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

Today, I am thrilled to reconnect with one of my favorite physicians, Dr. Lara Briden, a naturopathic doctor specializing in women's health. 

Dr. Briden is on a mission to help women achieve natural menstrual cycles without relying on hormonal birth control. She has authored several books, including her latest, Metabolism Repair for Women.

In our conversation today, we dive into why we cannot consciously control energy balance, the impact of ultra-processed foods, epigenetic factors in obesity, the significance of satiety hormones, the role of muscle, and the effects of visceral fat versus subcutaneous fat. We also discuss ways to assess metabolic health and explore various treatments. 

This insightful discussion with Dr. Lara Briden is bound to captivate and inform all our listeners. Stay tuned for more.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Dr. Briden’s latest book is titled The Metabolism Reset in Australia and New Zealand. Everywhere else, it is titled Metabolism Repair for Women

Other Books by Dr. Briden

Period Repair Manual

Hormone Repair Manual

Previous Episode Mentioned

Ep. 220: A Detailed Guide to Healthy Hormones with Dr. Lara Briden

I am sincerely honored to connect with Walter Green today. 

Walter served as the Board Chairman and CEO of Harrison Conference Services for 25 years and played a significant role in the Young Presidents Organisation. Since selling his company, he has dedicated himself to supporting various nonprofits, focusing on education and health for the underserved. 

Walter’s work is powerfully inspiring. I initially heard him on one of Peter Attia’s podcasts, which moved me so profoundly that I shared it with anyone willing to listen. In our conversation today, Walter shares his background and we discuss how I took purposeful action after hearing him talk on the podcast. We dive into gender socialization and emotional expression, the value of authenticity and integrity, the concept of saying it now, and the importance of intentionality and boundaries. We also discuss crucial elements of making meaningful connections, cultivating deep, authentic friendships, and transforming our lives to become agents of change. 

Having this conversation with Walter was invaluable for me, and I have no doubt you will also love it.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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

Today, Dr. Gersh joins me to dive into perimenopause and menopause. We discuss various issues surrounding the Women’s Health Initiative, and talk about estrogen as a family of hormones, estrogen-mimicking chemicals, synthetic hormones, and oral contraceptives. We get into the importance of thyroid function, the pro-inflammatory state of a loss of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause, and the importance of nutrition and exercise for the metabolism. We also speak about the lesser-known changes that occur in menopause, including changes in body odor, constipation, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and vocal changes. 

I intend to invite Dr. Gersh back to discuss women and mitochondrial health and to talk about her latest book, Menopause: The Fifty Things You Need to Know. 

Stay tuned to find out what menopause really is and what it does to a woman’s metabolic system.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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All of Dr. Gersh’s books are available on Amazon

Episode 221 on PCOS with Dr. Felice Gersh

Resource Mentioned

Go to www.toxicology.gov to see all the ingredients in birth control pills listed as endocrine disruptors.

Today, I am delighted to connect with my dear friend, Dr. Mariza Snyder. Dr. Snyder is a best-selling author, dedicated wife, and wellness advocate passionately committed to empowering women through lifestyle changes, whole food nutrition, essential oils, and other health practices. 

In our discussion today, we dive into the perimenopausal journey, looking at the warning signs and ways to rediscover ourselves. We explore the impact of lifestyle choices and the importance of understanding cravings in middle age, offering practical strategies for navigating perimenopause and menopause. We get into the benefits of continuous glucose monitors and glucometers, the critical role of fiber and fermented foods, and the supplements Dr. Snyder recommends for optimal brain health. We also address gut health and the misconception that constipation is normal. 

I am confident you will find my conversation with Dr. Snyder as enlightening and enjoyable as I did.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio: Dr. Mariza Snyder

Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert, and the author of eight books: The newest book, The Essential Oils Menopause Solution, focuses on solutions for women in perimenopause and menopause and the #1 National Bestselling book, The Essential Oils Hormone Solution, focuses on balancing women’s hormones naturally. For the past fifteen years, she has lectured at wellness centers, conferences, and corporations on hormone health, metabolic health, nutrition, and detoxification. She has been featured on Dr. Oz, Oprah Magazine, Fox News Health, MindBodyGreen, and in many publications. Dr. Mariza is also the host of the top-rated Energized Podcast, (with over 11 million downloads) designed to empower women to become the CEO of their health. Check out her website, drmariza.com, for women's hormone tips, including recipes and supplementation. 

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Today, I am thrilled to connect with Farmer Lee Jones, who oversees The Chef's Garden, a family-owned regenerative farm dedicated to cultivating the most flavorful and nutrient-rich vegetables, herbs, and microgreens. 

With a legacy of over three decades, The Chef's Garden has been the go-to supplier for some of the finest chefs and restaurants worldwide. 

Join us as we dive deep into the differences between regenerative agriculture and traditional industrial farming, looking at the importance of flavor-focused cultivation, the limitations of USDA guidelines in determining mineral efficacy, how the pandemic affected the operations of the Chef's Garden, the rising trends of seasonal eating in the vegetable industry, and the differences between hybrid and GMO products. 

Get ready for an enlightening conversation with Farmer Lee Jones, whose infectious enthusiasm for sustainable farming practices is bound to leave you inspired.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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

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

Jessie joins me today to discuss the impact of glucose metabolism and spikes. We dive into her background and how an accident created her pain-to-purpose story. We discuss the role of continuous glucose monitors and how glucose spikes impact our mitochondria, inflammation, and oxidative stress. We get into glycation and aging, how weight gain is a protective aspect of glucose spikes- or hyperglycemia, and the role of vinegar, movement, and fiber. We also talk about Jessie’s new book, her opinions on fasting, and so much more. 

I loved interviewing Jessie! Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it is easy to understand why she is such a beloved author in the health and wellness space!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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On her website  

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Jessie’s books

The Glucose Goddess Method

Glucose Revolution

I am thrilled to present the last class of our Lipid Masterclass series today with the esteemed Dr. Thomas Dayspring. Dr. Dayspring is board-certified in internal medicine and clinical lipidology and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association. 

Today, we round things out by diving into medications for lipid abnormalities and discussing lipid physiology, with Dr. Dayspring shedding light on insulin resistance and statins and cautioning against statin use for those predisposed to diabetes or insulin resistance. He also explains why LDL particle size is not worth testing and discusses ways to identify specific laboratory abnormalities. 

Be sure to stay tuned for the AMA session to follow, where Dr. Dayspring will answer listeners’ questions. 

It has been a privilege engaging with Dr. Dayspring throughout this masterclass series. I know you will have learned a lot from it!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

· The lack of research and consistency in addressing the needs of women in various stages of life

· Dr. Dayspring discusses the use of bile acid sequestrants for lowering LDL cholesterol

· Dr. Dayspring discusses the history of bile acid sequestrant use, explaining why their use is limited

· How bempedoic acid and statins lower LDL cholesterol

· Potential contraindications for bempedoic acid

· The benefits and risks of using fibrates to reduce heart attacks

· Dr. Dayspring explains why fibrates work best for genetic hypertriglyceridemia

· Why reducing ApoB is essential for atherosclerosis patients, especially for high-risk patients

· Dr. Dayspring explains why small LDL particles are dangerous

· The ideal ApoB level for those who have no heart disease and are not diabetic 

Bio:

Thomas Dayspring MD is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association and is certified in internal medicine and clinical lipidology. After practicing in New Jersey for 37 years, in 2012, he moved to Virginia to serve as an educational director for a nonprofit cardiovascular foundation until mid-2019 as a Chief Academic Advisor for two major CV laboratories. Since then, he has served as a virtual cardiovascular/lipidology educator. Career-wise, he has given over 4000 domestic (in all 50 states) and several international lectures, including over 600 CME programs on atherothrombosis, lipids/lipoproteins (and their treatment), vascular biology, biomarker testing, and women’s cardiovascular issues. He has authored several manuscripts and lipid textbook chapters and performed several podcasts. For several years, he was an Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology. He received the 2011 National Lipid Association’s Presidents Award for services to clinical lipidology and the 2023 Foundation of NLA Clinician/Educator Award. He has over 34K followers on his educational Twitter (X) feed (@Drlipid). He has Gold Heart Member status as a professional member of the American Heart Association, and he serves as a Social Media Ambassador for the European Atherosclerosis Society and the National Lipid Association.

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I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Anurag Singh today, the Chief Medical Officer at Timeline Nutrition. He joined me once before on Episode 268. 

I invited Dr. Singh back to discuss the latest research on GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy, Semaglutide, and Ozempic, which are gaining significant traction with projected sales exceeding $100 billion by 2030, potentially affecting 9% of the US population.

In our conversation, we explore the contributors to our metabolic health crisis by looking at the research surrounding GLP-1 agonists, the physiology of GLP-1 peptides, and the influencing elements Dr. Singh refers to as the trifecta. We dive into the loss of muscle mass and strength, sarcopenia, and frailty associated with these drugs, and Dr. Singh shares his concerns about their impact on bone health, the gut microbiome, and their use in younger patients. We also get into lifestyle measures, mitochondrial health, hallmarks of aging, Akkermansia, and the importance of advocacy and patient empowerment. 

Today’s compelling and invaluable discussion with Dr. Anurag Singh highlights crucial insights into GLP-1 agonists and their broader health implications. I know it will provide significant value for our listeners.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Previous Episode Mentioned

Ep. 268: Understanding the Biology of Aging with Evolved Supplementation and Nutrition, featuring Dr. Anurag Singh

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

Dr. Candow is a distinguished professor and an internationally renowned researcher on creatine monohydrate, nutrition, and physical activity who joined me before on Episode 301, where we spoke about creatine. 

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

I trust you will find today's AMA session as enlightening and enriching as I did while recording it.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio: Dr. Darren Candow

Dr. Darren Candow, PhD, CSEP-CEP, is Professor and Director of the Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina, Canada. The overall objectives of Dr. Candow’s research program are to develop effective lifestyle interventions involving nutrition (primarily creatine monohydrate) and physical activity (resistance training), which have practical and clinical relevance for improving musculoskeletal aging and reducing the risk of falls and fractures. Dr. Candow has published over 120 peer-refereed journal manuscripts, supervised over 20 MSc and PhD students, and received research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and the Nutricia Research Foundation. In addition, Dr. Candow serves on the editorial review boards for the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, Nutrients, and Frontiers.

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Previous Episode Mentioned:

Ep. 301 Creatine: The Best Supplement for Better Bones & Brain Health with Darren Candow, PhD, CSEP-CEP

I am honored to have Dr. Carolyn Dean joining me today.

Dr. Dean is a medical doctor, naturopath, and best-selling author. She has dedicated more than 50 years to integrating the science of medicine with the gifts of nature to help her patients feel better, boost their energy, and take control of their health.

Today, our conversation centers on The Flexner Report and its influence on modern medicine and the essential role of magnesium in over 80% of metabolic functions. We dive into why we are so magnesium-depleted and common disorders associated with low magnesium levels, and we explore the effects of magnesium on bone health and the microbiome and the synergistic properties of various forms of magnesium and other micronutrients. 

I am confident you will find today’s discussion with Dr. Carolyn Dean as enjoyable as it is enlightening.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio:

Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, is a medical doctor, naturopath, and best-selling author. She has spent 50+ years committed to applying the science of medicine and the gifts of nature to help people feel better, find more energy, and take control of their personal health. Dr. Dean follows the 2017 revision of 2004's best-selling book The Magnesium Miracle® with her newest revision Magnesium: The Missing Link to Total Health®.

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Magnesium: The Missing Link to Total Health by Dr. Carolyn Dean is available on Amazon 

Recommended Publication

Magnesium in the Central Nervous System