leslie Kenny Oxford Longevity Project Oxford Healthspan - Use discount code CYNTHIATHURLOW for 20% off your first Oxford Healthspan order Leslie's New Prime

I am delighted to welcome Dr. Shivani Gupta today for the first of two interviews. Dr. Gupta is the founder and CEO of Fusionary Formulas and the author of The Inflammation Code. She has both a master's degree and a PhD in Vedic sciences, where her dissertation focused on turmeric's role in inflammation, joint health, and cardiovascular health. In today's conversation, we explore the physical effects of chronic inflammation, habits to support stress reduction, the differences between inflammaging and normal physiologic aging, and ways to nurture ourselves in midlife (which Dr. Gupta calls the Vata season). We also discuss how ama can contribute to inflammatory processes in the body, digestive fire, constipation and strategies to address it, the importance of curcumin, and the research surrounding it. Dr. Gupta and I will continue our conversation on our next podcast together. Stay tuned for part two! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Gupta shares the personal experiences that motivated her to write The Inflammation Code Environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to the body's inflammatory burden Why inflammation can become more difficult to manage during the perimenopause and menopause transition How the symptoms of normal aging could actually be signs of inflammaging Dr. Gupta explains the Ayurvedic concept of Agni, or digestive fire, and shares ways to support digestion Practical Ayurvedic ways to support regular bowel movements How Dr. Gupta approaches gut and immune health after repeated antibiotic exposure The Ayurvedic approach to diet differs from restrictive or extreme eating patterns.  The potential anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric, curcumin, and other polyphenol-rich spices    How culinary turmeric differs from concentrated curcumin extracts Bio: Dr. Shivani Gupta is an Ayurvedic practitioner, turmeric researcher, and founder of Fusionary Formulas. She holds a Master's degree in Ayurvedic Sciences and completed her PhD dissertation- specifically on turmeric making her one of the world's foremost experts on its pharmacology and clinical application. She is the author of The Inflammation Code, published by Hay House, bridging ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern inflammation science. Dr. Gupta is known for making complex science accessible without dumbing it down — her work speaks equally to the everyday health-conscious woman and to clinicians who want to go deeper. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Shivani Gupta FusionaryFormulas.com - Use the code CYNTHIA for 15% off! Website Instagram YouTube Facebook Pinterest The Inflammation Code (Book Website) The Inflammation Code Podcast

Welcome to the latest Midlife Minute. Today, I'm answering listeners' questions about cardiovascular risk, focusing on Lp(a), LDL, statins, and the changes women experience after menopause. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why women should have their Lp(a) checked both before and after menopause How Lp(a) works as a risk enhancer, and how cardiovascular risk becomes more significant when elevated Lp(a) occurs alongside high LDL Why family history is particularly helpful for women with a 10-year calculated cardiovascular risk that looks reassuringly low I review the current guidelines for primary prevention Why, even though research has shown reductions in major cardiac events with GLP-1s, GLP-1s do not replace statins for lowering LDL  What a CAC score can reveal about coronary artery calcification, and what it cannot detect How AI-assisted CT angiography (such as Clearly) can map, quantify, and characterize plaque throughout the coronary branches Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line References: 1.  ​Lipoprotein(a) and Women's Cardiovascular Health: A Review. JACC. Advances. 2026. Michos ED, Saucier S, Mehran R, Koschinsky ML.Recent 2.  ​Sex Differences of Lipoprotein(a) Levels and Associated Risk of Morbidity and Mortality by Age: The Copenhagen General Population Study. Atherosclerosis. 2022. Simony SB, Mortensen MB, Langsted A, et al. 3. Managing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Young Adults: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2022. Stone NJ, Smith SC, Orringer CE, et al.Review 4. Thirty-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Healthy Women According to Clinical Thresholds of Lipoprotein(a). JAMA Cardiology. 2026. Nordestgaard AT, Chasman DI, Moorthy V, et al.RecentObservational 5.  ​Lipoprotein(a).The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2025. Mora S, Kronenberg  6. Clinical Practice Guideline on Lipid Management for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction. Department of Veterans Affairs (2026). 2026. Paul Heidenreich, Lance Spacek, Neil Gregor, et al. Guideline 7. Lipoprotein(a) and Family History Predict Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020. Mehta A, Virani SS, Ayers CR, et al.Observational 8. 2010 ACCF/AHA Guideline for Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2010. Greenland P, Alpert JS, Beller GA, et al.Guideline 9. Prevalence and Prognostic Implications of Coronary Artery Calcification in Low-Risk Women. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2016. Kavousi M, Desai CS, Ayers C, et al.SR 10. ​Coronary Artery Calcium Scores and Risk for Cardiovascular Events in Women Classified as “Low Risk” Based on Framingham Risk Score: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007. Lakoski SG, Greenland P, Wong ND, et al.Observational 11. 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2019. Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al.Guideline 12. HOPE for Rational Statin Allocation for Primary Prevention: A Coronary Artery Calcium Picture Is Worth 1000 Words. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2020. Orringer CE, Maki KC.Review 13. Summary of Updated Recommendations for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020. Cho L, Davis M, Elgendy I, et al.Review 14. Health Maintenance in Postmenopausal Women. American Family Physician. 2025. Plesa M, Wong A, Katsaggelos E.Guideline 15.  ​Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes by Baseline HbA1c and Change in HbA1c in People With Overweight or Obesity but Without Diabetes in SELECT. Diabetes Care. 2024. Lingvay I, Deanfield J, Kahn SE, et al.RCT 16.  ​Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2023. Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al.RCT 17. Long-Term Weight Loss Effects of Semaglutide in Obesity Without Diabetes in the SELECT Trial. Nature Medicine. 2024. Ryan DH, Lingvay I, Deanfield J, et al.RCT 18. Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Cardiometabolic Multiple Long-Term Conditions. Lancet. 2026. Valabhji J, Hope D, Sayed NE, et al.RecentReview 19. Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1 Receptor Agonists and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With and Without Diabetes: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized‐Controlled Trials. Clinical Cardiology. 2024. Hosseinpour A, Sood A, Kamalpour J, et al.SR 20. ​FDA Orange Book. FDA Orange Book. 2026. 21. 10. Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2026. Diabetes Care. 2026. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes*.RecentGuideline 22. Premature Coronary Artery Disease in Women: Sex-Specific Risk Factors, Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Annals of Medicine. 2026. Li F, Hong D, Yang M, et al.RecentReview 23. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women: The Impact of Race and Ethnicity: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023. Mehta LS, Velarde GP, Lewey J, et al.Guideline 24. Preventing CVD in Women: Common Questions and Answers. American Family Physician. 2023. Westfall E, Viere AB, Genewick JE.Review 25. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020. El Khoudary SR, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, et al.Guideline

I'm honored to connect with Dr. John La Puma today. Dr. La Puma spent three decades building the case that food, nature, and light are clinical tools, not just lifestyle add-ons. He was the first physician to complete a professional cooking curriculum, and he used that training to co-develop the first cooking and nutrition course taught in a U.S. medical school, a course now adapted across roughly 80% of U.S. medical schools. He later did the same thing for Nature, co-developing and teaching the first skills-based Nature as Medicine CME course for physicians with UCLA. His most recent work extends the same logic to the built environment, coining the phrase "digital obesity and indoor epidemic" to describe a specific underdiagnosed driver of modern fatigue tied to how little time people spend outdoors and how much artificial light and screen exposure they get instead. In our conversation, Dr. La Puma discusses how we went from chefs' training to co-developing the first culinary medicine course; the indoor epidemic and digital obesity; how most people spend about 93% of their lives indoors; how light impacts bone health; and deep sleep metrics. We also explore how poor air quality can reduce cognitive performance, the significance of phthalate exposure and other endocrine-mimicking chemicals, and green dopamine. Dr. La Puma highlights the health benefits of gardening, explaining how it exposes us to microbes and stimulates serotonin. We also cover nervous system awe, movement, how forest bathing can boost your immune system while reducing inflammatory markers, how exercise can help us live longer, nighttime red light therapy exposure, sleep and recovery, and animal companionship as a health intervention. Stay tuned for today's interesting and highly informative conversation about lifestyle as medicine with Dr. John La Puma. I highly recommend his book, The Indoor Epidemic, with the actionable information it contains. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. La Puma shares his motivation for bringing nutritional science and cooking into his medical practice How spending much of your life indoors can affect your nervous system, circadian biology, and metabolism The value of morning light for supporting sleep and rebuilding bones during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause How indoor air quality impacts cognitive performance Dr. La Puma shares his approach to reducing exposure to chemicals from household cleaning products The potential benefits of gardening and spending time with your hands in the soil How intentional time outdoors can support sleep, mood, energy, and memory A bright blue-white light at night may interfere with restorative sleep. Animal companionship and how it can improve our health and wellbeing Bio: John La Puma, MD, ChefMD™ is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, board-certified internist, and professionally trained chef who pioneered Culinary Medicine. He now pioneers EcoMedicine from his small regenerative teaching farm. His upcoming book, Indoor Epidemic, reveals how spending 93% of life indoors steals sleep, focus, and years, and how reclaiming just 7% outdoors can restore them using the evidence-based Outdoor Rx framework. This is a clinically validated intervention, presenting nature as foundational medicine, an essential component of health and the missing pillar in optimizing longevity and healthspan. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. John La Puma On his website The (Indoor Epidemic) book website

This episode is another in our podcast series of conversations with highly vetted brands I feel confident recommending to my community. Today, I was delighted to connect with Julie Sawaya, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Needed, a women's health company advancing nutrition standards across the mother span, from fertility through menopause. Julie holds a degree from Northwestern and an MBA from Stanford. In our conversation, Julie and I discuss the silent epidemic of nutritional deficiency. We explore how oral contraceptives and food restriction can contribute to nutrient depletion, current RDA standards, and the impact of pregnancy, breastfeeding, the postpartum period, and perimenopause on women's nutritional needs. We examine the MTHFR SNP and its variants, explain how to read supplement labels and what pixie dusting is, and discuss why it's important to know your omega-3 index and how this can influence both food choices and supplementation. Julie also shares a "repletion, not restriction" reframe for midlife and discusses the policies and standards she would like to see improved, including updated recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women and a straightforward perimenopause RDA. We also discuss practical takeaways, including specific supplement recommendations and testing that may be helpful. Stay tuned for another conversation you'll likely want to listen to more than once. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How depleted food, environmental toxins, and normalized fatigue have contributed to the silent nutrient deficiency epidemic among women How oral contraceptives can deplete key vitamins and minerals, and how pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, and perimenopause increase women's nutritional needs What the current RDA standards were developed for—and how the research underpinning them largely excluded women of reproductive age How symptoms and cycle changes can overlap between perimenopause and nutrient depletion Nutrients that are essential for bone health, cognitive function, energy, nutrient absorption, and overall health during the menopause transition Julie reviews the evidence surrounding MTHFR variants What to look for on supplement labels Why nourishing your body properly can support your metabolism more effectively than food restriction How your omega-3 index can help you decide whether supplementation is needed Julie shares practical recommendations for supporting your nutritional health during perimenopause. Bio: Julie Sawaya is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Needed, a women's health company advancing nutrition standards across the motherspan—from fertility through menopause. Julie earned departmental honors in Economics at Northwestern University for her work on nutritional access and her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is a frequent speaker and writer on women's health and modern motherhood. Julie is a trained nutritionist and a mother of three. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Julie Sawaya Needed Instagram TikTok

Today, I'm thrilled to connect with Dr. Aleksandra Gajer. Dr. Gajer was previously an academic emergency medicine physician who pivoted after realizing ER medicine was functioning less as a place that saves lives and more as a place that manages chronic conditions that should have been caught and addressed years earlier. That observation led her to leave ER medicine and take over an established Northern Virginia internal medicine practice focusing on hormone optimization, peptide therapy, and preventative longevity-oriented care. In our conversation today, we discuss how perimenopause is treatable and suffering through it is optional. Dr. Gajer explains how she manages body composition changes, weight loss resistance, bone health, and orthopedic-related complaints in midlife. We take a deep dive into the sourcing and research limitations of peptides, exploring healing peptides, growth hormone-promoting peptides, and thymic peptides, and also discussing immunosenescence, bioregulators, mitochondrial RNA-coded peptides, pheno age testing, and using low-dose ketamine, when appropriate, for mental health challenges. Stay tuned for a fascinating conversation about the science and limitations of research on peptide therapies, and what Dr. Gajer is looking forward to in the near future. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The health struggles Dr. Gajer experienced that led her to explore integrative therapies Why women may wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. during perimenopause How hormone changes in midlife can contribute to weight loss resistance Why Dr. Gajer encourages women to have their bone mass assessed earlier than conventionally recommended How declining estrogen and estradiol can contribute to orthopedic-related symptoms during perimenopause and menopause What women need to understand about sourcing peptides and the limitations of peptide research The different ways in which growth hormone-promoting peptides, thymic peptides, epitalon, and MOTC work How GLP-1s can be helpful for midlife women beyond changing their body composition and assisting with weight loss How Dr. Gajer uses low-dose ketamine lozenges for treatment-resistant anxiety and depression   Bio: Dr. Aleksandra Gajer is a board-certified physician and founder of The Gajer Practice. In this precision and longevity medicine clinic, she helps high-performing patients optimize their healthspan through a whole-person, root-cause approach. Trained in emergency medicine at the University of Maryland and George Washington University, she brings rigorous clinical thinking to hormone optimization, peptide therapy, metabolic health, and gut healing. Her own journey through Lyme, alongside more than twenty years of contemplative practice, shapes her belief that emotional and spiritual health underlie physical wellness. A recurring Fox 5 DC health expert with more than fifty podcast appearances, she is also building physician education around the responsible, evidence-based use of peptides. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com.  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Aleksandra Gajer The Gajer Practice 

Welcome to this week's Midlife Minute episode. Today, we're diving into listener questions about HRT dosing and the confusion surrounding administration. We explore several key themes, including absorption issues, lab draws, and cycling versus daily continuous dosing. I also compare oral progesterone with vaginal and transdermal progesterone. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The estradiol dosage range I prefer, for bone protection How heart disease risk can influence the route you select for HRT I clarify the “start low and slow” approach to HRT dosing Why women with uteruses need progesterone when taking estrogen  Why HRT dosing can become more complicated during perimenopause How FDA-approved bioidentical hormones differ from compounded preparations Various factors to consider when using an estradiol patch Alternative routes of administration for women who feel unwell when taking progesterone orally How providers can safely transition women from transdermal estradiol patches to other options Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Research: Please visit https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/podcast for research.

We have an extra-special podcast today with my husband, Todd, where we answer many listeners' questions about our relationship, how we met, and our shared interests. In this episode, Todd and I discuss ways to support your partner through perimenopause and menopause, the importance of shared interests and connections, and why communication is essential in midlife relationships. Todd shares his views on fatherhood and marriage, how physical activity and food are integral to our relationship, and the empty-nest/open door season of our lives. He also describes his own health and daily lifestyle, the bigger picture in our relationship, and we share some lighthearted and fun discussions. I love the interest this topic has generated, and I truly hope you and your significant other will find it an invaluable conversation about navigating midlife as a couple. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: What Todd came to understand about my perimenopause to menopause experience   How education and communication can help couples navigate the menopause experience The changes Todd has noticed in my personality since my 30s  How our shared values have influenced our business decisions What Todd values most about being a husband and father How, over time, Todd came to understand more about my childhood experiences and appreciate how I focused on creating a different environment for our children How the prospect of having both boys leave home is affecting us, both as individuals, and as a couple How Todd's approach to his health has changed due to my influence What Todd believes men should understand as their partners navigate the perimenopause-menopause transition Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

When your skin starts changing in midlife, it is easy to assume the products that used to work suddenly stopped working. And when changing the routine does not fix it, hormones usually get the blame.But there is another shift happening at the same time that rarely gets brought into the skin conversation: your gut. In this episode of Biohacking Beauty, we get into what starts changing in the gut through perimenopause and menopause, the surprising ways those changes can show up far beyond digestion, and why some of the health strategies women swear by before 40 may need to be reconsidered later.Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, author of The Menopause Gut, and an international speaker with more than 25 years of experience in women's health, metabolic health, perimenopause, menopause, and intermittent fasting.What's Discussed:(04:01) The health crisis that changed the way Cynthia understood midlife health.(19:12) The gut-hormone connection most women do not know exists.(23:14) What changes when estrogen, immunity, and the gut start shifting together.(29:13) The early signs that progesterone may be changing.(35:49) What your gut may have to do with ovarian and mitochondrial aging.(41:46) The part of longevity Cynthia thinks we are seriously underestimating.(47:54) Why Cynthia changed her own approach to intermittent fasting after 40.Listen to this episode of Biohacking Beauty to learn what midlife gut changes may have to do with your skin, and why the answer may go much deeper than changing your skincare routine.Find more from Young Goose:Website: Use code PODCAST10 to get 10% OFF your first purchase, and if you're a returning customer use the code PODCAST5 to get 5% OFF at younggoose.comInstagram: @young_goose_skincareFind more from Cynthia Thurlow:Twitter: @_CynthiaThurlowInstagram: @cynthia_thurlow_LinkedIn: cynthia-thurlowYouTube: cynthiathurlowWebsite: cynthiathurlow.com/The Midlife Pause supplements: themidlifepause.com

What if the reason keto isn't working for you has less to do with the diet itself; and more to do with your liver, your fats, and how well your body adapts to stress? In this episode, Ben chats with nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and host of the Everyday Wellness podcast Cynthia Thurlow to break down why keto fails so many women, and what to do about it. They dive into the two biggest culprits behind keto struggles: a backed-up liver that isn't producing healthy bile, and consuming the wrong types of fats that drive inflammation instead of healing. From simple bile-boosting strategies like bitter foods, apple cider vinegar, and ox bile supplementation to swapping processed seed oils for stable fats like butter, ghee, and beef tallow, Ben and Cynthia cover practical steps that can make a ketogenic approach actually work, especially for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. They also explore why chronic cortisol activation could be sabotaging your results, how to use heart rate variability and blood glucose testing to know if fasting is helping or hurting you, and why the concept of "keto flexing", intentionally cycling in and out of ketosis with strategic feast days—may be the missing piece for long-term metabolic flexibility. No rigid protocols. No one-size-fits-all approach. Just smarter strategies that meet your body where it is. To learn more about Cynthia Thurlow and her work: Website: cynthiathurlow.com Instagram: @cynthia_thurlow_ FOLLOW BEN AZADI Website: www.BenAzadi.comInstagram: @TheBenAzadiFacebook: @TheBenAzadiTikTok: @TheBenAzadiLinkedIn: @BenAzadiYouTube: Ben Azadi BEN AZADI'S BOOKS Keto Flex: Get Keto Flex + Bonuses Metabolic Freedom: Get Metabolic Freedom

If your body suddenly seems to be playing by a completely different set of rules in perimenopause or menopause, this episode is for you! For the first time ever on Optimal Metabolism, I am welcoming back a three-peat guest! Cynthia Thurlow, NP, is a two-time TEDx speaker, international speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Everyday Wellness podcast. Her viral TEDx talk on intermittent fasting has surpassed 15 million views, and she has become a leading voice in women's metabolic health, perimenopause, menopause, and intermittent fasting. Cynthia joins me to discuss her latest book, The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond. We're digging into the connection between declining estrogen and the microbiome—and why changes in your gut may affect everything from insulin resistance and stubborn weight gain to inflammation, energy, sleep, brain health, and hormone balance. If you've been eating healthy, exercising, fasting, and doing all the things that used to work—but your body isn't responding the same way anymore—this conversation may help explain why. WHAT WE DISCUSS: Why the gut becomes increasingly important as estrogen declines How the microbiome changes during perimenopause and menopause The connection between gut health, insulin resistance, and blood sugar Why stubborn weight gain in midlife isn't simply about calories or willpower What the microgenderome is and why women should know about it Why digestive problems and food sensitivities can suddenly appear after 40 The estrobolome and the relationship between gut health and estrogen metabolism How chronic stress can influence the gut and the menopause transition Why sleep and circadian rhythm matter for gut and metabolic health The gut-brain connection and why anxiety and brain fog can increase during midlife How gut and hormonal changes may influence immune health and autoimmunity Why extreme dieting and exercise strategies may stop working in midlife Practical ways women can begin supporting their microbiome and metabolism ABOUT CYNTHIA THURLOW, NP Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, two-time TEDx speaker, international speaker, and founder and CEO of the Everyday Wellness Project. With more than 25 years of experience in health and wellness, she specializes in perimenopause, menopause, intermittent fasting, and women's metabolic health. She is the bestselling author of Intermittent Fasting Transformation and The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond. CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA + GET THE BOOK

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 today's discussion, we dive into various aspects of perimenopause and the associated challenges. We discuss factors accelerating ovarian aging, the role of contraception, mental health shifts, and the often delayed diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency. We examine the differences between hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives, discussing the importance of advocacy for women's health and the benefits of vaginal estrogen. We explore the disparity in federal funding for women's health research, the impact of the Women's Health Initiative, body composition changes, the estrabolome, the 30 Plant Challenge, and the advantages of HRT. Dr. Haver also talks about her preferred supplements.  I'm sure you will find this conversation a valuable resource that you will likely revisit several times. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why perimenopause is so fraught with chaos Some of the factors that hasten ovarian aging How perimenopause causes significant changes in neurotransmitters, leading to cognitive changes The differences between HRT and oral contraceptives How estrogen loss during menopause affects vaginal tissue The benefits of vaginal estrogen for symptoms of menopause  How women's health research funding prioritizes reproduction over menopause and perimenopause How HRT can help with fat loss and muscle mass in postmenopausal women The emergence of eating-disordered behaviors in menopausal women Some of the lesser-known symptoms of menopause and ways to overcome them How HRT could impact the longevity and cognitive health of women Bio: Dr Mary Claire Haver Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified OB-GYN who has devoted her adult life to women's health. When she began experiencing the changes of menopause and midlife weight gain, she created her online program, The Galveston Diet, which currently has over 80,000 students. The Galveston Diet is the first and only nutrition program in the world created by a female OB-GYN, designed for women in menopause. As part of her ongoing research, she became certified in Culinary Medicine in 2019, specializing in medical nutrition. In 2021, Dr. Haver opened Mary Claire Wellness; the clinic grew out of repeated requests from Galveston Diet students and Dr. Haver's social media followers for personal guidance.  Dr. Haver lives with her husband and two daughters in Galveston, Texas. She is the author of The Galveston Diet (Rodale; January 10th, 2023). Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Mary Claire Haver On the⁠ Mary Claire Wellness website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Books Mentioned Dr. Haver's books, ⁠The Galveston Diet⁠ and ⁠The New Menopause ⁠ ⁠The Menopause Brain⁠ and the⁠ XX Brain⁠ by Lisa Mosconi Previous Episode Mentioned ⁠Ep. 308 Dr. Mary Claire Haver: Weight Gain in Middle Age, Perimenopause and Inflammation

Today, I'm honored to connect with Dr. Salome Masghati, founder of Precision Gynecology, which provides the unhurried, root-cause-oriented care often missing in a system where women are rushed through short appointments, focusing on bioidentical hormone therapy, perimenopause, and menopause. Dr. Masghati has extensive surgical training and specializes in longevity medicine. In today's discussion, we explore the ovary as a signaling hub, not just a reproductive timer, and Dr. Masghati shares her views on hormone replacement therapy timing, intrinsic and infradian rhythm, ovarian function, and the differentiators between PCOS and PMOS in midlife women. We also cover oral versus transdermal estradiol therapy, FSH testing as an independent risk factor for bone and heart health, hysterectomies, ferritin and iron deficiency, coronary vasospasm, elevated Lp(a), estradiol and thyroid therapy, peptides, regenerative and esthetic offerings. Dr. Masghati also offers her personal perspective on what influences orgasms. Stay tuned for today's invaluable conversation with Dr. Salome Masghati on optimizing women's health in midlife and beyond. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How a hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and other surgical interventions can impact ovarian function Dr. Masghati shares her approach to hormone replacement therapy for women going through premature or early menopause How elevated androgen levels, insulin resistance, and inflammation can affect the response to hormone replacement therapy in women with PCOS/PMOS Why Dr. Masghati generally prefers transdermal rather than oral estradiol How optimizing hormone levels can improve libido when women's hormones change  Women may have low ferritin even when their serum iron looks good. Declining estrogen may contribute to coronary vasospasm in women. What women should know about regenerative therapies using PRP Why the source of peptides matters, and why Dr. Masghati specifically advises against using research peptides Bio:  Dr. Salome Masghati is a board-certified gynecologic surgeon who now focuses on hormonal wellbeing, functional medicine, and disease prevention. She specializes in women's health conditions including perimenopause, PCOS, endometriosis, gut health, and metabolic dysfunction, using a root-cause and physiologic approach to help women restore balance and optimize their health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Salome Masghati On her website On Instagram Email: team@drmasghati.com 

Welcome to this week's Midlife Minute episode! Statistically, one in three women will die of heart disease. So, today, we're answering some of the many questions I received about lipids and heart health. Although I've done other lipid-focused Midlife Minutes before, this episode is yet another dedicated to Dr. Tom Dayspring, as I've received such a vast number of questions on this particular topic.    IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why understanding your ApoB and Lp(a) is an essential part of assessing your cardiovascular risk Why treatments for lipid abnormalities should be individualized to fit each specific abnormality  Essential lifestyle measures for supporting overall cardiovascular health How CAC scoring, CT coronary angiography, and Clearly AI-assisted imaging differ, what each test measures, and their limitations  How cardiovascular disease can sometimes present differently in women  Why are premature atrial contractions and premature ventricular contractions often benign when the heart is structurally normal? How the roles of statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, GLP-1 medications, and emerging RNA therapies differ, and why they should not be considered interchangeable How declining estrogen impacts cardiovascular health Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

I'm delighted to bring you a midlife metabolic health masterclass for women today, with experts Dr. Yael Joffe, Dr. Ben Bikman, Dr. Lara Briden, Dr. Felice Gersh, and Dr. Alexandra Sowa. In this masterclass, our panel of experts explores how women's metabolisms change in perimenopause, how our fat cells change with age, and how those changes influence our estrogen, insulin, and body composition. We examine how muscle, estrogen, and satiety mechanisms can improve or worsen metabolic health, the roles of aging, stress, inflammation, and ovarian health, and how body changes become metabolic risks. Join us for today's impactful masterclass with our insightful panel of metabolic health experts. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why the amount of body fat you carry does not necessarily determine your metabolic health How declining estrogen during menopause can change where women store their body fat Why women have to work harder to maintain and build muscle as estrogen declines in perimenopause and menopause How women can continue building muscle at any age Why progesterone is not only a reproductive hormone or something prescribed to protect the uterine lining The changes women may experience as their estradiol and progesterone production declines in midlife What women considering GLP-1 medications for menopausal weight gain should look at, beyond the number on the scale How to support your gut health and manage gastrointestinal symptoms when taking a GLP-1 The factors Dr. Joffe takes into account when evaluating women during their menopausal transition Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Yael Joffe 3X4 Genetics Instagram Facebook Connect with Dr. Ben Bikman On his website Social media: @benbikmanphd Connect with Dr. Lara Briden Website Social media: @Lara Briden Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine Instagram All of Dr. Gersh's books are available on Amazon. Connect with Dr. Alexandra Sowa On her website   Social media: @alexandrasowamd  Purchase a copy of Dr. Sowa's book, The Ozempic Revolution: A Doctor's Proven Plan for Success to Help You Reverse Obesity, End Yo-Yo Dieting, and Protect Yourself from Disease Podcast Episodes:  Ep. 558 Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny – The Most Actionable Way to Use Genetics for Weight Loss with Dr. Yael Joffe  Ep. 316 The Impact of Age, Gender and Lifestyle on Metabolic Health with Dr. Ben Bikman Ep. 372 Metabolism Repair for Women: Strategies and Insights with Dr. Lara Briden Ep. 570 We've Been Wrong About Progesterone! – The Most Powerful Hormone for Heart, Brain & Longevity with Dr. Felice Gersh|Menopause & HRT Ep. 438 - The Rise of GLP-1s: Key to Weight Loss and Metabolic Health with Alexandra Sowa, MD

I'm excited to share another episode in our series of highly vetted companies. Today, I'm delighted to reconnect with Angelo Keely, the Co-founder and CEO of Kion, for our third conversation. I've been using essential aminos. I really leaned into them during my book launch, and I credit them with helping me maintain my muscle mass despite training at a lower volume. In today's conversation, Angelo and I discuss GLP-1s and muscle loss, exploring protein intake, the leucine threshold hypothesis, the association between declining estrogen and blunted muscle protein synthesis, and using essential aminos to build and maintain muscle. We unpack the role of sleep and recovery for muscle health, daily versus as-needed creatine monohydrate and essential amino acid supplementation, what omega-3s are, why they matter, and how to supplement. We also cover midlife women's body composition, weight loss, and muscle building, and Angelo shares his take on the disconnect between body composition changes in midlife women and how companies actively market to midlife women, knowing the challenges we face in that area. Stay tuned for today's insightful and informative discussion with Angelo Keely of Kion. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How caloric restriction leads to fat loss but can also cause the body to break down muscle  How essential aminos can help preserve our muscles as we age The essential amino formula Angelo recommends for midlife women Hormone changes may affect muscle protein synthesis The huge impact poor sleep has on whole-body protein synthesis  Essential aminos vs. whey protein and how they differ Value of essential aminos for maintaining muscle during caloric deficits  How aminos and creatine both need to be taken consistently, but for different physiological reasons What to look for when choosing a quality omega-3 supplement How to make daily supplementation easier to maintain Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Angelo Keely Kion (Use code CYNTHIA for 20% off)

If you're training hard, eating well, and still watching your waist thicken, I want you to hear this: you are not lazy, and your metabolism is not broken. Something else is going on, and once you see it, belly fat stops feeling like a mystery you can't crack. So I called in four people I trust most on this, Ben Azadi, Dr Sarah Berry, Cynthia Thurlow, and Mary Claire Haver. Together we get into why cortisol parks fat right around your middle, how losing estrogen quietly reroutes fat from your hips to your belly, and why the exact same meal spikes your blood sugar far more after menopause than it did before. We go deep on the pieces most women never get told about, the muscle you're losing, the gut and estrobolome shifts, and the insulin exposure that makes this fat feel so stubborn. Then I hand you the fix. My five levers, in the order that actually works, from breaking up long sitting to resistance training, smart HIIT, whole-food carbs, and protecting your sleep and stress. And I tell you honestly where fasted training helps and where it just becomes another way to punish yourself. If you're a busy woman over 40 who's done with "eat less, move more" and wants to know which lever your body needs first, this one's for you. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN - Does cortisol cause belly fat in women over 40? - Why does fat move to your belly during menopause? - Is menopause belly fat caused by a slow metabolism? - What is visceral fat and why is it dangerous? - Can you gain visceral fat even if the scale doesn't move? - Why do post-menopausal women have higher blood sugar spikes? - How does insulin resistance drive stubborn belly fat? - Does the gut microbiome affect body composition in midlife? - How does breaking up sitting improve insulin sensitivity? - Does resistance training help you lose belly fat after 40? - Does HIIT reduce abdominal fat in women? - Does fasted training help burn visceral fat? TIMESTAMPS - 00:00 Why Cortisol Drives Stubborn Belly Fat In Women Over 35 - 03:00 Insulin Resistance, Estrogen Loss And Why Menopause Moves Fat To Your Belly - 09:44 How Muscle Loss And Your Gut Control Midlife Body Composition - 16:11 Why Menopause Belly Fat Is Dangerous And How To Shift Visceral Fat - 17:59 The 5 Levers To Lose Midlife Belly Fat Without A Broken MetabolismVALUABLE RESOURCES Timeline - Support your mitochondrial health: Timeline Mitopure delivers Urolithin A at the clinically studied dose to support cellular renewal and energy production, helping counter the natural decline in mitochondrial function that comes with age.

Today, I'm delighted to connect with Sara Hirsh Bordo, an autoimmune-diagnosed, 15-times award-winning documentary filmmaker, the founder and CEO of Women Rising, and the author of Autoimmunity and the Good Girls. I loved Sara's book, and I love her work! I believe her message will resonate deeply with listeners with concurrent autoimmune conditions, and those who have grown up as people pleasers or have subjugated themselves over the course of their lives. Autoimmune conditions often tend to flare or first present during major hormonal transitions like postpartum, perimenopause, or menopause. So it's important to understand the influence of chronic stress and how it intersects with our immune system function. In our conversation, Sara and I discuss how self-silencing makes us sick, and overgiving keeps us that way. We explore the influence of family and culture on our health and longevity, the effects of autoimmunity, people pleasing, good-girl conditioning, and authenticity versus dissociation. We also discuss Gabor Maté's book, The Myth of Normal, liberation, the fear of disappointment, Sara's research, her concept of the license to be sovereign, the act of receiving, the role of epigenetics and birth order, and Sara's framework of coherence, authenticity, epigenetics, and permission. Stay tuned for a wonderful conversation about autoimmunity, people-pleasing, authenticity, and permitting ourselves to be sovereign. Sarah's book, Autoimmunity and the Good Girls, will likely resonate deeply with many of you. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How self-silencing, self-neglect, and self-betrayal can impact a woman's health The connection between chronic stress, suppressed feelings, good girl conditioning, and autoimmunity What it feels like to reclaim your authenticity and be more aligned with yourself How the fear of disappointing others can make it difficult for some women to claim their power What Sara discovered about adverse girlhood experiences, birth order, and the caretaker role when compiling the research for her book How becoming more sovereign can help women advocate for their own needs Why receiving can be difficult for women who are accustomed to giving How stillness and silence helped Sara identify her needs and wants How girlhood experiences, self-silencing, and self-compromise can become epigenetic inputs, and what women can do to create more supportive environments Why permission is a key part of Sara's framework for reclaiming authenticity Bio: Sara Hirsh Bordo Sara Hirsh Bordo (pronounced Bordeaux) is a 15-time award-winning filmmaker and Founder/CEO of Women Rising®, named "One of the Most Innovative, Interesting, and Purpose-Driven Women-Led Startups to Watch” by Inc. Magazine. Sara is currently directing short documentary films for Toyota and ESPN Women, and most recently, the executive producer of ConnectHer International Film Festival, consulting director for the Gates Foundation PitchFest Program, and the author and researcher behind the first proprietary quantitative survey at the intersection of female empowerment and health, Autoimmunity and the Good GirlsTM. Sara previously held positions in media and entertainment, including Executive Director of Interactive Marketing at Paramount Pictures, VP of Digital Marketing at MGM Studios, and CEO and Co-Founder of NowLive. Autoimmunity and the Good Girls is her first book. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Sara Hirsh Bordo  Website  Instagram Autoimmunity & The Good Girls Book

Today, we have a metabolic health masterclass, featuring Dr. Robert Lustig, Ben Azadi, Dr. Ben Bikman, Mark Sisson, and Dr. Nick Norwitz.  In today's masterclass, we explore why metabolic dysfunction is not simply a calories-in, calories-out issue or a failure of willpower, how insulin and leptin influence appetite and behavior, how early signs of insulin resistance can appear years before a diabetes diagnosis, and the important relationship between muscle, glucose regulation, and insulin sensitivity. We also discuss how movement supports fat burning without sacrificing muscle, why chronic cardio may not produce the results many people expect, and how emerging technology could provide a far more personalized approach to metabolic care. Stay tuned for today's informative discussion, where our panel of experts shares their valuable perspectives on metabolic health. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Leptin resistance and how it can drive the overeating and inactivity commonly associated with obesity How elevated insulin blocks the effects of leptin Why it's essential to pay attention to fasting insulin rather than waiting for blood glucose to rise  Ben Azadi highlights metabolic health markers that can provide information beyond fasting glucose. How our muscles help to regulate glucose and support insulin sensitivity The importance of building and preserving muscle to support insulin sensitivity as we age, and how even a brief period of inactivity can reduce insulin sensitivity Mark Sisson explains why running may not be the most effective fat loss strategy  How walking can increase your fat-burning capacity while also helping to preserve your muscles Dr. Nick Norwitz explains how type 2 diabetes can involve different underlying pathologies, and how CGM data and machine learning can eventually help to identify specific subphenotypes Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Robert Lustig Website  On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter  Connect with Ben Azadi Website On Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok Get a copy of Ben Azadi's latest book, Metabolic Freedom. Connect with Dr. Ben Bikman Website On social media: @benbikmanphd Connect with Mark Sisson   Mark's book, Born To Walk  Peluva Shoes Connect with Nick Norwitz On YouTube, X, and Instagram His Substack Previous Episodes: Ep. 161 Robert Lustig & Cynthia Thurlow Discussing The Nutritional Battlefield & Debunking Chronic Diseases Ep. 465 Metabolic Health 101: Fat Loss, Toxins, and Seed Oils with Dr. Ben Azadi Ep. 316 The Impact of Age, Gender and Lifestyle on Metabolic Health with Dr. Ben Bikman Ep. 422 Walking for Health: The Underrated Exercise You Need with Mark Sisson Ep. 525 We've Been Misled About Metabolic Health – The Shocking Truth About Cholesterol, GLP-1 & Aging with Dr. Nick Norwitz

I'm delighted to connect with Dr. Rachel Goldman today. She is a licensed clinical psychologist based in New York City and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She specializes in the mind-body connection using cognitive behavioral therapy, with a focus on stress management, burnout, distorted eating, bariatric surgery support, and health behavior changes. I was honored to meet Dr. Rachel in Miami at an event where we both spoke earlier this year. In our conversation, we discuss how to approach body image in midlife, how our families influence our relationships with food, what toxic positivity is, and how it invalidates our emotions. We also explore the vulnerability of midlife and parenting, the effects of GLP-1 drugs, obesity as a disease, and the impact of mindset. Dr. Rachel also defines burnout and shares the best ways to address it. Stay tuned for today's invaluable conversation on body image, mindset, emotions, and navigating the challenges of midlife. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Rachel shares her approach to helping midlife women struggling with body image and identity  How our thought processes around food can influence our emotions and behaviors Various factors that can influence our relationship with food How women with many rules around food can start changing their thinking How to navigate grief about your younger body and learn to appreciate the body you have now What toxic positivity is and how it invalidates our emotions How personal and professional role changes in midlife can affect a woman's sense of identity Why Dr. Rachel recommends having more than one coping tool in your toolbox  The effects Dr. Rachel has been seeing in patients using GLP-1 medications What burnout is, and how to address it Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Rachel Goldman On social media: @DrRachelNYC   Purchase links for Dr. Rachel's book are available HERE.

Welcome to the latest summer version of the Midlife Minute.  In this episode, we're focusing on the gut. Even though I've written a book about the gut microbiome changes that occur in perimenopause and menopause, I'm often asked whether the gut is truly central to midlife. So today, I provide direct answers to the many questions I received on this topic.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How the gut microbiome and estrogen work together, and the importance of supporting both  How the estrobolome helps recycle estrogen, and why its function could decline during menopause How poor sleep, blood sugar instability, histamine issues, and dysbiosis tend to be interconnected The value of practitioner-guided microbiome testing when investigating histamine intolerance, dysbiosis, and weight loss resistance Various factors that could contribute to weight loss resistance How my approach to stool testing has evolved as newer microbiome testing technology has become available Essential lifestyle habits for supporting gut health Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

I am honored to connect with Dr. Eric Osansky today. He is a chiropractic physician, clinical nutritionist, and functional medicine provider. He is also an author who loves to write about hyperthyroidism and a lifestyle-focused approach to it. In today's conversation, Dr. Osansky unpacks his own Graves diagnosis in 2008 and highlights the typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the unique physiology of thyroid dysfunction, and specific risk factors. We explore traditional treatment pathways, the influence of low-dose naltrexone and other immunomodulatory supplements, and the gut-thyroid axis. We also discuss how most of our immune system is located in the gut, the influence of leaky gut and autoimmune disease, perimenopause as a trigger window for symptoms, and how these often overlap with thyroid health. Stay tuned for an interesting and insightful conversation on thyroid health, Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism, and more. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: What Graves' disease is, and how it differs from other causes of hyperthyroidism The first symptom of Graves' disease that Dr. Osansky experienced, and other common symptoms of Graves' disease Genetics, environmental triggers, and other factors that could contribute to autoimmune thyroid disease Conventional treatment options that are available for Graves' disease, how they work, and why treatment decisions should be individualized Why Dr. Osansky recommends continuing to support immune and gut health after radioactive iodine or thyroid surgery How low-dose naltrexone may help some people with Graves' disease modulate their immune systems Foods, lifestyle measures, and supplements that can support immune regulation alongside appropriate medical care The relationship between the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), and autoimmunity How thyroid symptoms and hormone changes during midlife can overlap, and why laboratory testing is important when symptoms overlap Bio: Eric Osansky Dr. Eric Osansky is a chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, and certified functional medicine practitioner who has been helping people with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's since 2009. He is the author of the books "Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease", "The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet", and "Hashimoto's Triggers", and is the host of the Save My Thyroid podcast. Dr. Osansky was personally diagnosed with Graves' disease in 2008 and was able to restore his health through a natural approach, and since then has helped others reverse their hyperthyroidism through his SAVED Thyroid framework. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Eric Osansky Website Save My Thyroid Project Substack Newsletter Dr. Osansky's books, Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease, The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet, and Hashimoto's Triggers, are available on Amazon.

In this episode, we're featuring MitoQ, a company whose research around antioxidant support for mitochondrial function has been of particular interest to me. I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Siobhan Mitchell, the Chief Scientific Officer at MitoQ. Dr. Mitchell completed her PhD at SUNY Albany and a postdoctoral fellowship on brain aging at the University of Washington. She has held roles at multinational food companies, leading research on brain nutrition, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and weight loss. She has published clinical research demonstrating the effects of stress on women's heart health and the importance of nutrients such as polyphenols, omega-3s, probiotics, and amino acids for brain health, authored dozens of clinical studies and more than 80 papers, and given talks on nutritional neuroscience at conferences worldwide. She also holds eight patents for products related to aging, cognition, and mood. In today's conversation, Dr. Mitchell and I discuss mitochondrial physiology, energy, and dysfunction, exploring the impact of MitoQ and supplementation for supporting health. We examine research on menopause, how estrogen influences mitochondria, the roles of oxidative stress, antioxidants, and zombie cells, highlighting how mitochondria impact our cardiovascular health, the value of MitoQ in supporting vascular function in females, the importance of polyphenols and spices, and signs of mitochondrial dysfunction. This is a truly invaluable conversation- one you'll likely want to revisit. Stay tuned for today's informative discussion on supporting our mitochondria and reducing oxidative stress with MitoQ. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How our mitochondrial function changes as we get older, and what those changes might look like How antioxidants protect the mitochondria from free radicals and oxidative stress The early signs of mitochondrial dysfunction  How women who have damaged their mitochondria earlier in life can proactively support their mitochondria Why some oxidative stress may be beneficial and when it could become problematic How mitochondrial dysfunction impacts heart function, blood glucose regulation, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome What Dr. Mitchell recommends for women learning about mitochondrial support for the first time Dr. Mitchell shares the daily practices she uses to support her brain and metabolic health. How long you may need to take MitoQ before noticing improvements, and what those improvements might look like Bio: Dr. Siobhan Mitchell Siobhan Mitchell is the chief scientific officer of MitoQ. She completed her PhD at SUNY Albany and a post-doctoral fellowship on brain aging at the University of Washington. Siobhan has held roles at multinational food companies leading research on brain nutrition, metabolism, cardiovascular health and weight loss. Siobhan has published clinical research showing the effects of stress on women's heart health, and the importance of nutrients such as polyphenols, omega-3 oils, probiotics and amino acids for brain health. She has authored over a dozen clinical studies on best practices for weight management and prevention of chronic diseases during her time as senior director for Noom. Siobhan is passionate about the intersection of nutrition and lifestyle factors, such as exercise, sleep, and mental well-being, to extend health span. Siobhan has given talks on nutritional neuroscience at conferences all over the world. She's authored over 80 papers and holds eight patents for aging, cognition, and mood products. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Siobhan Mitchell MitoQ  The Mitochondrial Collaborative Research Programme (MCRP)  Email Dr. Siobhan Mitchell: s.mitchell@mitocq.com

I'm delighted to connect with Dr. Lanna Cheuck today. She's a board-certified urologic surgeon who transitioned from academic medicine into a distinctive career in medical esthetics. In today's conversation, Dr. Lanna shares her inspiring origin story, and we explore the influence of sexual health and genitourinary syndrome of menopause, common symptoms women experience, and why so few women receive treatment despite how common the condition is. Dr. Lanna explains non-surgical treatment options that improve blood flow, increase orgasms, and improve pelvic floor health, and discusses the influence of senescent cells, the celebrity non-surgical facelift, and how GLP-1 medications influence facial aging. She also shares interesting insights on Korean skincare benefits versus a concierge U.S.-based system, clarifies what biostimulators are and how they stimulate collagen production over time, and explains the influence of PDGF growth factors, cadaver fat transfers, energy devices, and estrogen used on our faces. Stay tuned for a fascinating conversation filled with practical insights into women's health, medical esthetics, and healthy aging.  IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How the continuum of symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause is often dismissed as something women simply have to live with The value of vaginal estrogen, and how many women are still denied that treatment due to outdated concerns following the WHI study Non-surgical procedures that can improve blood flow, collagen, elastin, lubrication, sensitivity, orgasms, and pelvic floor health, and why Dr. Lanna considers them regenerative sexual health rather than cosmetic procedures Why it's essential to seek practitioners with extensive training for intimate procedures Dr. Lanna's celebrity non-surgical facelift combines multiple approaches to address every layer of facial aging. How rapid weight loss associated with GLP-1 medications can accelerate facial aging The advantages and limitations of Korean esthetics, and how it differs from a concierge U.S.-based approach What biostimulators are, and how they stimulate collagen production Why Dr. Lanna introduces energy-based devices according to skin quality rather than age alone Dr. Lanna shares her perspective on using topical estriol or estradiol for facial skin Bio: Dr. Lanna Cheuck, DO, FACS, is the CEO, Founder, and Medical Director of LC Medical PLLC with multiple locations and her flagship in the heart of midtown Manhattan. She is a board-certified, Ivy League-trained surgeon and self-taught businesswoman who built her brand into multi-million dollar companies in less than five years. She is the CEO and Founder of FACE Med-Spa Training, where she has over 30K injectors in her community. She is also the CEO and Co-Founder of FACE Med Store, a seven-figure online shop specializing in the distribution of medical supplies, equipment, and skincare. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Lanna Cheuck On her website Instagram

Today's episode is another in our podcast series featuring companies I genuinely feel aligned with. Today, I'm delighted to welcome Lucy Goff, the founder of Lyma, a pioneering wellness brand transforming beauty and health through science-backed innovation. Before launching Lyma, Lucy built a successful career as a journalist and luxury-sector publicist, during which she honed her expertise in brand storytelling and consumer engagement. I've been using the Lyma laser for several months now, and I've noticed significant improvements in my neck, jawline, and even my knees. Today's conversation centers around Lucy's near-death experience and the origins of Lyma. We explore the differences between cold and hot laser technology, the influence of sirtuins and longevity pathways, what constitutes a clinical-grade device, and the FDA approval process. Lucy explains how skin ages differently during perimenopause and menopause, why the Lyma laser is safe for all skin types, and how it requires no protective goggles and is completely pain-free. We also discuss gut health, HRT, and hormones, the influence of IDO2, and the role of probiotic fibers. Lucy highlights how simplifying can enhance your health in midlife, how using GLP-1 drugs can lead to weight loss and reduce skin laxity, and how the Lyma device can help improve skin quality. I know you will enjoy today's enlightening discussion with Lucy Goff as much as I did while recording it. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How Lucy's near-death experience led to the creation of Lyma How cold laser technology differs from heat-based skin treatments Why LED, red light therapy, and laser technology should not be grouped, and how LED and laser differ in their biological effects and gene expression Lucy explains the extensive testing required for FDA clearance How women's skin changes during perimenopause and menopause The role of the gut microbiome during perimenopause and menopause What inspired the development of Lyma's IDO2 formulation  Why Lucy encourages a simpler approach to supporting your health in midlife  How the Lyma laser can help improve skin laxity following rapid weight loss with GLP-1 medications Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Lucy Goff Lyma - Use the code CYNTHIA 10 for a 10% discount on the Lyma device and products on the Lyma website

Most women think menopause is a hormone problem. Today's guest says many symptoms may actually begin in the gut–years before menopause. The science could completely change how you think about hot flashes, weight gain, inflammation, sleep, and even autoimmune disease.  Perimenopause and menopause affect nearly every system in the body, yet many women are told their symptoms are simply the result of changing hormones. But what if the gut microbiome is one of the missing pieces?  In this episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, women's health expert, nurse practitioner, and bestselling author of The Menopause Gut, to explore the emerging science connecting gut health, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, immunity, and brain health during midlife. Together they explain why digestive changes often appear years before menopause, how the estrobolome influences estrogen metabolism, why food sensitivities suddenly develop, and how your gut may affect everything from sleep to weight loss. In this episode, you'll uncover:

Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Elisa Port, a talented breast surgeon with a passion for helping women better understand breast cancer, breast health, and the science behind screening, diagnosis, and treatment. She's the chief of breast surgery for Mount Sinai Health System in New York, a professor of surgery at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, and the author of The Breast Advice. In our conversation, we explore breast cancer risk factors, various screening mechanisms and their impact on dense breasts, and the role of diagnosis and pathology, including DCIS. We also discuss menopause symptom management, anti-hormone and targeted treatments, immunotherapy, de-escalation, and why a personalized approach to breast cancer treatment is so important.  Stay tuned for a truly informative conversation with Dr. Port. With her infectious optimism, she has a wonderful way of translating the science and the research in her book, making it accessible and putting the statistics into context so the information feels far less scary than it otherwise might. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family cancer history How body weight and alcohol can influence breast cancer risk Why Dr. Port recommends annual mammograms beginning at age 40 for most women Dr. Port may disagree with recommendations against breast self-exams Why women with dense breasts may benefit from supplemental ultrasound or MRI in addition to mammography Unvalidated breast screening tests may lead to false positives, unnecessary testing, procedures, anxiety, and expense. What DCIS is, and how it influences treatment decisions Why an individualized approach is essential when using SERMs, SERDs, and aromatase inhibitors How Oncotype testing helps to identify women who may safely avoid chemotherapy Bio: Dr Elisa Port Dr. Elisa Port, MD, is chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, which encompasses seven different breast centers. Her team performs over a thousand breast surgical procedures each year. She is also the director of the Dubin Breast Center, a state-of-the-art breast center in Manhattan that opened in April 2011. She personally consults with thousands of patients and performs hundreds of operations each year. Dr. Port is a trusted voice in the media and a sought-after speaker. She has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, CBS, Today, Mornings with Maria, and Pix11. In addition to her media presence, Dr. Port regularly speaks at public events and is invited to present at conferences and panels across the country. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two dogs. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Elisa Port On her website On her personal Instagram  Breast Advice MD on Instagram The Breast Advice Substack

Welcome to this week's Midlife Minute. This episode is dedicated to the overwhelming number of HRT-related questions I've received from my community in 2026. Hormone replacement therapy has generated more questions than almost any other midlife topic, especially regarding timing, progesterone, testing, and special situations. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Women can still benefit from HRT later in menopause. The importance of working with a knowledgeable prescriber when making hormone replacement therapy decisions How progesterone tolerance can vary from one woman to another Why your blood work should be timed according to when you apply your estradiol patch, and why I prefer to focus on estradiol rather than routinely monitoring progesterone levels How the synthetic hormones used in oral contraceptives differ from the bioidentical hormones used in HRT How your medical history can influence your hormone replacement therapy plan Fear and outdated information may continue to create confusion about hormone replacement therapy. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Today, I'm delighted to reconnect with Dr. Tabatha Barber, also known as The Gutsy Gynecologist. She is a triple board-certified OB-GYN specializing in perimenopause, menopause, and functional medicine. In today's discussion, we explore why supporting your hormones involves much more than simply replacing them. Dr. Barber explains how our nervous system, internal dialogue, cellular health, stress response, and lifestyle work together to influence our hormones, energy, and overall health during midlife. We also discuss why addressing root causes is essential for lasting improvements, the role of mitochondrial health, and practical ways to better support your nervous system. If you're looking for a more comprehensive approach to navigating perimenopause and menopause, you will not want to miss today's insightful conversation with Dr. Tabatha Barber. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why regulating your nervous system is essential for lasting hormone and health improvements Why the conversations you have with yourself matter more than external circumstances Why Dr. Barber prefers to focus on identifying the root causes of health issues instead of repeatedly treating downstream symptoms How sympathetic dominance and unresolved stress patterns can influence hormone function Other factors, apart from HRT, that are essential for improving women's health during midlife How oxidative stress, lack of sunlight, and disrupted circadian rhythms can contribute to fatigue and reduced cellular energy How hormone changes in midlife often coincide with greater self-awareness, stronger boundaries, and less people-pleasing How faith, prayer, and gratitude can support nervous system regulation Practical ways to support and regulate your nervous system Bio: Tabatha Barber Dr. Tabatha Barber is a triple board-certified physician — and one of the most distinctive voices in faith-based women's health today. Her story begins where most would have stopped. A teenage mother and high school dropout, she rebuilt her life through faith and perseverance — earning her doctorate and certifications before realizing the very system she trained in was missing the whole point. Today, as owner and medical director of Her Higher Health, creator of the Fast to Faith Coaching Academy, 40 Day program, supplement line, and international bestselling book Fast to Faith, Dr. Tabatha brings one message to every stage and microphone: your body is not broken — your approach is. She is known for doing what no one else does: mapping Scripture directly with how the body works — showing women that Romans 12:2 is the original neuroplasticity protocol, that Genesis 2:7 describes the gut-brain connection, and that God designed healing to happen in community. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Tabatha Barber Fast To Faith  On Instagram

How to Tell If You Have a Pelvic Floor Problem Fatigue, hormone balance, perimenopause, menopause, gut health, constipation, stress, and pelvic floor symptoms can all connect in ways many women never realize. Have you ever leaked when you laughed, coughed, sneezed, jumped, or worked out? Or felt pelvic heaviness, pressure, painful sex, constipation, or low back pain that no one can explain? These symptoms are common, but they are not something you have to live with. In this episode, I'm talking about how to recognize pelvic floor dysfunction, why it often shows up or gets worse during perimenopause and menopause, and why kegels are not always the answer. Your pelvic floor needs to be strong, flexible, and able to relax — and if it is too tight, more kegels can actually make things worse. I'll also explain how pregnancy, childbirth, estrogen decline, constipation, chronic stress, shallow breathing, and years of downward pressure can all affect pelvic floor health over time. Key Points From This Episode • The five signs of a pelvic floor problem — leaking, pressure, painful sex, constipation, and unexplained hip or low back pain. • Why perimenopause and menopause can make pelvic floor symptoms show up years after having children. • The surprising reason kegels may make symptoms worse if your pelvic floor is too tight. • How breathing, stress, constipation, and hormone balance all play a role. • Why pelvic floor physical therapy can be one of the most helpful, underused tools for women. The Bigger Takeaway Pelvic floor symptoms are not just an inconvenience. They can affect your bladder, bowels, sex life, exercise, confidence, digestion, and quality of life. If you've been leaking, avoiding workouts, crossing your legs when you sneeze, or wondering why things feel different in perimenopause or menopause, this episode will help you understand what may really be going on — and why there are real solutions. Hit play and listen in, because your pelvic floor may be the missing piece in your hormone balance, gut health, stress, and long-term wellness. WOMEN'S FUNCTIONAL HEALTH COACH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM- IS OPEN! OUR NEXT COHORT STARTS ON SEPTEMBER 29TH. If some part of you has been quietly wondering whether this could be your path, come find out. Learn more at: womensfunctionalhealth.org Browse the course catalog: https://go.megmill.com/wfhicoursecatalog Schedule a call with me: https://go.megmill.com/wfhicoursecatalog Women deserve more, and you can be the one to make real change, starting with your own life. Let's connect on Instagram for daily health tips at @drmegmill. This content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or exercise program. This podcast is for women entering perimenopause and beyond who are struggling with fatigue, brain fog, bloating, weight loss resistance, and unpredictable hormones. If you're dealing with exhaustion, low energy, brain fog, bloating, IBS, constipation, digestive discomfort, histamine issues, migraines, anxiety or hormone imbalances, this show is for you.  You'll learn how to support your metabolism, balance hormones naturally, beat IBS and bloating, and finally break through stubborn weight gain. Discover science-backed strategies to optimize digestion, improve gut health, and manage perimenopause symptoms and other hormonal imbalances—without restrictive diets or endless supplements. Whether it's addressing estrogen dominance, blood sugar balance, or adrenal fatigue, this podcast gives you the tools to take control of your health and feel vibrant again.  If you are enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a review or share it with a friend.  If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll like ours too!  Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow, Just Ingredients Podcast, Longevity with Nathalie Niddam, Wellness Mama, The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Ancient Health Podcast, The Model Health Show, Grounded Wellness By Primally Pure, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Hormone Solution with Karen Martel, The Dr. Hyman Show, The Thyroid Fixer with Dr. Amie Hornaman, Treated with Dr. Sara, Well Beyond 40 with JJ Virgin, Better! with Dr. Stephanie, Energized with Dr. Mariza

In this episode, Dr. Eric Osansky welcomes back bestselling author, nurse practitioner, and women's health expert Cynthia Thurlow to discuss her newest book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia explains why gut health should be at the center of every conversation about perimenopause and menopause, sharing both the science behind the gut-hormone connection and her own personal journey that inspired the book. Together, they explore how declining estrogen influences immune function, gut permeability, inflammation, and the risk of autoimmune conditions during midlife. The conversation dives into the important role of the estrobolome, estrogen metabolism, food sensitivities, detoxification, genetics, and the impact of chronic stress on hormonal health. Cynthia also discusses why symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, and joint pain shouldn't simply be accepted as "normal aging." Along the way, she shares practical strategies for improving gut health, increasing fiber intake, supporting the vagus nerve, reducing inflammation, and making personalized decisions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The episode concludes with an empowering message that women don't have to suffer through perimenopause and menopause. By understanding the connection between hormones, the gut microbiome, metabolism, and thyroid health, it's possible to improve symptoms and support long-term wellness. If you want a clearer, more balanced understanding of the menopause-gut connection and how it influences thyroid and overall health, you'll get a lot out of this episode.  Free resources for your thyroid healthGet your FREE Thyroid and Immune Health Restoration Action Points Checklist at SaveMyThyroidChecklist.comHigh-Quality Nutritional Supplements For Hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto' s Have you checked out my new ThyroSave supplement line? These high-quality supplements can benefit those with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's, and you can receive special offers, along with 10% off your first order, by signing up for emails and text messages when you visit ThyroSave.com. Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid?Get free access to hundreds of articles and blog posts: https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/all-other-articles Watch Dr. Eric's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/videos Join Dr. Eric's Graves' disease and Hashimoto's group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroid Take the Thyroid Saving Score Quiz: https://quiz.savemythyroidquiz.com/sf/237dc308 Read all of Dr. Eric's published books: http://savemythyroid.com/thyroidbooks Work with Dr. Eric: https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/ 

Today, I'm honored to reconnect with Dr. Tommy Wood. He is a neuroscientist, a performance coach, and an elite-level professional nerd. He's also currently an associate professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington. He received his bachelor's in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience from the University of Oslo. In our conversation, we discuss his new book, The Stimulated Mind, and he explains how dementia is a confluence of factors that accumulate over decades, important contributors to dementia, and ways we can help prevent it. We explore the concept of headroom, specific risk factors for neurocognitive decline, brain fog in midlife, the 10-year HRT timing window, and the evidence supporting these concepts. Dr. Tommy shares what we can learn from his work with elite-level athletes, along with some of the biggest misconceptions in the brain health space, and his 3s model of stimulation, sleep, and nutrient supply. He also explains why nutritional status matters for neurocognitive function. Stay tuned for today's insightful conversation with Dr. Tommy Wood. I loved his new book, The Stimulated Mind, and it will definitely be part of my must-reads for 2026! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why dementia is not one single disease but a clinical outcome with multiple causes How sleep, oral health, nutritional status, and chronic inflammation may all influence dementia risk What headroom is, and the factors that help maintain it and protect cognitive function How the disease processes leading to dementia often begin decades before symptoms appear What the research suggests about the best time to start hormone therapy for brain health How Formula One drivers and elite athletes tend to prioritize sleep, nutrition, recovery, and focused work over chasing perfection How frequent notifications and interruptions train the brain to expect distraction, making sustained concentration more difficult How both overeating and chronic under-fueling can impair brain health How lifestyle changes can reduce dementia risk, even in people with APOE4 Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Tommy Wood On his website On Instagram The Stimulated Mind Substack

I'm delighted to reconnect with my dear friend Ben Azadi today, in honor of his newly revised book, Keto Flex. Ben is a leading authority on metabolic health, an international Keystone speaker, and the New York Times best-selling author of Metabolic Freedom. In today's conversation, we discuss why women fail on keto. We examine how women's menstrual cycles and various life stages influence both the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting, and the importance of coming out of ketosis and incorporating feast days. We explain what the Randall cycle is, why we need to be finely tuned to it, how to support healthy cortisol regulation, particularly the HPA axis, and tools to determine whether we are balanced within the autonomic nervous system, including heart rate variability, sleep, and whether our glucose and ketones are within range. We also explore the effects of anti-nutrients and elimination diets, and Ben shares his approach for women who feel keto hasn't worked for them, explaining why keto should be viewed as a process rather than a diet. This is, as always, a truly invaluable conversation with my dear friend Ben Azadi. Stay tuned, as we will also be offering giveaways to listeners of Ben's new book, Keto Flex. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Various factors that could influence how women respond to a ketogenic diet How women need to adjust keto and fasting according to their menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and postmenopausal years, rather than continuously following the same approach Why Ben encourages women to have intentional feast days instead of remaining in ketosis indefinitely  What a feast day looks like,  and how it differs from a cheat day Why fasting should be adapted to how well your body tolerates stress Factors that can help to determine whether fasting is working for you Why you should adjust your training intensity and focus more on recovery as you get older How a temporary carnivore elimination diet can help identify foods your body doesn't tolerate Why Ben views keto as a metabolic process rather than a diet, and why he prioritizes lifestyle before medication Bio: Ben Azadi Ben Azadi, FDN-P, is a leading authority on metabolic health, an international keynote speaker, and the New York Times bestselling author of Metabolic Freedom. After facing his own health challenges, Ben transformed his life in 2008—losing 80 pounds and stepping into metabolic freedom. That turning point sparked a global mission: to help 1 billion people break free from physical and mental obesity through education, not medication. With 18+ years in the health and wellness space, Ben is now leading a bold 10-year initiative to naturally reverse type 2 diabetes in 1 million people. Through his work, Ben has reached millions worldwide and personally coached thousands to reclaim their health. His audience includes nearly 3M+ on digital platforms, more than 1M YouTube subscribers with over 100M views, and his top-ranked podcast, The Ben Azadi Show, which has surpassed 100 million downloads. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Ben Azadi On his website Pre-order a revised-version copy of Keto Flex and claim your bonuses

I am honored to connect with Dr. Sharon Stills today. She is a graduate of naturopathic medical school with extensive training in European biological medicine, bioidentical hormone replacement, and anti-aging therapies. In our conversation today, we explore terrain-based medicine and strategies to support women in perimenopause and beyond. We talk extensively about gut health, the estroblome, the microbiome, how European biological medicine views these as terrain, disruptive factors, and why they matter for women in midlife. We also examine the influence of the lymphatic system and how castor oil packs support it, bioidentical hormones as a lifelong tool rather than a temporary fix, and why menopause is a sacred second act in women's lives. Dr. Stills is thoughtful, insightful, and grounded, and I know you will enjoy this conversation with her as much as I did recording it. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How European biological medicine emphasizes the extracellular matrix (terrain) rather than focusing only on individual cells or mitochondria How declining hormones during menopause often expose longstanding yet previously hidden aspects of women's health Dr. Stills shares what she did to prepare herself for menopause in the preceding years  Dr. Stills encourages women to create meaningful challenges or experiences to mark their major life transitions How limiting beliefs about aging can influence how you experience midlife and beyond Factors that could influence the health of your terrain How supplements can play an important role, but work best alongside lifestyle habits, mindfulness, and supporting your body's natural healing processes Why Dr. Stills considers the lymphatic system an overlooked contributor to hormone balance, and some practical ways to support healthy lymphatic flow How simple daily habits often have a greater impact on your health than wellness gadgets The value of bioidentical hormones, and why hormone therapy should be individualized rather than one-size-fits-all Bio: Dr. Sharon Stills Dr. Sharon Stills, a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor and graduate of The Sonoran University (2001), has spent over two decades transforming women's health, with a special focus on guiding women through perimenopause and menopause. Creator of the pioneering RED Hot Sexy Meno(pause) Program and host of the annual Mastering Your Meno(pause) Transition summit, she combines her expertise in European Biological Medicine, pro-aging therapies, and Bio-identical Hormone Replacement to help women rediscover vitality with natural methods. A respected voice in her field, Dr. Stills has lectured internationally at the Paracelsus Academy in Switzerland, contributed to Women's Health Network, and served on the boards of the Bio-Regulatory Medicine Institute and UCLA's Archive of Healing. She recently opened the Lasting Wellness Center in Scottsdale, AZ—alongside her son, Dr. Ben Stills—offering advanced diagnostic and therapeutic care for chronic illness and women's health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Sharon Stills On her website

Welcome to the latest Midlife Minute episode. Today, we're talking about elimination diets, iron, and ferritin. I share my personal experience with prolonged antibiotic and antifungal use, clarify what the research actually says about restrictive diets, nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, and brain fog, and highlight why it's essential to understand your iron status during the menopausal transition. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why elimination diets can be helpful in specific situations, but may not be appropriate for the long term How removing major food groups without a replacement strategy can cause unintended nutrient deficiencies Why some women become more reactive to certain foods during the menopausal transition How women's protein requirements increase during perimenopause and menopause How low ferritin is often overlooked in women, even when they are experiencing fatigue and brain fog Why women's iron status fluctuates during the perimenopause to menopause transition How some women experience significant symptoms long before anemia appears in their standard lab work Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Links: 1. The Importance of Nutrition in Menopause and Perimenopause—A Review 2. Weight gain during the menopause transition: Evidence for a mechanism dependent on protein leverage 3. The gut microbiota in menopause: Is there a role for prebiotic and probiotic solutions? 4. Cognitive Performance in Relation to Systemic and Brain Iron at Perimenopause 5. Accelerated Increase in Ferritin Levels During Menopausal Transition as a Marker of Metabolic Health 6. Iron and Menopause: Does Increased Iron Affect the Health of Postmenopausal Women? 7. Iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women: Clinical considerations from an expert consensus 8. Cognitive Function in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women: Implications for Considering Iron Supplementation

What does your gut have to do with your hormones, mood, weight, and menopause symptoms? Potentially more than you realize. In this episode of Confessions of a Male Gynecologist, Dr. Shawn Tassone sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, NP, to explore the complex relationship between gut health, hormonal changes, nutrition, and weight management during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Cynthia shares how a personal health crisis changed the direction of her work and led her to take a deeper look at the gut microbiome. Together, she and Dr. Tassone discuss why digestive symptoms often change during midlife, how chronic stress can disrupt the gut, and why weight-loss resistance is rarely caused by one single issue. They also address some of the most common nutrition mistakes women make, including under-eating protein, relying heavily on processed foods, consuming more carbohydrates than their bodies tolerate well, and overlooking the impact of alcohol on sleep, metabolism, and weight-loss goals. You'll also hear their perspectives on restrictive diets, gut testing, supplements, fermented foods, plant diversity, and the importance of choosing high-quality dietary fats. This conversation is not about following another rigid wellness protocol. It is about understanding how your gut, hormones, nutrition, stress, and lifestyle work together—and making informed choices that support your health during midlife. In this episode, you'll learn: Why gut health can change during perimenopause and menopause How the gut microbiome may influence hormones, mood, and digestion Why chronic stress can affect both digestive and metabolic health The many factors that can contribute to weight-loss resistance Why women need adequate protein to preserve muscle as they age How alcohol can interfere with sleep, metabolism, and weight management Why processed foods can make overeating easier The potential limitations of highly restrictive diets, including carnivore diets How gastrointestinal testing may uncover concerns such as H. pylori Why supplements should be selected based on individual needs The benefits of adding fermented foods to your diet Why Cynthia recommends aiming for 30 different plant varieties each week What to consider when purchasing olive oil How women can feel more empowered, not restricted, by their nutrition choices Gut symptoms, hormonal changes, and weight concerns should not automatically be dismissed as an unavoidable part of aging. By looking at the full picture, women can better understand what their bodies need and make more sustainable decisions for their long-term health. Listen now, share this episode with a woman navigating midlife, and subscribe to Confessions of a Male Gynecologist for honest, evidence-informed conversations about women's health, hormones, menopause, and wellness. About Cynthia Thurlow, NP Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, author and international speaker, with over 15 million views for her second TEDx talk (Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique). With over 25 years of experience in health and wellness, Cynthia is a globally recognized expert in perimenopause/menopause and intermittent fasting, and has been featured on ABC, FOX5, KTLA, CW, Medium, Entrepreneur, and The Megyn Kelly Show. Her mission is to help empower women to live their most optimal lives in perimenopause and beyond. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Instagram | @cynthia_thurlow_ Listen to the Everyday Wellness Podcast Purchase The Menopause Gut by Cynthia Thurlow, NP Episode Resources: Work with Dr. Tassone | Tassone Advanced Gynecology Dr. Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible Dr. Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Archetype Quiz | Learn Your Hormonal Archetype Medical Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.

I'm delighted to reconnect with Dr. Philip Ovadia today. He is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with over 20 years of experience in the operating room and the founder of Ovadia Heart Health, a telemedicine practice focused on preventing and treating metabolic and cardiovascular disease through dietary and lifestyle intervention. He has co-authored two books, including, most recently, Stay Off My Kitchen Table. Today we discuss key statistics on metabolic health, metabolic health challenges, and lifestyle interventions, including Dr. Ovadia's three I's (insulin resistance, inflammation, and imaging), optimal lab values, vulnerable populations, and why prevention is key, especially for women and heart disease. We discuss the influence of gut and metabolic health, elimination diets, the reintroduction of food, and the positive influence of AI on medicine. We also cover the impact of GLP-1s and so much more. Stay tuned for an insightful conversation with Dr. Phil Ovadia on why improving metabolic health is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent cardiovascular disease. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why clinicians often fail to recognize the five metabolic syndrome criteria as signs of metabolic disease Dr. Ovadia introduces his "three I's”, and explains why they deserve far more attention when evaluating cardiovascular disease risk. How dietary and lifestyle interventions can improve metabolic health, reduce medication use, and help people feel more empowered Why blood work should always be interpreted as part of the bigger picture rather than focusing on a single value How metabolic changes during perimenopause and menopause can increase cardiovascular disease risk, and why prevention is particularly important How gut dysfunction can interfere with nutrient absorption and contribute to ongoing metabolic health challenges The value of using the carnivore diet as an elimination diet Dr. Ovadia explains why he is optimistic about AI in medicine How Dr. Ovadia's perspective on GLP-1 medications has evolved, and how he now uses low-dose GLP-1s alongside dietary and lifestyle interventions for certain patients Some simple measures to help you better understand your current metabolic health Bio: Dr. Philip Ovadia Conducting over 3,000 heart surgeries taught Dr. Philip Ovadia that good health comes from lifestyle and nutrition, not surgery. Sadly, many of his patients considered their heart attacks “inevitable.” Having lost 100lbs to overcome lifelong obesity, Dr Ovadia is on a mission to help people stay off his operating table by teaching them how to never need a heart surgeon through his Telehealth practice, Ovadia Heart Health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Philip Ovadia On his website On social media: @ifixhearts Pre-order a copy of Stay Off My Kitchen Table

Brain fog, fatigue, and low energy can feel frustrating when you're already eating healthy. But what if your brain isn't asking for another supplement — what if it's asking for a missing color on your plate? In this episode, I'm talking about blue and purple foods and why they may be one of the most overlooked ways to support brain health, hormone balance, metabolism, and long-term memory. These foods contain anthocyanins, powerful plant compounds that help protect the brain from oxidative stress and support cognitive function. And for women in perimenopause and menopause, this matters even more because estrogen naturally helps protect the brain — and as estrogen changes, your brain needs extra support. What You'll Learn • Why brain fog can happen even when you eat healthy. • The color category most people are missing. • How blue and purple foods support memory, inflammation, and brain health. • Why this matters more during perimenopause and menopause. • The simple foods you can start adding this week. If you're dealing with fatigue, brain fog, hormone imbalance, digestive issues, IBS symptoms, weight loss resistance, or low energy, this episode will help you see how one simple daily shift can support your focus, energy, and future brain health. WOMEN'S FUNCTIONAL HEALTH COACH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM- IS OPEN! OUR NEXT COHORT IS STARTING SEPTEMBER 29! If some part of you has been quietly wondering whether this could be your path, come find out. Learn more at: womensfunctionalhealth.org Browse the course catalog: https://go.megmill.com/wfhicoursecatalog Schedule a call with me: https://go.megmill.com/wfhicoursecatalog Women deserve more, and you can be the one to make real change, starting with your own life. Let's connect on Instagram for daily health tips at @drmegmill. This content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or exercise program. This podcast is for women entering perimenopause and beyond who are struggling with fatigue, brain fog, bloating, weight loss resistance, and unpredictable hormones. If you're dealing with exhaustion, low energy, brain fog, bloating, IBS, constipation, digestive discomfort, histamine issues, migraines, anxiety or hormone imbalances, this show is for you.  You'll learn how to support your metabolism, balance hormones naturally, beat IBS and bloating, and finally break through stubborn weight gain. Discover science-backed strategies to optimize digestion, improve gut health, and manage perimenopause symptoms and other hormonal imbalances—without restrictive diets or endless supplements. Whether it's addressing estrogen dominance, blood sugar balance, or adrenal fatigue, this podcast gives you the tools to take control of your health and feel vibrant again.  If you are enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a review or share it with a friend.  If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll like ours too!  Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow, Just Ingredients Podcast, Longevity with Nathalie Niddam, Wellness Mama, The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Ancient Health Podcast, The Model Health Show, Grounded Wellness By Primally Pure, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Hormone Solution with Karen Martel, The Dr. Hyman Show, The Thyroid Fixer with Dr. Amie Hornaman, Treated with Dr. Sara, Well Beyond 40 with JJ Virgin, Better! with Dr. Stephanie, Energized with Dr. Mariza Snyder. 

Are we missing the most important piece of the menopause puzzle by focusing only on hormones? In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, Margaret Floyd Barry is joined by Cynthia Thurlow—nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and internationally recognized expert on women's metabolic health and menopause. Together, they dive into the groundbreaking concepts behind Cynthia Thurlow's latest book, The Menopause Gut, exploring the complex interplay between hormones, the gut microbiome, and the immune system during perimenopause and beyond. Through personal stories and clinical insights, they unpack why midlife brings such profound shifts in women's health, why common approaches often fail, and what innovative strategies practitioners can use to better support clients through hormonal transitions. Inside this episode, we explore: Why declining estrogen affects far more than hot flashes The hidden connection between the gut, hormones, and immune system How Cynthia's personal health crisis transformed her clinical perspective Practical strategies for supporting women through perimenopause Why stress and trauma deserve a place in every menopause conversation Clinical pearls that can immediately improve client care The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health. Want to learn more? Gut cases are some of the most complex you'll see in practice. The symptom picture is rarely straightforward, and knowing where to start makes a real difference in how quickly clients move. Grab the free quick reference guide covering the 5 essential considerations for full digestive healing, including common symptom presentations, correlated lab markers on the GI-MAP stool test, and therapeutic considerations to help you build a clearer clinical picture. It's a practical tool worth keeping close when you're working through a complex GI case. Download it free here! Connect with IRH: Upcoming Event: PCOS has a new official name: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. The science isn't new. Functional practitioners have understood the metabolic and hormonal complexity of these cases for years. The name just finally says so. On August 12th, Margaret Floyd Barry and Sara Fields are hosting a free live session on what this means for your practice. What shifts in how you assess and talk with female clients. What stays the same. Live Q&A at the end. Free. 60 minutes. Register here! Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofrestorativehealth/ For educational content and updates on current events, join our email list here.    Connect with Cynthia Thurlow: Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthiathurlowofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cynthiathurlow Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-wellness-midlife-hormones-menopause-and/id1435214303 To buy her new book, The Menopause Gut, visit: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/the-menopause-gut   Timestamps:  00:00 Health crisis and hospitalization 07:25 Understanding the gut's broader impacts 14:58 Understanding long-term effects of contraceptives 17:36 Discussing oral contraceptives and health risks 24:34 Hormonal changes and immune system effects 29:46 Menopause and microbiome changes 36:03 Improving sleep with lifestyle changes 37:45 Discussing microbiome testing benefits 44:07 Balancing hormones and mental health 51:38 Sponsor acknowledgments and health tools 57:29 Discussing responsible product usage 01:01:12 Working with middle-aged women Speaker bio:  Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, two-time TEDx speaker, and internationally recognized expert in perimenopause, menopause, and women's metabolic health. She is the host of the top-rated Everyday Wellness podcast, CEO and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project, and author of The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond. With over 25 years of clinical experience and a TEDx talk surpassing 15 million views, Cynthia is dedicated to translating cutting-edge research on the gut-hormone axis and women's longevity into practical strategies that empower women to thrive in midlife and beyond.   Keywords: functional health practitioners, perimenopause, menopause, women's metabolic health, gut health, gut microbiome, estrobolome, estrogen, progesterone, immune system, hormone replacement therapy, HRT, autoimmune conditions, gut permeability, digestive function, bile acids, beta glucuronidase, inflammation, neurotransmitters, oral contraceptives, chronic disease, microbiome testing, adverse childhood events, trauma, sleep hygiene, stress management, GLP1s, constipation, urinary tract infections, vaginal estrogen Disclaimer: The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.  

Today, we have a sponsored episode featuring One Skin, a super high-value company I've worked with over the past two years. I'm joined today by Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira, one of the CEOs and co-founders of One Skin. Dr. Oliveira holds a PhD in stem cell biology and tissue engineering. She has co-invented five patents and co-authored numerous scientific publications. She and her team are disrupting the outdated anti-aging skincare industry with their cutting-edge research on skin and longevity. In our conversation, Dr. Reis Oliveira shares her journey from receiving her PhD to co-founding One Skin. We explore the impact of cellular senescence and immunosenescence and how estrogen receptors in the skin change during perimenopause and menopause, increasing the rate of senescent cell accumulation. We discuss skin as a longevity organ and the research behind the OS-01 peptide, including how it supports the microbiome and blood flow, its exceptional results for increasing hair thickness, and how to use this peptide in skin, body, or hair care. We also cover the effects of sun and environmental exposures on skin aging, and Dr. Reis Oliveira discusses her current research on the influence of GLP-1s on stem cells and skin health. Stay tuned for a truly interesting and insightful conversation on the science of skin, longevity, and the latest research behind One Skin. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: What led Dr. Reis Oliveira and her team to focus on cellular senescence and skin as a longevity organ? What cellular senescence is, and why it becomes increasingly important during perimenopause and menopause How maintaining a healthy skin barrier and good hydration helps the skin recover from various stressors One Skin's research and product development process How Dr. Reis Oliveira's team measures the epigenetic signature of the skin to determine biological skin age The importance of supporting the barrier function across the entire body, and not just the face How stress, hormonal changes, and aging increase senescent cells within hair follicles, and how to support hair density and thickness Why protecting your skin from UV exposure remains an important part of healthy aging Investigating whether the OS-01 peptide could help support skin quality in people using GLP-1 medications How long does it typically take to see results with One Skin face, body, eye, and hair products Bio: Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira is the CEO and co-founder of One Skin. She holds a Ph.D. in stem cell biology and tissue engineering, is a co-inventor of 5 patents, and a co-author of numerous scientific publications. She relocated from Brazil to Silicon Valley in 2016 to found One Skin, a fast-growing longevity company developing products to promote skin age reversal by targeting a central driver of aging, the accumulation of senescent cells. Carolina and her team are disrupting the outdated anti-aging skincare industry with their groundbreaking research around skin and longevity. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira One Skin On TikTok Instagram

I am honored to have Dr. Carrie Jones back on the podcast today. She's a naturopathic physician and hormone expert with over 20 years of clinical experience in women's health and endocrinology. In today's conversation, we unpack common social media myths about midlife, the influence of lifestyle choices in perimenopause, the role of cortisol and hormones, and current research on the parasympathetic nervous system. Dr. Jones explains vagal freeze, how our stress response can exacerbate it, and why stress has become so normalized. We also explore the influence of synthetic hormones, thyroid propaganda, immune system function, autoimmunity, lab reference values and ranges, and the timing hypothesis of hormone replacement therapy, and Dr. Jones shares her favorite new supplements. Stay tuned for another insightful conversation with one of my favorite voices in the hormone space. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The importance of being thoughtful about information shared on social media regarding perimenopause and menopause How chronic stress becomes harder to tolerate and can cause an increase in inflammation during perimenopause Some simple strategies to help you feel safe, connected, and supported, and improve your vagal tone How actual stress, anticipated stress, and perceived stress all activate the same stress response How chronic stress affects every system within the body How certain women can tolerate synthetic hormones very well, while others develop various symptoms Why basic blood tests and reference ranges are not always optimal for everyone Factors that could influence thyroid function, and the benefits of a broader thyroid assessment than TSH alone Dr. Jones explains why she prefers to start hormone therapy early in perimenopause if appropriate The new supplements Dr. Jones uses to support mood, stress, and sleep Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Carrie Jones On her website Instagram YouTube Hello Hormones Podcast

I'm excited to welcome Dr. Dave Rabin today. Dr. Rabin is a translational neuroscientist and board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in treatment-resistant PTSD, addiction, vagus nerve activation, and HRV as a biomarker. He is also the author of A Simple Guide to Being Alive, a thoughtful and helpful guide to supporting our health, and one of my favorite books in the last several years. In this episode, we explore the habitat crisis and why we cannot bully our nervous system into safety. Dr. Rabin explains trauma and support, healing from within, the role of anhedonia, and why the absence of pleasure is a physiologic issue rather than a moral one. We also discuss wonder, awe, and play; the importance of touch, intimacy, eye contact, oxytocin, and co-regulation; the role of psychedelics, medication, and psychotherapy in trauma healing, and how kindness toward ourselves and others can help activate the vagus nerve. Stay tuned for an insightful discussion on supporting your nervous system, healing from within, and rethinking what it means to be truly alive. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why Dr. Rabin believes we are facing a habitat crisis rather than simply a mental health crisis What happens when you try to bully your nervous system into safety How the vagus nerve helps shift the body from chronic stress into recovery Being blamed or unsupported after hardship can reinforce a victim mindset. Why medicine, technology, practitioners, and other tools should help activate your own healing rather than become something you depend on Wonder, awe, play, and pleasure may support the body's natural healing response. How human connection, oxytocin, co-regulation, and shared experiences support nervous system regulation and recovery How psychedelic-assisted therapy fits into trauma healing How medication can help stabilize people while healing begins Why being kind to yourself is an essential part of healing Bio: Dr. Davis Rabin Dr. David M. L. Rabin, MD, PhD, is a translational neuroscientist, psychiatrist, entrepreneur & inventor on a mission to cure mental illness. He has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for over 20 years, focusing on trauma, addiction, and human performance. Dr. Rabin is a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder at Apollo Neuroscience, the Executive Director of The Board of Medicine Nonprofit Medical Board, and the Medical Director of The Apollo Clinic. In addition to hosting The Psychedelic Report and Your Brain Explained podcasts, Dr. Rabin regularly serves as an expert for news outlets such as The New York Times, Vogue, CBS News, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, dancing, playing volleyball, sailing, and hiking with his wife, Kathryn, and their son, Sammy. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com  Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.  Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. David Rabin On his website On social media: @DrDaveRabin The Psychedelic Report and Your Brain Explained Podcasts Dr. Rabin's book: A Simple Guide to Being Alive

If you're a woman at midlife and your body suddenly feels different — even though you're doing “all the right things” — this episode will help you understand why. In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, international speaker, and bestselling author of the Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond. With more than 25 years of experience in health and wellness — and over 15 million views on her TEDx talk about intermittent fasting — Cynthia is one of the leading voices helping women understand the powerful connection between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and the gut microbiome. You'll learn how your gut microbiome impacts your weight, inflammation, metabolism, mood, brain fog, sleep, immune system, and energy — and why so many midlife symptoms are biological signals, not personal failures. Cynthia also shares simple, practical steps you can start using today to support your body during menopause and perimenopause instead of fighting against it. This conversation will help you stop blaming yourself, better understand your body, and advocate for the care and support you deserve. Because once you understand what's happening, you can finally do something about it. And as a special gift for I Dare You listeners, get access to your FREE Atomic Habits Mid-Year Resolution Toolkit to help you reflect, refocus, and build the habits that will help you reach your goals faster and to help you live with more joy and purpose. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Cynthia: Instagram:@cynthia_thurlow_ X/Twitter: @_CynthiaThurlow Youtube: @Cynthiathurlow Podcast: Everyday Wellness Website: www.cynthiathurlow.com

Fatigue can feel confusing when you're getting sleep but still waking up tired, irritable, foggy, or emotionally drained. If you're a high-achieving woman juggling work, family, stress, hormones, gut health, and the mental load of "doing it all," this episode will help you understand why your exhaustion may be about more than sleep. In this conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Nikia Smith, a board-certified anesthesiologist who has experienced burnout twice. We talk about the slow build of burnout, why so many women miss the early signs, and how chronic stress can impact energy, hormone balance, metabolism, digestion, brain fog, and weight loss resistance. In this episode, you'll hear: • Why fatigue that sleep doesn't fix may be a sign of emotional and nervous system overload. • The early "simmering pot" signs of burnout high-achieving women often ignore. • How irritability, decision fatigue, and autopilot living can signal deeper exhaustion. • Why self-care alone is not enough without boundaries, values, and support. • How learning to say no and delegate can help protect your energy and health. This episode is for the woman who looks like she has it all together but feels depleted behind the scenes. If you've been blaming yourself for low energy, brain fog, stress, digestive issues, or hormonal imbalance, this conversation will help you see your fatigue differently — and understand what your body may be trying to tell you. Where to find Dr. Nikia Smith: Website: https://sheisfireforged.com/IG: @nikiasmithmd   WOMEN'S FUNCTIONAL HEALTH COACH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM- IS OPEN! If some part of you has been quietly wondering whether this could be your path, come find out. Learn more at: womensfunctionalhealth.org Browse the course catalog: https://go.megmill.com/wfhicoursecatalog Schedule a call with me: https://go.megmill.com/wfhicoursecatalog Women deserve more, and you can be the one to make real change, starting with your own life. Let's connect on Instagram for daily health tips at @drmegmill. This content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or exercise program. This podcast is for women entering perimenopause and beyond who are struggling with fatigue, brain fog, bloating, weight loss resistance, and unpredictable hormones. If you're dealing with exhaustion, low energy, brain fog, bloating, IBS, constipation, digestive discomfort, histamine issues, migraines, anxiety or hormone imbalances, this show is for you.  You'll learn how to support your metabolism, balance hormones naturally, beat IBS and bloating, and finally break through stubborn weight gain. Discover science-backed strategies to optimize digestion, improve gut health, and manage perimenopause symptoms and other hormonal imbalances—without restrictive diets or endless supplements. Whether it's addressing estrogen dominance, blood sugar balance, or adrenal fatigue, this podcast gives you the tools to take control of your health and feel vibrant again.  If you are enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a review or share it with a friend.  If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll like ours too!  Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow, Just Ingredients Podcast, Longevity with Nathalie Niddam, Wellness Mama, The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Ancient Health Podcast, The Model Health Show, Grounded Wellness By Primally Pure, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Hormone Solution with Karen Martel, The Dr. Hyman Show, The Thyroid Fixer with Dr. Amie Hornaman, Treated with Dr. Sara, Well Beyond 40 with JJ Virgin, Better! with Dr. Stephanie, Energized with Dr. Mariza Snyder. 

In this episode, Vanessa sits down with bestselling author, nurse practitioner, and Everyday Wellness host Cynthia Thurlow to discuss why women who enter perimenopause with more muscle and better metabolic health often experience a smoother transition. The PSMF Library is officially live

Bloating. Brain fog. Stubborn weight that won't budge. What if it's not failing hormones—it's your gut asking for help? As estrogen declines, the gut microbiome becomes midlife's new control center, driving everything from immunity and mood to metabolism and menopause weight gain. Nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and Everyday Wellness host Cynthia Thurlow joins us to unpack her new bestseller, The Menopause Gut. You'll learn what "leaky gut" really means, how the estrobolome affects hormone balance, the critical gut-bone health axis, and which gut health tests matter in perimenopause and menopause. Time for a gut check! FOLLOW A CERTAIN AGE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GET INBOX INSPO: Sign up for our newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AGE BOLDLY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We share new episodes, giveaways, links we love, and midlife resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices