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

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

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

In our conversation today, we dive into Dr. Youn’s new book, Younger for Life, and he offers valuable insights on skin health and overall well-being. We explore the aging process and address oxidative-free radical damage, chronic inflammation, autophagy, and the impact of processed foods. We also explore helpful supplements for skin support, examine the concept of greenwashing, and discuss sunscreen, exfoliation, in-office treatments, breast implant illness, and the impact of lifestyle choices.

Stay tuned for more!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

How to avoid aging too quickly through nutrition and lifestyle changes

How sugar and seed oils impact skin aging

The benefits of collagen supplements for healthier skin 

Hormonal changes that affect the metabolism and skin health after menopause

The importance of screening the ingredients in skincare products

How chemical sunscreens differ from physical sunblocks

Using Retinol for anti-aging and skin health

Non-invasive fat reduction treatments and their potential risks

Dr. Youn discusses breast implant illness

What you need to look out for when using Botox

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Submit your questions to ⁠[email protected]⁠

Connect with Dr. Anthony Youn

On his ⁠website⁠

⁠Youn Beauty⁠  

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠YouTube

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

Today, we dive into trauma-informed care, defining big and little T trauma, examining how adverse childhood events impact gynecologic care, and clarifying how chronic stress and trauma affect ovarian aging. We discuss the role of recalibration of the nervous and autonomic nervous systems during perimenopause and menopause, and explore the importance of estrogen in supporting serotonin, dopamine, and adrenal health in middle age. We cover GLP-1s, reframing packaging around vaginal estrogen, FDA approval for testosterone, the new terminology of PET, and holistic management of low libido, and we also tackle the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, new terminology, barriers, self-advocacy, and the significance of pelvic floor Health. 

This conversation with Dr. Quaile is truly invaluable. She is a most helpful resource on everything related to integrative gynecology, sexual medicine, and self-advocacy.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

How big and little T trauma differ

What trauma-informed care is, and why it is particularly relevant for women in perimenopause and menopause

Symptoms and behaviors that indicate trauma in women

How the interrelationship between estradiol and serotonin affects our worldview, self-perception, sleep, and relationships 

The benefits of addressing any hormonal imbalances before using GLP-1s for weight loss

The pros and cons of gaining FDA approval for testosterone and commercializing it  

Factors that could cause decreased libido in middle-aged women

The genitourinary changes that occur in different life phases of women, or with cancer, or when going through gender reassignment

How PET (progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone) terminology is evolving to include women outside of perimenopause and menopause 

The five questions Dr. Quaile has in her DSDS (decreased sexual desire screener) for clinicians, to get to the root cause of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in patients

The importance of women being comfortable about advocating for themselves

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

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Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Heather Quaile

On her website 

Instagram

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

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

Dr. Shawn Tassone advocates for a personalized approach to thyroid treatment, often preferring desiccated or compounded medications over standard synthetics, depending on patient response, insurance coverage, and symptom relief. He also addresses the ongoing resistance within conventional endocrinology to T3-based therapies, despite clear clinical improvements in patients using them.

Dr. Alan Christianson explains that the dramatic rise in thyroid disorders over recent decades is due to increased iodine exposure, particularly from processed foods, dairy, supplements, and cosmetics. While iodine is essential for thyroid function, even small excesses can overwhelm the system, triggering autoimmune responses. However, reducing iodine intake can significantly improve or even reverse thyroid dysfunction in many people.

Dr. Amie Hornaman explains that optimal thyroid function is essential for overall health, and the active thyroid hormone, T3, is needed by every cell in the body. She highlights the importance of comprehensive thyroid testing to detect dysfunction often missed by standard TSH tests, particularly in women over 40 or those experiencing symptoms linked to perimenopause, menopause, or Hashimoto’s.

This enlightening conversation, with three leading thyroid authorities, is packed with valuable insights, so you should revisit it more than once.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

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Check out Cynthia’s website

Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Shawn Tassone

On his website

Instagram (Appointments: drshawntassone)

Call Dr. Tassone’s office: 512 956029

Facebook

Connect with Dr. Alan Christianson

On his website

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube

Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman

On her website

Facebook and Instagram

YouTube

The Thyroid Fixer Podcast

Ep 243 Balancing your hormones and thyroid health with Dr. Shawn Tassone

Ep. 154 Thyroid & Intermittent Fasting Reset: How to Normalize Your Thyroid Function with Dr. Alan Christianson

Ep. 426 Thyroid Health Masterclass: Labs, Diets & Autoimmune Insights with Dr. Amie Hornaman (DCN)

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

In our discussion today, we dive into the powerful story of Coach Bronson’s pain-to-purpose journey. We explore the value of mindset and examine how age-related changes impact muscle, inflammation, and metabolic flexibility. He shares his three pillars of muscle health related to nutrient density, bioavailability, and satiety, and we examine the importance of sleep, the impact of extremes in exercise, and the value of stress management. We also unravel the complexities of weight loss resistance, and Coach Bronson discusses his research from the Journal of Nutrition Metabolism and Health Science, sharing his perspective on macros and functional movement in menopausal women.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Coach Bronson shares his three pillars for nutrition

The limitations of basing nutrition on calories alone

How the hormone piece impacts effective weight management

How to avoid physical deterioration through fitness and nutrition

Why Coach Bronson advocates for living life to the fullest and dying quickly

How does muscle mass impact metabolic health?

The importance of taking a balanced approach to weight loss

How sleep aids muscle recovery and growth 

Stress management, nutrition, and fitness for overall well-being

How alcohol affects our health and fitness

The benefits of combining functional movement training and proper nutrition for older adults 

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

Follow on X, ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠

Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Bronson Dant

On his ⁠website⁠ 

⁠YouTube⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠

⁠The Ultimate Ketogenic Fitness Bundle⁠

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

In our conversation today, we explore brain inflammation and its connection to longevity, the differences between acute and chronic inflammation, the influence of environmental factors, and how exposure to negative news and biases can elevate stress and affect our brain health. We examine how consumer culture promotes stress and disconnection, and we unpack the immune-metabolic effects of estrogen and its impact on neuroplasticity and our ability to learn. We also focus on the role of nutrition and nutraceuticals, and we discuss the relationship between the brain, gut, and the vagus nerve.

This discussion with Dr. Austin Perlmutter is rich and insightful, and I look forward to welcoming him back for further exploration into the science and research.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

Why brain inflammation becomes an issue for many women as they navigate middle age and beyond

How inflammation leads to constant changes in our cognitive and mental state

Various environmental factors and other inputs that could influence brain inflammation

Some easy ways to positively impact your brain health and cognition

How chronic stress affects the brain

How the gut microbiome and the gut immune system influence cognitive and mental health

The long-term health benefits of avoiding processed foods and following a Mediterranean diet 

The importance of being conscientious and purposeful about the quality of the foods you eat

Dr. Perlmutter shares easy and cost-effective ways to improve your cognitive, mental, and overall health

Bio:

Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher, and a leading expert on how lifestyle and environmental factors impact mental health. His mission is to help people reclaim their mental and physical health by addressing the biological basis of “stuckness” that disrupts brain function and emotional balance. He is a co-producer of the Alzheimer’s: The Science of Prevention series and the host of the Better Brain Blueprint series, where he provides actionable strategies to support brain resilience.

Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the Managing Director at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company focused on helping people rejuvenate health through better immune function, where he has published a pioneering study exploring the effects of plant nutrients on human aging through epigenetics.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

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Check out Cynthia’s website

Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Austin Perlmutter

On his website

On social media: @draustinperlmutter

Find out more about the research on immuno-metabolism pathways 

Big Bold Health on social media: @bigboldhealth

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

The esteemed Dr. Dayspring is an expert on internal medicine and clinical lipidology. In this episode, we continue with our last conversation, diving into Lp(a) and the influences of gender, race, and menopause. We explain how estrogen is a PCSK9 inhibitor and explore the significance of brain health and risks for dementia. We tackle cholesterol synthesis and discuss the side effects of statins, clarifying who is most susceptible to their impact on the brain. We also examine the significance of the desmosterol biomarker, highlighting the level to aim for, especially when making decisions regarding cholesterol medications, and we answer one question from a listener. 

You may want to listen to this insightful conversation with the renowned Dr. Dayspring more than once. He has graciously agreed to return and film additional episodes, where we will dive into more questions from listeners. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

Why Lp(a) is like a wolf in sheep's clothing for many individuals

How Lp(a) levels are higher in African Americans and women, especially after menopause 

Dr. Dayspring highlights that Lp(a) particles are even more pro-inflammatory than LDL particles

How PCSK9 inhibitors are the only drugs that significantly reduce Lp(a)

Why do women have a higher risk of dementia than men?

Dr. Dayspring explains ApoE as the key lipoprotein for brain cholesterol transport.

How statins cross the blood-brain barrier to lower brain cholesterol

Why desmosterol levels matter

New therapies that can lower ApoB and Lp(a)

Why imaging is essential for menopausal women with elevated ApoB and Lp(a)

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

Connect with Dr. Thomas Dayspring

On X (@Drlipid)

On LinkedIn

Journal Article: Atherosclerosis: Non-genetic influences on lipoprotein(a) concentrations 

Journal of the American Heart Association: Trajectories of Blood Lipid Profiles in Midlife Women: Does Menopause Matter?

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

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

In our discussion today, Angelo explains essential aminos, highlighting their importance and clarifying how to differentiate between various protein powders and other forms of protein. We explore the significance of bioavailability, anabolic resistance, and changes in body composition, discussing how protein needs increase with age and how dieting and caloric restriction can augment our protein requirements. We also cover the results of intermittent fasting, examining how sleep, stress, and lifestyle requirements can change with menopause.

I regularly take Kion essential amino acids. They have generously offered a discount for our community. Use the link in the show notes to get 20% off your next Kion purchase.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

The importance of eating sufficient protein as you age

How various protein sources, such as animal protein, plant protein, whey protein, and essential amino acids, differ

Strategies to buffer your protein intake and support your body as you navigate middle age and beyond

Why Leucine is vital for muscle protein synthesis

Why you should only source your amino acid supplements from trusted brands that follow the science

How much protein do you need to maintain your body composition as you age?

Why sleep is crucial for muscle protein synthesis

How supplementing with essential amino acids helps you maintain your muscle mass throughout your life  

The benefits of body scans for a better understanding of your body composition

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

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Instagram

LinkedIn

Check out Cynthia’s website

Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Angelo Keely

Get a 20% discount on Kion products

I am deeply honored to reconnect with Dr. Thomas Dayspring, who joined me in 2024 for an immensely popular five-part series. Dr. Dayspring is certified in internal medicine and clinical lipidology. He is a distinguished fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association. 

Today, we have the first episode in a new series of conversations with Dr. Dayspring, in which he will share more of his perspective and answer more questions from listeners. In our discussion, we review the basics about cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins, exploring the factors that contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, the significance of ApoB and Lp(a), and the risk factors for younger women. We also dive into the limitations of traditional allopathic medicines, and Dr. Dayspring shares his views on lipids, lipid changes in menopause, specific ways to address ApoB, some of the challenges associated with statin therapy, and more. 

Dr. Dayspring brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this discussion, and you are sure to find this series as invaluable as the last.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

Dr. Dayspring revisits the differences between cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins

What atherosclerosis is, and why it is concerning

Dr. Dayspring explains the structure and function of lipoproteins

The role of ApoB in lipoprotein particles and its significance in atherosclerosis

Some of the risk factors for lipid abnormalities in younger women

Lipid changes that occur as women transition from perimenopause to menopause 

Dr. Dayspring shares his take on statin therapy

Ways to address high ApoB

Dr. Dayspring’s suggested goals for ApoB therapy

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  

Connect with Dr. Thomas Dayspring

On⁠ X⁠ (@Drlipid)

On⁠ LinkedIn⁠

⁠Journal Article: Atherosclerosis: Non-genetic influences on lipoprotein(a) concentrations⁠ 

⁠Journal of the American Heart Association: Trajectories of Blood Lipid Profiles in Midlife Women: Does Menopause Matter?⁠  

I am honored to connect with Mike Sapiro today. He is an ordained Zen Buddhist monk, poet, clinical psychologist, psychedelic psychotherapist, author, meditation teacher, and researcher, in addition to being a transformational coach for world-class musicians, athletes, veterans, scientists, authors, and playwrights.

In our conversation, Mike talks about truth medicine and explains how trauma is a disconnection from the present moment, clarifying how the nervous system responds to chronic stress or trauma, and how midlife transitions can reactivate unhealed wounds. We explore how culture, ancestry, parenting, and epigenetics shape conditioning, and examine the roles of ego, psychedelics, and surrender in the healing process. We also discuss what it means to lead with the heart, integrity, and humility, and tackle the emotional weight of regret, remorse, and shame. Mike also recommends some simple yet powerful daily practices to help us heal.

This conversation with Mike Sapiro is truly invaluable. I loved his book, Truth Medicine, and I know the wisdom in both the book and this episode will resonate deeply with many of you.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

The healing benefits of framing trauma as a disconnection from the present moment

Understanding and addressing the causes of undesirable behaviors, and addressing the hurt and conditioning that drive them

How chronic stress and trauma impact the nervous system

How societal pressures and constant connectivity contribute to stress and a sense of disconnection

The value of psychedelics for accessing new perspectives and insights

How midlife transitions can reactivate unhealed wounds

The benefit of involving the heart, psyche, and cosmos in the therapeutic process

Why trusting, letting go, and surrendering are essential for psychedelic therapy 

How integrity and humility can lead to profound healing and transformation within the therapeutic process

Mike shares some small, consistent actions that can help build trust and self-care 

Bio:

Michael Ryoshin Sapiro, PsyD, is an ordained Zen Buddhist monk and poet, clinical psychologist, psychedelic psychotherapist, author, meditation teacher, and researcher. He is also a transformational coach for world-class musicians, athletes, former special operations veterans, scientists, CEOs, authors, and playwrights. 

Over the last two decades, he has served and reached thousands of people in a variety of settings: therapy, workshops, international retreats, hosting a nationally syndicated radio show called Radio Awakened, keynote addresses, and being featured on podcasts. In the last several years, his work has been featured on over 20 well-known podcasts, and he is a co-host for global mental health summits put on by Wisdom for Life, landing in over 70 countries and reaching hundreds of thousands of people. He is featured in a documentary by Brandow Kapelow called “An Act of Service” on ketamine treatment for first responders that was featured by The New York Times. He currently works extensively with first responders in therapy, offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, leading retreats, and running calls with them. He believes that unconditional love, speaking one’s truth, and authenticity are the medicines for good health and a thriving life. His work is dedicated to personal awakening for the sake of collective transformation. 

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Submit your questions to [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Michael Sapiro

On his website

On Instagram

Purchase a copy of Truth Medicine

I am delighted to have the privilege of reconnecting with Dr. Deb Matthew today. She joined me once before in Episode 259. She is a distinguished best-selling author, international speaker, and dedicated educator known as the Happy Hormone Doctor. 

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, causing one of every 3.2 deaths among women annually. In our conversation today, Dr. Matthew and I delve into the realm of cardiovascular disease, exploring the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, essential laboratory testing, medications, and the neurocognitive changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. We also focus on lifestyle, gut testing, and the all-time favorite topic of weight loss resistance. 

Stay tuned for today’s engaging, enriching, and enlightening discussion with Dr. Deb Matthew.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

 Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

Connect with Dr. Deb Matthew

Dr. Deb Mathew’s book ⁠This is Not Normal on Amazon⁠ or ⁠download the ebook⁠ 

Previous Episode featuring Dr. Matthew

⁠Ep. 295: HRT’s Impact on Women’s Health Through Time with Dr. Deb Matthew