This episode is for you if you want to age better than your parents and live healthier at any age! Our guest is Dr. Anand Patel, a Chicago-based longevity physician, entrepreneur, and founder of Lv8 Health (pronounced Elevate Health). Lv8 is an innovative clinic that prioritizes proactive, personalized, and preventative care, helping patients extend healthspan and optimize long-term wellness.

Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Patel became frustrated with a system that focused on “sick-care” instead of true wellness. After witnessing burnout among colleagues and the limitations of traditional healthcare, he founded Lv8 Health to provide patients with a longevity-focused approach to living stronger, longer.

We learn:

Connect with Dr. Patel:

https://elev8.health/online-programs/

https://www.instagram.com/dranandpat84/

https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast/

This episode is for you if you’re a menopausal woman and want to know what is important when it comes to heart and cardiovascular health to AGE STRONG! Menopausal women are at a higher risk of developing heart disease compared to men. This is primarily due to the decline in estrogen levels that occurs during menopause.

Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj is an Interventional Cardiologist and Certified Practitioner of the Institute for Functional Medicine. We were lucky enough to interview him at the 2025 Annual International Conference in San Diego, California.

Dr. Bhojraj also known as “the curious cardiologist” has a passion for integrating cutting-edge research with holistic health approaches. He helps patients achieve optimal well-being by addressing the root cause of disease! He is founder of Well12, a transformative 12-week wellness program that empowers individuals to reclaim their health through lifestyle changes.

We learn:

• Why women often experience poor cardiovascular health as they age and how menopause plays a role

• Why you may need an advanced cholesterol panel to determine whether you’re at risk for heart attack and stroke

• How to know if you’re a candidate for statins

• How cardiovascular disease has evolved over the years to be more metabolically driven

• How toxic chemicals in our environment weaken cardiometabolic health

• How direct-to-consumer lab testing like Function Health can help you determine your risks

Connect with Dr. Sanjay:

https://www.youtube.com/@doctorsanjaymd

https://www.instagram.com/doctorsanjaymd/

https://www.sanjaybhojraj.us/Home

This episode is for you if you’d like to learn how trackers like Apple Watches, Oura Rings, Fitbits, Whoops, the Lumen and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can support your behavioral choices & help you lose weight, sleep better, eat better and exercise more consistently. 

Dr. Lara Zakaria is a pharmacist and nutritionist with a focus on implementing solutions for functional medicine and personalized nutrition. Dr. Zakaria works one-on-one with patients helping them with behavioral change.

We learn:

• How trackers like Oura ring, Apple Watch, Whoop, FitBit, Lumen and continuous glucose monitors help you change body composition

• How body composition scales can help track muscle and bone density

• Many people say they thrive under stress and get caught up in constant “fight or flight”

• High cortisol levels can eventually lead to burnout and a lack of cortisol

• How to check in with your body while using trackers

• Muscle building is key in midlife; lifting heavy is necessary

• The better you can maintain your muscle, the longer you can maintain your heart, your brain and your bone

• If you wake up at 3 am to pee, it could be your blood sugar crashing; using a continuous glucose monitor could track this

• If you’re not going to use the data from trackers to make changes, maybe you don’t need one

• How Lumen tells you if you’re burning fat or glucose helping you become more metabolically flexible

  *This episode was recorded at the 2025 Institute for Functional Medicine annual international conference (AIC) in San Diego, California.*

Connect with Dr. Zakaria:

https://www.instagram.com/foodiefarmacist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-zakaria/

https://www.tiktok.com/@foodiefarmacist/

https://www.facebook.com/foodiefarmacist/

https://larazakaria.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast

[email protected]

This episode is for you if you’re a woman over 40 looking to prevent and treat osteoporosis and arthritis. We learn how perimenopause and menopause impact our bones and joints.

Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein is an orthopedic surgeon specialized in sports medicine and associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Duke University School of Medicine.

Dr. Wittstein is co-investigator with Dr. Anne Ford of Duke Women’s Health for the Duke Musculoskeletal Systems of Menopause Registry. She is president of the Forum: Women in Sports Medicine, co-author of The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan and a mom of 5! Her husband is also an orthopaedic surgeon.

We learn:

• How perimenopause and menopause impact bone and joint health

• Menopause leads to a decline in estrogen, impacting bone density

• Women lose bone density at an accelerated rate post-menopause

• Resistance training is crucial for maintaining bone health

• Hormone therapy can help reduce joint pain and improve bone density

• Frozen shoulder is more common in women during menopause

• Nutrition plays a significant role in bone health; limit red meat

• Supplements like vitamin D and magnesium can support bone health

• GLP-1 agonists may have protective effects on bones and joints

• It’s never too late to strength train for bone health

• A DEXA scan can provide valuable information about bone density

Connect with Dr. Wittstein:

https://www.instagram.com/jocelyn_wittstein_md/

The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Bone-Joint-Health-Plan/dp/1682689417

https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast/

https://functionalmoms.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast

This episode is for you if you’re concerned about the toxins in sunscreens. Let’s face it, we put this stuff all over our faces and bodies and as we’ve learned on Functional Moms Podcast, the chemicals get absorbed right into our bloodstream. Not optimal for anyone, but especially for women trying to balance hormones!

Arielle Moody worked in the beauty industry for her whole career supporting brands like Smashbox, Dr. Perricone and Bite Beauty. But when Arielle was pregnant with her first child, she was shocked by how many toxic ingredients were lurking in everyday products. After trying dozens of mineral sunscreens, Arielle was determined to create one that didn’t make her immediately want to wash her face and didn’t leave a white cast on her skin. Thus Mama Sol was born.

We learn:

• Sunscreen contains many toxic ingredients that can be absorbed into the bloodstream

• How Arielle created Mama Sol sunscreen

• Oxybenzone is a common toxic ingredient found in many sunscreens

• The difference between chemical and physical/mineral sunscreens

• Lips are susceptible to UV damage that creates thinning and wrinkles

• Why you should use sunscreen on cloudy days

• How manifestation played a significant role in Arielle’s entrepreneurial journey

• How Mama Sol is building community

Shop Mama Sol and use code FUNCTIONALMAMA15 to save 15 percent off sitewide: https://www.shopmamasol.com/

Connect with Arielle on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/shopmamasol/

https://www.tiktok.com/@shopmamasol

https://www.facebook.com/shopmamasol/

Do you struggle with getting a restful night’s sleep? Then this episode is for you! We are going to speak with a triple board certified sleep physician.

Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown obtained her sleep medicine training at the University of Pennsylvania and is the founder of Restful Sleep MD. She is also the best-selling author of Beyond Tired – A Sleep Physician’s Guide to Solving Your Child’s Sleep Problems for Good. 

As a busy physician and mom of two, Dr. Brown understands the impact of sleep deprivation on our mental, physical, and emotional health. She has made it her mission to help others make sleep a priority. 

We learn:

• Why sleep challenges are common for women after 40 and how to get to the root cause of poor sleep

• Behavioral, medical and hormonal factors contribute to poor sleep

• Lifestyle habits like caffeine and alcohol can distrupt sleep

• Sleep apnea is often under-diagnosed in women, particularly during menopause

• Hot flashes can significantly affect sleep quality

• How to create a consistent sleep routine and why it matters

• Optimizing the sleep environment enhances sleep quality

• Melatonin can be helpful but it should be used with caution due to significant variability in melatonin supplements due to lack of FDA regulation

• Over-the-counter sleep aids can lead to dependency if used excessively

• Chronic use of sedating medications may increase dementia risk

• Mind racing at bedtime often stems from unaddressed daily stressors; journaling can help clear the mind

• Teenagers face unique challenges due to biological and social pressures

• Limiting screen time before bed CAN improve sleep hygiene

Connect with Dr. Brown:

https://www.instagram.com/restfulsleepmd/

https://www.youtube.com/c/DrFunkeBrown

https://www.therestfulsleepplace.com/

This episode is for you if you’re looking to reduce puffiness, eye bags, look younger naturally and even create a more defined jawline. We are going to learn all about our lymphatic system and how to support it.

Cortney Santos is a licensed bodywork therapist and certified lymphedema therapist, specializing in lymphatic health and TMJ dysfunction. 

Cortney has an online wellness business for busy women and moms teaching lymphatic massage self-care. Cortney also owns Colysa Therapies in Bedminster, NJ where she supports post-op recovery for clients healing from a wide range of surgeries.

We learn:

• The lymphatic system is crucial for overall health; it transports toxins, immune cells, and nutrients throughout the body

• Signs of a sluggish lymphatic system include puffiness and swelling

• Lymphatic massage can stimulate fluid movement and reduce puffiness 

• How to stimulate lymph nodes for effective lymphatic drainage

• Posture significantly impacts lymphatic flow and overall health

• Movement and hydration are essential for lymphatic function

• How to decrease swelling in the ankles and legs

• How to depuff the face and eye bags

• What is TMJ and how myofascial release techniques can help ease pain

• How buccal massage can reduce facial asymmetry and reduce puffiness

• A lymphatic gut reset can relieve bloating and discomfort

• Rebounding and legs up the wall can help lymphatic drainage, but lymph nodes must be stimulated first for it to be most effective 

Connect with Cortney:

https://www.instagram.com/co.ly.sa

https://www.colysatherapies.com/

Thank you for listening to our show. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a review and subscribe. It will allow us to continue to bring more episodes your way!

Kristin and Raquel

[email protected] 

https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast

This episode is for you if you’re a woman over 40 looking to shred weight and gain energy. We are going to find applicable solutions from a registered dietitian specializing in perimenopause!

Leslie Weidner is a nutritionist with over a decade of experience in nutrition and dietetics. She specializes in guiding women through the complex journey of perimenopause, helping them navigate hormonal changes with personalized nutrition plans and lifestyle adjustments.

Over the past 5 years, Leslie has empowered women in perimenopause to make sustainable, healthy habit changes. In 2023, she moved from Kirkland, Washington to Scotland where she lives with her family. She coaches women virtually through her company Leslie Weidner Nutrition. 

We learn:

• Why keto, high protein and other fad diets fail

• The importance of fiber for perimenopausal women

• Weight cycling leads to extra weight gain in the long run

• Visceral fat is a concern for health, not just appearance

• Why the scale isn’t the best indicator for health

• Self-acceptance is important as bodies change with age

• How diet influences mental health

• How women metabolize alcohol differently during perimenopause

• Hormonal changes lead to increased fatigue and sleep issues

• Hormone replacement therapy can provide relief for some women

• Eating less and exercising more backfires during perimenopause

• Morning sunlight can regulate circadian rhythms

• How social media can contribute to stress and disrupt sleep

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/perimenopause_nutritionist/

Thank you for listening to our show. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a review and subscribe. It will allow us to continue to bring more episodes your way!

Kristin and Raquel

[email protected] 

https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast

Did you know? Your hormones control everything from brain fog to wrinkles—and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) could be the key to turning back the clock. In this episode, Dr. Anju Mathur (anti-aging MD) reveals:

• Hormonal changes during menopause can dramatically affect health and symptoms vary widely among women

• Estrogen plays a crucial role in women’s health and femininity

• Menopause symptoms can persist long after the official transition

• Bioidentical hormones can reverse aging effects and help to prevent dementia, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis

• Hormonal therapy can be beneficial even without menopausal symptoms

• What are blue zones and how they offer insights into longevity practices

• Eliminating sugar and gluten can immediately improve health 

• Regular walking enhances energy and reduces inflammation

 About Dr. Anju Mathur:

• Board-certified anti-aging MD (15+ years experience)

• Trained at Institute for Functional Medicine

• Specializes in bioidentical hormones, IV therapy, and menopause care

🔗 Connect with Dr. Mathur:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dranjumathur/

• Clinic: https://angellongevity.com/

✅ Support the Podcast:

• Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast

• Email: [email protected]
  

Struggling with bloating, fatigue, or unexplained weight gain in your 40s? In this eye-opening episode, gut health expert Mirna Sierra reveals how perimenopause changes your microbiome—and exactly how to fix it (without restrictive diets!)👉 WATCH NOW to learn:● Why your gut starts acting like a man’s during perimenopause (and what that means for your health)● The #1 cause of bloating in women over 40—it’s NOT just aging!● How estrogen loss destroys gut balance (and the best probiotics to heal it)● Why doctors dismiss perimenopause symptoms—and how to be your own advocate● HRT alternatives if your doctor won’t help (plus hysterectomy recovery tips)● The Mediterranean diet hack to reduce inflammation fast

💡 Featured Product: Pendulum Akkermansia Probiotic🔗 Get 10% OFF: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/functional-moms/store-start

👩⚕️ About Mirna Sierra:Mirna is a functional medicine health coach and digestive specialist who spent 10+ years in cardiology, gastroenterology, and cosmetic surgery (Beverly Hills & Shanghai!). After her own perimenopause struggles, she now helps women over 40 fix their gut—without crazy diets.🔗 Connect with Mirna:📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessbymirna/💬 Join the Conversation!● Did you know bloating was linked to perimenopause? Comment below!● Tag a friend who needs this!📣 Support the Podcast:✅ Subscribe to @functionalmomspodcast✅ Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast✅ Email us: [email protected]