I am happy to reconnect with Dr. Carrie Jones today! (She was with me before in ⁠Episode 106⁠, in July of 2020.) Dr. Jones is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women's health and hormones. She has her Master's in Public Health and was one of the first to become board-certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology and currently serves on the board.

I like to think of Dr. Jones as the Queen of Hormones! In today’s episode, we dive into common hormone imbalances that occur in perimenopause and menopause. We discuss the difference between healthy and non-healthy mitochondria, the impact of toxins on our hormones, and thyroid function. We talk about the impact of puberty, pregnancy, post-partum, and perimenopause on our immune system. We also get into non-thyroidal illnesses, the role of skeletal muscle, things that no longer serve us in middle age, and why we tend to become more weight loss-resistant with age.

I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Dr. Carrie Jones as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Understanding our changing hormones as we approach perimenopause or menopause.  

What happens to our mitochondria as we transition to menopause?

Ways to support mitochondrial health.

How hormonal shifts affect thyroid function.

Why do we need to test for the less common autoimmune markers?

Why we may still feel terrible after taking medication for an underactive thyroid.

When to start advocating for additional thyroid testing.

Why is the DUTCH urine test helpful as we approach menopause?

Things, other than medications that may impact the ability to process estrogen properly.

The most popular tests for gut health.

The truth about testosterone.

Why is it essential to have a healthy amount of skeletal muscle as we age?

Three weight loss-resistant issues most people do not know about.

Bio:

Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women's health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry. She has her Master’s in Public Health and was one of the first to become board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology and currently serves on the board. She was the Medical Director for the DUTCH Test for several years, and currently, she is the Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health and host of the Root Cause Medicine podcast.

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I am delighted to connect with Kim Vopni today, who is passionate about sharing information on pelvic health. She is a self-professed pelvic health evangelist known as the Vagina Coach. She is also a certified fitness professional, a published author, and the founder of Pelvienne Wellness Inc., which offers pelvic health programs, products, and coaching.

In our discussion today, we dive into the role of the pelvic floor, looking at the core four and the challenge of addressing uncomfortable topics. We explain why the diaphragm is significant, and we look at the ABCs of posture. We also explore the impact of incontinence, constipation, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and some common ideologies of pelvic floor dysfunction, including footwear, ankle positioning, and hypermobility issues.

This invaluable discussion with Kim Vopni is a complementary conversation to the recent episode with Dr. Rina Malik.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Today, I am delighted to reconnect with my friend and colleague, Natalie Jill, the founder of Natalie Jill Fitness and Midlife Conversations. 

In our insightful discussion today, we tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding fat loss in middle age. We dive into the power of mindset shifts, the importance of breaking free from limiting beliefs, and investigating and understanding your body, and explain the role of gut health and the impact of toxins. Natalie also shares her experience with breast implant illness, highlighting the need for honesty and authenticity, and opens up about what she does to age optimally in her early 50s. 

This conversation with Natalie is invaluable, and I truly appreciate her honesty and transparency.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Prepare to be enlightened by an engaging discussion with a true powerhouse in women's health!

I have the pleasure of being joined once again by the esteemed Dr. Felice Gersh, a renowned physician with a cutting-edge career in obstetrics, gynecology, and integrative medicine. 

In today’s episode, Dr. Gersh and I explore the intricate interplay between estrogen and immune function, delving into the impact of ovarian aging, menopause, bone health, mental cognition, sleep, and mood. We traverse the vast landscape of the gut microbiome and vascular system, unraveling the secrets of different estrogen types and receptors while addressing the crucial role of inflammation. 

With a keen focus on hormone replacement therapy, Dr. Gersh also shares her invaluable insights on the critical window for intervention and her exceptional approach to caring for women in perimenopause and menopause.

Dr. Felice Gersh is an invaluable resource on women’s health! Tune in for an enriching discussion that will leave you eagerly anticipating more episodes with this esteemed physician! 

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine

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

Previous Episodes Mentioned

Ep. 221 Part 1- An Integrative Approach to PCOS and Menstrual Irregularities with Dr. Felice Gersh

Ep. 237 Perimenopause and Menopause: What You Didn’t Know with Dr. Felice Gersh

Aging is the leading risk factor for cognitive decline, and projected statistics show that the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will reach 8.5 million by 2030 and 11.2 million by 2040. 

Today, I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Heather Sandison, a naturopathic doctor and the founder and medical director of Solcere Health, a San Diego-based brain optimization clinic, and Marama, the first residential memory care facility that aims to return its residents to independent living. Dr. Sandison is also the New York Times bestselling author of Reversing Alzheimer's. 

In our conversation today, Dr. Sandison and I explored the most common signs of early cognitive decline, looking at ways to differentiate dementia from formal Alzheimer's disease. We dive into the causes of dementia and Alzheimer's, examining six key imbalances that can affect ApoE status and tackle the limitations of current approaches to Alzheimer's research. We also share information on current drug modalities and touch on the importance of brain-nurturing environments and helpful activities for maintaining cognitive status as we age. 

I look forward to having Dr. Sandison back for a second conversation, where we will dive deeper into practical ways to support and improve brain health.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Connect with Dr. Heather Sandison

Today, I am delighted to connect with a personal friend and colleague, Todd Durkin. Todd is the CEO and Co-founder of Impact-X Performance, a fitness and coaching franchise featuring faith, fitness, recovery, and life coaching, and he motivates and inspires people daily through his inspirational keynote speeches, books, podcasts, and franchise. 

Todd and I went to middle school together, so our conversation today is personal in addition to being inspirational. We explore the role of faith and family, looking at the benefits of sports, the importance of vision boards, the value of motivation, and transforming passion into purpose. Todd also discusses his philosophy, which centers on mindset, habits, and routine, shares his evening and morning routines, offers his take on big, hairy, audacious goals, and explains why challenges and adversity are crucial for growth. 

Todd is one of the most inspiring, thoughtful, and intentional voices on social media today, and I have no doubt you will find this conversation as valuable as I did.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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This podcast is the first episode in a series featuring companies I am eager to explore and share with my community.

Today, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrew Salzman, a Harvard-trained medical doctor, pioneering scientist, and esteemed inventor. Dr. Salzman is the Chief Medical Officer at Wonderfeel, where he applies over three decades of medical innovation. His research into DNA repair with NAD-activated enzymes led the way for a groundbreaking treatment for BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers, which he licensed to Genentech. Dr. Salzman was among the first researchers to publish papers on the gut microbiome and leaky gut syndrome in the 1980s, and he has published over 170 peer-reviewed papers and holds more than 50 patents.

In our conversation today, we dive into what NAD is, its significance, why it matters, and how it impacts fertility, menopause, and sexual health. Dr. Salzman walks us through the symptoms of NAD deficiency and explains how an enzyme called CD38 can emerge when NAD levels are low, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. We explore the difference between pharmaceutical agents and nutraceuticals, examining why oral NMN is preferable and how sleep and alcohol can influence NAD levels. We cover the risk factors for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, looking at what we can do to reduce them, and we also talk about Wonderfeel and how their supplements and botanicals enhance wellness for women. 

This is an invaluable discussion with Dr. Salzman, so you will likely want to listen to it more than once.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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Connect with Dr. Andrew Salzman

• On the Wonderfeel website

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I am delighted to have the amazing Dr. Shannon Ritchey joining me today. She is a doctor of physical therapy, a fitness trainer, and the founder of Evlo Fitness.

In this insightful conversation, we explore the complex landscape of social media and its influence on our perceptions of health and fitness, unpacking myths, stigmas, and societal conditioning. We dive into body recomposition, looking at the compare and despair trap of social media, the effects of fitness challenges, and the science behind muscle soreness and eccentric exercises. Dr. Ritchey explains how to measure body composition requirements accurately, how muscle supports metabolic health, and the results of different types of muscle fiber stimulation, and she also shares her thoughts on Zone 2 cardio, Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), nutrition, and more. 

This discussion with Dr. Ritchey offers a wealth of information, and I look forward to welcoming her back for another conversation later this year.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Bio: Shannon Ritchey

Dr. Shannon Ritchey is a former physical therapist, a fitness trainer with over 15 years of experience, and the founder of Evlo Fitness. She educates on the science of exercise, specifically teaching women how to build muscle with less wear and tear on their bodies. Residing in Austin, Texas, but originally from Kansas, Shannon is a wife and mom to a daughter (and pregnant with a second!).

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We have a mashup episode today, with several experts diving into the critical role of the microbiomes in our bodies.

In this episode, Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe explains why fiber is essential for gut health and the challenges of cultivating anaerobic probiotics outside the body. Dr. Elisa Song discusses the impact of antibiotics on children’s gut and mental health. Dr. William Li highlights how plant-based foods nourish gut bacteria, metabolism, and mental well-being. Dr. Nathan Bryan dives into the role of the oral microbiome in nitric oxide production, and Dr. Vincent Pedre explains how glyphosate contributes to leaky gut and health issues and examines how alcohol and environmental toxins impact weight management. 

Join us for today’s in-depth exploration of how our microbiomes impact digestion, health, and overall well-being.

Ep. 346 Gut Health: Unveiling the Science of the Microbiome with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe

[00:02:18]- [00:25:22] Dr. Cutcliffe highlights the importance of dietary fiber for supporting gut microbes, metabolism, and overall health and explains the challenges of growing anaerobic probiotics like Akkermansia outside the body. 

Ep. 360 Raising Resilient Kids: Insights from Holistic Pediatrician Dr. Elisa Song

[00:12:17] - [00:24:28] Dr. Song highlights the often overlooked effects of antibiotics on gut and mental health, emphasizing the importance of educating preteens, teens, and young adults about how their daily choices impact their microbiome, brain function, and long-term health. 

[31:30]- [00:43:01] Why it is essential to understand how antibiotics and birth control impact the gut microbiomes of children and the importance of nurturing their resilience and restoring balance in their microbiomes over time.

Ep. 354 Metabolism Myths Debunked: Weight Gain Insights with Dr. William Li

[00:01:46] - [00:24:29] Dr. William William Li clarifies how bioactive compounds in plant-based foods feed gut bacteria, benefiting metabolism and mental well-being. He also highlights the importance of a healthy diet for gut health and explains how colonoscopy prep temporarily alters the gut microbiome.

Ep. 379 Understanding Nitric Oxide and Its Impact on Our Health with Dr. Nathan Bryan

[00:13:46]- [00:21:51] Dr. Nathan Bryan explores the crucial role of the oral microbiome in nitric oxide production and how mouthwash or fluoride products can disrupt that process, leading to higher blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular protection.

[00:35:04]- [00:37:17] How, even though antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash can disrupt the oral microbiome, the microbial communities can recover when given proper care and nutrition.

Ep. 296 Secrets of Gut Microbiome and Glyphosate with Vincent Pedre

[1:56-27:39] Dr. Vincent Pedre highlights how glyphosate disrupts the gut microbiome due to its mineral-binding and antimicrobial properties, leading to imbalances, leaky gut, and numerous health issues.

[48:00- 1:02:15] The role alcohol, gut bacteria, and environmental exposure play in weight management and gut health, and how certain bacteria may lead to increased caloric extraction from food.

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Today, I am honored to connect with Kevin Ellis, the Bone Coach.

Kevin Ellis, better known as Bone Coach™, is a certified Integrative Nutrition health coach, podcaster, Youtuber, bone health advocate, and the founder of BoneCoach.com. After an osteoporosis diagnosis in his early 30s, he realized just how challenging it can be for the average person to make sense of what needs to be done to improve and how to move forward confidently with a stronger bone plan.

So many women struggle with osteopenia and osteoporosis throughout their lifetimes. In this episode, Kevin and I dive into his background and interest in osteoporosis and celiac disease. We discuss bone health, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and the various contributors to bone health. We get into conventional treatments for osteoporosis, explain why they are problematic, and discuss proactive ways to address osteoporosis. We also speak about the role of the gut microbiome in bone health, a study on how blood pressure accelerates bone aging, and the impact of insulin resistance. 

I hope you will enjoy listening to today’s discussion as much as I did recording it!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

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