Women account for nearly one in three cardiovascular deaths, yet many of the biggest risk factors are still overlooked. In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with functional medicine expert Cynthia Thurlow to discuss why women's cardiovascular health deserves a completely different approach.

Together they explore the relationship between menopause, metabolic health, hormone replacement therapy, intermittent fasting, advanced cholesterol testing, GLP-1 medications, and personalized medicine. They discuss why traditional lipid panels often fail to identify cardiovascular risk, how pregnancy can reveal future metabolic disease, and why markers like ApoB and Lp(a) are transforming preventive cardiology.

You'll also learn how fasting differs between men and women, why muscle preservation becomes increasingly important during menopause, and how physicians can move beyond one-size-fits-all medicine toward truly individualized care.

Whether you're interested in heart health, hormones, longevity, metabolic health, or evidence-based functional medicine, this conversation offers practical insights grounded in both clinical experience and emerging research.

Topics include:

• Why heart disease remains the #1 killer of women

• Menopause and cardiovascular disease

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

• ApoB vs LDL

• Lipoprotein(a) Lp(a)

• Advanced lipid testing

• GLP-1 medications beyond weight loss

• Intermittent fasting for women

• Muscle preservation during menopause

• Personalized preventive cardiology

If you're interested in functional medicine, longevity, metabolic health, women's hormones, or preventive cardiology, this conversation is packed with practical insights.

Can music become medicine? In this fascinating episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj speaks with Grammy-winning producer and author Barry Goldstein about the emerging science of Acousticeuticals™—the intentional use of music to influence brain function, heart health, stress physiology, sleep, and emotional wellbeing. 

Barry explains how music affects the autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability, inflammation, cognition, and even our internal chemistry through dopamine, oxytocin, and cortisol. Together they explore ancient practices like chanting OM through the lens of modern neuroscience, discuss research on Alzheimer's disease and PTSD, and explain why certain tempos can literally entrain the heart and brain into healthier rhythms.

The episode concludes with practical strategies anyone can use—including Barry's "Musical Nutrition" framework—to intentionally use music throughout the day for better health.

Chapters / Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction: Can Music Become Medicine?

02:30 What are Acoustaceuticals?

05:20 Ancient Healing Meets Modern Science

09:00 The Neuroscience of Chanting OM

14:00 Alzheimer's Research & Memory Improvement

18:00 Drumming, PTSD & Inflammation

21:30 Heart Coherence Explained

26:00 Music, HRV & The Vagus Nerve

30:30 Why Noise Can Harm the Body

36:30 Ultrasound, Medicine & Future Therapies

41:00 Music's Effect on Hormones & Inflammation

45:00 How to Build a Daily Music Practice

51:00 Musical Nutrition: Morning, Midday & Evening

58:00 The Future of Acoustaceuticals

1:02:00 Rapid Fire Questions

1:07:00 Final Thoughts & Resources

Hair loss is often dismissed as a cosmetic issue—but what if it's actually one of your body's earliest warning signs?

In this episode of the Curious Cardiologist Podcast, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with Johanna Dahlman, founder of Alopecia Angel, to uncover the root causes of alopecia and why conventional medicine often falls short.

After developing autoimmune alopecia in her early 30s, Johanna spent four years researching nutrition, functional medicine, lifestyle interventions, and autoimmune health before naturally restoring her hair. Today, she has helped thousands of people in more than 68 countries navigate hair loss by addressing the underlying drivers—not just the symptoms.

Together, they discuss autoimmune disease, gut health, stress, genetics, medications, supplements, hormones, pregnancy, longevity, and why hair loss is often a sign that something deeper is happening inside the body.

Whether you're experiencing hair loss yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in preventative health, this conversation offers practical insights and a hopeful perspective.

Topics discussed:

✔ What alopecia really is
✔ Autoimmune hair loss
✔ Functional medicine
✔ Gut health and the microbiome
✔ Stress and chronic inflammation
✔ Hormones and women's health
✔ DNA testing and personalized medicine
✔ Hair loss medications
✔ Supplements that may actually worsen hair loss
✔ Why "aging" isn't the whole story
✔ Hair regrowth through lifestyle changes

Johanna also shares her personal journey of overcoming autoimmune alopecia naturally after being told there was no cure, and explains how that experience led her to help thousands of people worldwide.

If you've ever wondered why you're losing your hair—or what your body might be trying to tell you—this episode is for you.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you found this conversation helpful.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
01:20 Meet Johanna Dahlman
02:00 What Is Alopecia?
04:45 Johanna's Personal Hair Loss Story
08:00 Why Conventional Medicine Misses the Root Cause
10:30 The Functional Medicine Approach to Hair Loss
13:00 Healthcare Around the World
16:00 Is It Ever Too Early to Prevent Hair Loss?
18:30 DNA Testing & Personalized Medicine
20:00 Hidden Causes of Hair Loss
22:00 Breast Implants, Botox & Autoimmunity
24:30 Is Hair Loss Just Aging?
26:30 Can Exercise Improve Hair Growth?
28:00 Stress, Cortisol & Hair Loss
31:00 Diet, Nutrition & Protein
34:00 Medications That Cause Hair Loss
36:00 Supplements That May Be Making Things Worse
39:00 Gut Health & Autoimmune Disease
42:00 How Long Does Hair Regrowth Take?
45:00 Why There Isn't One Cure for Alopecia
47:30 Johanna's New Nonprofit Mission
50:00 Final Advice for Anyone Losing Their Hair
52:00 Rapid Fire Questions

What if the reason you feel tired, foggy, inflamed, or depleted isn’t stress, aging, or hormones… but something much more foundational?

In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist Podcast, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with Carol Allen, CEO and co-founder of Beam Minerals, to explore one of the most overlooked topics in modern health: minerals.

Together, they unpack why mineral deficiencies may be contributing to fatigue, poor sleep, muscle cramps, hormone imbalance, brain fog, gut issues, stress resilience, and even mitochondrial dysfunction.

They also dive into the science of humic and fulvic minerals, why delivery matters more than simply taking supplements, and whether modern food systems are leaving us fundamentally depleted.

Topics covered include:

In this episode:

•  Why minerals are foundational to human health 
•  The connection between electrolytes, heart health, and energy 
•  Brain fog, fatigue, hormones, sleep & mineral depletion 
•  Why modern soil and food may be less nutrient dense 
•  The hidden problem with conventional electrolyte drinks 
•  Humic vs. fulvic minerals explained simply 
•  How minerals impact mitochondria and cellular energy 
•  Detoxification, glyphosate, heavy metals & environmental exposures 
•  Why some supplements don’t actually get into your cells 
•  What mineral testing can (and can’t) tell you 

Key Takeaway:

You can’t build health on depleted foundations. Minerals may be one of the most overlooked pieces of the wellness puzzle.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Why minerals matter
02:45 – Fatigue, brain fog & hidden deficiencies
08:30 – Why food may no longer be enough
14:00 – Soil depletion & modern agriculture
24:30 – What are humic & fulvic minerals?
35:00 – How minerals actually get into cells
42:00 – The truth about electrolyte drinks
48:30 – Mineral testing: blood vs hair vs tissue
55:00 – The future of mineral replenishment
1:00:00 – Rapid fire questions

In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj explores the decline of genuine doctor-patient connection, systemic issues in healthcare, and how a systems biology approach can transform medical practice. He shares personal experiences and insights on restoring empathy, curiosity, and holistic care in medicine.

Interested in joining my U360 Membeship? Go to doctorsanjay.com to sign up!

"When did doctors stop being doctors?"
"Connection is more important than ever"
"Inflammation drives most chronic diseases"

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Season Two
00:58 The Shift from Provider to Consumer
02:53 The Disconnection in Doctor-Patient Relationships
09:03 The Challenges of Modern Medicine
12:00 The Fragmentation of Care
17:48 The Importance of Lifestyle in Health
20:51 The Role of Curiosity and Listening in Medicine
27:00 The Future of Medicine: Connecting with Patients

In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with Dr. Shivani Gupta, PhD in Ayurvedic medicine, founder of Fusionary Formulas, and author of The Inflammation Code.

Together, they explore why Ayurveda — a 5,000-year-old system of medicine — may be more relevant than ever in a modern world defined by chronic inflammation, burnout, disrupted circadian rhythms, and one-size-fits-all wellness trends.

This conversation bridges ancient wisdom and modern science, reframing inflammation, gut health, sleep, fasting, and metabolic health through the lens of personalized, lifestyle-based medicine.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing all the right things” but still feel off — this episode is for you.

👇 Watch until the end for practical, simple ways to apply Ayurveda to your daily life.

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

00:01 – Welcome & introduction to Dr. Shivani Gupta
 01:44 – What Ayurveda really is (and why it aligns with functional medicine)
 02:57 – Doshas as the original personalized medicine
 04:14 – Elemental Design: air, fire, earth explained
 06:15 – Vata (air): anxiety, gut issues, grounding strategies
 08:53 – Pitta (fire): inflammation, burnout, cooling the system
 10:21 – Kapha (earth): metabolism, weight, mood, movement
 12:36 – How seasons & life events shift your constitution
 15:06 – Ayurveda vs genomics: two paths to personalization
 18:20 – Why intermittent fasting & trends don’t work for everyone
 22:44 – Why Ayurveda matters more than ever today
 26:14 – Micro-rituals to reset the nervous system
 29:17 – Tongue scraping, oil pulling, dry brushing, self-massage
 35:34 – Food timing & the Ayurvedic circadian diet
 37:41 – Super spices & the science of turmeric
 50:46 – Supplement quality & why formulation matters
 54:33 – Dr. Gupta’s Top 5 Ayurveda “Start Here” moves
 59:01 – Rapid-fire questions (nachos, Italy, race cars)
 01:01:54 – Where to find Dr. Gupta + listener discount
 01:02:38 – Final thoughts & outro

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Ayurveda is the original root-cause & lifestyle medicine
• The three Ayurvedic constitutions (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) explained simply
• How circadian rhythm affects inflammation, digestion, and sleep
• Why some people feel worse with fasting, cold exposure, or extreme wellness trends
• Simple Ayurvedic rituals that support gut health, lymphatic flow, and nervous system regulation
• The real science behind turmeric and Ayurvedic “super spices”
• Why healing starts when you stop fighting your nature

Practical Takeaways

Dr. Gupta shares her Top 5 Ayurveda Moves anyone can start today:

1. Learn your Elemental Design (Ayurvedic constitution)
2. Use a copper tongue scraper daily
3. Align your day with circadian rhythm & sunlight
4. Protect sleep — especially the 10pm–2am window
5. Use turmeric strategically to lower inflammation (with lifestyle support)

🔗 Guest Links & Resources

• Dr. Shivani Gupta – Website & Elemental Design Quiz
  👉 https://shivanigupta.com
• Instagram
  👉 https://www.instagram.com/doctor.shivanigupta
• Book: The Inflammation Code
  👉 https://theinflammationcode.com
  (Also available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble)
• Supplements: Fusionary Formulas
  👉 https://fusionaryformulas.com

🎟 Listener Discount Code: CURIOUS15
👉 15% off at checkout (mentioned in the episode)

👍 Support the Show

If you found this episode helpful:

• Like the video
• Subscribe to The Curious Cardiologist
• Comment with topics or guests you’d like to see next

In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD, founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA), to explore why health coaching may be the most underutilized—and most powerful—tool in modern healthcare.

Together, they unpack the growing gap between what doctors say and what patients actually do, why behavior change is so difficult even when people know what’s “right,” and how trained health coaches dramatically improve outcomes for chronic disease, mental health, and lifestyle-related conditions.

Dr. Scheinbaum shares her journey from psychology and mind‑body medicine to founding FMCA, explains the science behind health coaching, and outlines how coaches integrate seamlessly into medical teams without replacing physicians. The conversation also tackles physician burnout, patient non‑adherence, Medicare reimbursement, and the future of collaborative care.

This episode is essential listening for clinicians, health system leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in sustainable health transformation.

Key Topics Covered

• Why the U.S. healthcare system struggles with outcomes despite record spending
• The communication gap between doctors and patients
• What health coaches actually do (and what they don’t)
• Why doctors are not trained to create behavior change
• The psychology of motivation, self‑efficacy, and lifestyle change
• Evidence and randomized trials supporting health coaching
• Health coaching for cardiometabolic disease, autoimmunity, mental health, and GLP‑1 users
• How health coaches reduce physician burnout
• Group coaching, community medicine, and peer support models
• Scope, certification, and avoiding “bad actors” in coaching
• Medicare reimbursement and collaborative care models
• Becoming a health coach: training, certification, and career paths

Episode Show Notes

Guest: Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD
Founder & CEO, Functional Medicine Coaching Academy
Certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)

What You’ll Learn

• Why knowledge alone doesn’t change behavior
• How health coaches increase adherence, outcomes, and patient satisfaction
• Why patients are often more honest with coaches than doctors
• The role of self‑efficacy in healing and long‑term health
• How lifestyle interventions can improve anxiety, depression, and quality of life
• Why community and accountability matter more than willpower

Memorable Quotes

• “Doctors diagnose. Coaches help people change when change is hard.”
• “Genes are not destiny—daily habits matter more than people realize.”
• “Health coaching doesn’t replace medicine; it completes it.”

Resources Mentioned

• Functional Medicine Coaching Academy: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org
• National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)

In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj speaks with Dr. Jennifer Pfleghaar about her transition from emergency medicine to integrative medicine, focusing on the importance of lifestyle changes, the challenges of conventional medicine, and the need for personalized care, especially in women's health during perimenopause. They discuss the impact of pharmaceuticals, the role of hormones, and the significance of education in health. Dr. Jen also shares insights from her book, 'The Perimenopause Reset,' which aims to help women navigate this critical phase of life.

Takeaways

Dr. Jen transitioned to integrative medicine after seeing chronic disease in the ER.
Conventional medicine often fails to address root causes of health issues.
90% of ER visits are related to chronic diseases.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis can be reversed with lifestyle changes.
Preventive care is lacking in the current healthcare system.
Hormonal imbalances can significantly affect women's health.
Bioidentical hormones are safer than synthetic alternatives.
Education is crucial for patients to understand their health.
Environmental factors can impact hormonal health.
The Perimenopause Reset book provides a holistic approach to women's health.

Chapters

00:00 Transitioning to Integrative Medicine
03:02 The Role of Nutrition in Emergency Medicine
06:11 Chronic Diseases and Conventional Medicine
08:46 The Disconnect in Patient Care
12:04 The Importance of Prevention
15:00 The Impact of Pharmaceuticals on Health
17:58 Motivational Interviewing in Patient Care
21:13 The Challenges of Hormone Replacement Therapy
23:57 Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic Hormones
33:53 Understanding Hormonal Changes in Women
34:51 The Importance of Hormone Replacement Therapy
37:23 Navigating Hormone Testing and Medical Advice
38:03 The Risks of Self-Medication with Hormones
40:14 The Dangers of Hormone Pellets
43:32 The Need for Proper Medical Oversight
45:34 The Role of Continuous Learning in Medicine
51:01 The Holistic Approach to Perimenopause
54:11 The Impact of Environmental Factors on Hormones
56:41 Finding the Right Practitioner for Hormonal Health

In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj MD sits down with pharmacologist and genomic medicine specialist Dr. Tyler Panzner to unpack how your genes shape your response to diet, medications, and supplements.

They explore the difference between genetics vs genomics, why one-size-fits-all nutrition advice (keto, carnivore, vegan) can be dangerous, and how polygenic risk scores and pathway-based genomics can guide truly precision nutrition and precision medicine. From vitamin D that never budges, to oxalate kidney stones, to why berberine may not be as “innocent” as Instagram says, this episode pulls back the curtain on the wild west of supplements.

If you’ve ever wondered why your labs don’t change, why one cup of coffee wrecks you, or why your “clean” supplement stack makes you feel worse, this conversation is for you.

Guest: Dr. Tyler Panzner

Dr. Tyler Panzner, PhD is a pharmacologist specializing in genomic medicine and supplement pharmacology. He helps individuals and clinicians use comprehensive genomic data to personalize diet, lifestyle, and supplementation—focusing on bottom-up molecular pathways rather than fear-based, top-down disease labels.

• Website: drtylerpanzner.com
• Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / LinkedIn: @DrTylerPanzner
  
  
• [00:00] Welcome to The Curious Cardiologist & Guest Intro
  Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj MD introduces pharmacologist and genomic medicine specialist Dr. Tyler Panzner.
  [01:20] VHS, Blockbuster & the Hallmarks of Aging (Fun Cold Open)
  Light banter on VHS, rewinding tapes, and joking about “hallmarks of aging.”
  [02:25] Genetics vs Genomics: What’s the Difference?
  Tyler explains genetics (single variants) vs genomics (your entire genetic “book”) and polygenic risk scores.
  [04:30] Why One-Size-Fits-All Diets Fail: Keto, Carnivore, Vegan & Your Genes
  How saturated fat response, ancestry, and LDL genetics change who thrives or crashes on keto/carnivore.
  [08:40] Oxalates, Kidney Stones & Carnivore as a Tool (Not a Religion)
  Oxalate sensitivity, kidney stones, and why some people truly struggle with spinach and plant “defense chemicals.”
  [10:45] Vegan Fatigue, Conditional Amino Acids & “Have a Steak and See”
  Why some vegans feel amazing for 6–12 weeks, then crash when conditional amino acids run low.
  [12:35] Creatine, Carnitine, Iron & Taurine: When Your Genes Can’t Keep Up
  9,400+ mutations tied to creatine production; why some people need more animal foods or very targeted supplements.
  [14:40] The Myth of Willpower, Food Noise & Micronutrient Deficiency
  How hormones and micronutrient gaps drive cravings, “food noise,” and self-blame.
  [17:40] “Loaded Gun vs Pulled Trigger”: Propensity, Transcriptome & Proteome
  Genes vs gene expression vs proteins—and why genotype ≠ destiny.
  [20:55] Bottom-Up Genomics: From Molecular Pathways to Real Symptoms
  Tyler’s “bottom-up” approach: focusing on linear pathways like glutathione, vitamin D, neurotransmitters, etc.
  [23:35] The Vitamin D Puzzle: CYP2R1, Low Levels & Why Your Labs Never Budge
  Chronic low vitamin D, CYP2R1 variants, gallbladder issues, and why megadoses sometimes don’t work—and may backfire.
  [28:25] Pharmacogenomics 101: COMT, MAO & Why Some People Hate Caffeine
  COMT and MAO variants, adrenaline sensitivity, and why some folks overthink, get anxious, or “overflow” on stimulants.
  [31:15] Supplements That Secretly Spike Adrenaline: Curcumin, Rhodiola, Berberine & More
  How “healthy” supplements (curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, rhodiola, berberine, methylene blue) can trigger anxiety in sensitive people.
  [34:35] Berberine, CYP3A4 & Statins: Hidden Supplement–Drug Interactions
  Why berberine can affect CYP3A4, statin metabolism, and cardiometabolic patients.
  [35:55] Stacking 30 Supplements: Liver Strain & the Dark Side of “More Is Better”
  Tyler’s story of massive supplement stacks, elevated liver enzymes, and why “liver support” can still stress the liver.
  [47:50] Purity vs Pharmacology: The Two Sides of Supplement Safety
  Clean manufacturing vs how a supplement acts in your body: iron chelation, neurotransmitters, hormones, liver enzymes.
  [50:20] Big Pharma vs Big Wellness: Who’s Really Regulated?
  Comparing drug oversight to the “wild west” of AI-generated wellness brands and TikTok supplements.
  [57:00] How Tyler Actually Uses Supplements: Audits, Subtraction & Lifelong Bottlenecks
  Full supplement audits, using fewer products, and when something is truly lifelong (e.g., pre-activated vitamin D).
  [01:00:20] Supplements as Catalyst, Lifestyle as Foundation
  Using targeted supplements to get people out of a rut—but never as a replacement for sleep, movement, and real food.
  [01:01:55] Lightning Round: Favorite Food, Favorite Place, & What Keeps Tyler Curious
  Surf & turf, Tampa memories, and why he sees music as “acousticeuticals” and real epigenetic medicine.
  [01:04:40] How to Work with Dr. Tyler Panzner
  Where to find him online, plus how to think about genomic testing & interpretation.
  [01:06:30] Sanjay’s Final Thoughts & Call to Action
  How to choose good genomic testing, why interpretation matters, and where to subscribe and leave comments.

In this eye-opening episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj — a recovering interventional cardiologist turned functional medicine physician — sits down with Emily Sadri (APRN, CNM, WHP-BC), a nurse practitioner and certified nurse-midwife who has built a thriving hormone and metabolic health practice.

Together they unpack the real story behind menopause, metabolic decline, and the cardiovascular consequences of ignoring hormone health. Emily shares her journey from hospital midwife to functional practitioner, the “aha” moment that meditation improved her gestational diabetes more than diet ever did, and how the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study derailed an entire generation’s access to hormone therapy.

They explore:

• Why estrogen is far more than a “female hormone” — it’s a vascular, metabolic, and cognitive protector.
• How perimenopause is often the hidden root behind rising LDL, fatigue, anxiety, and weight gain.
• The difference between oral and transdermal hormones (and why route matters for heart health).
• How estrogen loss disrupts nitric oxide production, vagal tone, and even sleep and mood.
• Practical lab workups every woman in midlife should request.
• Why replacing hormones without fixing lifestyle is like “mopping up the ocean.”
• How functional and precision medicine can redefine women’s health and longevity.

Emily and Sanjay weave humor, humility, and heart into a candid conversation that will change how you think about hormones — whether you’re a clinician, a patient, or a partner trying to understand what’s happening behind the scenes of midlife.

🧬 Key Takeaways

• Menopause isn’t a single event — it’s a 10–15-year metabolic and hormonal transition that starts in the 30s.
• Declining estrogen is directly tied to rising cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
• Transdermal estradiol + oral micronized progesterone remain the safest, most physiologic forms of HRT.
• Estrogen improves nitric-oxide production, insulin sensitivity, vagal tone, and arterial elasticity.
• Vaginal estrogen reduces UTI risk and supports the vaginal microbiome — even in breast-cancer survivors.
• The “menopausal machismo” mindset of “toughing it out” may actually shorten lifespan and healthspan.
• Functional medicine and hormone therapy must work together — lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, and stress are the foundation.

🧪 Guest Bio

Emily Sadri, APRN, CNM, WHP-BC is a board-certified nurse practitioner, women’s health specialist, and former midwife who now leads Aurelia Health, a telehealth practice focused on personalized hormone therapy and metabolic medicine for women in midlife and beyond. Her mission is to redefine menopause care through education, precision hormones, and holistic root-cause healing.
🔗 Connect with Emily:

• Instagram → @EmilySadri_NP