Even though we all operate under the same medical system in The United States, not all of us receive the same quality of care. Why do racial and economic disparities still dictate who gets access to life-saving medications? Dr. Utibe Essien joins Treated to explore what true equity in medicine looks like and how we can build a system where everyone has the chance to thrive. 

Dr. Essien is a board-certified internal medicine physician, Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCLA, and a nationally recognized health disparities researcher. He coined the term pharmaco-equity–the principle that every patient, regardless of race, income, or background, deserves equal access to effective medications. In this conversation, he shares his story of being born into health disparities, what inspired him to become a physician, and his groundbreaking research on racial inequities in prescribing practices. Dr. Sara and Dr. Essien unpack the roots of health inequity, the ripple effects of systemic racism in medicine, and how landmark moments like the murder of George Floyd reshaped the medical community’s response to equity. To conclude, they discuss the power of mentorship, the future of precision equity, and how research can move beyond data to real interventions that save lives. 

// RESOURCES // 

ACE Quiz

The landmark 2021 article on pharmacoequity in the Journal of the American Medical Association. : Essien, Utibe R., Stacie B. Dusetzina, and Walid F. Gellad. "A Policy Prescription for Reducing Health Disparities—Achieving Pharmacoequity." JAMA 326, no. 18 (2021): 1793–1794. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.17764.

Pharmacoequity Article: https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/28/pharmacoequity-new-goal-ending-disparities-us-health-care/

The Sum of Us by Heather McGee

// LEARN MORE FROM DR. UTIBE ESSIEN // 

Visit his website uessien.com. 

Follow him on Instagram, @uressienmd.

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Perimenopause and menopause can feel like a hormonal rollercoaster without a roadmap. In this episode of Treated, Dr. Sara unpacks what’s really happening behind the hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, and more than 100 other symptoms women may face during this transition. With insights from cutting-edge research by Dr. Lisa Mosconi, she explains how shifting estrogen, cortisol, and FSH levels affect not just your body– but also your brain, memory, and long-term health.

From practical lifestyle interventions like resistance training and nutrition strategies, to nuanced conversations about bioidentical hormones, Dr. Sara offers a new user manual for navigating this stage of life. 

// REFERENCES // 

Dr. Sara’s Optimal Lab References. 

The Hormone Reset Diet: Dr. Sara Szal's book.

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Visit her website saraszalmd.com.

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Treated, we’re diving headfirst into the dating pool with Sabrina Zohar– a relationship coach and host of The Sabrina Zohar Show– to explore the intersections of love and biology. Known for her direct, no-fluff advice and grounded wisdom, Sabrina blends neuroscience with dating insight to help people heal from their past, regulate their nervous system, and create clarity while they search for their person. 

In this episode, Sabrina joins Dr. Sara to talk about what it actually means to be emotionally available, how trauma shows up in dating, and why so many of us feel most attracted to people who aren’t good for us. Sabrina opens up about her past marriage and the work it took to heal her anxious attachment– which led to her finding her now husband. They break down the difference between anxiety and intuition, how to use your body as a tool for discernment, and why regulating your nervous system is the key to building a real connection. Whether you’re in a single or relationship– this episode is filled with insights about modern dating and how to strengthen connections in your life. 

// LEARN MORE FROM SABRINA ZOHAR // 

Visit her website sabrinazohar.com 

Follow her on Instagram @sabrinazohar and @thesabrinazoharshow.

Check out her podcast, The Sabrina Zohar Show, on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. 

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is the third episode in Treated’s ongoing hormone series, and it’s a must-listen if you’ve ever been told “you’re fine” when you know something’s off. Dr. Sara uncovers the four most commonly misdiagnosed hormone conditions in women—PCOS, endometriosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and perimenopause—and breaks down why symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, irregular periods, and weight changes are so often dismissed as stress. She explains how traditional lab panels often miss early signs, how to track patterns your doctor might overlook,  and how to advocate for the right diagnostic tests and care. At the end, Dr. Sara answers a listener voicemail from a woman recovering from a hysterectomy and offers guidance for navigating surgical perimenopause. If you've ever felt misdiagnosed, dismissed, or gaslit—this episode is your permission slip to dig deeper and take back control of your hormonal health.

// REFERENCES // 

Listen to the first episode in Treated’s Hormone Series, Hormones 101, and the second episode with Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, which explores endometriosis, PCOS, and breast cancer. 

Read, The Hormone Cure, by Dr. Sara. 

Check out Dr. Sara’s website, How to Track Your Blood Sugar and Lab Reference Ranges for Healthy Adults.

Period Tracking Apps: Flo or Clue 

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): Now available over-the-counter.

• Abbott—Libre Rio and Lingo are both over the counter, no prescription needed. https://www.hellolingo.com/. Libre Rio is designed for people ages 18 years and older with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin. Lingo is designed for healthy people who want to improve glucose control and energy.
• Dexcom—you can now purchase Stelo over-the-counter https://www.stelo.com/

Zondervan, K. T., C. M. Becker, and S. A. Missmer. "Endometriosis." New England Journal of Medicine 382, no. 13 (2020): 1244–1256. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1810764.

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you’re struggling with your health in the traditional medical system, it can feel like there’s no real solution. Pill after pill masks the symptoms but never seems to solve the problem. Dr. Darshan Shah is health and wellness specialist, board-certified surgeon, and the founder of Next Health, the world’s first and largest longevity clinic. Today at the age of 52, his biological age is 29. But Dr. Shah’s health wasn’t always like this. At 42, he was suffering from diabetes, auto-immune disease, and hypertension. When his son was born, he realized that with all these conditions, he might not live long enough to see him graduate from college or get married. That’s when he decided to turn his health around. It took some research, but within eight months, he completely transformed his health.

In this conversation, Dr. Shah and Dr. Sara discuss the importance of healthspan over lifespan and care that prioritizes root-cause healing and prevention. They discuss practical tools like wearables, mobility tests you can do at home, fasting, and stress reduction. Then Dr. Shah explains his four-part model for optimal health: lifestyle, functional, preventative, and longevity medicine. Together, they offer a new blueprint for taking control of your health—and creating a future where feeling your best is the new normal.

// LEARN MORE FROM DR. DARSHAN SHAH // 

Check out, Next Health, his health optimization and longevity center.  

Download his free Biomarkers guides here (mentioned in the episode). 

Visit his website drshah.com 

Listen to his podcast, EXTEND. 

Follow him on Instagram, darshanshahmd. 

// REFERENCES // 

Dr. Sara mentioned Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s research on biological age reversal through nutrition:  

Fitzgerald, K. N., T. Campbell, S. Makarem, and R. Hodges. "Potential Reversal of Biological Age in Women Following an 8-Week Methylation-Supportive Diet and Lifestyle Program: A Case Series." Aging (Albany NY) 15, no. 6 (March 22, 2023): 1833–1839. doi:10.18632/aging.204602.

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Microplastics are everywhere– but what are they doing to our bodies and what can we do about it? Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters long. Recently, they have moved from being an environmental concern to a potential human health crisis. Dr. Sara has been tracking them for over 20 years and today, she breaks down what they are, how you're exposed, and who’s most at risk.

Right now, we don’t have large-scale human studies to fully understand the clinical implications. While we wait for the science to catch-up, Dr. Sara shares the signs and symptoms of microplastic buildup and actions you can take today to limit your exposure. 

Microplastics are small but their impact is big and growing. To learn more about them, check out the resources below and make sure to read Dr. Sara’s articles on them (Part One and Part Two). 

// RESOURCES // 

Dr. Sara’s Articles on Microplastics: Part One and Part Two. 

News Reports: 

Barron’s – More Microplastics In Glass Bottles Than Plastic: Study

CNN – ​​Microplastics shed by food packaging are contaminating our food and drink, study finds

Other Articles: 

French Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157525005344

Chaïb, Iseline, et al. “Microplastic Contaminations in a Set of Beverages Sold in France.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 144 (August 2025): 107719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.107719.

Bocker, R., and E. K. Silva. “Microplastics in Our Diet: A Growing Concern for Human Health.” Science of the Total Environment 968 (2025): 178882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178882. 

Li, Y., et al. “Microplastics in the Human Body: A Comprehensive Review of Exposure, Distribution, Migration Mechanisms, and Toxicity.” Science of the Total Environment 946 (2024): 174215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174215. 

Luo, Q., et al. “Microplastics as an Emerging Threat to Human Health: An Overview of Potential Health Impacts.” Journal of Environmental Management 387 (2025): 125915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125915.

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If your cycle is unpredictable, you’re growing hairs where you shouldn't, and your period is acting like a rebellious teenager: this episode is for you. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi (Dr. A) is an OB/GYN and leading expert in endometriosis and PCOS, who has dedicated her life to raising awareness and advancing women's health. You may have heard of her through her popular podcast, SHEMD, and she’s the gynecologist to celebrities like The Kardashians. 

This is the second episode in our Hormone series; if you missed Dr. Sara’s first hormone episode a few weeks ago, go back and listen because it lays the foundation for this conversation. Today, Dr. Sara and Dr. A explore everything you need to know about endometriosis and PCOS. From what they are, to how she diagnoses them, and why they’re so underdiagnosed. Dr. A discusses the epidemic of medical gaslighting among women, how big pharma creates a vicious cycle with pain medication, and why 75% of PCOS patients have eating disorders. She also shares her passion for spreading awareness about breast cancer. Dr. A wants every woman to understand her lifetime risk, which can be calculated using a specific tool (linked here and in the resources below). While 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 85% of those cases occur in women with no family history. To finish, Dr. A shares her own experience with breast cancer, including how she faced medical gaslighting and advocated for herself to undergo a double mastectomy. You don’t want to miss this one—it’s informative, energizing, and moving.

// RESOURCES // 

Click here to get SaraSzalMD Lab reference range

MyRisk by Myriad: A genetic test for cancer-causing genes and breast cancer risk calculation.

Breast Cancer Lifetime Risk Calculator: Dr. A has a questionnaire on to calculate this risk

The Surrender Experiment: The book that Dr. A found helpful during her breast cancer journey

// LEARN MORE FROM DR. THAÏS ALIABADI // 

Listen to her podcast, SHEMD.

Visit her website draliabadi.com. 

Follow her on Instagram, @drthaisaliabadi, @shemd.

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, Dr. Sara and longevity expert Kayla Barnes-Lentz dive deep into the emerging science of microplastics, detox pathways, and personalized medicine. Drawing from Kayla’s recent lab work—which included elevated BPA (bisphenol A) levels and genetic vulnerabilities—they explore how chronic exposure to environmental toxins affects hormones, inflammation, and long-term health. Together, they discuss how to interpret genomics like the 3x4 panel, why methylation and inflammation matter for women’s health, and what proactive steps can be taken to reduce toxic load—from cod liver oil and cruciferous vegetables to advanced biomarker testing. This conversation is the first of many focused on data-driven protocols for female optimization—rooted in science and grounded in lived experience.

Get Dr. Sara’s Lab References Ranges Guide in Healthy Adults Here. 

// LEARN MORE FROM KAYLA BARNES-LENTZ // 

Listen to her podcast, Longevity Optimization with Kayla Barnes-Lentz.

Visit her website kaylabarnes.com. 

Watch her routine for longevity. 

Follow her on Instagram @kaylabarnes.  

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Hormones 101—the first episode in Dr. Sara’s deep-dive hormone series. In this foundational solo, Dr. Sara breaks down what hormones are, why they matter, and how imbalances can impact everything from mood and metabolism to sleep, libido, and energy. She introduces the “Big Five” hormones—cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid—explaining their distinct roles, how they interact, and why cortisol calls the shots. Dr. Sara also unpacks underdiagnosed conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, and reveals how modern life, chronic stress, environmental toxins, and medical gaslighting contribute to widespread hormonal dysfunction. You’ll walk away with practical steps for testing and balancing your hormones through lifestyle changes. This episode is all about understanding your biochemistry and learning how to advocate for better care.

// REFERENCES // 

Get Dr. Sara’s Lab Reference Ranges Guide in Healthy Adults Here. 

Listen to her episode with Andrew Huberman. 

Read her book, The Hormone Cure. 

JAMA study from 2023 (regarding subclinical hypothyroidism and cognitive decline): Papaleontiou, M., and J. P. Brito. "Disentangling the Association Between Excess Thyroid Hormone and Cognition in Older Adults." JAMA Internal Medicine 183, no. 12 (2023): 1332–1333. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.5618.

Fertility in Sterility in 2023 review (regarding luteal phase progesterone deficiency and infertility): Raperport, C., E. Chronopoulou, R. Homburg, et al. "Endogenous Progesterone in Unexplained Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 40 (2023): 509–524.

2024 study (regarding men with low progesterone, estradiol/testosterone ratios, and visceral adiposity): Mauvais-Jarvis, F., and S. H. Lindsey. "Metabolic Benefits Afforded by Estradiol and Testosterone in Both Sexes: Clinical Considerations." Journal of Clinical Investigation 134, no. 17 (September 3, 2024): e180073. doi:10.1172/JCI180073.

2023 meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry (regarding mindfulness and salivary cortisol)

Vargas-Uricoechea, H., A. Castellanos-Pinedo, K. Urrego-Noguera, H. D. Vargas-Sierra, M. V. Pinzón-Fernández, E. Barceló-Martínez, and A. F. Ramírez-Giraldo. "Mindfulness-Based Interventions and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: A Systematic Review." Neurology International 16, no. 6 (November 20, 2024): 1552–1584. doi:10.3390/neurolint16060115.

Sanada, K., J. Montero-Marin, M. Alda Díez, M. Salas-Valero, M. C. Pérez-Yus, H. Morillo, M. M. Demarzo, M. García-Toro, and J. García-Campayo. "Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Salivary Cortisol in Healthy Adults: A Meta-Analytical Review." Frontiers in Physiology 7 (October 19, 2016): 471. doi:10.3389/fphys.2016.00471.

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you always feel a sense of urgency—like you’re on edge, reactive to everything around you? Or, on the other hand, shut down and withdrawn? Then you may be experiencing dysregulation. Dysregulation occurs when the body and mind fall out of balance and struggle to return to a neutral state. Today, clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera (@theholisticpsychologist) joins Treated to explore how and why so many of us live in a constant state of dysregulation. 

Dr. Sara and Dr. Nicole discuss how our early environments shape the way we respond to stress as adults, what a healthy stress response looks like versus a chronically dysregulated one, and why women are more susceptible to dysregulation. Then they dive into the importance of taking a “bottom-up” approach to healing and explore the role cortisol plays in keeping us stuck in survival mode.Throughout the episode, Dr. Nicole shares personal stories from her own healing journey—from the impact of her mother’s emotional withdrawal during childhood, to using substances to self-regulate in high school, and even how her mother’s stress during pregnancy contributed to her chronic anxiety. To close, Dr. Sara and Dr. Nicole offer practical tools for regulating the nervous system– from setting boundaries to improving sleep.

// LEARN MORE FROM DR. NICOLE LEPERA // 

Visit his website theholisticpsychologist.com

Follow her on Instagram @theholisticpsychologist. 

Purchase all of her books through her website, How To Be The Love You Seek, How To Meet Yourself, How To Do The Work.  

 // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //

If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated 

Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara

Watch Treated on YouTube

 Produced by Dear Media. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.