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Today, I had the honor of connecting with Ashley Koff. She is a leading voice in personalized nutrition and the founder of the Better Nutrition Program. With over 25 years of experience and the groundbreaking GLP-1 Optimization System to her name, she’s helped redefine how we approach sustainable weight health.
In our conversation, we dive into how her book reframes the concept of healthy weight. We explore integrative perspectives on digestive health and GLP-1s, why many women blame themselves when they struggle to lose weight, and how Ashley’s framework helps them remove that self-blame. We also discuss issues surrounding info-besity and the “less is more” approach, natural ways to support appetite regulation and satiety signaling, key areas of digestive health, and the importance of detoxification. Ashley also shares the red flags she sees in women who are undernourishing themselves or over-fasting, things to consider when you want to stop taking GLP-1s, and her opinions on new drug therapies.
Join us for today’s thought-provoking and insightful conversation around metabolic health and weight-loss resistance for women in middle age, perimenopause, and menopause.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
The interconnection that exists between digestion, hormones, and metabolic signaling
How the hormonal fluctuation that occurs in perimenopause disrupts women's digestion
What drives satiety?
How GLP-1 medications simply amplify, extend, or mimic an existing communication loop within the body rather than creating new pathways
Why do women blame themselves when they cannot lose weight?
How info-besity blocks the body from doing what it is naturally designed to do
Why detoxification is essential for supporting natural digestive and metabolic processes
The red flags that indicate undernourishment or over-fasting in women
What you need to think about before stopping GLP-1s
Bio:
Ashley Koff, RD, is the USA Today bestselling author of Your Best Shot (HarperOne) and founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP).
An acclaimed weight-health expert and practitioner for more than 25 years, Koff is leading a transformative movement in personalized nutrition, turning “better, not perfect” choices into practical, sustainable strategies that deliver real outcomes. Your Best Shot introduces weight-health hormones (GLP-1, GIP, CCK, PYY) as the regulators of weight health, offering the first-ever assessment of their function and a personalized optimization system—shot or not.
A trusted expert featured across major media and a sought-after educator for health professionals, Ashley has been recognized as one of CNN’s Top 100 Health Makers and featured in InStyle as “Hollywood’s Leading Dietitian.”
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause Supplement Line
Connect with Ashley Koff
The Better Nutrition Program
On Instagram and Substack
On other social media: @Ashley Koff
Today, I am honored to connect with a friend and fellow nurse practitioner, Marcelle Pick! Marcelle is passionate about transforming how women experience healthcare through an integrative approach. She has successfully treated thousands of women through her unique approach to wellness.
Marcelle is currently a faculty member of The Institute of Functional Medicine and has served as a Medical Advisor to Healthy Living Magazine. She has written countless articles and multiple books, including Is It Me or My Hormones?
I always think of Marcelle as a pioneer in the women’s health/nurse practitioner space. In this episode, we dive into her background and the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative. We discuss the limitations of the traditional allopathic model regarding hormones, common misconceptions about adrenal health, perimenopause, and menopause, adverse childhood events and adrenal health, how lifestyle affects our sex hormones, fibroids, endometriosis, PMS, PMDD, and contraception for perimenopause. We speak about endocrine disruptors, mold, and micro toxins. We also get into ways to think about hormone replacement therapy and ways to address intimacy and low libido.
I love connecting with other nurses and nurse practitioners! I hope you will love today’s conversation with Marcelle as much as I did!
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
Marcelle was part of the first all-women practice in the country.
How the Women’s Health Initiative has impacted health care for women.
The limitations of the traditional allopathic model are particularly in terms of perimenopause, menopause, and hormones.
The less-common labs Marcelle likes to look at for her patients
Marcelle shares her approach to unraveling the symptoms of perimenopause.
Some unique ways in which Marcelle deals with problems like fibroids and endometriosis.
How childhood trauma could lead to adrenal and autoimmune issues, weight-loss resistance, and various other health problems.
Many of the things Marcelle recommended for treating PMS and PMDD back in the day (1985) have now become the standard of care.
Contraceptive options for women in perimenopause.
The impact of stress on adrenal function during perimenopause and menopause.
Marcelle dives into liver health and detoxification, chemicals and other factors that could impact our health, and changes we can make to avoid problems and feel better.
What Marcelle does to help women with low libido.
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause supplement line
Connect with Marcelle Pick
On her website
Instagram
All of Marcelle’s books are available on Amazon
I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Jason Fung today. He is a trained nephrologist and world-leading expert on intermittent fasting and metabolic health. He has authored multiple books, including the New York Times best-seller, The Obesity Code, The Diabetes Code, and, more recently, The Hunger Code.
In our conversation today, we unpack the obsessive focus on the calories-in, calories-out model, which is neither practical nor effective. We explore the root causes behind the narrow-minded thinking that calories alone drive obesity, differences between types of hunger and conditioned responses, how hormones affect other hormones, and lessons about GLP-1s. We examine the critical importance of fiber and protein, and offer clarity around carbohydrates. We also cover the impact of meal timing, sleep, and circadian biology, the fat thermostat and sympathetic tone, nutrition, stress, and mindful eating, and dive into the issue of ultra-processed foods.
Join us for an insightful conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a nuanced and sustainable approach to understanding hunger, metabolism, and long-term health.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
“Calories in, calories out” framework is technically correct, but practically useless
How the homeostatic, hedonic, and conditioned hunger types differ
Dr. Fung shares his take on GLP-1 medications
How fiber stimulates natural GLP-1 production
Processed and natural carbohydrates produce vastly different glucose and insulin responses.
Avoid eating late-night meals!
Complex relationship between hunger, hormonal regulation, and sleep quality
Hormones that drive body fat regulation
How bitter foods suppress appetite and enhance satiety
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause Supplement Line
Connect with Dr. Jason Fung
On his website
Instagram and YouTube
Dr. Fung’s latest book, The Hunger Code, will come out in March. Pre-order on Amazon!
Most of the questions I’ve been asked lately have been about my current hormone replacement regimen. So I have dedicated this episode to unpacking what I use transdermally, orally, and topically for hormone replacement therapy. As you might expect, my approach includes the basics, along with a few additional strategies. I also share a topical option for facial skin that Dr. Felice Gersh recently recommended.
Stay tuned to find out what I do for hormone replacement therapy.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
What you need to optimize first, before even considering adding any additional items
Why I might need to increase the dosage of my Dotti transdermal estrogen patch
Why I consider estradiol the most potent estrogen our bodies make before menopause
Factors that influenced my decision to prioritize estradiol therapy
The role of testosterone, beyond libido
Why I use progesterone
The value of intra-vaginal products
Why I use a compounded intra-vaginal product
What copper peptides, estriol, DMAE, and hyaluronic acid may do for aging skin
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause Supplement Line
Research Links
Efficacy of Transdermal Estradiol and Micronized Progesterone in the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in the Menopause Transition: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Effects of Ultra–Low-Dose Transdermal Estradiol on Cognition and Health-Related Quality of Life
Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data
Treatment of skin aging with topical estrogens
SCF-induced airway hyperreactivity is dependent on leukotriene production
The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology
The Missing lnc(RNA) between the pancreatic β-cell and diabetes
Today, I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Sonya Jensen, a naturopathic physician on a mission to transform how women understand themselves and their bodies. She believes women are central to their families and communities, and by supporting women, we create a ripple effect that supports the whole.
In our conversation, we explore the sense of selfishness many women feel when advocating for their needs, and why choosing ourselves, especially in midlife, is essential. We discuss science-versus-soul transformations, gestational silence and trauma, and the physiological effects shaping this generation and those to come. We also unpack how stress impacts the immune system and autoimmunity, why stress reduction techniques are the key to vagus nerve activation, the link between mental health and hormones, womb-wisdom and generational influences, how grief and sadness can influence us profoundly, and the value of trusting our intuition and embracing the gifts of aging.
I know you will enjoy this discussion with Sonya Jensen. She shares a gentle, loving, and kind message for women- one that is well worth reflecting upon. Be sure to keep an eye out for her upcoming book, Heal Your Hormones, Reclaim Yourself, scheduled for release in early 2026, where she connects hormonal chaos, emotional overload, and relationship pain through her integrative method.
After the recording, Dr. Jensen noted a clarification: there were 50 famines in total during British rule in India, not 50 famines in a single year.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
How awareness practices can help you become more physically regulated when things feel overwhelming
Why friable emotions are not due to personal failure or a faulty mindset
How to reconnect with your body
The benefit of body-based practices for supporting nervous system regulation
What is womb wisdom?
How womb wisdom influences the way we show up in the world
Some of the biggest obstacles to women’s healing
Why so many women struggle to trust themselves
Why loneliness can surface as women age, and ways to counter it
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause supplement line
Connect with Dr. Sonya Jensen
On her book website: Heal Your Hormones, Reclaim Yourself
Today, I have the honor of connecting with Dave Watumull, the Co-founder and CEO of AX3 Life, a consumer health company dedicated to astraxanthin products, education, and community. Dave is on a mission to introduce the world to astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a marine-derived super-nutrient that supports whole-body health and longevity, a pursuit that has inspired Dave for over 25 years of research, development, and commercialization.
In our discussion, Dave explains what astraxanthin is, its functions, and its key properties. We explore specific studies where astraxanthin has been particularly beneficial for lipids, particularly oxidized LDL. We discuss the impact of nutrition and examine the results of astraxanthin research on sarcopenia, cognition, and joints, liver, skin, and eye health. We also cover the dose-dependent effects of astraxanthin, and Dave answers a series of rapid-fire questions.
Astaxanthin is truly a supplement worth considering. I’ll be taking it to see if it helps reduce my Lp(a). My husband and one of my children also have high Lp(a), so we will all try it as a family experiment, and I will share the results.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
Astaxanthin’s origins and mechanisms
The ideal dosing range for starting astaxanthin, and how the benefits appear even at lower doses
What a dose-dependent effect actually means
The importance of fundamentals like consistent sleep, a balanced, nutrient-dense diet, and daily physical activity
How astaxanthin forms a protective antioxidant network
The value of astaxanthin for supporting brain and ocular health
How astaxanthin reduces inflammation without suppressing immunity
The importance of taking astaxanthin with a meal to maximize absorption
Why AX3 Astaxanthin surpasses other astaxanthin supplements
If you are interested in checking out this supplement, they offered my community 20% off with code Cynthia20 https://ax3.life/products/ax3-60-ct-premium-astaxanthin
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause Supplement Line
Connect with Dave Watumull
AX3 Life
AX3 Life on Instagram
Today, I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Yael Joffe, a leading expert in nutrigenomics who speaks internationally at conferences on translating the science of genetics into clinical practice. She holds a PhD in nutrigenomics from the University of Cape Town, where her research focused on the genetics of obesity.
I met Yael earlier this fall and decided to invite her on the podcast to explore the growing field of lifestyle genetics. In our conversation today, we dive into the effects of nutrigenomics, nutrition genetics, and SNPs, which she refers to as spelling changes in our DNA. We cover genetic testing in the industry, red flags, DNA health, and her polygenic approach to weight loss resistance. We also discuss both perimenopause and menopause from the perspective of genetics and epigenetics, and the role of insulin signalling and glucose.
Yael’s insights are deeply informative. Her pioneering work on 36 metabolic pathways and her ability to make complex genetic information accessible and actionable make this a truly invaluable conversation.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
Women and gaining weight after starting HRT
Neurotransmitters and what they reveal about mood, anxiety, and addiction tendencies
Why do certain people break down dopamine and serotonin either too fast or too slowly?
How touch and genuine connection can switch on feel-good genes
Sunlight, weather, and environment affect genetic expression.
What acupuncture and infrared therapies do at the gene level
Why hormones are only part of the picture when addressing midlife weight gain
How glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity shift through menopause
Dr. Joffe’s polygenic testing model connects multiple pathways rather than single genes
How Yael’s approach to genetic testing differs from that of others in the field
Bio: YAEL JOFFE, PhD
Yael is globally recognized as a leading expert in nutrigenomics. In 2000, she was part of the team that built the first lifestyle genetics test, and since then has been responsible for creating many others. She is the author of four books: The Power of Genetics, It’s Not Just Your Genes, Genes to Plate, and SNP Journal. Yael has been published in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals, hosts the Power of Genetics podcast, and is a highly regarded speaker in genetics. Yael built the first online nutrigenomics platform for clinician education and has developed and supervised genomics courses around the world. She has trained thousands of healthcare practitioners globally, also teaching at Rutgers University and the Maryland University of Integrative Health. In 2018, Yael founded 3X4 Genetics and now serves as its Chief Science Officer.
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause supplement line
Connect with Dr. Yael Joffe
3X4 Genetics
Welcome to this week’s Midlife Minute episode.
We’re focusing on the importance of having good mental health today. Statistics show that women are experiencing increased anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even suicidal thoughts during midlife, yet the stigma around mental health remains surprisingly strong.
Join me as I explore the science behind this, why it’s happening, and the importance of empowering yourself to demand better care.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
The issues that contribute to the midlife mental health challenges women are experiencing
How sleep disruptions in perimenopause increase anxiety, depression, and irritability
The metabolic and endocrine factors that can compound mood instability in midlife
Why perimenopause is a neurological as well as reproductive transition
The evidence-based benefits of HRT for supporting mental health
The role of estrogen in brain function and emotional regulation
Why HRT is especially important for women experiencing abrupt or early menopause
Some practical guidance for using HRT to support mental health
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website.
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow.
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause Supplement Line
References:
Effects of Estradiol Withdrawal on Mood in Women With Past Perimenopausal Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2298235)
Efficacy of Estradiol in Perimenopausal Depression: So Much Promise and So Few Answers (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.22391)
Effects of Hormone Therapy on Cognition and Mood (https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(14)00178-2/fulltext)
Does Menopause Hormone Therapy Improve Symptoms of Depression? Findings From a Specialized Menopause Clinic
A Meta-analysis of the Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy upon Depressed Mood (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453096000340?via%3Dihub)
The Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Cognition and Mood (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cen.14856)
We’re back with Episode 2 of our Bone Health Masterclass series—and this one is a powerhouse mashup featuring orthopedic surgeon Vonda Wright, magnesium expert Carolyn Dean, researcher Barrie Tan, and bone coach Kevin Ellis.
In this dynamic conversation, we break down what really happens to women’s bones during menopause—and what you can do about it. You’ll learn how strength training, grip strength, and smart fueling directly influence bone density, and finally understand the truth about osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and the constant remodeling happening inside your skeleton.
We also go deep on the nutrients that matter most, especially magnesium, the surprising role of melatonin, how chronic stress and gut health impact your bones, and why building bone is about far more than just calcium. Plus, we unpack the science behind OsteoStrong and how targeted loading can stimulate stronger bones at any age.
If you care about staying strong, active, and fracture-free for decades to come, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
Why bone loss accelerates during menopause
How tocotrienols effectively doubled the bone growth-to-loss ratio in osteopenic adults in a clinical trial
How relative calorie deficiency, menstrual disruption, and excessive leanness in athletes and non-athletes alike are major, yet underrecognized, risk factors for early osteoporosis
Why bone breakdown accelerates when estrogen drops, and how that can be countered
How women’s bone health has been misunderstood for decades, with an excessive focus on calcium
The critical importance of magnesium, which allows bones to be strong, flexible, and fracture-resistant
The value of melatonin for supporting bone remodeling, promoting osteoblast activity, and protecting bone cells from oxidative stress and inflammation
How elevated cortisol from chronic stress directly impairs bone health
Why gut health is foundational to bone health
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause Supplement Line
Connect with Dr. Barrie Tan
On his website
Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright
On her website
Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn
Leave a message on VIP Phone Number 407-232-2334
Connect with Dr. Carolyn Dean
On her website (For educational resources)
RnA ReSet Store website
Podcast
Magnesium: The Missing Link to Total Health by Dr. Carolyn Dean is available on Amazon
Connect with Kevin Ellis
On his website
Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Kevin’s free Stronger Bones Masterclass
Ep. 234 Metabolic Longevity and Vitamin E with Dr. Barrie Tan
Ep. 386 Muscle Strength in Menopause: Key Tests & Lifestyle Measures with Dr. Vonda Wright
Ep. 366 Magnesium Masterclass: Unveiling Its Role in Metabolic Function with Dr. Carolyn Dean
Ep. 252 How To Optimize Your Bone Health with Bone Coach Kevin Ellis
Today, I am excited to share the first class in a series of lipid masterclasses with the amazing Dr. Thomas Dayspring!
Dr. Dayspring is certified in internal medicine and clinical epidemiology and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association. He was previously the Educational Director of a nonprofit organization and has served as the Chief Academic Advisor for two major cardiovascular labs.
Given the in-depth nature of my discussions with Dr. Dayspring over several sessions, each lasting nearly six hours, it seemed logical to present these masterclasses in segments to make them easier to understand.
In our first class today, we dive into the fundamentals, exploring what lipids are and how lipids and fatty acids are classified. We cover the physiology and transport of cholesterol and the roles of apoptosis, apo-proteins, and apo-lipoproteins; we unravel the differences between HDL, LDL, IDL, and VLDL; and we explain how to calculate LDL and triglycerides to assess metabolic health. Dr. Dayspring also shares his preferences regarding lab values and indicators that help him assess the early risk of cardiovascular disease.
We cover some detailed aspects of physical chemistry in this episode, so I highlight the main clinical points throughout our conversation to make it easier to follow.
Be sure to join Dr. Dayspring and me for our next episode in the lipid masterclass series.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
What are lipids, and why are they important?
Dr. Dayspring explains what triglycerides are.
How lipids get absorbed and transported throughout the body
What lipoproteins are, and how they get classified
How cholesterols get calculated
The impact of triglycerides on cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health
How high triglyceride levels can indicate early insulin resistance or increased ASCVD risk
What is the role of HDL particles?
How metabolic syndrome impacts cardiovascular health
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, he moved to Virginia in 2012. He served as an educational director for a nonprofit cardiovascular foundation and, 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 was the recipient of 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 serves as a Social Media Ambassador for the European Atherosclerosis Society and the National Lipid Association.
Connect with Cynthia Thurlow
Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn
Check out Cynthia’s website
Submit your questions to [email protected]
Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)
Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
The Midlife Pause supplement line
Connect with Dr. Thomas Dayspring
Twitter (@DrLipid)
LinkedIn
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