I’m delighted to have Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge back on the show again! She was with me before in Episode 174. Dr. Roseann is an incredible pediatric mental health expert who utilizes traditional and non-traditional modalities for her patient population. She joins me today to discuss the role of Myo-inositol from a mood and mental health perspective. We dive into what Myo-inositol does in the body, what depletes it, and how the gut and the brain connect with the vagus nerve. We talk about the mental health benefits of Myo-inositol and how it impacts mood disorders- specifically eating disorders and binge eating, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress and anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. We also get into Dr. Roseann’s unique ways of calming the autonomic nervous system and brain inflammation, the current medical model and its limitations, and the impact of trauma. I sincerely hope you enjoy listening to today’s interesting and informative conversation with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The benefits of Myo-inositol. The impact of having low magnesium in the body. How to protect yourself from the depletion of the microbiome. Why it is essential to listen to your body. The connection between the gut and the vagus nerve. How the magic in mental health is in the micro-changes. Where to start when helping a teenager or young adult struggling with OCD, anxiety, or depression. Why is it important to reframe negative thoughts? What happens when the brain is dysregulated? What is going on in the brain when we’re under stress? The root cause of mental illness. What you can do to improve your brain health. The role of trauma in mood disorders. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge On her website Dr. Roseann’s podcast, It’s Gonna Be OK! Ep. 174 – Identifying and Treating Your Children’s Mental Health: How We Can Be Their Greatest Support with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

I am honored to have Dr. Stephanie Estima back on the show today! (She was with me before in 2020, on Episode 123.) Dr. Estima is an exceptionally well-read and well-versed individual! She is an expert on female metabolism and body composition, the author of a fantastic resource called the Betty Body, and the host of an incredible podcast called The Better Podcast.  Dr. Estima is one of my favorite voices in the health and wellness space! She and I dive into an Ask Me Anything format today. We speak at length about the ideal percentage of body fat for perimenopause and menopause, thyroid health, the impact of diastasis, and weight training based on that core imbalance. We discuss the Gardasil vaccine, optimal nutrients, Hashimoto’s, period cramps, and general PMS symptoms- particularly with inter-uterine devices. We also get into sleep basics, supplement support, the role of parasympathetic days and hormesis, and talk about load management and optimization.  I know you will love today’s conversation with Dr. Stephanie Estima! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What is diastasis recti, and how do you treat it? Dr. Estima dives into pelvic floor rehabilitation. The mortality risk versus the benefit of the Gardasil vaccine. What causes low Oestrogen? What happens when you have low estradiol? Why patients often tend to be confused about what they should be doing. Stress management in autoimmune diseases. What hormones can be the most impactful on body fat? How women can overcome insulin resistance. The side effects of the copper IUD. How to support undisturbed sleep.  How to get the best sleep of your cycle in the luteal phase.  How to eat to support the luteal phase. How to optimize your load management.    Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Stephanie Estima On Instagram  On her weekly podcast, Better! With Dr. Stephanie, where she explores the human potential, hormones, metabolism, and a life well-lived. Get a copy of Dr. Stephanie Estima’s #1 bestselling book, The Betty Body: A Geeky Goddess' Guide to Intuitive Eating, Balanced Hormones, and Transformative Sex Episode 123 – Menstruation, Muscle, Maternity, & Metabolism: What Every Woman Should Know with Dr. Stephanie Estima

Today, I am honored to connect with Jason Wachob, the co-author of The Joy of Wellbeing!  Jason is the Co-CEO of mindbodygreen, the leading independent media brand dedicated to wellbeing, and the host of the mindbodygreen Podcast, on which I recently had the honor of being a guest. In this episode, Jason shares his and his wife, Colleen’s backstory, and their pain-to-purpose mission, and we dive into the role of longevity, epigenetics, joy span, and the impact of the lack of connection and loneliness during the pandemic. We discuss social media algorithms, nutrition concerns over tribalism, bio-individuality, the processed food industry, exercise, and hormesis. We also talk about forever chemicals and toxins and how they impact our health. I loved reading Jason and Colleen’s new book, The Joy of Wellbeing, and I sincerely hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Jason! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Jason and Colleen’s health issues motivated them to create mindbodygreen. How Colleen re-assessed what was important in her life, and where she wanted to be, after being diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. The importance of nutrition and sleep. The power of epigenetics. How the science of longevity has advanced tremendously. How crisis tends to amplify what is already wrong in the world.  The importance of connection.  The importance of incorporating exercise and movement into your day. The role of sarcopenia.  The benefits of intermittent fasting and hormetic stressors. The impact of forever chemicals in the world. Why is it essential to be thoughtful about where you spend your money?   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Jason Wachob Websites: mindbodygreen and The Joy of Wellbeing  The mindbodygreen Podcast Jason and mindbodygreen on Instagram Jason and mindbodygreen on Twitter Additional social handles: @mindbodygreen Book The Joy of Well-Being: A Practical Guide to a Happy, Healthy, and Long Life

I am delighted to have my good friend and fan-favorite, Dr. Tabatha Barber, joining me again to share her wisdom on the podcast!  Dr. Tabatha is a triple board-certified OB/GYN specializing in menopause and functional medicine. She has a wonderful podcast called The Gutsy Gynecologist Show and is often referred to affectionately as the Gutsy Gynecologist. Dr. Tabatha was with me in two previous podcast episodes, #206 and #212, and both are in the top twenty downloaded podcasts in the last 18 months! Many women suffer unnecessarily when going through perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Tabatha and I have an AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode today. We discuss weight gain related to perimenopause and menopause, issues with estrogen replacement therapy, how libido can be impacted by many different factors, how to address a partial hysterectomy and HRT, and bioidenticals versus synthetic hormones. We also get into lab work, skin reactions relative to perimenopause and menopause, emotional eating, leptin resistance, and many other topics.  I’m grateful for all the great questions and have no doubt this episode with Dr. Tabatha will be another fan-favorite! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why do too much estrogen and too little estrogen both cause weight gain?  How fragrances and plastic contribute to the imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. How changing to organic tampons and pads, or using a Diva cup, can be a game-changer for women. Should women who have had a partial hysterectomy and are on HRT still check progesterone and testosterone levels and fast like a post-menopausal female? Dr. Tabatha shares her thoughts on plain estradiol versus Biest and Triest. Dr. Tabatha offers her recommendations for a healthy 48-year-old female with zero libido. What can a 17-year-old with high testosterone do to get her testosterone level within the normal range? Is there a biological or mindset issue at play if you never feel full and always want to eat, irrespective of how healthy or satisfying the foods you eat are? The benefits of fasting.  What can we do to support our pelvic joints? How do our hormones affect our skin? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Tabatha Barber On her website The Gutsy Gynecologist Show Episode 206 Pt 1: A Deep Dive into Perimenopause- Hormonal Imbalances and Birth Control with Dr. Tabatha Barber Episode 212 Pt. 2: A Deep Dive into Hormonal Imbalances and Menopause with Dr. Tabatha Barber Books mentioned: The XX Brain by Lisa Mosconi

I am delighted to have Jessie Inchauspe, the Glucose Goddess, joining me on the podcast today! Metabolic health is my passion! It is a huge area of focus in my work, and Jessie is truly a gift in the space! She is a rising star author and biochemist with a clear and accessible way of explaining the science behind glucose metabolism.  Jessie joins me today to discuss the impact of glucose metabolism and spikes. We dive into her background and how an accident created her pain-to-purpose story. We discuss the role of continuous glucose monitors and how glucose spikes impact our mitochondria, inflammation, and oxidative stress. We get into glycation and aging, how weight gain is a protective aspect of glucose spikes- or hyperglycemia, and the role of vinegar, movement, and fiber. We also talk about Jessie’s new book, her opinions on fasting, and so much more.  I loved interviewing Jessie! Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it is easy to understand why she is such a beloved author in the health and wellness space! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Jessie shares how an accident led her to where she is today. How a continuous glucose monitor changed everything for Jessie. How Jessie came up with her simple principles to steady glucose levels. What is the purpose of glucose in the body? How do glucose spikes impact our mitochondria? Jessie shares a fascinating vinegar hack for reducing side effects and symptoms of glucose spikes. How being metabolically unhealthy impacts the aging process. The benefits of having savory breakfasts and eating vegetables first with every meal. Jessie talks about her new book, The Glucose Goddess Method. How gaining weight protects our bodies from the impact of glucose spikes. How walking or moving after meals balances blood sugar levels. Why is blood sugar so important? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Jessie Inchauspe On her website   On Instagram Jessie’s books The Glucose Goddess Method Glucose Revolution

I’m honored to connect with Dr. Anurag Singh today!  Dr. Anurag Singh is the Chief Medical Officer at Timeline Nutrition, where they develop next-generation advanced nutritional and skincare products targeting improvements in mitochondrial and cellular health. His background is in internal medicine and immunology. He has authored over 40 articles for top science journals and has more than 15 patents. He has designed and led more than 50 randomized controlled studies.  Today, Dr. Singh and I dive into his background, key biological hallmarks of aging, what accelerates aging, and what we can do to address aging proactively. We discuss sarcopenia, mitochondrial health, the gut microbiome, supplementation, and the differences between prebiotics, probiotics, and post-biotics. We also get into the benefits of Mitopure and the research behind it. Mitopure is a supplement I have been taking for several years. I feel it has been instrumental in improving and maintaining the mass and strength of my muscles. Research has been emerging specific to brain health and cognition, immune and metabolism, and topical applications of Mitopure. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The key biological hallmarks of aging. How healthy lifestyle choices can contribute to our health and longevity. How can improving our mitochondrial health impact our lives and delay some of the comorbidities of aging? The key role nutrition plays in everything we do, including how we age. Some of the biggest contributors to the aging process. Five lifestyle choices that can benefit mitochondrial health.  Dr. Singh gives a simple view of the mitochondrial life cycle and shares his approach to mitochondrial health. How Urolithin A was discovered, and how it works. The difference between prebiotics, probiotics, and post-biotics. Dr. Singh discusses the research that resulted in the advent of Mitopure. Dr. Singh dives into the natural aging process of muscles and sarcopenia. Why is it critically important to boost and maintain our muscular health? How modern-day lifestyles impact the gut microbiome. What are all the benefits of Mitopure? Bio: Anurag Singh is currently Chief Medical Officer at Timeline Nutrition, which develops next-generation advanced nutritional and skincare products targeting improvements in mitochondrial and cellular health. With an M.D. in internal medicine and a Ph.D. in immunology, his experience includes work at top consumer health (Nestlé, Nestlé Health Science) and startup companies (Amazentis/Timeline). He’s authored > 40 articles for top science journals, been awarded >15 patents, and has designed and led > 50 randomized clinical trials. His research over the past decade across multiple clinical trials on the postbiotic Urolithin A and its health benefits has led to the launch of multiple consumer products. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Anurag Singh Websites are: https://www.timelinenutrition.com/ and https://www.mitopure.com/ 

I am delighted to connect with Dr. Anshul Gupta today!  Dr. Gupta is a best-selling author, speaker, researcher, and world expert on Hashimoto’s. He educates people worldwide on reversing Hashimoto’s disease. He is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician who worked at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic alongside Dr. Mark Hyman. In this episode, Dr. Gupta shares his personal story, and we speak about the root of autoimmunity, how Hashimoto’s causes the slow destruction of the thyroid gland, and the impact of chronic stress, food, and an imbalanced gut microbiome. We also talk about toxins and infections, labs to look out for, fasting and thyroid disease, as well as medication options, peptides, and the issues surrounding iodine supplementation.  I sincerely hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with Dr. Gupta as much as I did recording it!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Gupta’s personal health journey sparked his passion for thyroid issues. What is autoimmunity, and what is Hashimoto’s? How increasing doses of thyroid medication indicates a deterioration of the thyroid gland. Dr. Gupta shares five major root causes of Hashimoto’s. Why do foods like gluten and dairy make it much harder for the thyroid gland to function? Why are heavy metals such a big issue? The impact of exposure to mold and mycotoxins. How the Epstein-Barr virus interacts with the thyroid, to make people more susceptible to Hashimoto’s. How does exposure to stress impact thyroid function? Some natural ways to detoxify the body. Dr. Gupta talks about lab testing for the thyroid and Hashimoto’s. The benefits of fasting for mitochondrial health- particularly for people with thyroid issues.  Dr. Gupta discusses different medication options for people with Hashimoto’s, including peptides and LDN (low-dose naltrexone). Dr. Gupta shares his thoughts on iodine. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Anshul Gupta On his website On YouTube and other social media (@AnshulGuptaMD)

I’m delighted to connect with Dr. Izabella Wentz today! She is a PharmD, an internationally acclaimed thyroid specialist, and a licensed pharmacist who has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disease. She is also the author of three books. Her most recent book is The Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Dr. Wentz joins me to dive into how to identify what is going on with our adrenal health and why adrenal issues tend to occur along with thyroid issues. We speak about her background and how it influenced her life’s work, the myth of adrenal fatigue, and HPA dysfunction. We also discuss the physiology of the adrenals, acute versus chronic stress, signs of a dysregulated HPA axis, lifestyle, the impact of trauma, and how Dr. Wentz’s protocol works.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Wentz explains what led her to write The Adrenal Protocol. What happens in the body when we experience significant amounts of fatigue? How the physical impact of acute stress differs from that of chronic stress. Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction (other than chronic fatigue). How does sleep apnea tie to Hashimoto’s and mitochondrial health? Lifestyle factors that may contribute to adrenal fatigue. Adaptogens and supplements that can assist in balancing cortisol levels. How to know when to cut back on exercise. Foods that support thyroid and adrenal health, and foods that could negatively impact thyroid and adrenal health. What is molecular mimicry? How does trauma impact adrenal health? Dr. Wentz talks about her latest book, The Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Something you can do right now to improve your adrenal health. Bio: Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP, is an internationally acclaimed thyroid specialist and a licensed pharmacist who has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disease after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009. She is the author of three books on Hashimoto’s: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology, and Hashimoto’s Protocol, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller. Dr. Wentz currently lives in Texas with her husband, Michael, and their son, Dimitry. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Izabella Wentz On her website On Facebook and Instagram Get Dr. Wentz’s adrenal healing guide: The ABCs of Adrenal Support Find Dr. Wentz’s new book, The Adrenal Transformation Protocol  Books mentioned: From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum

Everyday Wellness Podcast – Episode 265 – Love From the Inside Out: The Key to Living a Fulfilling Life with Robert Mack I have the honor of connecting with Robert Mack today! He is an Ivy-League-educated Positive Psychology Expert, Celebrity Happiness Coach, Executive Coach, and Published Author. He recently released the book Love from the Inside Out: Lessons and Inspiration for Loving Yourself, Your Life, and Each Other.  We dive into Robert’s background in applied positive psychology and the influences of experts like Byron Katie and Martin Seligman, the founder of Positive Psychology. We discuss happiness, the potentiality of partners, adversity, resiliency, and love. Robert also gets into daily habits that can help us become healthier and happier humans.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Robert dives into his motivation for getting into applied positive psychology. Most people believe that happiness comes from external circumstances. However, research shows it does not. How simplicity contributes to a happy life. Robert shares the formula for happiness. How inner work makes a meaningful, lasting, and sustainable change to our happiness score. How happiness tends to lead to and facilitate success. What contributes to the general perception that happiness comes from external forces? What love is, and how it relates to happiness. How to make college a happier experience. How to become more focused and present. How to remain present when triggered. Robert talks about surrender. Bio: Robert is an Ivy-League-educated Positive Psychology Expert, Celebrity Happiness Coach, Executive Coach, and Published Author. Robert studied under the direction of Martin Seligman, the founder of Positive Psychology, at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). UPenn is the only institution in the world to offer a Master’s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology. Robert's work has been endorsed by Oprah, Vanessa Williams, and many others, and he has been seen on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Access Hollywood, E!, OWN, GQ, Self, Health, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. Robert's first book, Happiness from the Inside Out: The Art and Science of Fulfillment, is celebrity-endorsed and critically acclaimed. His most recent release, Love from the Inside Out: Lessons and Inspiration for Loving Yourself, Your Life, and Each Other, is a best-seller. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Robert Mack On his website On social media: @robmackofficial  Find Robert’s books Happiness from the Inside Out: The Art and Science of Fulfillment Love from the Inside Out: Lessons and Inspiration for Loving Yourself, Your Life, and Each Other

I am honored to connect with Esther Blum today! She is the bestselling author of "Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat," "Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous," and most recently, "See Ya Later, Ovulator!". Esther currently maintains a busy virtual practice where she helps women balance hormones, lose stubborn body fat, and treat the root cause of health struggles.  Today we speak about medical gaslighting, how weight gain does not have to be a part of aging, andropause and menopause, and the Women’s Health Initiative. We dive into physical changes and significant symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, the role of the pelvic floor, deciphering what the dreaded “menopot” is, what does not work, and advocacy in terms of testing and hormones. We also address constipation, weight loss resistance, and how our tolerance for alcohol changes as we age, especially when using bioidenticals or hormone replacement therapy.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How women can redefine their experience and continue having an active sex life after menopause. How to surrender, lean in, and take the pressure off yourself while going through perimenopause and menopause. Why is there so much misinformation and medical gaslighting in our society? Why Esther wrote See Ya Later, Ovulator! Some common symptoms of perimenopause. Risks women may face after a hysterectomy. Changes that happen in the vaginal canal and pelvic floor during menopause. The significant and profound impact of the decline of sex hormones. How to avoid weight gain in menopause. What can menopausal women do to prevent fatty liver and digestive problems? Lab tests women should be asking their health providers for. Why should perimenopausal women avoid alcohol?  Some simple ways to address constipation. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Esther Blum On her website On Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn Get your free copy of Esther’s Happy Hormone Cocktail Esther’s Books Esther’s book, See Ya Later, Ovulator!, by Esther Blum Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat, by Esther Blum Eat, Drink, and Be Happy, by Esther Blum

Today I am honored to connect with my good friend and multiple-time past guest, Ben Azadi!  Ben was most recently with me on Podcasts #149 and #101. He is a prolific social media star and a fasting and ketogenic dieting expert. He is known as “The Health Detective” because he investigates dysfunction and educates, not medicates, to return the body to normal function. Ben is the founder of Keto Kamp and the popular Keto Kamp podcast. Today, Ben and I use an Ask Me Anything format and dive into listener questions. We talk about the nuances of macronutrients, fasting, and supplements. We discuss gut health and how changing your diet and intermittent fasting can help the body realign and be better balanced. We get into troubleshooting with fasting, including insomnia-related issues, and we also discuss the DUTCH test and how it can be beneficial in conjunction with other lab tests. I love doing AMAs, and I hope you will enjoy listening to my conversation with Ben Azadi. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Serita asks how to keep her energy up while on a keto diet and fasting. Mary Julie wants to know what is happening inside her body when her ketones are 1.8, but her glucose is 115, 19 hours into a fast. How does losing sex hormones when approaching perimenopause and menopause make women less metabolically flexible? Why is it essential to stay hydrated and get enough good quality sleep every night? How circadian rhythm impacts our metabolic flexibility. How breathing exercises can help us get into the parasympathetic state. Janie would like to know how much protein her body can absorb at once and how much protein she should consume over a 24-hour period. Suzanne lives a clean lifestyle and wants to know if there is a way to shift the metabolism of estrogen away from the 4OH pathway. (She is referring to the DUTCH test. A listener asks how to use fasting to help with candida. Michaela was recently diagnosed with gallstones and has one blocked duct. She read that saturated fat is not good for her condition, so she wants to know what she can eat to stay on keto. Lena has been doing strict keto with OMAD for three months, but her GGT is very high. She asks if that could be due to fasting. Why we tend to experience insomnia while doing a ketogenic diet, and how to address chronic insomnia patterns. Mary Jo wants to know when to take my creatine supplement powder. Ben and I discuss the supplements we use. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Ben Azadi On his website On Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok The Keto Kamp Podcast Ben Azadi Speaker Reel Episode 149 – Keto Flex, Feasting and Fasting: Bringing the Body Back to Normal  Episode 101 Keto and Fasting the RIGHT Way with Ben Azadi Books mentioned: The Circadian Diabetes Code by Dr. Satchin Panda Wheat Belly by William Davis Super Gut by William Davis Breath by James Nestor

I am honored to reconnect with Dr. Tracy Gapin today. He is a board-certified urologist and men’s health expert.  The current state of metabolic health in the United States and most westernized countries has sparked a great interest in a GLP1 agonist, AKA Semaglutide Ozempic. So I wanted to talk to a clinician actively utilizing this medication. Dr. Gapin and I discuss what this drug class represents. (These are synthetic peptides.) We speak about Semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, and oral Rybelsus. We get into current research, side effects, who should not take these medications, and the mechanisms of action specific to the pancreas and beta cells, reductions, gastric emptying, and the upregulation of satiety. We discuss changes in the brain regarding leptin and how these drugs work. We also talk about weight loss resistance, and I answer questions from listeners.  From my perspective, it all comes back to basics. I believe that if we are to prescribe these medications, we must help our patients understand how lifestyle impacts weight-loss resistance and metabolic health. I loved that Dr. Tracy spent some time talking about the specific ways he works with his patients, even before prescribing medications. He also explains how important he has felt this drug has been for his patients. I approached today’s conversation with an open mind, and I hope you will do the same. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How the GLP1 agonists help Dr. Tracy motivate his patients to lose weight. What are GLP1 agonists, and how do they work? The physical benefits of GLP1 agonists. Who is Semaglutide not appropriate for? Some of the common side-effects of GLP1 agonists. How those who fail to implement lifestyle changes when they stop using Semaglutide may regain all the weight they lost. Why it is essential to stay hydrated when using Semaglutide. Why you need to eat enough food- protein in particular when taking Semaglutide. How to follow the metrics that matter. Some factors that could hinder successful weight loss. What Dr. Tracy does to ensure his patients do not regain the weight they lost after they stop using Semaglutide. Listener questions: Why is a diabetic drug being used for non-diabetics? Does this drug target muscle versus fat in terms of weight loss? For how long do most patients take it? Are there unique characteristics in perimenopausal and menopausal women that must be accounted for differently? Bio: Dr. Tracy Gapin is a board-certified urologist, a world-renowned men’s health & performance expert, and the founder of the Gapin Institute, the global leader in High-Performance Health.  He has over 20 years of experience focused on men’s health optimization, human performance, and longevity, providing executives & entrepreneurs a personalized path to fulfill their highest potential. He’s been featured in Entrepreneur, Dave Asprey’s Biohacking Conference, and as a TEDx speaker. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Tracy Gapin On his website Gapin Institute Text “Health” to 26786 to receive 10 Secrets to High-Performance Health and a free copy of Dr. Gapin’s book.

I have the honor of reconnecting with Scott Emmens today! Scott is the COO of MD Logic and a fellow health entrepreneur.  Scott and I dive into Myo-inositol, one of my latest and favorite supplements! We explain what it is, its mechanism of action, and how it impacts the blood-brain barrier. We discuss its clinical considerations, relevant research regarding metabolic health, sleep, sleep architecture, and how we supplement ourselves. We also get into how we create Myo-inositol in our bodies, factors that could deplete endogenous Myo-inositol, and why supplementation can be beneficial. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What Myo-inositol is and what it does.  Why I decided to make Myo-inositol my next supplement. How does a supplement containing sugar alcohol support metabolic health? How Myo-inositol benefits metabolic health. Will it break your fast if you use Myo-inositol in a fasted state? What is the mechanism of action of Myo-inositol in the cells? How Myo-inositol impacts the blood-brain barrier and neurotransmitter pathways. How Myo-inositol may reduce inflammation and impact thought-processing. Why is it critically important to maintain metabolic health throughout our lifetime? Some natural sources of Myo-inositol. How our modern lifestyles can impact our ability to create endogenous Myo-inositol and make it harder to keep the levels optimized in the body. How Myo-inositol improves the entire sleep structure. What distinguishes MD Logic from other similar companies? Bio: Scott Emmens is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of MD Logic Health. His interest in BIOHACKING and nutrition began in college as an amateur natural bodybuilder and Biology major. While in college he sought to teach others how to stay strong, lean, and fit via recovery. It was in college he created his first fitness system and a 30-page booklet called “The Natural Body Building System” He continues to be on the cutting edge of bio-optimization and utilizes ice baths “cold immersion” photobiomodulation commonly referred to as redlight and infrared therapies among many nutrition and fasting techniques.  Scott utilized his knowledge and love of biology and fitness to help drive his career in Biotech where he held a variety of roles as a Sales Leader, Disease Education Awareness Director, Director of Operations, and executive. In 2018 Scott was the lead founder of Olaregen therapeutics (Pronounced Ola-Region therapeutics.) Specializing in wound and skin care using nutrients, peptides, and collagen for a variety of skin conditions.   During his 20 years as Biotech founder and executive, Scott focused on a blend of integrative and allopathic medicine. Working within many complex therapeutic areas, including neurology, rare disease, asthma, and diabetes. Scott has held various strategic and operational roles preparing him to be both a health advocate and entrepreneur. His personal mission is to help people become their own health advocates while providing them with the knowledge and resources to be physically spiritually and emotionally fit. Ultimately leading Scott to create MD Logic Health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Scott Emmens MD Logic HealthOn Instagram (@longevityprotocol) On TikTok (@collagenguru) Go to www.cynthiathurlow.com/inositol to get 25% off Myo-inositol between the 11th and the 19th of March and 15% off between the 20th and the 31st of March. Episode 244 - The Metabolic Effects of Creatine Monohydrate: Its Evidence of Efficacy for Muscle & Brain Health with Scott Emmens and Kara Lazauskas

I am happy to connect with Dr. William Li today! He is a world-renowned physician, scientist, speaker, and author. He is known for leading the Angiogenesis Foundation, and his groundbreaking work has impacted more than 70 diseases. He is also a Ted-X speaker and the author of Eat to Beat Your Diet, one of my favorite books thus far this year.  Dr. Li’s latest book is about what happens in the body, how it should operate, and the steps we can take to restore the body to its hard-wired level. We dive into how body fat impacts our health, the role of metabolism throughout our lifetime, the differences between the three fat-impacting hormones, including leptin, adiponectin, and resistin, and gender differences. We speak about new drugs like Ozempic and Semaglutide, the role of brown fat, the impact of the microbiome and specific bacteria, and we also discuss nutrition and lifestyle. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why Dr. Li chose this time to write his latest book.  Why Dr. Li believes 60 is the new 20. The four stages of metabolism all humans have been hard-wired to go through throughout their lifespan. How does excess body fat derail the metabolism, and how can we unleash our inner metabolism? Why is it better to eat slowly? Why should we learn to respect and tame our fat instead of hating or fearing it? Dr. Li shares his views on new prescription drugs like Ozempic and Semaglutide. Dr. Li shares some interesting facts about body fat. Changes that occur in our body fat distribution as we get older. How can we help our bodies fight excess body fat, let our inner metabolism come to the surface, and lower inflammation by being aware and mindful? How modern-day lifestyle choices contribute to metabolic disease. Dr. Li gets into the interplay between the gut microbiome and our metabolism and the role of Akkermansia.  Some everyday foods contain natural chemicals that can activate our body’s health defenses, tame the metabolism and fight body fat. BIO William W. Li, MD, is an internationally renowned physician, scientist, and New York Times bestselling author of the forthcoming book “Eat to Beat Your Diet: Burn Fat, Heal Your Metabolism, Live Longer”. His groundbreaking work has led to the development of more than 30 new medical treatments and impacts care for more than 70 diseases, including cancer, diabetes, blindness, heart disease, and obesity. His TED Talk, “Can We Eat to Starve Cancer?” has garnered more than 11 million views. Dr. Li has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC, LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, and the Rachael Ray Show, and he has been featured in USA Today, Time Magazine, The Atlantic, and O Magazine. He is the president and medical director of the Angiogenesis Foundation. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. William Li On his website On social media: @DrWilliamLi Dr. William Li’s latest book, Eat to Beat Your Diet: Burn Fat, Heal Your Metabolism, and Live Longer is available from most bookstores.

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, particularly in terms of perimenopause, menopause, and hormones. The less common labs that 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 Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Marcelle Pick On her website    On Facebook and Instagram All of Marcelle’s books are available on Amazon

I am honored to reconnect with Dave Asprey today! He is the renowned father of biohacking and a New York Times bestselling author.  Dave would like a world where we all have enough free time and peace to be at full power! In this episode, he and I have a no-nonsense conversation about his newest book, Smarter Not Harder, which is my favorite of all his books! We dive into the impact of the pandemic, the art and science of environment, the laziness principle, homeostasis, and the concept behind “slope with the curve” thinking. We discuss anti-nutrients, the biohacking pathway, REHIIT training, and various other cellular hacks, including hypoxification and specialized breathing, and how trauma pertains to becoming a more efficient human. I also ask Dave about his favorite supplements. I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with Dave Asprey as much as I did recording it!    IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why Dave chose to write his latest book now. How Dave’s book can help you achieve homeostasis. The 5 goals in Dave’s book that he recommends for people focus on, one at a time. A fundamental mistake that people in the world of health and fitness often make.  How the “slope with the curve” biology works. How you can save energy with biohacking. The benefits of REHIT (Reduced Energy High-Intensity Interval Training). Some foods that can negatively impact our health. Dave shares his thoughts on dairy. Using hypoxification as a cellular biohack. Dave sheds some light on his favorite supplements. The role of trauma resolution. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dave Asprey On his website  Danger Coffee    To open an Upgrade Labs, go to www.ownanupgradelabs.com Books mentioned Men Are from Mars Women Are from Venus by John Gray Dave’s new book, Smarter Not Harder is available from most bookstores.

I am happy to connect with Kristin Rowell today! Kristin is an attorney, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and the CEO and Founder of Energetically Efficient. After spending 16 years building a successful business trial practice, she left to create Energetically Efficient so that she could speak to and coach other high-performers on navigating food, exercise, and other lifestyle practices efficiently. Kristin fell and broke her leg in ten places in 2013. She started meditating and received several nudges from the universe that prompted her to leave her job to pivot and transition into nutritional therapy and coaching. In this episode, she shares her pain-to-purpose story, and we dive into the role of the ego in soul work, common limiting beliefs, energy work, and why weight gain is not a normal function of aging. We also discuss how chronic stress impacts our hormones, lifestyle choices, nutritional detoxification, why muscle is the organ of longevity, and Kristin’s favorite foods to take with her when she travels. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The story behind Kristin’s career transition. Kristin discusses her process of letting go of the ego. What is energy work? Some common limiting beliefs that may prevent people from reaching their full potential. How Kristin helps people recalibrate themselves. Does gaining weight have to go along with aging? Some of the common errors Kristen sees women making.  How Kristin helps her clients detoxify naturally. How often should women do strength training? How to support yourself after a strength training workout. The foods Kristin loves to take along when she travels. Bio: Kristin Rowell is a lawyer, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and CEO/Founder of Energetically Efficient. After spending 16 years building a successful business trial practice, she left to create Energetically Efficient so that she could speak to and coach other high-performers on how to efficiently navigate food, exercise, and other lifestyle practices to maximize their energy and become their best self each day. The foundation of Kristin's coaching centers on energy and consciousness, which makes her unique. Kristin also provides 1:1 coaching to professionals seeking to make a career transition, given that she successfully navigated that transition herself. Kristin is releasing her first cookbook this year, called Eating Efficiently. Kristin lives in Minneapolis with her two gorgeous Golden Retrievers, Catch & Belle. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Kristin Rowell On Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn  On her website

Today I am delighted to connect with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum! He is a pioneer in neuro-optometry and is passionate about unlocking life’s potential through vision. He is an owner and managing doctor at Appelbaum Vision and practices in the Bethesda and Annapolis, Maryland areas. Our brain uses 48-50% of its physiology just for us to be able to see, and there is a very complex interrelationship between the eyes and the brain. In this episode, Dr. Appelbaum and I dive into his background in neuro-optometry and discuss how his family influenced his career trajectory. We get into eye physiology and the differences between vision and sight and explain how eye problems are also brain problems specific to rewiring our brain and processing. We discuss the impact of nutrition on eye health, foods to support vision and eye health, and how electronics impact myopia. We also talk about ways to address screen limits and visual hygiene, traumatic brain injuries, and more. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Appelbaum explains how his passion for eye and vision health began in the first grade and how he helps people turn their visual weaknesses into strengths. Some of the basics of eye physiology. The interrelationship between our eyes and our brains. Why are more vision problems emerging now than ever before- particularly in the younger generations? What is the difference between eyesight and vision? How do our eyes feed information to the rest of our body? Doing vision therapy versus getting stronger prescription lenses as we age. How vision problems can lead to or be misdiagnosed as ADD, ADHD, or dyslexia.  How does electronic use impact eye health? How to practice 20-20-20 for visual hygiene. Dr. Appelbaum shares some recommendations for managing screen time. The interrelationship between nutrition, metabolic health, and eye health. Some dietary guidelines for the brain injury population. Dr. Appelbaum dives into depth perception. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum On the Appelbaum Vision website  ConcussionClear ScreenFit Use code CYNTHIA10 On Instagram Go to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development website to find a doctor board-certified in vision therapy close to where you live.

I am delighted to connect with Maria Claps again and have Kristin Johnson joining us today! Maria is an FDN practitioner, and Kristin is NTP Board-Certified in Holistic Nutrition. They are plainspoken friends and practitioners who share a passion for women's health- especially women's health at midlife.  Maria was one of the very first guests on the podcast, in Episode 12, back in 2018!  In this episode, we dive into Kristin and Maria’s backgrounds and talk about the work they are doing to empower women in perimenopause and beyond and change the cultural narrative around aging for women, secrecy, and shame. We get into some of the changes that occur in middle age, including changes in metabolic homeostasis in our metabolism, muscle, immune function, and brain health. We discuss the need for changes in nutrition, strength training, and Zone 2 training, the role of HRT, common mistakes that get made in navigating HRT and supplementation, and the importance of testing.  I hope you will enjoy listening to our empowering discussion as much as I did recording it! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Kristin and Maria share the experiences that led them to find their calling. Why the traditional narrative around aging for women has to change. Changes that occur in women’s bodies in their late thirties and early forties as a result of changes in the metabolic homeostasis in their metabolism. Why over-exercising and over-restricting can make things worse for women in their late thirties and early forties. The importance of prioritizing and optimizing sleep, and eating enough in perimenopause- especially protein. How women in their late thirties and early forties benefit from a keto diet. The importance of finding and consuming the foods that work best for our bodies. The importance and benefits of strength training for women. The benefits of scheduling Zone 2 cardio workout sessions twice a week for women. The role of hormone replacement therapy. The benefits of a moderate amount of testosterone. Bio Maria, an FDN practitioner, and Kristin, an NTP Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, are plainspoken friends and practitioners who share a passion for women's health, especially women's health at midlife. As both are themselves menopausal, they've refined the art and science of thriving as a midlife woman based on both clinical and personal experience. They combine individualized nutrition and lifestyle changes tailored to midlife women's needs with mindset coaching, lab testing, and hormone replacement therapy education to help women thrive so that they can stop or prevent their health from spinning out of control. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow • Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn • Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Kristin Johnson and Maria Claps On their Wise and Well website  Wise and Well on Instagram Insta-links for the Wise and Well Community content on Instagram: https://wiseandwell.me/insta-links/  Episode 12: There’s No Shame in Healthy Aging with Maria Claps Books mentioned:  The XX Brain by Lisa Mosconi

I am honored to have Dr. Stephen Hussey joining me today. He is a chiropractic doctor with an interest in and a methodology related to cardiovascular disease.  Dr. Hussey suffered from a large STEMI, a type of myocardial infarction or heart attack, and he has been diabetic since childhood. In this episode, we dive into his background and the open-minded curiosity with which he views the world. We talk about statistics related to cardiovascular disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, the impact of Ancel Keys and his research, how cholesterol and statins work in the body, and the causes of heart attacks. We also discuss ways to navigate cardiovascular health proactively and the impact of fasting. I hope you enjoy listening to our discussion as much as I did recording it!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Hussey shares his background and his journey to figuring out how to manage the various physical conditions he suffered from since childhood. Why Dr. Hussey believes heart disease is not just about diet.  The vast number of Americans currently affected by vascular disorders proves that a different and better treatment approach is required. Dr. Hussey discusses the frustration he experienced trying to navigate conversations with traditionally-trained providers. What may prevent western physicians and practitioners from investigating other effective treatment options? What causes mitochondrial dysfunction? Dr. Hussey explains the metabolic theory of cancer. Why is cancer of the heart so rare? How Ancel Keys profoundly impacted American nutritional guidelines and the health of the American population. The benefits of cholesterol and LDL, and the problem with statins. What causes heart attacks? Dr. Hussey shares his take on meal frequency and snacking and how that relates to heart health. Bio: Dr. Stephen Hussey MS, DC, is a Chiropractor and Functional Medicine practitioner. He attained his Doctorate of Chiropractic and a Master's in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States in Portland, OR. He is a health coach, speaker, and the author of two books on health; The Health Evolution: Why Understanding Evolution is the Key to Vibrant Health and Understanding The Heart: Surprising Insights Into The Evolutionary Origins Of Heart Disease - And Why It Matters. Dr. Hussey guides clients from around the world back to health using the latest research and health-attaining strategies. In his downtime, he likes to be outdoors, play sports, read, write, and travel.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Stephen Hussey On his website On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn Dr. Hussey’s book, Understanding the Heart, is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the publisher’s website.

I am excited to connect with one of my favorite neuroscience experts today! Louisa Nicola is at the intersection of neuroscience and athleticism. She helps to bring a fresh understanding of what it takes to achieve peak performance through science-based tools and methods. She is also the host of The Neuro Experience podcast, which focuses on brain health, neuroscience, longevity, and athletics.  Louisa knows how to take complicated subjects related to brain physiology and hormones and explain them so that people can fully understand and appreciate them. In this episode, she and I dive into her background. We speak about her three pillars for peak performance, alcohol, and how sleep impacts the glymphatic system. We get into strategies for better sleep, the perimenopausal brain, how chronobiology impacts sleep, how to address jet lag, and how exercise improves brain performance and health. We also talk about the best foods and supplements for brain health and how creatine improves performance.  I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation as much as I did recording it!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How an accident shifted the trajectory of Louisa’s life.  Louisa unpacks the various stages of sleep and explains why sleep is so important. How sleep impacts the glymphatic system. Some common characteristics of perimenopause. Some simple ways to aid the penetration of naturally secreted hormones into the brain.  How blood pressure fluctuations impact the brain. What is jet lag, and how can we combat it? How does alcohol affect the brain? Louisa explains cardiac remodeling. The value of different types of exercise for brain health. The difference between physical activity and exercise. How our food choices impact our brain health. How to mitigate the effects of traumatic brain injuries. How does creatine monohydrate improve brain performance? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow • Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn • Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Louisa Nicola On Twitter and Instagram  The Neuro Experience Podcast Book mentioned The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi

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: Kevin talks about his background and explains how he developed an interest in bone physiology and bone coaching. How osteopenia differs from osteoporosis. How to find out if you have osteoporosis. How to find out if you are actively losing bone. Some common lifestyle factors that negatively impact bone health. Causes of bone loss and osteoporosis in men and younger women. How sugar damages bone. Problems with the conventional approach to osteopenia and osteoporosis. The importance of addressing osteoporosis proactively. Why we should always look at diet and nutrition before considering supplements.  How melatonin promotes bone health. How chronic stress negatively impacts bone health. The connection between gut health and bone health. Kevin shares his top three recommendations for bone health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Kevin Ellis On his website On Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Kevin’s free Stronger Bones Masterclass 

Today I am honored to connect with my friend and colleague, Dr. Joan Rosenberg! She is a highly-regarded psychologist, master clinician, trainer, consultant, cutting-edge psychologist, and the author of the book 90 Seconds to a Life You Love. Joan is a dear friend who is absolutely brilliant and very wise! She has a broad range of experience, both as a clinician and as a professor. As a clinical psychologist, she is known for her concept of working through uncomfortable feelings. In this episode, we dive into how our childhoods impact our ability to express ourselves and the understanding that if we have the capacity to think, we can change. We discuss uncomfortable feelings, triggers, awareness, and reframing. We speak about experiences versus disconnection, resilience, and the benefits of facing our pain. We also get into the goals of communication, incongruent thoughts and actions, growth, generosity, compliments, and humility.  This conversation is one of my recent favorites! I hope you will love it, too! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How our capacity to think allows us to learn new things and change, regulate our feelings and emotions, and express what we are experiencing. How our childhood impacts our ability to express ourselves and talk about our feelings. Why do we need to develop the skills to express ourselves and regulate our emotions? Why do we want to distract ourselves from unpleasant feelings? How do feelings relate to our experience of aliveness? We have the capacity to shift and change throughout our lifetime. Dr. Joan discusses eight unpleasant feeling states to which most of us can relate. How Dr. Joan helps her patients reframe vulnerability. What helps us build confidence and resilience? What can we do to improve our communication skills? How to deal with incongruence between words and behavior. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow • Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn • Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Joan Rosenberg On her website On Instagram Find Dr. Joan under Dr. Joan Rosenberg on social media Dr. Joan’s Book 90 Seconds to a Life You Love

I have the honor of connecting with Dr. Jeffry Gerber today! He is a board-certified family physician, speaker, author, conference organizer, husband, father, and owner of a medical practice in Colorado, where he is known as “Denver’s Diet Doctor”. He is very savvy regarding low-carb, high-fat, ancestral health, paleo, primal, intermittent fasting, and whole foods. He gets frustrated with spiraling healthcare costs related to treating conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others. Dr. Gerber has been a doctor since 1990. Even though many of his family members were overweight, he knew very little about nutrition for the first ten years and struggled with his patients not having any results. He has always been an independent thinker. So when some of his patients told him they intended to try non-standard diets, like the Atkins or the Suzanne Somers Diet, he supported them. Then he saw that they lost weight, and their metabolic markers improved. In this episode, he and I dive into his background, how he became interested in looking at metabolic health, the impact of our modern-day lifestyles, and the toxic food environment. We speak about deprivation versus mindfulness, common challenges in the current medical system, the role of mitochondria in longevity, and the impact of altitude on our metabolism, carbohydrates, and other macros. We also discuss perimenopause, menopause, andropause, weight loss resistance, the differences between insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance, therapeutic fasting, deep prescribing, and assessing cardiovascular risk. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Gerber evolved from running a family practice to becoming Denver’s Diet Doctor. Dr. Gerber dives into our toxic food environment and explains where things went wrong. The problem with the traditional approach to nutrition. What does shifting the focus from deprivation to mindfulness mean? Why keeping things simple is the best way to eat. Why do we need to avoid fructose and seed oils? How the mitochondria work. What can we do to avoid oxidative stress and improve our mitochondrial health? How does altitude affect metabolism? Some of the common metabolic challenges Dr. Gerber sees in his middle-aged patients. The difference between insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. Dr. Gerber shares his perspective on heart health. Bio: Dr. Jeffry N. Gerber, MD, FAAFP is a board-certified family physician, speaker, author, conference organizer, husband, father, and owner of South Suburban Family Medicine in Littleton, Colorado, where he is known as “Denver’s Diet Doctor”. He has been providing personalized healthcare since 1990 and continues that tradition with an emphasis on longevity, wellness, and prevention. Nutrition and its effects on health are areas of interest for Dr. Gerber. Frustrated with spiraling healthcare costs related to the treatment of conditions like overweight, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart disease just to name a few, Dr. Gerber has been focusing on prevention and treatment programs using low-carb high fat (LCHF), Ancestral, Paleo, Primal, Intermittent Fasting and Whole Foods diets along with a healthy lifestyle to treat and prevent these chronic conditions. Redefining healthy nutrition is a goal. Dr. Gerber speaks frequently about these important topics to patients, the community, and other healthcare professionals. Whether connecting one-on-one or with much larger audiences his passion and legacy is nutrition education. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Jeffry Gerber Low Carb Conferences website Denver's Diet Doctor website On Facebook or @LowCarbConferences (Group) On Instagram: @JeffryGerberMD or @LowCarbConferences    

I have the honor of reconnecting with Dr. Mindy Pelz today. She was with me before on podcasts 113 and 184. Dr. Mindy Pelz, D.C is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and nutrition and functional health expert who has spent over two decades helping thousands of people successfully reclaim their health. She is a recognized leader in the alternative health field and a pioneer in the fasting movement, teaching the principles of a fasting lifestyle, diet variation, detox, hormones, and more. Her popular YouTube channel (which just celebrated 23 million lifetime views) regularly updates followers on the latest science-backed tools and techniques to help them reset their health. She is the host of one of the leading science podcasts, The Resetter Podcast, and the author of three best-selling books; The Menopause Reset, The Reset Factor, and The Reset Kitchen, and her current book published with Hay House, Fast Like a Girl, is available for pre-order. Dr. Mindy has appeared on national shows like Extra TV and The Doctors and has been featured in Muscle & Fitness, Well + Good, SHEknows, Healthline, and more.  For this episode, I have a new format of ask me anything questions and answers. Dr. Mindy and I answer many of the questions women have sent in about nutrition, navigating fasting, electrolytes, and estrogen and progesterone-promoting foods. We discuss perimenopause, PMDD and hormonal fluctuations, carbohydrates, hormesis, the parasympathetic nervous system, and magnesium. We get into the impact of fasting on the liver, changes in our cycle, and the need for liver and gallbladder support. We also answer several questions about troubleshooting and talk about Dr. Mindy’s new book, Fast Like a Girl.  I hope you enjoy our new format and listening to today’s discussion with Dr. Mindy Pelz. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Should fermented foods (sauerkraut) be eaten first or at the end of a meal? When indulging in something sweet from time to time, is it better to use organic sugar or honey than agave? Or is pure stevia preferable? Which foods are beneficial for progesterone production? Is there a way to prevent cravings for salty or sweet snacks after dinner? Some tips to make losing five to ten pounds a bit easier. Are products with zero carbs and zero sugars suitable for fasting if they have a sweet taste? Some simple ways to relieve the symptoms of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder). When is the best time for a perimenopausal woman who suffers from anxiety and irritability before getting her period to use progesterone cream? Should a woman in perimenopause keep a twelve-hour fasting window until her period starts, even when her cycle is unpredictable? What happens if she skips a cycle? Dr. Mindy and I share our opinions on Ozempic (Semaglutide). What nutritional information should people look at if they have high cholesterol that cannot be explained? How can lifestyle changes allow people to avoid having to take statins? What should you do if you become fatigued when fasting? What does it mean if you start losing your hair when you fast? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Podcast 113- How to Survive the Ups and Downs of Menopause Podcast 184 – Hormonal Symptoms Don’t Have To Be a Result of Aging Connect with Dr. Mindy Pelz On her website On Instagram On YouTube On Facebook Get your copy of Dr. Mindy Pelz’s new book, Fast Like a Girl.

I am delighted to connect with Shawn Stevenson for the first show of 2023! Shawn is the host of the prolific Model Health Show. He is also a Nutritional Scientist, an author, and a father. Shawn was a top-tier athlete when he was in high school. At fifteen, his hip broke while running a 200-meter time trial. He had some standard of care, but nobody ever asked how an apparently healthy kid broke his hip while running. Two years later, he went to college. Soon after that, he got diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.    In this episode, we get into how his background influenced his career path. We discuss fast food economies, ultra-processed food, the impact of subsidized food on our health, the gut microbiome, and the danger of seed oils. We dive into metabolic switching, the vagus nerve, and how it impacts food absorption and leaky gut. We talk about brain health and how the brain gets influenced by the food we eat, the interrelationship between the brain and metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, and the impact of inflammation on the brain. We also speak about the importance of hydration and electrolytes, and more. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Shawn developed his passion for talking about nutrition and synthesizing research and got to where he is today. How changing his thinking changed his life. What are ultra-processed foods? How ultra-processed foods impact the health of the average American citizen. Why so many Americans are obese today. Why we need to understand the connection between the brain and the gut. What is the relationship between our immune system and our gut microbiome? An unusual benefit of extra-virgin olive oil. What can you do to have a healthier brain? The critical importance of high-quality sodium for cognitive function. Why Omega-3s are vital for our brains. Bio: Shawn Stevenson is the author of the USA Today National bestseller Eat Smarter, and the international bestselling book Sleep Smarter. He’s also the creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the number #1 health podcast in the U.S. with millions of listener downloads each year. A graduate of the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology, and nutritional science and became the cofounder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance. Shawn has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, Muscle & Fitness, ABC News, ESPN, and many other major media outlets. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Shawn Stevenson On his website The Model Health Show On Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter Shawn’s books are available on Amazon or at bookstores.

I’m delighted to reconnect with Dr. Eric Balcavage today! He is the owner and founder of Rejuvagen, a functional medicine clinic in Pennsylvania. He is also a nationally recognized speaker and educator on various health-related topics, including thyroid physiology, detoxification, methylation, and chronic illness. Dr. Eric Balcavage joins me for the third time today to discuss his new book, The Thyroid Debacle, co-authored with Dr. Kelly Halderman. We dive into his motivation for writing his book, discuss cellular hypothyroidism and its triggers, and get into the impact of chronic low-grade inflammation on our mitochondrial health. We go into why hypothyroidism is a spectrum, the role of bile in thyroid functioning, and the impact of hypothyroidism on our sex hormones. We also discuss the incidence of Hashimoto’s, why iodine is so controversial, labs we want to look at more closely with thyroid issues, and supplements and nutrition. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Eric explains why clinicians are failing their patients concerning thyroid management and diagnosis. A better clinical approach to thyroid issues. Dr. Eric unpacks cellular hypothyroidism. Why weight loss is a lot more complicated than simply counting calories and fasting. What bile does, apart from breaking down and emulsifying fat. Problems that might occur after having the gallbladder removed. The impact of hypothyroidism on the sex hormones. How a broader approach could ultimately result in more effective treatment strategies. Dr. Eric shares his view on what triggers the development of goiters.  Is iodine supplementation necessary? Dr. Eric shares his thoughts on nutrition for thyroid health. The best supplements for reducing inflammation. Bio Dr. Eric Balcavage is the owner and founder of Rejuvagen, a functional medicine clinic in Chadds Ford, PA. He is a nationally recognized speaker and educator on various health-related topics including thyroid physiology, bile physiology, detoxification, oxidative stress, methylation, and chronic illness.  Dr. Balcavage is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (C.N.S.), a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, along with being a licensed Chiropractor in Pennsylvania.  Dr. Balcavage is the co-host of the Thyroid Answers Podcast. The podcast focuses on answering the pressing questions those suffering from chronic hypothyroid symptoms can’t get answered elsewhere. You can find his educational Thyroid Thursday videos on Vimeo and Youtube. Dr. Balcavage has made it his mission to change the way medicine looks at hypothyroidism. He is the co-author of the book, The Thyroid Debacle. The book, co-written by Dr. Kelly Halderman, addresses the problems with current allopathic and functional medicine approaches to hypothyroidism as well as the solutions to restoring thyroid physiology. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Eric Balcavage On his website On Instagram Dr. Balcavage’s book, The Thyroid Debacle, is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Balboa Press, or online. Listen to episodes 105 and 166 with Dr. Eric Balcavage

Today I have the honor of connecting with the renowned speaker and bestselling author Dr. Gabor Maté! Dr. Maté is highly sought-after for his expertise on various topics, including addiction, trauma, stress, and childhood development. He recently wrote a New York Times bestselling book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. For many of us, the concept of trauma is controversial and largely misunderstood. In today’s discussion with Dr. Maté, I am transparent, honest, and open about how I grew up and how my childhood experiences have influenced me throughout my lifetime. We get into the definition of trauma, why trauma is so widespread and misunderstood, the differences between habit and addiction, the impact of a toxic culture and materialism, and the epidemic of loneliness. We discuss the impact of the pandemic, a loss of control, why women are at greater risk of developing autoimmune disorders, and the impact of adverse childhood events. We also speak about what negatively impacts healthy childhood development, multigenerational trauma, and healing through compassionate inquiry.   I hope you will find great value in listening to today’s thought-provoking and insightful podcast! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Maté discusses and defines trauma. The difference between a habit and an addiction. How do various addictions ( drugs, work, shopping, attention, etc.) differ? How the loneliness and isolation from childhood trauma get carried into adult life and could lead to illness. How the social isolation of the pandemic brought some families closer together and drove others further apart. How materialism ties into trauma, addiction, and the current epidemic of loneliness. How many of the problems clinicians deal with today result from trauma and disconnection What studies show about women and autoimmune diseases. Why do we need to acknowledge the impact of the disparity within our modern-day materialist culture? What can we do to ensure that our young children develop in a healthy way? Healing from multigenerational trauma. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow • Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn • Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Gabor Maté On his website On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube  Dr. Maté’s book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, and all his other books are available online and from most bookstores. Books mentioned: Hold Onto Your Kids by Dr. Gabor Maté and Gordon Neufeld Dr. Maté’s book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, is available from most bookstores

I am honored to connect with Dr. Amy Killen today! She is a leading longevity and regenerative physician specializing in “Sex and Skin.” She is also an international speaker, author, educator, mother of three, a should-be rapper, and founder of the Human Optimization Project (HOP). Having had three kids within two years while also getting up at 3 am to be on time for her 4 am ER shifts made Dr. Killen’s life sleep-deprived, crazy, and stressed. Then, she noticed that many ER patients were coming in with acute problems related to issues similar to her own and realized that she needed to learn a whole new set of tricks and tools if she wanted to help them and herself. Dr. Killen has positioned herself as the female expert on biohacking, sexual health, and skin health. In this episode, we dive into her medical background and her transition into a longevity and sexual health guru. We discuss longevity, functional and regenerative medicine, ovarian aging, the impact of lifestyle on our sexual health, de-stigmatizing women’s sexual needs and health, microdosing, supplements, and addressing changes in our skin and hair in perimenopause and menopause. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Dr. Killen as much as I did recording it! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Killen shifted from being an ER doctor to doing what she does today. Dr. Killen explains why she believes menopause is a disease unto itself. How the Women’s Health Initiative created fear around taking or prescribing hormones. Only one in five mammals go through menopause, so why does it happen to humans? How do diet and lifestyle impact the aging process? The serious ramifications of environmental toxins. The importance of de-stigmatizing sex. The role nitric oxide plays in sexual health. Dr. Killen discusses various regenerative therapy options for women. The pros and cons of some new and novel medications and supplements for weight loss and longevity.  Dr. Killen discusses her recently-launched longevity product, HopBox.  Some of the modalities Dr. Killen uses to help middle-aged women improve their skin and hair. Bio: Dr. Amy B Killen is a leading longevity and regenerative physician specializing in “Sex and Skin.” In her Utah-based practices, she combines stem cell injections with photobiomodulation, shockwave therapy, bioidentical hormones, peptides, and an old-fashioned healthy lifestyle to give patients unparalleled synergistic regenerative effects for skin, hair, and sexual systems. Dr. Killen is an international speaker, author, educator, mother of three, a should-be rapper, and founder of the Human Optimization Project (HOP).  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Amy Killen On her websites: www.dramykillen.com, www.hopbox.life, or www.docereclinics.com On Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

I am delighted to have Scott Emmens and Kara Lazauskas joining me on the podcast today! Scott is the President of MD Logic, and Kara is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a graduate degree in Molecular Muscle Exercise Physiology and a background in Sports Medicine. Scott’s fascination with fitness began when he was sixteen. He had asthma, and it confused him to see kids more out of shape than he was performing better than him. So he started working out. When he went to college, he developed an obsession with how the human body worked and became an amateur bodybuilder. Kara is a total badass! Even though she lost her left lung to a benign tumor when she was just three-and-a-half years old, she became a Titan Games competitor. She is also an MMA fighter. In this episode, Kara, Scott, and I dive into supplements in the sports and performance fields, the rigors of the FDA GMP (Good Manufacturing Process), and the need for quality supplementation. We discuss the value of Creatine Monohydrate, its benefits, some common misconceptions, and age-related changes that impact metabolic health. We discuss how brain metabolism can be supported with Creatine, gender-related differences, how estrogen influences Creatine, and how Creatine can be helpful in reducing the risk of depression and influencing BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). We also get into the unmatched safety and security standards of MD Logic, my reasons for aligning with them in creating Creatine Monohydrate, and some upcoming discounts for Creatine and melatonin during the holidays. I sincerely hope you will enjoy listening to today's conversation as much as I did recording it! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Kara got to where she is today.   How Scott got into using Creatine to biohack his fitness and health and started MD Logic. Scott shares some of his concerns about the supplement industry. Why is Creatine Monohydrate such an important supplement for muscle and brain health? The benefits of taking a daily dose of Creatine Monohydrate. How Creatine helps us have better quality sleep and perform better on lower energy. Why do we need to actively support our musculature throughout our lifetime?   How Creatine helps to prevent sarcopenia and dementia as we age. How not supplementing with Creatine can impact mood disorders in women. How Creatine assists in reducing the risk of depression and influencing BDNF. How being physically active improves brain health and insulin sensitivity and contributes to metabolic health. What makes the Creatine Monohydrate created through MD Logic different and unique? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on  Twitter,  Instagram &  LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s  website  Connect with Scott Emmens on LinkedIn  Connect with Kara Lazauskas on LinkedIn

I’m happy to have Dr. Shawn Tassone joining me again today! He was one of our original guests on the podcast back in 2018. (Episode 4) Dr. Tassone is the author of The Hormone Balance Bible, a book I often recommend.  Dr. Tassone is one of my favorite gynecologists! I love following him on social media because he shares information in a very straightforward manner. In this episode, we dive into the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative, the differences between bio-identical and synthetic hormone replacement therapy, contraceptive options for perimenopausal women, and the Essure sterilization procedure. We discuss why so many OB-GYNs and medical professionals get burned out, various options for thyroid health, the basis for The Hormone Balance Bible, and the SHINE protocol. We also get into some of Dr. Tassone’s favorite supplements and those he feels get overused.  I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast with Dr. Tassone as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The changes Dr. Tassone had to navigate after the Women’s Health Initiative. How synthetic hormone replacement therapy differs from bio-identical. Why do synthetic hormones have a higher cancer risk? The benefits of testosterone for women. Contraceptive options available for perimenopausal women. Dr. Tassone’s experiences as a clinician with the Essure sterilization procedure. Why do so many healthcare professionals get burned out? The type of thyroid medication Dr. Tassone prefers to prescribe for his patients. What inspired Dr. Tassone to write his new book, The Hormone Balance Bible? When do hormone imbalances become a problem? Dr. Tassone’s favorite supplements. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Shawn Tassone On his website On Instagram (Appointments: drshawntassone) Call Dr. Tassone’s office: 512 956029 On Facebook Documentary mentioned: The Bleeding Edge Books mentioned: Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, by Andrew Weil  The Hormone Balance Bible on Amazon

I am honored to connect with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella today. He is a Professor from West Virginia University School of Medicine, and a retired Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel who practices Family Medicine and advocates for evidence-based policy and education.  Dr. Cucuzzella has a fascinating background! He spent forty years as a humble yet seriously dedicated athlete, competing in over a hundred marathons and ultra-marathons. In this episode, he shares his perspective on shifting the paradigm to a low-carb diet, the impact of that on metabolic health, needing guideline Centrals for low-carb diets for patients, and hindrances to changing the narrative within the traditional allopathic medical model. We also talk about low-carb on a budget and food insecurity. I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with Dr. Cucuzzella and find it beneficial. I look forward to reconnecting with him next year for a second podcast! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How the unconventional treatments Dr. Cucuzella received from an innovative orthopaedist motivated him to become a doctor. How working with obesity in the Air Force led Dr. Cucuzella to understand that nutrition is fundamental to metabolic health. The significant shifts Dr. Cucuzzella has seen in his patients and himself over the last thirty years. Why Dr. Cucuzzella focuses on getting people with diabetes off their medications. The art of deprescribing. What is MODY? Some of the barriers to the acceptance of promoting lifestyle management for addressing and treating metabolic disorders. Why should obesity and food addictions be treated as medical conditions? Some tips for doing low-carb on a budget. How to support teenagers to make better food choices. Bio: Dr. Mark Cucuzzella is a Professor from West Virginia University School of Medicine and a retired Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. Mark practices Family Medicine at WVU’s Jefferson Medical Center and directs their Cardiovascular and Stress Testing lab. An advocate for evidence-based policy and education, Mark is a founding member of The Nutrition Coalition, the Low Carb Action Network, The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners, and The Hypoglycemia Foundation and is a scientific advisor for Diet Doctor. As an athlete, Mark has competed for 40 years, achieving a streak of 30 consecutive years running a marathon in under 3 hours. He has finished events up to 100 miles. He lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where he owns a small community running store and directs running races and camps for youth and adults. His book “Run For Your Life” summarizes the science and the soul of running, nutrition, and physical activity to help you maintain a vigorous life.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella On his website Run For Your Life (Dr. Cucuzzella’s book) Recommended books: Chasing Cupcakes: How One Broke, Fat Girl Transformed Her Life (and How You Can, Too) by Elizabeth Benton

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. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Carrie Jones On her website On Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok 

I am honored to reconnect with Amy Berger today! (She was with me before, in Episode 108, in 2020.) Amy has a Master’s degree in human nutrition. She is also a certified nutrition specialist and a US Air Force veteran. She is the author of many books, including a co-authored book with Dr. Eric Westman, called End Your Carb Confusion. Amy is a wealth of information! She specializes in helping people do “Keto Without the Crazy”, and keeping things sane and simple- a message that is sadly under-represented in our post-pandemic time frame.  Amy joins me today to dive into reducing nutrition-related fear, worry, and anxiety. We speak about food addiction, binge eating, and orthorexia, the emerging trend in medicine of metabolic psychiatry, brain health, blood sugar, different types of fuel substrates, and weight-loss resistance. We also get into bio-hacking gadgets, the scale, and the value of food budgets.  Amy’s YouTube channel is one of my favorites, and her brand and business are full of down-to-earth messaging. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with her as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Amy came up with her methodology of “keto without the crazy”. What can we do to overcome nutrition-related fear and anxiety? How Amy helps people navigate food addiction, binge eating, and orthorexia. The most effective way to overcome metabolic syndrome, obesity, type-2 diabetes, or PCOS. The importance of understanding the extent to which blood sugar and insulin problems affect cognition and the brain. How common mental health disorders associated with metabolic health, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar, can be easily corrected by changing one’s diet. How ketones can help improve mental health and clarity. Some less common reasons for weight loss resistance. Why do we sometimes need to step back and slow down? The pros and cons of bio-hacking devices. Why it is best not to weigh ourselves every day. Nutrients essential for mitochondrial health.  Bio: Amy Berger, MS, CNS, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and Certified Nutrition Specialist who helps people do “Keto Without the Crazy.”™ She writes about a wide range of health and nutrition-related topics, such as insulin, weight loss, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, thyroid function, and more. She has presented internationally on these issues and is the author of The Alzheimer's Antidote, The Stall Slayer, and co-author of End Your Carb Confusion, written with Eric Westman, MD. She is the Lead Nutritionist for Adapt Your Life Academy, where she helps create course content and coaches people through implementing low-carb keto diets safely and effectively. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Amy Berger On her website On YouTube  Consultations Online courses: www.adaptyourlifeacademy.com  Episode 108 with Amy Berger

I am honored to connect with Dr. Chris Palmer today! He is a psychiatrist and researcher working at the interface of metabolism and mental health.  Mental illness can devastate lives! Some members of Dr. Palmer’s family struggled with serious mental health issues, and his mother’s experience with the mental health system impacted him deeply. He found the system incompetent and ineffective, and many mental health clinicians were distant, aloof, and snobbish.  In this episode, he shares his background and explains how a patient changed his career trajectory in 2016. We dive into the connection between mental disorders and metabolic disease, the traditional focus of psychiatry, the value of low-carb and ketogenic diets, the role of mitochondria, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We also get into intergenerational transmission of trauma and the importance of sleep, and Dr. Palmer discusses his new definition of mental health. Looking at mental health through a metabolic health lens makes so much sense! I believe that Dr. Palmer’s new book will be an incredible resource for clinicians, their patients, and their patient's families. Tune in to hear what he says about the link between metabolic disorders and mental health issues.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The traditional methodology used to address and treat psychiatric illnesses when Dr. Palmer started in the mental health field. The serendipitous way in which medications for mental problems got developed. Why are most psycho-therapies and treatments ineffective for treating chronic PTSD and depression, and personality disorders? Why mental disorders are currently the leading cause of disability on the planet. How an experience with a patient-led Dr. Palmer to understand the connection between metabolic health and mental health. The connections that contributed to the miraculous changes Dr. Palmer's patient experienced. How does the ketogenic diet affect the body and brain? The role of the mitochondria in the body and how they contribute to mental health.  The impact of intergenerational trauma.  How intergenerational trauma could show up as mental health issues in future generations. The interplay between sleep and mental health. Dr. Palmer gives an overview of his new definition of mental health.  Bio: Dr. Chris Palmer Dr. Chris Palmer is a psychiatrist and researcher working at the interface of metabolism and mental health. He is the Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. For over 25 years, he has held leadership roles in psychiatric education, conducted research, and worked with people who have treatment-resistant mental illnesses. He has been pioneering the use of the medical ketogenic diet in the treatment of psychiatric disorders - conducting research in this area, treating patients, writing, and speaking around the world on this topic. More broadly, he is interested in the roles of metabolism and metabolic interventions on brain health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Chris Palmer On his website Go to www.brainenergy.com to get involved with Dr. Palmer’s new approach to mental health and learn more about his book. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

I’m excited to connect with Dr. Bill Schindler today! He is the author of Eat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health. He is also an internationally known archaeologist, primitive technologist, chef, and co-founder of Modern Stone Age Kitchen.  Dr. Schindler is all about helping people understand ancestral approaches to maximizing safety, nutrient density, and bioavailability. In this episode, we dive into his background and discuss what we should eat, milestones related to ancestral health perspectives, nutrient density, bioavailability, and how technology has impacted how we eat today. We also discuss plant toxins, organ meats, dairy, bug protein, and more. I loved Dr. Schindler’s book, Eat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health, so do check it out! I hope you enjoy listening to our fascinating conversation. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Schindler went from being a wrestler to having an evolutionary perspective on food, how we interact with it, and living a paleolithic lifestyle.  How important evolutionary milestones have impacted the way most people eat. Most of us have become severely disconnected from our food system. What plant toxins do to our bodies, and what we can do to make them less toxic so that we can consume them safely The biggest problem with oxalates. Changes that have occurred that may contribute to people becoming intolerant to dairy. What is the difference between raw milk and pasteurized and homogenized milk? How to get the maximum nutrition most safely from dairy. Ways to prepare organ meats and offal to make them more appetizing. We can benefit from including insects in our diet. Dr. Schindler explains what he and his family are doing at the Modern Stone Age Kitchen. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Bill Schindler On his websites: www.eatlikeahuman.com or www.modernstoneagekitchen.com  The Eastern Shore Food Lab Non-profit Follow Dr. Schindler online: @Dr. Bill Schindler and @Modern Stone Age Kitchen Eat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health is available in print, audio, or digital from any major online book supplier. Or order a signed copy from Dr. Schindler’s website.

I’m honored to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today! She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. We connected once before in Episode 221, where we spoke about PCOS and metabolic health. Today, Dr. Gersh joins me to dive into perimenopause and menopause. We discuss various issues surrounding the Women’s Health Initiative and talk about estrogen as a family of hormones, estrogen-mimicking chemicals, synthetic hormones, and oral contraceptives. We get into the importance of thyroid function, the pro-inflammatory state of a loss of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause, and the importance of nutrition and exercise for the metabolism. We also speak about the lesser-known changes that occur in menopause, including changes in body odor, constipation, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and vocal changes.  I intend to invite Dr. Gersh back again to discuss women and mitochondrial health, and then once again to talk about her latest book, Menopause: The Fifty Things You Need to Know.  Stay tuned to find out what menopause really is, and what it does to a woman’s metabolic system. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Gersh discusses the Women’s Health Initiative study and its devastating effects. The difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones. How chronic diseases of aging can be delayed when hormones are incorporated along with other lifestyle refinements. What do hormones do? Why every immune cell in the body has receptors for vital hormones. Why menopause cannot be defined by a specific moment in time. Changes that occur physiologically during the perimenopause years. How hormones can change the perimenopause paradigm entirely. Why perimenopause  translates into many sleep issues. Why phytoestrogens are nature’s gift to women. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine On Instagram All of Dr. Gersh’s books are available on Amazon Episode 221 on PCOS with Dr. Felice Gersh Go to www.toxicology.gov to see all the ingredients in birth control pills listed as endocrine disruptors.

It was an honor to connect with the prolific Dr. Steven Gundry today! Dr. Gundry is one of the world’s top cardiothoracic surgeons and a pioneer in nutrition. He hosts the top-rated health show, The Dr. Gundry Podcast, and is the medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine. At the height of his career as a famous heart surgeon, Dr. Gundry resigned from his position and set up a clinic to teach people how to eat to improve their health and longevity. He talks about his background and dives into how one of his patients impacted the trajectory of his second career. We discuss mitochondria, the value of MCT oil, ketones, mito-genesis, mitochondrial uncoupling, anti-nutrients, and nutrition. I hope you enjoy listening to today’s fascinating discussion with Dr. Steven Gundry! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What prompted Dr. Gundry to shift from cardiovascular surgery to doing what he does today? Dr. Gundry talks about mitochondria and their purpose. How to support mitochondrial health. Dr. Gundry explains the purpose of ketones. What is mito-genesis? Things that can help uncouple mitochondria. Why is it important to have your fasting insulin checked? Why is MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) oil unique when compared to other healthy fats? Why ketones are not a super fuel.  Why it is important to make slow and incremental dietary changes for sustained weight loss.  Dr. Gundry dives into DNP and the benefits of consuming polyphenols. The problem with oats. Bio: Dr. Steven Gundry is one of the world’s top cardiothoracic surgeons and a pioneer in nutrition. He is the founder of Gundry MD, a line of wellness products and supplements, hosts the top-rated health show, The Dr. Gundry Podcast, and is medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine. He has spent the last two decades studying the microbiome and now helps patients use diet and nutrition as a key form of treatment. He is the author of many New York Times bestselling books, including The Plant Paradox, The Plant Paradox Cookbook, The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age, and The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone. He recently released USA Today's national bestseller, Unlocking the Keto Code, which offers a revolutionary take on the keto diet that debunks common myths and shows readers how to reap the rewards of keto with less restriction. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Steven Gundry On his websiteOn Facebook or Gundry MD Instagram: @drstevengundry or @gundrymd Twitter: @DrGundry The Dr. Gundry Podcast

I am delighted to connect with Chris Kresser today! Chris is the co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, the founder of Kresser Institute, the host of the top-ranked health podcast Revolution Health Radio, and the New York Times best-selling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine.  Chris is as gracious in person as he is online! I have been following him for years and feel honored to have him joining me on the show today! He shares his background, and we dive into bio-individuality and functional medicine. We talk about changes to the nutrient density of food, why the RDA is inadequate, why synthetic nutrients are not beneficial, genetics, how mindset affects our health, and measurable ways to improve neuroplasticity. We also discuss his new supplement line, Adapt Naturals. I hope you will enjoy listening to today’s information-packed conversation with Chris Kresser as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Chris’s journey to health led him to where he is today. How has his approach to bio-individuality and personalized medicine changed over the last ten years? Chris explains why it is hard to do research studies on functional medicine treatment. Chris dives into his current focus on the nutrition spectrum. Solving people’s nutritional problems is usually pretty straightforward and could have a massive impact on the burden of chronic disease. How modern-day changes have decreased the nutrient density of our food. How chronic disease and environmental toxins impact our ability to absorb nutrients. Why has the US government failed to update the RDA to meet the current research on our daily nutritional requirements? Chris talks about nutrient synergy and shares his thoughts on synthetic vitamins. What is neuroplasticity, and how can it be measurably improved by a shift in mindset? What makes Adapt Naturals unique in the supplement space? Bio: Chris Kresser M.S., L.Ac. is the co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, the founder of Kresser Institute, the host of the top-ranked health podcast Revolution Health Radio, the creator of ChrisKresser.com, and the New York Times best-selling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine.  He is one of the most respected clinicians and educators in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health and has trained over 2,000 clinicians and health coaches from >50 countries in his unique approach. Chris was named one of the 100 most influential people in health and fitness by Greatist.com and has appeared as a featured guest on Dr. Oz, Time, The Atlantic, NPR, Fox & Friends, and other national media outlets. He has recently launched Adapt Naturals, a supplement line designed to add back in what the modern world has squeezed out and help people perform and feel their best. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Chris Kresser On his websites: www.chriskresser.com or www.adaptnaturals.com (Chris spoke about the Core Plus Bundle) On Facebook On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

I am honored to connect with Dr. Barrie Tan today! Dr. Tan has a PH.D. in biochemistry. He is a vitamin E expert focusing on lipid-soluble nutrients that impact chronic disease.  Dr. Tan was trained as a chemist and a biochemist. His interest in keeping fat stable led to his discovery of annatto, which led to him becoming an expert in vitamin E. In this episode, we dive into vitamin E and its role in the antioxidant protection of lipids and fats. We talk about Dr. Barrie’s discovery of annatto, discuss tocotrienols, and get into their impact on cholesterol, metabolic and bone health, and cancer. We also briefly discuss GG (geranylgeraniol). My discussion with Dr. Tan has changed my entire perspective on the metabolic and bone health needs relevant to this specific variant of vitamin E! I hope that you will love it as much as I did! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why does Dr. Tan care most about the antioxidant that protects the lipids and fat? Dr. Tan discusses how different types of vitamin E differ from tocotrienols. Dr. Tan talks about his discovery of tocotrienols in the Annatto plant in South America. Why can’t we get sufficient tocotrienols from our food? The benefits of tocotrienols. Tocotrienols worked consistently in clinical studies done on chronic conditions like metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and osteopenia.  Dr. Tan discusses his research on tocotrienols. How do tocotrienols impact weight loss and fatty liver? The impact of tocotrienols on bone health. What is GG, and why is it important for bone health? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Barrie Tan On his website On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn To download your free copy of Dr. Tan’s book, The Truth about Vitamin E, Go to www.barrietan.com/book and use the code Everyday Wellness Podcast.  Dr. Tan’s Massachussets-based company is called American River Nutrition. Search for buying tocotrienol to get a list of all the companies selling it.

I am excited to interview Dr. Kyle Gillett today! He is an integrative and precision medicine physician who focuses on bio-individuality. He is active in obesity medicine and hormonal methodologies. His approach is evidence-based, and it involves shared decision-making. As a physician, Dr. Gillett wanted to treat people holistically. Hormone pathologies, menopause, and metabolic syndrome are common, so he decided to become proficient in those areas to serve his patients in the best way possible.  Dr. Gillett and I dive into his background, his six pillars of health, the value of evidence-based medicine, how our modern-day lifestyles impact our hormonal health, nutritional dogma, and the importance of sleep. We discuss adrenopause, perimenopause, menopause, changes in body composition, and broken metabolisms. We also talk about weight loss resistance, lab work, muscle-centric medicine, and valuable supplements. I’ve waited months to interview Dr. Kyle Gillett! I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with him! Stay tuned to learn about hormones, weight-loss resistance, and more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Gillett dives into his 6 pillars of health.  How our modern-day lifestyles impact our hormonal health. What is food intelligence? Dr. Gillett unpacks the concept of evidence-based medicine. How providers can prevent a breakdown of the patient-provider relationship. The challenges women tend to face in menopause. How Dr. Gillett helps women cope with changes in their body composition. What happens in our bodies when we are stressed or lack sleep? What is adrenopause? The benefits and effects of using melatonin. Dr. Gillett’s take on oral contraceptives and HRT. How Dr. Gillett addresses a broken metabolism. Bio: Kyle Gillett MD:  University of Kansas School of Medicine.  Dual board Certified Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine.  An undergraduate dual major in Critical Thinking and Biology.  Dr. Gillett enjoys providing holistic individualized care to his patients. His practice includes preventative medicine, aesthetics, sports medicine, hormone optimization, obstetrics and infertility, integrative medicine, and precision medicine including genomics. He believes that each human is a unique creation that requires attention to their body, mind, and soul. He uses shared decision-making and an evidence-based approach. He firmly believes “food is medicine” and “exercise is medicine”. Dr. Gillett describes the “7 pillars of health”: exercise, diet, sleep, stress, social, sunlight, and spirit. These are more powerful than any medication or supplement. He enjoys spending time outdoors on the farm with his wife, two sons, and two wolfhounds. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Kyle Gillett On Instagram  On all social media platforms: Gillett Health

I am honored to connect with Max Lugavere today! Max is a top health podcaster, wellness journalist, filmmaker, and author. He wrote one of my favorite books, The New York Times bestseller Genius Foods, and earlier this year, he wrote The Wall Street Journal bestseller Genius Kitchen. Max has been passionate about nutrition, supplementation, and fitness for as long as he can remember. In this episode, we dive into his background and how he developed an interest in brain optimization and cognition. We speak about non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, the Food Compass nutrient profiling system, and outdated non-scientific nutritional guidelines. We discuss dogmatism in nutrition, the influence of the processed food industry, how our food has changed, and seed oils. Max shares some of his favorite Genius foods, and we also get into the value of sleep and much more. I hope you enjoy listening to today’s interesting and informative discussion with Max Lugavere as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more!   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Max tells the story of his mother's neuro-degenerative condition and how that sparked his interest in sharing research and scientific information with the lay public. Max discusses the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that could influence your brain health. The Food Compass data and American dietary guidelines are inherently flawed and skewed towards the processed food industry. Max dives into why that is so and discusses various related concerns. As consumers, we need to do the necessary work to make healthy food choices for ourselves. Max talks about dogmatism in the nutrition space and explains why we need to be willing to challenge our beliefs and assumptions about food. What made our society fall so far off the rails around nutrition? Eliminating seed oils from your diet is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. Max discusses the Nova food profiling system and shares some frightening statistics related to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Our bodies respond differently to nutrients if they are removed from the food matrix. Fraud derailed the research on Alzheimer’s disease for almost two decades. Max shares his favorite Genius foods and discusses the best things we can do for brain health. Max strives to keep his protein levels up when traveling. How does sleep relate to brain health and impact cognitive function?  Max talks about his new book, Genius Kitchen. It is available from any bookstore.     Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Max Lugavere On Instagram (@maxlugavere) The Genius Life     Books mentioned: The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat, and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet by Nina Teicholz

I’m delighted to connect and have a discussion with James Barry today! James is a private chef who has launched an amazing product called Pluck, an organ-based seasoning I have been using for the last several years. James is also co-author of the recipes in Dr. Alejandro Junger’s book Clean 7. James has always enjoyed working with food! Recently, he realized that cooking is his way of expressing love! In this episode, we dive into his background and passion for cooking. We discuss dogma, the illusion of health, the psychology of food, farm subsidies, orthorexia, phobias, manifestation, and alignment. We get into food privilege, the lack of transparency in the processed food industry, the health benefits of eating organ meats, and hurdles to consuming organ meats. We also talk about how Pottenger’s Cats and indigenous cultures have influenced him and how Pluck can be a gateway to organ meat consumption. I hope you will enjoy listening to today’s discussion with James Barry as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: James was a picky eater until he went to culinary school in his thirties. The wonderful things that happened after James aligned with his mission and purpose in life. How to work manifestation into your mindset and methodology. How does dogmatism influence people’s food choices? How the lack of transparency in the processed food industry influences people’s mindsets and health. How to make more intuitive and conscious food choices. Some of the food challenges James has experienced with his clients. If you are unable to moderate something in your diet, eliminate it. Learn to honor yourself. Overcoming the hurdles to eating organ meats. The benefits of including organ meats in your diet. James explains how he makes Pluck and shares his favorite ways of using it. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with James Barry On his website   On Facebook, Eat Pluck on Instagram, Chef James Barry on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest  Books mentioned: Pottenger's Cats: A Study in Nutrition by Francis Marion Pottenger Jr. Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss

I’m delighted to have the honor of connecting with Dr. Betsy Greenleaf today! She’s a premier women’s health expert and bestselling author specializing in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. She is the first female in the United States to have become board-certified in urogynecology. In med school, Dr. Betsy started specializing in general surgery. She soon realized that there was no emotional connection with the patients, so she changed to OB-GYN.  In this episode, I ask her the questions that many listeners have asked me privately. Dr. Betsy talks about her background in surgery, and we dive into the vaginal and gut microbiome, urinary incontinence, risk factors, chronic urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis, uterine prolapse, vulvovaginal conditions, and various changes that occur in perimenopause and menopause. We also discuss the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative and therapies in addressing all of these issues.  I hope you will enjoy this conversation! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Betsy got into urogynecology. Some of the common issues women go to see Dr. Betsy for. What sets women up for pelvic floor issues? How and when to do kegel exercises. What pelvic atrophy is and how to avoid developing it. Why women need to be diligent about emptying their bladders. What is interstitial cystitis, and what makes people susceptible to it? How the loss of estrogen impacts the vagina. Changes that occur in the vulva as women age. Dr. Betsy shares her take on the Women’s Health Initiative and hormone replacement. The problem with propylene glycol. Proactive ways to address conditions like painful intercourse, lichen sclerosis, vulvodynia, and rectal itching.  The testing Dr. Betsy prefers for the gut microbiome.  How is the vagina connected to the brain? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Betsy Greenleaf On her website   The Pelvic Floor Store  On Instagram (drbetsygreenleaf_)   Body Mind Spirit Podcast     Some of Your Parts Podcast

I had the honor of connecting with Dr. Ellen Vora today. She is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. She is also the author of the best-selling book The Anatomy of Anxiety, which is one of my go-to resources on mental health.  Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, considering the whole person and addressing the imbalance at the root.  In this episode, Dr. Vora and I dive into some ongoing real-world issues from the perspective of a mental health provider. We talk about some of the limits of traditional modalities, the impact of the pandemic, and the ensuing collective trauma. We discuss the root causes of substance abuse, promiscuity, alcohol, the avoidance of uncomfortable feelings, and resiliency. We discuss the physiology of the brain and gut and how they pertain to food addictions. We speak about gender differences with an emphasis on the impact of synthetic oral contraceptives on inflammation, micronutrient depletion, changes in the gut microbiome, and libido. We also talk about changes that occur in the body during perimenopause and menopause.  I loved having this discussion with Dr. Vora! You can follow her on social media and check out her book, The Anatomy of Anxiety!  Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: As a society, we have experienced a lot of stress and loss recently. Dr. Vora discusses the themes she observed with her patients and loved ones over the last two years. Dr. Vora describes the two extremes she noticed in parents during the pandemic. How should parents deal with their feelings in front of their kids in difficult times like the pandemic? Ways to cultivate and support resilience. Dr. Vora explains what happens when we fail to process or articulate our feelings or avoid uncomfortable feelings. Addiction in adults is often a way to self-soothe or seek comfort. At times, parents should step back and allow their children to process and work through their problems. Sometimes, the big feelings people experience are physiological and avoidable. How do blood sugar dysregulation and hypoglycemia or high blood sugar and insulin resistance impact our feelings and behavior? How gut health pertains to our brain and anxiety. Why do we crave gluten and dairy? Blood sugar is critical to the functioning of the brain. Finding a balance between food addictions and orthorexia. The impact of synthetic hormones on our physiology and our mental and emotional health. Coping with the profound changes that occur in the body during perimenopause and menopause.   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Ellen Vora On her website  On social media: @ellenvoramd Get Dr. Vora’s book, The Anatomy of Anxiety Books mentioned: Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive by Marc Brackett Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

I am delighted to connect with Brad Kearns today! Brad is a New York Times bestselling author, Guinness World Record setting professional Speedgolfer, #1 ranked USA high jumper, and a former US national champion and triathlete. He hosts the B.rad podcast covering healthy living, peak performance, and personal growth. Brad has always had high standards and a competitive edge that he never wants to let go of, especially as he ages. In this episode, we define fitness and dive into the cultural programming within the western medicine mindset. We talk about avoiding overtraining or training when we are stressed or sick, stress hormones, and the importance of having an ancestral health perspective on your physical activity. We also spoke about nutritional dogma, nutritional philosophies, critical thinking, and more.  I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with Brad Kearns as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned to learn how to pursue peak performance with passion throughout your life!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The importance of preserving functional lean muscle mass throughout life for longevity. How to improve your level of fitness in a healthy and stress-free manner as you age. Fitness does not have to be an ordeal that involves struggling and suffering.  The benefits of sprinkling opportunities to be more active into your daily routine rather than going to extremes and pushing yourself too hard. What happens to your metabolic and hormonal processes when you over-exert yourself physically? Brad shares a formula to work out your heart rate limit for aerobic activities. How to change your mentality and become more peppy and active throughout the day.  How to do more appropriate high-intensity workouts. What happens to your body when you go too hard for too long? Overcoming patterns of over-exercising, over-fasting, and avoiding certain macros. Brad discusses his nutritional evolution over the last ten to fifteen years, shares his personal alternative to fasting, and talks about his Carnivore Scores Chart. How to maintain optimum metabolic health and avoid losing muscle mass as you get older.   Bio: Brad Kearns is a New York Times bestselling author, Guinness World Record setting professional Speedgolfer, #1 ranked USA age 55-59 high jumper and former US national champion, and #3 world-ranked professional triathlete. He hosts the B.rad podcast covering healthy living, peak performance, and personal growth with his carefree style and lively sense of humor.   Brad has written over twenty books on diet, health, peak performance, and ancestral living, and is a popular speaker, retreat host, and host of numerous online multimedia educational courses at BradKearns.com. In 2017, The Keto Reset Diet (co-authored with Mark Sisson) became New York Times bestseller, and #1 ranked overall bestselling book on amazon.com for two days.   Brad's main message is to encourage the pursuit of peak performance with passion throughout life. He promotes the importance of performing a daily morning exercise routine for a natural energy boost, improved strength, mobility, and flexibility, and better focus and discipline in all areas of life. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Brad Kearns On the B.rad podcast On his website Resources: Jay Feldman’s The Energy Balance Podcast Mark Sisson’s Primal Essential Movements on YouTube Books mentioned: Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine by Robert. H. Lustig The Keto Reset Diet: Reboot Your Metabolism in 21 Days and Burn Fat Forever by Mark Sisson

I was happy to connect with Dr. Louann Brizendine today! She is the founder of the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF. She completed her degree in Neurobiology at UC Berkeley, graduated from Yale School of Medicine, and did her internship and residency at Harvard Medical School. She also served on both the faculties of Harvard University and the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Brizendine founded the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF. Her New York Times bestseller, The Female Brain, and its follow-up, The Male Brain, continue to be read around the world.  Today, we dive deeply into her new book, The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond, which was released in April 2022. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The transition and the upgrade stage of life explained Celebrating the transitional time of life and not fearing it How hormones help guide behavior Transition Stages 1,2,3 and what they mean Then onward to the 3 stages of "The Upgrade" Estrogen fluctuations that affect sleep Be aware of caffeine in your food and drinks and how it may affect your sleep. If you are having a problem staying asleep, you may want to cut back on alcohol or drink it earlier in the day. The Women’s Health Initiative - (almost 20 years ago) disastrous misinterpretations and negative implications it caused by instilling fear in women to not use Estrogen - including osteoporosis, brain fog, anxiety, and sleep disruptions Hormone Replacement Therapy - now viewed as a positive and much-needed step in women’s health Women between the ages of 40-50 should get a bone density scan as one of the determining factors of whether or not to begin hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Brizendine suggests that women should not be fearful of using therapies today to help balance hormones. Cynthia discusses the loss of cognition later in life as another correlative symptom of not receiving needed hormones. Dr. Brizendine advocates doing your own research regarding HRT and not depending only on information from major pharmaceutical companies. Cynthia and Dr. Brizendine discuss the importance of keeping an open mind when it comes to synthetic hormones because of the good they can do. If you are not well and do not feel like you can go on, please, immediately, seek out a doctor who can prescribe medications or hormones to help your particular and unique situation. Be your best and do not suffer in silence any longer. Cynthia says the transitional time of life should and can be a very good time in your life. Consider reading Dr. Brizendine’s book(s) to learn more and to keep it as a valuable resource.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Brizendine Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Dr. Louann Brizendine’s Book The Upgrade (newest book) The Female Brain The Male Brain Resource Mentioned NAMS - North American Menopause Website

Today, I am honored to connect with Catharine Arnston, the Founder, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of ENERGYbits.  I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Catharine in person this past July at KetoCon in Austin. Much of her work focuses on optimizing mitochondrial function and recognizing that mitochondria are pivotal to our metabolism, longevity, brain and gut health, sleep, digestion, and almost everything else.  In our conversation, we dive into what got Catharine passionate about algae. We speak about her transition from a corporate economic development role into a budding entrepreneur, the distinctions between micro and macroalgae, and the more than 100,000 studies that have been done- especially in Asia, that show algae are of the most alkaline and nutrient-dense foods available. We differentiate between spirulina and chlorella and explain their roles in our mitochondrial health. We also discuss how our stressful lifestyles impact our cellular health and talk about autophagy, red light therapy, immune function, and more. I hope you enjoy today’s eye-opening discussion about the value of consuming microalgae daily. Stay tuned to find out what microalgae are and what they do to keep you healthy! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How an issue with her sister’s health resulted in Catharine becoming passionate about algae as a food source. Algae is a food, not a supplement.  How do macroalgae differ from algae? Spirulina and chlorella are grown as fresh-water crops. So they contain no iodine. They also have no lectins or oxalates.  Catharine explains why algae are some of the most nutrient-dense foods available.  Why are algae critical for maintaining mitochondrial health? Consuming microalgae every day means you do not have to deteriorate as you age. What makes spirulina’s absorption rate so high?  The health benefits of consuming chlorella. Catherine explains how spirulina and chlorella differ and work together synergistically. How does chlorella differ from activated charcoal? What are the benefits of having chlorophyll in your body when exposed to red light? Catharine unpacks the immune-supportive aspects of spirulina and chlorella. Spirulina and chlorella are keto-friendly, can be used when fasting intermittently, and are safe for people with diabetes.   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Catharine Arnston On her website (Use the 20% discount code: CYNTHIATHURLOW On Facebook On Instagram (@energybits) On Twitter (@energybits)  Resources: Why Algae is a Food, Not a Supplement Article Algae Article Chlorophyll Article Collagen Article

I am delighted to have Margaret Floyd Barry joining me today! Margaret is a highly sought-after expert clinician, author, and educator in the field of functional nutrition. It is in our listeners’ best interest to learn more about gut health and the gut microbiome because middle-aged women often develop health issues without realizing that they are related to their gut not being as healthy as before.  Margaret became interested in understanding the connection between food and health because she witnessed her mother suffering from Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. In this episode, we dive into her mother’s medical miracle, how our modern-day lifestyles impact our gut health, and the physical effects of inflammatory foods. We share some strategies for elimination diets and explain why gluten and dairy are particularly unhealthy for the digestive system. We also get into common dietary misconceptions, testing for gut health, five areas for gut healing, strategies for eliminating seed oil, the benefits of grass-fed meat, and reducing exposure to toxins.   I hope you will gain from this podcast and enjoy listening to it as much as I did recording it. Stay tuned to find out all you need to know about overcoming autoimmune issues and maintaining optimum gut health! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Margaret discusses what prompted her to change lanes and learn about functional nutrition. Margaret explains the fundamentals of what happens in the autoimmune disease process. How do our modern-day lifestyles make us susceptible to autoimmune disorders?  A good starting point for overcoming autoimmune problems is addressing the diet and healing the gut. Margaret unpacks the inflammatory process. Which foods are the most inflammatory and problematic? A leaky gut is a gateway to many different health issues. Testing is the best way to find out what is triggering the inflammatory process in your body.  Digestive distress is often associated with gluten and dairy. Why is gluten problematic, and how does it impact the body? Why is dairy so alluring and addictive? It is vital to incorporate transition foods in the process of eliminating unhealthy foods from your diet. Margaret talks about the test she recommends for people starting to heal their gut. Maintaining hormonal balance is critical when addressing gut issues. The five areas Margaret focuses on for gut healing. Margaret debunks three common dietary misconceptions. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Margaret Floyd Barry On her website   On Instagram If you are a health practitioner, go to www.restorativewellnesssolutions.com (There is also a Find a Practitioner page if you are looking for a practitioner.) Books mentioned: Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat: Why Well-Raised Meat Is Good for You and Good for the Planet by Diana Rodgers and Robb Wolf   Previous Episodes Mentioned: Robb Wolfe (2021)  Dr. Cate Shanahan Jeffrey Smith

Today, I’m happy to welcome Dr. John Lieurance as my guest! Dr. Lieurance is a doctor of chiropractic and naturopathic medicine and the author of Melatonin: Miracle Molecule (Melatoninbook.com). Melatonin is a very misunderstood hormone that is astonishingly impactful. It has profound, significant, and far-reaching effects that go all the way to the cellular level. Most of us are shocked to hear the story of the connection between melatonin, inflammation, infections, and mitochondrial health and discover that much of what we do in our modern-day lives harms our melatonin production. In this episode, Dr. Lieurance and I dive into the role of melatonin plays in stress protection, anti-aging, and brain function. We talk about hormesis, discuss what depletes melatonin, and explain why those who are sympathetic dominant in our modern-day lifestyles need to be highly attuned to this crucial hormone. We get into the role of sleep, the role of deep sleep in brain health, autophagy, and autoimmunity. We touch on the gut microbiome and explain why specific populations, including shift workers, should be concerned about supporting melatonin secretion. We also discuss the role of SandMan and other products Dr. Lieurance created, including Fast Track Fast, which contains Nad, Methylene Blue, and other senolytic products. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:   Dr. Lieurance explains the connection between the body’s adaptation response to stressors and disease. What part does melatonin play in how the mitochondria in our cells respond to inflammation? Repleting lost reserves of melatonin can be helpful, provided you make some lifestyle changes.  Dr. Lieurance explains the difference between pineal melatonin and extra-pineal melatonin. Key things that cause disease in our modern civilization. Dr. Lieurance explains why he refers to melatonin as “the ultimate resilience molecule” and recommends supplementing it later in life. Studies have proven that melatonin supplementation is non-toxic. (Using a high-quality product is vital, however.) Getting enough sleep is crucial for good health.  Dr. Lieurance discusses the glymphatic system, what it does, and various things that could affect it. Dr. Lieurance talks about his Fast Track Fasting program. Why should you take melatonin after a fast? How does melatonin benefit the gut microbiome? Dr. Lieurance explains the effectiveness of suppositories as a delivery system for melatonin supplementation. What can shift workers do to support their bodies and prevent metabolic disease?  Some changes you can make to your home and bedroom to protect your sleep.  Taking melatonin internally and externally is an effective hack for healthy skin.   Bio: Dr. John A. Lieurance is a Doctor of Chiropractic, Naturopath (no license in FL), Registered Medical Assistant, and Performs Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. He has practiced in Sarasota for 24 years. Dr. Lieurance is a regular guest on many media outlets, has been on the Documentary “Pain Revealed”, and is a contributor for both ABC 7 news, and SNN news, as well as on popular podcasts like Ben Greenfield Fitness and CellTV with Dr. Dan Pompa. Dr. Lieurance is the developer of Functional Cranial Release and teaches, as well as certifies, these methods to doctors around the world. He is the author of Melatonin: Miracle Molecule see Melatoninbook.com.   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. John Lieurance On his website: MitoZen Scientific or Advanced Rejuvenation Instagram: Dr John Lieurance (@doctormitozen) • Instagram photos and videos Dr. John Lieurance’s book, Melatonin: Miracle Molecule SandMan™ Glutathione & Melatonin Bullet) Monthly Subscription (For 5% off, use code Cynthia.) Fast Track Fasting program  John Lieurance | Facebook Instagram: Dr John Lieurance (@doctormitozen)

I was happy to connect with Todd White today! Todd is the founder of Dry Farm Wines, a company from which I have frequently sent gifts from to friends and family over the last few years.  Todd has always taken his health and fitness seriously. He is a wine lover, but it used to make him feel bad. Looking for low-alcohol wine led him to accidentally discover natural wines via the natural wine revolution, which was starting to happen in France at the time. Todd and I dive deep into the differences between conventional and biodynamic wines. We speak about government regulations, the lack of transparency in the wine industry, the components of organic, biodynamic, and natural wines, the alcohol content of natural wines versus that of conventional wines, and how age and gender differences relate to alcohol consumption. We discuss the toxins, herbicides, and pesticides found in conventional wine products, the impact of irrigation on grapes, and what comprises sugar-free wine. We also get into why wine consumers need to educate themselves on the significant differences between conventionally produced wines in the United States and biodynamic wines.  I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Todd White of Dry Farm Wines! Stay tuned to learn all you need to know about the difference between conventional wines and biodynamic wines.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Todd discusses his background and lifestyle choices.  What brought about the invention of Dry Farm Wines? Todd dives into the lack of transparency in the wine-making business. How are conventional wines made, and how does that differ from biodynamic wine-making? Why are natural wines rare, and why are they better for you? Todd is passionate about educating people on how to drink better and more consciously. Natural wines are lower in alcohol than commercially produced wines.  The benefits of drinking natural wines from a health standpoint.  Why do Dry Farm Wines independently lab-test every wine they sell? Todd talks about the problems with irrigation and explains what dry farming means. Todd talks about polyphenols in wine.  How does wine get sugar in it and how does it become sugar-free? What do sulfates and other additives do to wine? The difference between organic wine and natural wine. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Todd White Dry Farm Wines website @dryfarmwines on all social media Go to www.dryfarmwines.com/cynthiathurlow to get an extra bottle of wine in your first box when you sign up for a subscription.   Recommended documentary:  The Biggest Little Farm directed by John Chester

Today, I have the honor of connecting with a friend and colleague, Dr. Vincent Pedre. Dr. Pedre is the Medical Director of Pedre Integrative Health and President of Dr. Pedre Wellness. He is also a board-certified internist and incorporates philosophy and the practice of both western and eastern medical traditions.  While growing up, Dr. Pedre often got sick. He remembers taking more than twenty rounds of antibiotics throughout his teenage years. Looking back now, as a gut health expert, he understands that antibiotics cause dysbiosis that leads to a leaky gut. As a result, his immune system stopped working properly, and he became reactive to certain foods.  Dr. Pedre and I speak about the gut microbiome, gut health, the power of manifestation, the role of the gut microbiome in the brain, the value of elimination diets, and why plateaus are not to be feared. We talk about the metabolism of certain neurotransmitters and the vagus nerve and discuss circadian biology, fermented foods versus fibrous foods, and the need for tapping into the parasympathetic for proper gut microbiome health and digestion. We also get into proactively supporting the gut microbiome and talk about Dr. Pedre’s book, Happy Gut.  I hope you enjoy today’s fascinating discussion with Dr. Pedre! I look forward to having him back once he has completed his next book. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How did Dr. Pedre’s health issues while growing up bring him to his current niche?  The best ways to evaluate food reactions. What Dr. Pedre tries to teach his patients about the way their bodies react to food. Dr. Pedre shares his inspiration for writing his book, Happy Gut. Why are so many people who never had gut issues before coming up with them now?  It takes time, dedication, patience, and trust to heal gut issues. How does the gut microbiome affect the brain? The role and importance of the gut microbiome. Dr. Pedre talks about the vagus nerve and explains how fermented foods can increase vagal tone and benefit the gut microbiome. How do neurotransmitters get produced as by-products of the metabolism? The gut microbiome is the most complex ecosystem on the planet. The impact of fiber versus fermented foods on the microbiome. Dr. Pedre shares some natural ways to nurture the soul, overcome the stresses of our modern lifestyle, and heal the gut. Some simple and easy ways to strengthen your vagal tone. Dr. Pedre shares some vital aspects of what goes on in the digestive system and explains why fasting is so beneficial. What can you do to lessen the likelihood of becoming weight-loss resistant when you fly long distances frequently? Your surroundings affect your state of health. That’s why Dr. Pedre helps his patients manifest jobs that allow them to live more congruently with the lifestyle they want. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Vincent Pedre On Instagram  On his website  Go to www.pedremd.com for a consultation Dr. Pedre’s Top Ten Tips for a Healthy, Happy Gut     Books mentioned: Rushing Woman Syndrome by Libby Weaver

I have the honor of connecting with Dr. Felice Gersh today! Dr. Gersh is an incredible resource! She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She is also a recognized expert on PCOS. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a syndrome of inflammation, imbalanced hormones, and insulin resistance. It is the most common female endocrine disorder and the leading cause of infertility in women. This episode is the first part of a two-part series with Dr. Gersh. We dive into PCOS, discuss its foundation, and explain how we are often genetically predisposed to it. We discuss the symptoms and how they can predispose us to autoimmunity and endometrial cancer. We speak about estrogen, the role it plays in PCOS, and how it systemically impacts the ovaries, pancreas, liver, and intestines. We talk about how PCOS modulates inflammation and how shift workers and women with PCOS tend to struggle with circadian rhythm disruption. We also discuss lifestyle changes, supplements, and medication we can use for PCOS.  Dr. Gersh will return to the podcast in the fall to speak about perimenopause and menopause.  I hope you enjoy listening to our discussion as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Gersh discusses her career trajectory and explains what motivated her to work with women’s health. PCOS is a vital sign of everything to do with female health. Oral contraceptives do not regulate women’s cycles. Dr. Gersch explains how they change the entire dynamic of a woman’s physiology. Dr. Gersh explains why the bodies of women with PCOS are metabolically unhealthy. Why do women who have estrogen do better? Some common symptoms of PCOS. Every organ in the body is involved with estrogen. 80-85% of PCOS women fit into the ovarian ideology and do not make enough estradiol. Dr. Gersh explains why that happens. Dr. Gersh talks about the impact of PCOS on the different microbiomes in the body. Research has found that the immune cells of women with PCOS take less to create a big inflammatory response.  Dr. Gersh explains how and why female hearts differ from male hearts. Why is estrogen crucial for mitochondrial health? Why do women with PCOS have the highest rates of pregnancy-related complications? Dr. Gersh talks about the first step in solving the PCOS problem. How does PCOD disrupt the circadian rhythm? Dr. Gersh discusses supplements and other ways to address PCOS. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine On Instagram  All Dr. Gersh’s books are available on Amazon

I am excited to connect with Dr. Lara Briden today! She is one of my favorite naturopathic doctors and the author of the bestselling books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual. She has 25 years of experience in women's health, and she currently has consulting rooms in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone- and period-related health problems. Dr. Briden is a wealth of information! She brings a fresh perspective and a positive voice to the health and wellness space, and I often recommend her book, Hormone Repair Manual, to my clients and patients.  Today, she and I dive into her background as an evolutionary biologist and discuss how she became passionate about supporting women and advocating for them throughout their lifetime. We talk about perspectives on aging, what the second puberty (perimenopause) is, and the impact of histamine, mass-cell granulation, and estrogen. We discuss fat redistribution in middle age and the loss of insulin sensitivity. We speak about how using alcohol impacts brain health, sleep, the gut microbiome, appetite, cravings, and hinders estrogen metabolism. We also touch on ways to address dysfunctional uterine bleeding in middle age and explain how to advocate for your health, how middle-age impacts the nervous system, and the role of inflammatory foods, including dairy.  I hope you enjoy our discussion as much as I did! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Briden talks about her background as an evolutionary biologist and how she changed her career and became an advocate for women’s health. Many women fear the process of aging. Dr. Briden and I talk about women’s mindsets and their perspectives on aging.  Why is there so little awareness about perimenopause? Dr. Briden defines menopause and discusses the timeframe in which some women experience perimenopause symptoms. How can ongoing hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause, or second puberty, increase the likelihood of women having issues with a histamine response? Dr. Briden talks about fat redistribution in middle age and explains why women need to stay on top of it from a metabolic perspective. How can our modern-day lifestyle make the metabolic shift women experience in menopause even more challenging? Dr. Briden talks about natural treatments and hormone therapies to lighten the flow of the extremely heavy periods that some women experience during perimenopause. Dr. Briden discusses the connection between cow dairy and an inflammatory reaction in some people. Women need to understand what happens in their bodies when they have either a partial or a full hysterectomy. Dr. Briden talks about estrogen and brain health. How does alcohol affect the body? What are the best options with the fewest side effects for hormone therapy for women? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Lara Briden On her website   On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaraBriden  Dr. Briden’s blog  Dr. Briden’s podcast Books mentioned: Period Repair Manual (for women in their 20s and 30s) by Dr. Lara Briden Hormone Repair Manual (for women of 40-plus) by Dr. Lara briden Free download of the first two chapters of both Dr. Lara Briden’s books The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by Lisa Mosconi, PhD

I had the honor of reconnecting with Chris Irvin today! (He was with me once before, on Episode 175.) Chris is a nutrition researcher, writer, and educator specializing in low-carb dieting for metabolic health and human performance. He is the author of Keto Answers, The Carnivore Diet for Beginners, and Mommy, Do I Have to Eat This? He is also the Chief Marketing officer at BioCoach, a company dedicated to taking down prediabetes and diabetes. Chris is an incredible resource on the value of keto and low-carb diets! His book, Keto Answers, is one of my favorite keto resources to recommend to clients! In this episode, Chris and I get into the differences between micro and macronutrients. We talk about the therapeutic uses of keto, low-carb, hormesis, and carnivore diets, the role of metabolic health, the value of protein, balancing longevity and sarcopenia, and the results of over-fasting, over-restricting, and creating too much stress on the body. We also dive into questions from listeners about the impact of low-carb and ketogenic diets on cholesterol panels and endurance, how to troubleshoot digestive distress, protein excess, and Chris’s favorite gadgets and supplements.  I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The therapeutic benefits of keto, carnivore, low-carb diets, and fasting. The value of protein. How much protein should you eat? The importance of having muscle. The benefits of eating grass-fed red meat. The problem with over-restricting, over-exercising, and over-fasting. Changing things up occasionally and using reverse dieting for optimum health. Adding more protein to your diet will make you feel better, and you won't gain weight. How will a low-carb or keto diet impact your overall cholesterol? Chris explains how a low-carb or keto diet affects the performance of endurance athletes. Products you can use to optimize endurance performance. Chris explains why digestive distress could occur with keto and shares his recommendations for overcoming it.  The impact of a low-carb diet on thyroid function. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Chris Irvin On his website On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheKetologist  Thinking Health Newsletter  The Keto Answers Podcast

Today I feel privileged to connect with the legendary Mark Sisson, the New York Times bestselling author of The Keto Reset Diet and bestselling book, The Primal Blueprint! Mark has been integral in turbo-charging the growth of the Primal Paleo movement. He is a prolific writer, blogger, and the founder of Primal Kitchen and Primal Nutrition. Our body’s ability to supply the cells with energy is critical to our lives. In all his work, which spans decades, Mark emphasizes the importance of metabolic health, which means that every cell in the body gets supplied with enough energy to function optimally. Metabolic flexibility is the body’s ability to extract energy from multiple sources, including fat stored in the body, and access energy from ketones to fuel the brain. In this episode, Mark and I dive into metabolic health and flexibility, nutritional dogmatism, disordered eating and extremes, and the misguidedness of the "calories in, calories out" approach. We discuss food scarcity, intermittent fasting, impulse control, and mindset, and Mark also shares how he has managed to have a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted family despite his success.   I hope you enjoy our conversation and gain a lot from listening to it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN What does metabolic health look like day-to-day? Mark explains how metabolic flexibility empowers people. Mark explains why we tend to over-eat from an evolutionary perspective. Most Americans are over-fed and under-nourished. Ideally, we need to figure out a strategy for eating as little as possible and staying satiated while building and maintaining muscle mass and having all the energy we need. You will get sarcopenia if you do not actively work against it.  What does it take to maintain your thyroid health? It is much easier to avoid over-eating when you become aware of being satiated. Building lean muscle mass is critical. It is crucial to understand that men and women have different nutritional requirements. Why is the “calories in, calories out” approach to weight loss misguided? Mark explains why he advocates for a more flexible approach to food choices. Mark shares his secret to cultivating a healthy and happy personal life alongside his professional life. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Mark Sisson On Mark’s Daily Apple website On Instagram

Today, I am excited to have my friend and colleague, Dr. Aaron Hartman, joining me! Dr. Hartman is a triple board-certified physician in functional and integrative medicine.  Our immune systems can go into overdrive in response to many different environmental factors, including some of the things we get exposed to in our food and personal care products. Today, for the first time on the podcast, we will be talking about mold and micro-toxins and their resultant systemic inflammatory side effects. I like to think of Dr. Hartman as a medical detective because he takes the time to closely examine how and why various factors are present in his patients. In this episode, he and I dive deep into Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and discuss how exposure to biotoxins can lead to a chronic inflammatory response. We talk about mold, contributors to mold exposure, and micro-toxins. We discuss the role of specific types of testing, provide clues for where to look for mold exposure, and explain how it can manifest. We touch on how CIRS can get triggered by seemingly benign things like too much exercise, post-traumatic brain injury, and breast implant illness. We discuss ways to treat those issues, focusing mainly on lifestyle, dietary recommendations, and adding things like specific types of filters to our environment. We also talk about how we can work with our local healthcare professionals to find people in our area to help us get to the root cause of many different chronic inflammatory symptoms.  I found this conversation very interesting because I believe that many people may be diving down rabbit holes when, in fact, their symptoms might be there as a result of an overwhelming chronic inflammatory response. Stay tuned to learn how to deal with the systemic inflammatory side effects that could result from chronic mold exposure.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why is the medical community not talking enough about mold exposure and micro-toxins? We look at the symptoms associated with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). It can take many exposures over many years for those genetically more susceptible to micro-toxin exposure to become symptomatic. There is a case study at the University of Texas on curing POTS Syndrome by treating SIBO with low-dose naltrexone and IVIg. Healthcare providers get trained to think about each symptom separately. Dr. Hartman’s curiosity led him to see how many different things are interconnected. There are many different ways that people get exposed to mold- even from seemingly benign foods like coffee and peanut butter. We need to ask whether or not our innate immune system is activated to respond to the mold we get exposed to or if there might be something else within the CIRS world that could be causing the problem. Dr. Hartman created a blog series on his website to walk people through their symptoms to learn if they might have CIRS. Dr. Hartman talks about the often-overlooked melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Where should you start, and what should you look for with home-testing? Some ways that CIRS can get triggered. Everyone has different thresholds for a concussion. Overexertion can hurt the body, so you need to listen to what your body tells you. Dr. Hartman shares his thoughts on breast implant illness and its inter-relationship with CIRS. Some of the ways that Dr. Hartman addresses CIRS symptoms.    Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Aaron Hartman On his website CIRS eBook       Coffee link  https://squarefeetcoffee.com/discount/IF\

I am excited to have Dr. Doni Wilson back on the show today! She was with me once before in episode 142. Dr. Doni is a naturopathic doctor, certified professional midwife, and the bestselling author of Master Your Stress Reset Your Health. She has been in practice for the last twenty-two years. Most people think that stress is all bad. However, it only becomes an issue when chronic, long-term, or debilitating. There are many benefits to having the right amount of stress at the right time.  In this episode, Dr. Doni and I take a deep dive into the role of stress and the impact of the stress response, including heart rate variability, the autonomic nervous system, and the role of the vagus nerve. We talk about what happens to our bodies with chronic exposure to stress- specifically around digestion, hormonal imbalances, neurotransmitter changes, and immune response. We discuss the impact of adverse childhood events and trauma, different types of stress, and recovery protocols. We also discuss measuring neurotransmitters and urine and speak about self-compassion and love- especially when dealing with stressful events. I hope you enjoy today’s conversation! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Doni defines the role of stress and talks about our built-in stress response system. Some people are in a constant state of stress, so their stress-response system never turns off. What does heart-rate variability represent? The parasympathetic system is run mostly by the vagus nerve. Dr. Doni explains what the vagus nerve does in the body.  Constant stress causes overstimulation. That results in people not having enough time in the parasympathetic state, and that can cause chronic health issues. The impact stress has on hormones and neurotransmitters. The importance of testing hormone levels.  Why can blood work appear normal, even when we are stressed or anxious? When stressful things happen in middle age, it can overtax the adrenal glands and cause issues. Dr. Doni talks about the importance of testing adrenal levels when recovering from adrenal distress. Dr. Doni explains what motivated her to write Master Your Stress Reset Your Health. Why do adrenal and cortisol issues need to be addressed differently depending on the patterns? The areas in the body that tend to be most affected by chronic stress. Childhood stress and trauma can impact your long-term health and even affect future generations. Dr. Doni has created a system to address that. Dr. Doni describes the different stress types and talks about the most common stress types she sees in women. Prioritizing self-care is vital for stress recovery. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Doni Wilson On her website On Instagram and Facebook 

I am delighted to have the opportunity to converse with Kristina Hess today! Kristina is a premier health coach, licensed dietician, and nutritionist with a functional and integrative approach. Everyone should feel free to experiment with different types of nutritional dogma. However, we should always stay open-minded and lean into whatever our bodies need. I love that Kristina has married the trajectory of her life with genetics and nutrition. So I asked her to join me on the podcast to discuss nutrigenomics.  In this episode, Kristina shares her backstory and talks about growing up and living all over the world, her history of veganism, and healing her body with a nutrient-dense, whole food, primal/paleo diet. She gives some examples of genetic tendencies and low penetrants. She and I dive into gene variants, nutritional choices that include the use of ethanol or alcohol, seed oils, lifestyle choices, and testing. Kristina also provides recommendations for working with individuals trained in the unique form of genetics and study of nutrition and gene expression, known as nutrigenomics. I hope you will gain a lot from today’s fascinating conversation with Kristina Hess! Stay tuned for more! Special announcement: I will be an honored guest at the Keto Symposium, a one-and-a-half-day event in New York City on the 23rd and 24th of September, to speak, along with others like the amazing Ben Azadi!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Kristina talks about the Keto Symposium, the very first low-carb conference on the ketogenic lifestyle and fasting. She explains why it is so special. Kristina shares her interesting backstory. How Kristina finally realized that the vegan lifestyle was damaging her body. Kristina explains what nutrigenomics is. Some gene variants are older and have not changed or adapted to more modernized food. Kristina explains how lifestyle choices can impact those variants.  What can people do to impact their gene expression? It is important to take your gene data to a qualified professional for interpretation and talk to them about your lifestyle. Kristina discusses some of the more common gene combinations she sees that could cause weight loss resistance. Kristina talks about isolated low penetrant gene SNPs. Be a detective and do some testing when in doubt. Kristina talks about alcohol and how it could impact epigenetic signaling.  Why should you avoid consuming seed oils? Some lifestyle habits everyone should adopt. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Kristina Hess On her website   The Keto Symposium will be taking place in Manhattan on September 23rd and 24th. Buy your tickets now because the space is limited. They are running a promotion for the whole month of June: Use the promo code KETO10 to get 10% off the ticket price!

I am delighted to have the opportunity to connect with Dr. Latt Mansor today! Dr. Mansor is the Research Lead at HVMN. He oversees all the company's research efforts and collaborations with universities and research institutions. He has a Master’s degree in sarcopenia and a P.h.D. from Oxford University. His background is predominantly in metabolism and physiology.  Dr. Mansor is a delightful individual who makes science and physiology accessible to everyone! In this episode, he and I discuss the role of ketones. We dive into how ketones are the fourth macronutrient, the role of energy and ATP, and using CGMs and glucometers to empower and motivate patients. We define endogenous versus exogenous ketones and explain how to utilize them in our daily lives. We also get into how ketones can improve cognition and performance, the cause of keto flu, fatty coffees, and the ongoing research that HVMN is doing.  We hope you enjoy learning from today’s fascinating conversation with Dr. Latt Mansor! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Mansor shares his fascinating educational and career background. The relevance of sarcopenia and how it impacts metabolic flexibility. What are ketones? The difference between endogenous and exogenous ketones. Dr. Mansor explains how ketones are the fourth macronutrient. How modern-day lifestyles make it harder for our bodies to make endogenous ketones. How does utilizing a more fuel-efficient substrate make us less hungry? How can the use of glucometers and CGMs empower people? Dr. Mansor explains how the HVMN product, The Ketone IQ, differs from other kinds of exogenous ketones.  The cognitive benefits of BHB (Beta-hydroxybutyrate). Who should use exogenous ketones? Exogenous ketones and keto flu. How Dr. Mansor came to live a healthier lifestyle.  Dr. Mansor talks about research currently being done at HVMN.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Latt Mansor HVMN website On LinkedIn On Instagram and Twitter

I am excited to have the opportunity to reconnect with Robb Wolf today! Rob is a delightful and pragmatic research biochemist and two-times New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. One of his books, Wired to Eat, is my favorite, and I often recommend it! Robb used to be a research scientist, and he also has a background in Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, he and I dive into everything related to electrolytes. We discuss what piqued his interest in his training journey, the problems with traditional oral rehydration therapies (Gatorade), and what happens with electrolyte loss. We get into some common conditions that can make us lose more electrolytes. We talk about the role of specific electrolytes, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, and explain how to determine if you are creating too much hormetic stress in the body related to overtraining and over-fasting. We also look at lifestyle balance, Zone-2 cardio, and the value of strength training.  I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Robb talks about his journey and explains how he became interested in electrolytes. The American Council of Sports Medicine’s guidelines for athletes in hot and humid environments is 7-10 grams of sodium per day. Are pre-made conventionally-available oral re-hydration options beneficial? Robb explains how his product differs from Gatorade. HRV improves dramatically when people are on point with their electrolyte intake. If you are feeling off, you might need some sodium. Some factors, other than exercising, could increase people’s need for electrolytes. Why do breastfeeding moms need sodium to increase their milk production? What are the roles of magnesium, sodium, calcium, and potassium? Are you creating too much hormetic stress in your body from over-restricting macros, over-fasting, and over-exercising? Maintaining a balance in your lifestyle is vital! What makes Zone-2 cardio so unique and beneficial? How much training is ideal? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Robb Wolf Robb’s website The Healthy Rebellion Radio Podcast Drink LMNT

Today I am happy to share the second of my two conversations with Dr. Tabatha Barber. Dr. Barber is a triple board-certified OB-Gyn menopause and functional medicine expert. She is also known as The Gutsy Gynecologist. Dr. Barber is the kind of healthcare provider we are all looking for! She answers all the questions that women are often afraid to ask. In this episode, she and I dive into menopause. We talk about the myths surrounding GYN care, the issues with the Women’s Health Initiative study, how that has adversely impacted female hormonal health care over the last twenty years, and hormone replacement therapy options versus navigating natural menopause therapies. We compare the impact of hormone replacement therapy on our bone, brain, and heart health with not using it. We discuss tobacco use and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, statistics around skipped cycles, and the predictors for who will navigate the menopause transition with fewer issues. We talk about extreme stress and being underweight, how that can push women into menopause earlier, and the physical changes we can anticipate, including muscle-loss, vasomotor symptoms, and vulvar-vaginal symptoms. We also touch on bladder incontinence, overactive bladders, and prolapses. I know this episode will be valuable for you, and there will definitely be a third episode with Dr. Barber! I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Barber dispels some myths around GYN care and explains the importance of making informed decisions about bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. How can menopause impact women’s brain health? Some problems with the findings of the Women’s Health Initiative study. What happens to their eggs when women go into menopause? Women need to realize that aging does not cause heavy periods. Intermittent fasting can ease the transition into menopause. How can being underweight, smoking, and stress cause women to go into menopause at a younger age? The physical changes women can expect with menopause. Women need to understand that their sex hormones need high-quality fats.  Dr. Barber shares her thoughts on vasomotor symptoms.  What causes an overactive bladder? Dr. Barber talks about vulvar-vaginal and bladder issues in menopause. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Tabatha Barber On her website The Gutsy Gynecologist Show On Instagram and TikTok Books mentioned: Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris The XX Brain by Lisa Mosconi

Today, I have the privilege of connecting with Dr. Sara Gottfried! Dr. Sara is a board-certified physician who graduated from Harvard and MIT. She practices evidence-based integrative, precision, and functional medicine. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health. She has written four New York Times bestselling books, including her latest book called WOMEN, FOOD, AND HORMONES.  Dr. Sara is one of my favorite doctors in integrative medicine and GYN! In this episode, we dive into the infodemic, how stress impacts hormones, the impact of age-related changes on hormonal regulation, alcohol, and gender differences with ketogenic lifestyles. We discuss some of the lesser-known hormones, including growth hormone, and how to support it properly. We touch on disordered eating, how trauma influences our relationship with food, epigenetics, and the role of a lifetime relationship with food. We also look at methylation, glutathione, detox reactions, supporting physical detoxification, and our toxic diet culture. I hope you benefit as much from this episode as I did!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Sara explains what the infodemic is and discusses the impact it has had on how she communicates with her patients.  What happens to our hormones as we age? The impact of stress on hormone regulation. Dr. Sara busts the myth that testosterone is a male hormone and discusses what testosterone means for women. How does alcohol consumption impact women’s hormones? Why do men tend to have an easier time with the ketogenic diet than women? The dramatic changes that occur in women’s bodies as they transition from perimenopause to menopause. Looking at the interrelationship between trauma, stress, and autoimmunity. The changes that occur with growth hormones as we age. How trauma affects the genes. How disordered eating impacts metabolism. How to support physical detoxification naturally, without going to extremes. How to address weight-loss plateaus.   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Sara Gottfried On her website On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Dr. Sara’s books are available at all bookstores.

I am delighted to connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman today! Dr. Amie, a.k.a The Thyroid-Fixer, is a woman on a mission to optimize thyroid patients around the world and give them their lives back using her proprietary transformational program: The FIX Method. She is also the founder of the Institute for Thyroid and Hormone Optimization.   When she was in her twenties, Dr. Amie did competitive fitness modeling. She had to work extremely hard to get herself in shape to compete in shows. While preparing for one of the shows, she started gaining weight instead of losing, so she went to the doctor. She ended up seeing many different doctors, all of whom misdiagnosed her. She continued searching until she eventually found a functional integrative practitioner who did the right tests, saved her life, became her mentor, and changed the entire trajectory of her career! In this episode, Dr. Amie and I dive into thyroid health, the role of specific lab testing, and why checking reverse T3 is so important. We discuss molecular mimicry, weight-loss resistance, and why women need to check testosterone. We also talk about the controversy around iodine and discuss low-dose naltrexone, and the use of berberine, chromium, and inositol. I hope you gain as much from this episode as I did! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How did Dr. Amie become so passionate about the thyroid? Some of the tests that traditional healthcare providers are not doing, that Dr. Amie commonly requires for her patients. It is possible to have an autoimmune thyroid issue and have negative antibodies. Dr. Amie discusses the role of reverse T3. Some common clinical reasons individuals tend to struggle with high reverse T3. Dr. Amie talks about molecular mimicry and explains how gluten can impact the thyroid, exacerbate autoimmune disorders, and cause a leaky gut. Why some people did not feel any better following a gluten-free diet when the gluten-free diet first came out. Eating less processed foods is generally the best way to support your physical health and maintain metabolic flexibility. Some potential causes of weight-loss resistance in women. For many women, testosterone is the missing link. Problems with the Women’s Health Initiative Study. Dr. Amie shares her thoughts on iodine, LDN, and berberine. Bio: Dr. Amie Hornaman, a.k.a The Thyroid-Fixer, is a woman on a mission to optimize thyroid patients around the world and give them their lives back using her proprietary transformational program: The FIX Method. She is also the founder of the Institute for Thyroid and Hormone Optimization.  After her own experience of insufferable symptoms, misdiagnoses, and improper treatment, Dr. Amie set out to help others who she KNEW were going through the same set of frustrations and who were on the same medical roller coaster.  She grabs your hand, gives you answers about your health that no one has told you, and gives you the actual tools and personalized treatment to fix you. What makes her program unique is the extra support and accessibility that you can’t find anywhere else. That’s the transformational journey. With a focus on optimizing thyroid and hormone function, and thus optimizing her patients, Dr. Amie looks at you as a unique individual and not JUST a lab value. She examines all factors that tie into thyroid dysfunction and thyroid symptoms and FIXES you to give you your life back.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman On her website On Facebook and Instagram On YouTube On the Thyroid Fixer Podcast   Books mentioned: Estrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve Women's Well-Being and Lengthen Their Lives -- Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by Lisa Mosconi

I am delighted to have Dr. Bindiya Gandhi joining me today! Dr. Bindiya is a Double Board Certified Family Physician & Integrative Medicine Practitioner with expertise in Functional & Holistic Medicine. She is also a Certified Yoga Instructor & Reiki Master and trained in obesity management. Dr. Bindiya is passionate about intertwining western medicine & yoga to heal the mind, body, and soul. Her mission is to educate, empower, and inspire people to live healthier lifestyles! Dr. Bindiya struggled with various health issues while doing her residency. She had acne, menstrual irregularities, and unexpectedly started gaining weight. She also suffered from migraines, developed a rash on her face that would not go away, and discovered that she had celiac disease. Later, when trying to become pregnant, she realized that there was more to fertility than what she had learned in medical school. Now, she helps women with weight-loss resistance and fertility issues by addressing leptin.  Leptin is the key satiety hormone. In this episode, Dr. Bindiya and I dive into why leptin is vital from a metabolic health perspective. We talk about what leads to leptin resistance and the impact of leptin on the body. We get into detoxification and how a dysregulated gut microbiome can influence food choices. We discuss inflammatory markers, the importance of protein, and why stress reduction is vital. We share tips for working towards better anti-inflammatory choices and some simple ways to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system. We also explain why you need to avoid too much fruit and over-fasting, and we clear up some common mid-life misconceptions. As we record this podcast, Dr. Bindiya is two weeks away from the delivery date of her third baby! I hope you gain a lot from today’s illuminating conversation with her! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN How Dr. Bindiya became interested in and passionate about helping her patients understand metabolic flexibility and leptin resistance. What is leptin, and why is it important from a metabolic health perspective? How does yo-yo dieting mess up the metabolism? You need just the right amount of leptin in your body. Dr. Bindiya talks about the impacts of leptin. What happens when your leptin levels are low? Some of the more common tests Dr. Bindiya uses to help support her patients Weight loss resistance can sometimes indicate that your body is storing toxins from the environment, food, or personal care products. Dr. Bindiya talks about the importance of detoxification. If you think you might be leptin resistant, you can do the quiz on Dr. Bindiya’s website How can your gut microbiome influence many of your food choices?  Why do you need to pay attention to your inflammatory markers? You can reduce stress to address leptin resistance. Some of my favorite simple and free ways to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system Some tips for working towards better anti-inflammatory choices Why getting enough protein is vital. Some common mid-life misconceptions Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Bindiya Gandhi On her website Take Dr. Bindiya’s quiz

I have the honor of connecting with James Nestor today! James is a science journalist and author of the book Breath. Breath was one of my favorite books to read in 2021! It was awarded the prize for Best General Nonfiction Book of 2020 by the American Society of Journalists and Authors and shortlisted for the Royal Society Best Science book of 2020. It explores the million-year-long history of how humans have lost the ability to breathe properly and why we suffer from issues like snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, autoimmune disease, and allergies. James traveled the world in his effort to figure out what went wrong and how to fix our ability to breathe properly. He did not discover the answers in pulmonology labs but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of Sao Paulo. In this episode, James and I dive into how humans have become poor breathers and how crooked teeth contribute to poor breathing. We discuss the nasal anatomy and the impact it has on poor breathing. We talk about alternate nostril breathing, the vagus nerve, the anatomical changes that occur with aging, how overeaters become over-breathers, chewing, and how our palates and facial bones have evolved and changed. We also get into James’s experience in the Paris catacombs and the impact of breathwork on the autonomic nervous system.  I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How have the structural changes in our bodies impacted our quality of breathing? The importance of having a proper deep sleep.  The association between obligate mouth breathing and getting up at night to urinate. James talks about nasal erections and the effects of alternate nostril breathing on the body. James talks about the vagus nerve and explains the concept of vagal tone. Why do overeaters tend to become over-breathers? Poor breathing can lead to poor sleep quality, which can cause metabolic imbalance. What can you do to proactively impact the stimulation of facial bone remodeling if your mouth is too small or you have crooked teeth? James talks about his experience of crawling around in the Paris catacombs. What has been driving the changes in the anatomy of our faces? The importance of chewing stress. Chewing can play a role in how we look, how we breathe, and how our brain functions.  James explains the significance of the empty nose syndrome. How proper breathing impacts the body and the benefits of breathing techniques. James talks about carbon dioxide therapy. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with James Nestor  On his website     On Instagram  

Dr. Barr joins me on this episode and I am thrilled! Dr. Barr is a dual board-certified dermatologist and menopause specialist. She is a prominent leader in women's medicine, creating a bridge between hormones, skin, and mind-body medicine to optimize the mid-life experiences of women. She is a fierce patient advocate dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances. Dr. Barr empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and hormones in menopause.  Dr. Barr takes a different approach to skin health. She realized that as women head north of thirty-five, the emphasis is always on the concept of anti-aging and finding ways to camouflage the effects of aging. So she helps women appreciate that their skin can be an ally because it can help them understand what happens in their bodies and empower them to make the changes that are within their control. In this episode, Dr. Barr and I unpack the changes that happen to women's skin from the age of thirty-five onward. We dive into skin physiology, the impact of hormones, and the changes that occur as we age. Dr. Barr explains how our skin reflects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being and talks about progesterone, stress, and regulating the nervous system. We discuss Botox, self-love, the social conditioning of women, the benefits of breath-work, getting enough sleep, and taking the time to enjoy yourself. We talk about psoriasis, food, choosing the best skin care products, and caring for your skin, and Dr. Barr shares her thoughts on skin peels, lasers, and bio-identical hormone supplementation. I hope you gain a lot from this insightful conversation with Dr. Barr! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What motivated Dr. Barr to help women navigate middle age and beyond? Dr. Barr unpacks skin physiology, the impact of hormones on the skin and hair, and the changes occurring in our skin throughout our lives. How does our skin reflect our physical, mental, and emotional well-being? The impact of progesterone on the skin and hair. The impact of stress.  The importance of regulating your nervous system. How you see yourself will impact what shows up on your skin. How to make your skin your greatest ally. How can breath-work and rest help your skin repair, recover, and rejuvenate? Some skincare tips.  Navigating the choices around cleaner and safer skincare products. Dr. Barr shares her thoughts on skin peels, laser procedures, and bio-identical hormone supplementation.     Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Keira Barr Social: IG: https://www.instagram.com/drkeirabarr Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keirabarr/ Website: https://www.drkeirabarr.com Book: The Skin Whisperer Books mentioned:  Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by Lisa Mosconi Resources mentioned: Environmental Working Group

Today, I feel honored to share the first of two episodes with one of my favorite women in the health and wellness space! Dr. Tabatha Barber is a triple board-certified OB-Gyn specializing in perimenopause, menopause, and functional medicine. She is often affectionately referred to as the Gutsy Gynecologist, and she has a wonderful podcast called The Gutsy Gynecologist Show. Dr. Barber is speaking out on behalf of middle-aged women! She does not focus on any specific age group because she prefers to think about women on a continuum.  In this episode, she talks with me about perimenopause, lifestyle management, and navigating the transition to middle age. We discuss the impact of oral contraceptives, their effect on the gut microbiome, and informed consent. We talk about vitamin and mineral depletion and therapies typically used in middle age- including IUDs, ablations, and hysterectomies. We dive into how to navigate cycle mapping and successfully integrate intermittent fasting during perimenopause. We also briefly touch on how to manage vasomotor symptoms.  I hope you will gain a lot from this invaluable podcast! We will be sharing the second part of this show later this summer. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Barber explains what inspired her to help and support women throughout their lifetime. What changes happen in women's bodies as they move past the peak fertility years?   How do we prepare for the time when our bodies are no longer fertile? It is vital to make the connection between gut health and gynecological health. The issue with birth control pills. How can women who have IUDs, or those who have had an ablation or a hysterectomy and still have their ovaries, understand where they are in their cycle? Why is so little research done on women, and why are women not getting the care they deserve from their medical practitioners? Problems that exist within the current medical system. Women need to ask their health care providers “why?”. How to manage vasomotor symptoms. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Tabatha Barber On her website The Gutsy Gynecologist Show On Instagram and TikTok

I am delighted to have the opportunity to connect with Dr. Rick Johnson today! Dr. Johnson is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado and is a clinician and researcher. He is an international expert on sugar and fructose and has made many discoveries on how sugar and fructose play a role in obesity and diabetes.  Dr. Johnson is a gracious, humble, and brilliant man! He is also extremely curious and loves diving into things! As well as running a clinical practice, he has been doing medical research throughout his career.  In this episode, we talk about his new book, Nature Wants Us to Be Fat. We get into how his curiosity has fueled his entire medical career, and talk about the intricate connection between fructose, weight gain, and re-gaining weight. We discuss the impact of obesity and hormonal regulation and how fructose lowers the ATP and impacts the mitochondria. We talk about artificial sweeteners, the polyol pathway, and uric acid. We dive into dehydration and explain how it can create fructose in the body. We also talk about the impact of alcohol and the Switch Diet. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I did while recording it! Stay tuned to find out all you need to know about the biological switch that drives obesity! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What led Dr. Johnson to write the book Nature Wants Us to Be Fat? The role hibernation plays in the metabolic health of wild animals. How being mildly overweight can sometimes be associated with living longer. Dr. Johnson shares his thoughts on the CICO (Calories In Calories Out) model and explains how weight gain and obesity are driven by more than just calories.  The role fructose plays in weight gain and metabolic disease. The association between sugar and obesity can be traced a long way back in human history. How do some foods make us hungrier and less active? Dr. Johnson talks about the breakthrough that occurred after the hormone leptin was discovered. How fructose impacts the ATP (the energy sparked in a cell) and triggers weight gain.  Why fasting and low carb diets can help to cure obesity and maintain weight loss and overall health. What is dehydration, and why is it so significant? How salt- specifically sodium chloride, impacts weight gain. What happens in the body when we consume alcohol? There is a link between the craving for alcohol and the sugar craving. Dr. Johnson talks about the Switch Diet. He explains what it is and what it incorporates. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Rick Johnson On his website  On Instagram and Twitter  

I am delighted to have Joel Greene, one of my favorite biohackers, joining me today! Joel is very well-known in the health and fitness community! He is knowledgeable and passionate about science, and he has some fresh and distinctive notions about the gut microbiome and weight loss.  Joel is the author of The Immunity Code. He has figured out different ways for us to focus on our gut microbiome and immune function while targeting specific pathways in the body that could amplify our results for body composition and various other things.  In this episode, we dive into common ideologies and dogma, diet variations, and how the second law of thermodynamics relates to food. We discuss calories in calories out, the health of the gut microbiome, dysbiosis, inflammation, butyrate, fasting amplifications, and the concept of reductionism. Joel also shares some hacks for overall wellness and better sleep quality, and I talk briefly about my background and health journey.  Tune into today's fascinating conversation with Joel Greene to learn how to optimize your health with very little effort!   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What motivated Joel to move from being an interval trainer with Olympic lifting to where he is today.   There is an ongoing debate amongst scientists around calories in calories out.  How he relates the second law of thermodynamics to food and body composition. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for sustained metabolic health. Why people should eat whatever they want, from time to time to get their desired outcomes There are both positives and negatives to following a low-carb diet. There is a good rationale for being flexible and mixing things up in your diet. The Immunity Code is all about doing things that yield big results and require little effort.  Joel talks about the main tenets of The Immunity Code.  The myriad benefits of increasing the populations of certain species of “lean” bacteria in the gut. Joel shares his thoughts on butyrate. The right way to re-introduce fiber when recovering from dysbiosis. The benefits of amplified fasting.  Joel unpacks the concept of pexophagy. You can use ice and menthol to change your body composition. Some effective hacks for better sleep. Joel discusses reductionism. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Joel Greene On his website Find The Immunity Code on Amazon

I have the honor of connecting with Gabby Bernstein today! Gabby is a spiritual teacher, motivational speaker, and catalyst for profound inner change. She recently launched her latest book, the New York Times bestseller, Happy Days.  Gabby has been transforming lives- including her own for more than sixteen years. She is a number 1 New York Times best-selling author. She has written nine books, including The Universe Has Your Back, Super Attractor, and her latest, Happy Days. In her weekly podcast, Dear Gabby, she offers real-time coaching, straight talk, and conversations about personal growth and spirituality with unique and inspiring guests. In this episode, Gabby and I dive into undoing the patterns that made us feel unworthy of love. We discuss the impact that big and little T traumas have on the brain, how our coping mechanisms could reflect the traumas we experienced, and the value of supporting the autonomic nervous system- specifically the sympathetic overdrive, which is a chronic state of hyper-arousal. We also discuss the effects of shame and how it clouds our perspective on the experiences we have had, and talk about using compassion as the antidote.   I hope you enjoy today’s conversation with Gabby Bernstein! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Noticing the patterns that keep us stuck in our lives is the first step to undoing those patterns. Why is it easier for people to stay stuck in their patterns than change them? How shame keeps us locked into painful patterns in our lives. Gabby talks about trauma and explains why everyone in the world today is traumatized. Using compassion as the antidote to shame. Creating a boundary of distance can help us view people through the lens of compassion rather than the lens of shame or blame. Addiction is an extreme way of managing impermissible trauma. How can those who grew up in traumatic circumstances change the course of their children?  The most important thing we can do for our children is to create a secure environment in which they can grow up. The book, Happy Days, is about re-parenting yourself so that you can heal the traumas of your past and undo the generational cycles. Gabby discusses tools and proactive practices for addressing trauma or uncomfortable feelings you may be experiencing from your past. About Gabby’s new book, Happy Days Gabby has long been loved by her readers as a spiritual teacher, motivational speaker, and catalyst for profound inner change. Her new book presents her most powerful teaching yet: a practical plan for transforming the pain of your past, whatever that may be, into newfound strength and freedom. It will answer your questions about why you feel blocked, scared, anxious, depressed, or alone. It will guide you to become the best version of yourself.  Happy Days may not look like Gabby’s other eight books on manifesting, spirituality and connecting to the Universe. But it’s actually her greatest spiritual book of all. The journey she underwent to overcome addiction, trauma, and depression has guided her to become the woman she is today.  The methods she was led to for healing, and her remarkable path of recovery, are nothing short of a miracle. “This isn’t a book filled with self-help tools offering a quick fix for your discomfort,” Gabby writes. “Instead, it’s a journey toward lifelong transformation filled with stories of resilience.”  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Gabby Bernstein On her website www.deargabby.com/happydaysDear Gabby Podcast  Find out more about Gabby’s book, Happy Days  On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

I feel honored and privileged to re-interview Dr. Anna Cabeca today! She was with me once before in Episode 94. Dr. Anna is triple-board certified. She is also a fellow of gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. She has special certifications in functional medicine, sexual health, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Over the past 20 years, she has served more than 10,000 women in her private practice and millions more through her books, online videos, and articles.  Dr. Anna has a new book out, called Menupause. When reviewing her book, I was surprised to discover that only 20% of those going into obstetrics and gynecology trained in menopause medicine. It almost seems that once women move beyond their child-bearing years, they become irrelevant and invisible. Fortunately, Dr. Anna is helping to change that narrative!  In this episode, Dr. Anna and I dive into her new book. In addition, we talk about the need for female empowerment, the stigma of middle age, perimenopause, and menopause. We discuss intimacy as the key to connection and the importance of understanding the changes in a woman's body as she moves through that phase of life. (Dr. Anna refers to that as pausing.) We talk about understanding the role of the connection hormone oxytocin and the importance of women being solution-based when approaching that key phase of their lives. We get into statistics and the microbiome of the gut and the vagina, talk about Dr. Anna’s various six-day eating plans, and explain how those changes can improve our physiology and stabilize symptoms. We also look into stubborn weight-gain issues, the health needs of middle-aged women, and how different cultures view middle age.   I am thrilled to be bringing you today’s exciting conversation! I hope you gain a lot from listening to it! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: There is time in menopause for women to re-evaluate their priorities. Dr. Anna challenges you, the listener, to start having girlfriend conversations. Talk to your best girlfriends about what’s going on with you intimately. How to empower yourself by increasing the healing hormone oxytocin in your life. There are many different ways to support your body and improve your quality of life while going through menopause. Following a keto diet and fasting will give you energy, make you feel better, and improve your sex life. What inspired Dr. Anna to write her new book? How to improve your health, and live a long and high-quality life by cooking healthy food in healthy ways. How will you benefit from fasting for six days? Who will benefit from doing a pause and following Dr. Anna’s Keto Green Plans? The predominant proteins that Dr. Anna focuses on in her plant-based plans. Changes Dr. Anna has seen in her patients' gut and vaginal microbiomes as they change their diets and transition from perimenopause into menopause. Some common causes of weight-loss resistance. Dr. Anna talks about some of the delicious hormone-balancing recipes in her book. Getting enough protein is vital- particularly as we get older. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca Check out Dr. Anna’s website Menupause Book Page 9 Keto-Green Ways to Break a Weight Loss Plateau Free Masterclass: Diabetes and Prediabetes for Women Over 40 MenuPause Book Sneak Peek Clean Keto Recipes for Menopause Quiz: What should you eat to break your weight loss plateau? MenuPause Affiliate site Dr. Anna’s podcast

I am delighted to reconnect with Teri Cochrane today! Teri is the founder of the Global Sustainable Health Institute® and an international thought leader in longevity. Through her decades of clinical work, Teri has developed The Cochrane Method®, a future-facing, multisystem health and longevity model that examines the intersection of gene expression due to pathogenic and environmental causes, energy, and her clients’ unique personal blueprint. Teri specializes in solutions to complex health conditions and serves world-class athletes. She is the author of the Amazon best-selling new release book, The Wildatarian Diet: Living As Nature Intended. Teri’s perspective on health and longevity is fresh and unique, and she has her own quirky way of describing certain potentially intangible concepts. She understands that we are all different, so every individual requires a particular and very granular approach to their diet and lifestyle to achieve optimal health. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the role of bio-individuality and focus on women’s hormones and the endocrine system. We talk about applied kinesiology. We discuss the role of oxalates and the impact of genetics, SMPs, mycotoxins (mold), candida, and strep on our health. We get into methylation, gut health, estrogen detoxification, liver detox, and ways to support our bodies. We talk about why women tend to feel fluffy, the impact of cortisol, how sleep and stress affect our health, the importance of micronutrients- especially for thyroid function, and the role of neurotransmitters. We also discuss the quality of animal-based protein and explain why chicken is a dirty bird. I hope you love listening to this valuable conversation and learn a lot from it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Teri unpacks what bio-individuality represents. What makes women unique in terms of their hormonal makeup? Teri talks about some of the major contributors to dysbiosis. The impact of genetics, SMPs, mycotoxins, candida, and strep on our health. Why is candida such a beast? How do hormone supplements exacerbate metabolic dysbiosis? How progesterone gets “stolen” to produce the stress hormone cortisol. The feedback we get from applied kinesiology. The genetic tests Teri uses to learn how people might react to various supplements. What are oxalates, and how do they impact people’s health? Teri discusses the two phases of liver detoxification. Teri’s preferred methodology for dealing with extra estrogen. Supporting the immune system function. What is the issue with protein from domesticated animal meats, like chicken, beef, pork, and turkey? It is vital to know your body and genes and understand how food can be either a healer or a poison.   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Teri Cochrane On her website On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube Find Teri’s book, The Wildatarian Diet: Living As Nature Intended, on Amazon

I am delighted to have Dr. Renee Wellenstein joining me today! Dr. Renee is a double board-certified doctor who has been working with women for over 20 years. Due to her own health challenges, she stepped outside the box of conventional medicine to take a radically different approach to heal herself from the deep depths of burnout. She has had her fair share of obstacles throughout her journey, and she has mastered the art of leaping into transitions with each pivot! Now Dr. Renee empowers women to take control of their health, jump-start their energy, improve their confidence, and reignite their libido! Low libido in women is a topic that is grossly misunderstood on many levels and does not get discussed often enough between doctors and patients. Research has shown that 43% of women experience low libido at some point in their lifetime. That is why we need to discuss it and keep the conversation open. We have to talk about low libido even though most women feel some degree of stigmatization around it and tend to feel uncomfortable talking about it with their girlfriends, loved ones, and especially their significant others. In this episode, Dr. Renee dives into connection, intimacy, sleep, exercise, and the influence of food choices on libido. She gives her specific recommendations for women who have experienced vaginal changes and the effects of hormone replacement therapy. She discusses options that can help support women who have had breast cancer treatment whose healthcare providers do not advocate hormonal replacement therapy. Dr. Renee and I explain why we do not love pellets. We also discuss some of the physical reasons for women having low libido, including the effects of certain types of medication, alcohol, gynecological surgery, the impact of hormonal changes and fluctuations, and neurotransmitters.  I hope you will learn a lot from this conversation and enjoy it as much as I did! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Where did Dr. Renee's desire to talk openly to women about libido and their sexual issues stem from? How do the synthetic hormones in contraceptives dampen a woman’s desire to have sex? Medications other than oral contraceptives could also cause low libido in women. How does alcohol consumption contribute to low libido in women? Sometimes, gynecological surgery can result in women having low or no desire for sex. How the rhetoric around hormones being harmful hurts women. Some of the synthetic and bioidentical hormone options.  Women who suspect they might have too much estrogen should consider changing their diet. Dr. Renee discusses the types of progesterone she usually recommends for women at different stages of their lives, their side effects, and their benefits. Feeding the gut microbiome can help prevent a low libido. Dr. Renee talks about the foods that will assist in keeping the gut microbiome healthy. Supplements can boost and support libido. What can women do about vulva/vaginal atrophy? Mindset is often a contributor to low libido. The problems with pellets. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Renee Wellenstein On her website   On InstagramOn Facebook On TikTok On YouTube The Real Heal Podcast Resources: Books mentioned: Estrogen Matters by by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi

I have the honor of talking to Dr. Michael Breus today! Dr. Breus is the author of The Power of When, and his latest book is called Energize. He is a double board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sleep Specialist. He is one of only 168 psychologists in the world to have taken and passed the Sleep Medicine Boards without going to Medical School. After completing his undergraduate studies in psychology, Dr. Breus did all of his pre-meds in one year. Then he went to the University of Georgia to do a P.h.D. in Clinical Psychology. He wanted to do a sports internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center after getting his P.h.D., but he could not get into the program. They were offering graduate students a sleep track, so he decided to do that initially and then get into the sports internship program through the back door. However, things did not end up working out quite how they thought they would! Most people do not think much about sleep until they experience sleep problems. In this episode, Dr. Breus shares his background and explains how he pivoted into becoming a sleep specialist. He talks about the impact of chronotypes and genetics. He discusses how movement and other lifestyle strategies can influence our chronotype and talks about melatonin and other hormones, including cortisol, serotonin, dopamine, leptin, and touches on biohacking and intermittent fasting. He cautions us about orthosomnia and discusses how napping can influence sleep scores. He also talks about some of his favorite items for sleep modalities. I hope you enjoy this thought-provoking podcast as much as I did! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Breus tells his story and explains how he became The Sleep Doctor.  How he managed to take and pass the Sleep Medicine Boards without going to Medical School. When he began doing chronotype research and personalizing it as part of his brand and work. Looking at the four chronotypes and what Dr. Breus refers to as chrono-longevity. Dr. Breus talks about melatonin and shares his thoughts on melatonin supplementation. Dr. Breus explains his concept of body habitus. Intermittent fasting is the best way to supply the body with clean energy. Dr. Breus discusses the five different types of energy and describes his movement program.  Dr. Breus unpacks sleep tracking, the physiology of sleep, the sleep stages, and REM sleep versus deep sleep. What is orthosomnia? How does the quality of our sleep affect our hormonal balance? Dr. Breus is a fan of naps. (Unless you have insomnia.) Why is a good pillow vital for a good night’s sleep? Some devices provide a solution for snoring. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Michael Breus On his website On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter The ChronoQuiz

I am delighted to have two respected researchers, Dr. Avrum Bluming and Dr. Carol Tavris, joining me today! They are the co-authors of the book, Estrogen Matters.  Avrum Bluming received his MD from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He spent four years as a senior investigator for the National Cancer Institute. For two of those years, he was director of the Lymphoma Treatment Center in Kampala, Uganda. For more than three decades, he has been studying the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy administered to women with a history of breast cancer. Carol Tavris received her Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Michigan. Her books include Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), with Elliot Aronson; Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion, and The Mismeasure of Woman. Estrogen Matters provides a lot of scientific information that refutes much of the fear-mongering around hormone replacement therapy. It is helpful for women who have gone through cancer therapy and those who have not had to deal with cancer, in terms of the conversations they could consider having with their healthcare professionals. Dr. Bluming and Dr. Tavris are both incredible individuals, and it was an honor to interact with them! In this episode, we dive into statistical manipulation and the influence of the Women’s Health Initiative. We talk about the study limitations and the role of data mining. We discuss the benefits of hormone replacement therapy and its impact on cancer risk, coronary artery disease, bone and brain health, and more. We also look at synthetic versus bioidentical hormones, routes of administration, and what we need to think about in our own hormonal health journeys.  I hope you enjoy my conversion with Drs. Bluming and Tavris today! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Bluming talks about the Women’s Health Initiative and explains why we went off-course after it came out in 2002.  The symptoms of menopause are not trivial. They are physically and mentally harmful to the body.  We need to understand the social and political trends against hormone replacement therapy. We need to understand that estrogen for women in menopause plummets to one percent of what it was before menopause. Dr. Bluming discusses the various issues with the article about hormone replacement therapy. If a woman starts taking hormones within ten years of her last menstrual period, she will have a reduced risk of heart disease and strokes and also improved longevity.  The women who fear taking hormone replacement therapy are afraid of breast cancer.  Estrogen reduces the risk of heart disease by up to fifty percent. Drs. Tavris and Bluming talk about bone health.  The impact of hormone replacement on brain health. How the investigators of the Women’s Health Initiative manipulated their findings on dementia. How data mining gets used to sub-stratify data that has already been studied. The truth about bio-identical hormones. There is a lot of misinformation around the route of administration for estrogen. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website   Connect with Dr. Avrum Blooming and Dr. Carol Tavris On Facebook On Twitter

I am delighted to have Lara Adler with me again today! Lara is a self-proclaimed environmental toxins nerd. She was on the show last year, in episode 159, where we spoke about the link between chemical exposure, weight gain, and other hormonal imbalances. I asked her to join me again today, to highlight the impact of the quality of our water on our health.  Lara Adler is an Environmental Toxins Expert & Educator and a Certified Holistic Health Coach who teaches health coaches, nutritionists, and other health professionals how to eliminate the number one thing holding their clients back from the results they are seeking – the unaddressed link between chemicals and chronic health problems. She trains practitioners to become experts in everyday toxic exposures so they can improve client outcomes without spending hundreds of hours researching on their own.  There have recently been so many questions about water! In this episode, Lara and I take a deep dive into the scope of the water issue. We discuss the problems around regulation, water contamination, and the crumbling water infrastructure in the United States. We discuss how differences in geography affect our exposure to certain types of industrial toxins and pesticides and talk about how our water gets disinfected with chlorine, chloramine, and fluoride. We get into the impact of biological contaminants, the role of industry and government, the effects of climate change and pollution, why we need to understand the water quality reports for our homes, and how micro-plastics can impair our health and longevity. We also talk about bottled water, water filters, and Lara’s favorite environmental health books, bottles, and reverse osmosis.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN The concerns expressed in the book Silent Spring started changing the tide around environmental pollutants. The United States still has very poor regulations around the number of industrial chemicals present in the water system. There might be traces of antibiotics, antidepressants, and other drugs in our drinking water. Lara explains why she purposefully does not promote any specific water filtration systems. Problems that exist in the American water infrastructure. Even though utilities in the United States are legally required to produce water quality reports (or consumer confidence reports) every year, they do not always do that. Why is it vital for you to obtain your water quality report, regardless of where you live? Lara explains the difference between groundwater and surface water. The pros and cons of disinfecting water. Why should you avoid drinking untreated spring water? The government and industry in America have not been good stewards of the country’s water supply. Lara talks about the intentional campaign run by the American government and industry to push the environmental responsibility onto the consumer. Why is chlorine added to our water supply? What does it do, and how does it impact our health? Lara shares her thoughts on fluoride. What are micro-plastics, and how do they impact our health? Some advice for re-mineralizing water purified by reverse osmosis. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Lara Adler On her website On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Resources: Ecojarz Books mentioned: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson The Fluoride Deception by Christopher Bryson Slow Death By Rubber Duck by Bruce Lourie and Rick Smith Documentary mentioned: Seaspiracy

I am delighted to have Dr. Bret Scher joining me on the podcast today! Dr. Bret is a board-certified cardiologist and lipidologist in San Diego who is helping to change the narrative around health and prevention. He is the host of the Diet Doctor Podcast, and he also does telemedicine cardiology. Dr. Bret is a forward-thinking cardiologist who is very well-versed in the medical literature. I have the greatest respect for him and believe he is changing the future of medicine moving forward. I feel fortunate to have interacted with him on social media and to have had the opportunity to be a guest on his podcast.  In this episode, Dr. Bret shares his background and talks about how he started in preventative cardiology with a low-fat veganism approach and later evolved to focusing more on low-carb ketogenic diets and lifestyle medicine. We discuss the broken medical system, the contributors to it, and the outdated dogma that continues to be perpetuated. We dive into the cholesterol paradigm and what you need to be aware of that could help you figure out whether or not you need to be concerned about your lipid values. Dr. Bret shares his views on biohacking, and we also discuss metabolic flexibility and the future development of preventative cardiology and metabolic flexibility. I hope you enjoy listening to this helpful and informative podcast. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Bret talks about his evolution as a cardiologist, and how his practice was initially influenced by the perspective of Dr. Dean Ornish. Why is it so hard for health care professionals in the U.S. to shift their focus and change the dogma around metabolic health?  The perspectives of hospital-based physicians are slowly starting to shift towards lifestyle and prevention. Dr. Bret talks about the valuable pieces of technology he utilizes with his patients. There is a benefit to using tech devices, but it is easy to take things too far and assign too much importance to them. Why is it helpful to count net carbs with whole foods and total carbs with packaged and processed foods? Dr. Bret shares his take on seed oils. Dr. Bret unpacks cholesterol and the different types of LDL. Looking at Coronary CT angiograms for those who want to quantify whether or not they have any plaque in their arteries. Dr. Bret unpacks the issue with saturated fat. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Bret Scher On the Low Carb Cardiologist and DietDoctor websites The Diet Doctor Podcast The Diet Doctor YouTube channel Book mentioned: The Unhealthy Truth, by Robyn O’Brien

I am delighted to have Amanda Nighbert with me on the podcast today! Amanda is a registered dietitian specializing in weight loss nutrition. She was on the show once before, in episode 23, when the podcast was still relatively new. I asked her to join me again today to talk about weight-loss resistance and reverse dieting.  As a dietician, Amanda is aligned fully with my perspectives, ideas, and dogmas. Before branching out into the online space, she spent about sixteen years as a weight-loss dietician, working with morbidly obese patients, including renal patients and diabetics who needed to lose more than a hundred pounds.  Amanda’s education taught her about calories in versus calories out and led her to believe that fat is bad for you. Her years of experience eventually made her realize that was wrong, and people were doing the opposite of what they needed to do to lose weight and maintain the loss over the long term.  In this episode, she explains why reverse dieting is so important and shares strategies for doing it. We go into metabolic adaptation, the diet industry, nutrition apps, and scale management. We also dive into why protein is the most vital macronutrient and how and why so many women are under-eating, over-exercising, and protein-deficient.  I hope you learn a lot from today’s conversation! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Amanda explains what it took to realize that the nutrition model had to change. Some of the strategies Amanda uses for women who have hit a plateau. The importance of getting enough sleep- especially as you age. Why does the quality of the food you eat still matter- even if you are getting enough macros? Amanda unpacks reverse dieting and explains when she would implement it as a strategy for her clients. Amanda explains how she helps women trust the process and work through their emotional issues around food.  Why is reverse dieting the missing piece for maintenance? How the app built into Amanda’s Lean Program helps people find their way back to a healthy metabolism.  Amanda explains why the nutritionix app is her favorite external app. Why should you avoid taking macro and caloric advice from tracking apps? It is all about finding the right balance. (Amanda feels that protein is the most important macronutrient for weight loss, and not all carbs are bad.) Why does it get harder for women to build and maintain muscle as they age?  Bio: Amanda Nighbert is a registered dietitian specializing in weight loss nutrition. Her passion and purpose are to empower others to break the all-or-nothing mindset and find sustainable change for long-term weight loss success. She presented this powerful message on the Ted X stage in March of 2021. With 20 years of knowledge and experience under her belt, she provides upper-level nutrition education and support to everyone she works with. With her custom LEAN Program, range of coaching services, and multiple shop offerings, she has cultivated a brand that focuses on giving participants the leading tools and resources to help them reach the best versions of themselves. Amanda’s goal is to provide the most current, cutting-edge nutritional techniques that not only provide results but are also sustainable for life. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Amanda Nighbert On her Website  Follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, & Tedtalk 

I am excited to have Jeffrey Smith joining me on the show today! Jeffrey is a bestselling author and filmmaker. He is also the founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology. He has spoken in 45 countries as a consumer advocate for healthier non-GMO options. For the last twenty years, his research has been bringing to light how biotech companies mislead policymakers and the public and jeopardize the health of our society and the environment.   Hardly any regulations exist anywhere in the world today to stop anyone from creating and introducing a GMO microbe with inexpensive and easily-available gene editing. Yet the microbiome is critical and central to life. That motivated Jeffrey to start the Protect Nature Now campaign to protect the microbiome. The process of genetic engineering creates collateral damage to the DNA. That could lead to allergins, toxins, carcinogens, and nutritional problems. In this episode, Jeffrey shares some vital information about GMOs that everyone needs to know. He dives into problems that could result from eating GMO crops, the consumer protection failure of the FDA, and how Monsanto rigged its research. He talks about why no GMO in the world has ever been tested properly and the time-bombs that exist in our food supply. He also discusses how glyphosate impacts our bodies, the impact glyphosate will have on future generations, and how to support healthy life with organic food alternatives. I hope you enjoy our eye-opening conversation! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Jeffrey explains what GMOs are and how they have changed over the years. Why do genetically engineered crops not die when sprayed with herbicide? Problems that could result from consuming genetically engineered crops. Jeffrey discusses the devastating levels of toxicity in glyphosate and Roundup. The role the FDA, the EPA, and other governmental regulatory agencies have played in failing to protect consumers. How and why Monsanto rigged its research. Why has no GMO in the world been properly tested? The health issues that independent studies on GMOs revealed. The correlation between glyphosate and GMOs, and autism and disorders. Jeffrey talks about his award-winning documentary, Secret Ingredients. How does glyphosate cause mineral deficiency? The connection between glyphosate and infertility and birth defects. You can find a list of healthy organic and non-GMO foods at responsibletechnology.org. How you can support a healthy life affordably with organic foods. Jeffrey created the Protect Nature Now campaign to protect the microbiome. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Jeffrey Smith Jeffrey’s documentary Your Milk on Drugs- Just Say No Institute for Responsible Technology Protect Nature Now Live Healthy Be Well Podcast

Today I have the honor of reconnecting with Dr. David Perlmutter. Dr. Perlmutter is a Board-Certified Neurologist and five-time New York Times bestselling author. He joined me once before on episode 141: Reclaim your Brain, and we spoke about his book, Brainwash. He is with me today to talk about his newest book, Drop Acid, which focuses on the role of uric acid, fructose, metabolism, and metabolic health.  In the wonderful work he does, Dr. Perlmutter brings to light how our diets profoundly impact our metabolic health and metabolic markers and talks about the many changes we can make regarding our food choices and the supplements we use. In this episode, we have a mind-blowing conversation! Dr. Perlmutter dives into how our bodies process uric acid, the impact of alcohol and fructose consumption, and how our metabolic health is worsening due to our current dietary choices. We talk about how high fructose corn syrup impairs insulin and leptin production signaling which translates into no satiety. We discuss the impact of metabolic health on brain function, resulting in one in every ten people older than sixty-five having Alzheimer’s. We also explain how obesity impacts cognitive and behavioral health and talk about how we can prevent all of those problems. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Perlmutter gives examples of illnesses in the group of chronic degenerative diseases that the World Health Organization tells us are the number one cause of death on our planet. He highlights the importance of identifying their causes. The role of uric acid in human survival. Dr. Perlmutter shares some frightening statistics regarding the health of American adults and children and explains how bad lifestyle choices are threatening our ability to live a long and healthy life.  What is uric acid, where does it come from, and how are we getting it into our diets?  When we gain control of uric acid and combine it with healthy lifestyle choices, it can become a powerful tool, influence us positively, and help us regain and maintain our health. The difference between high fructose corn syrup and fructose in fruit. What does uric acid do in the body? The impact of fructose and uric acid on the brain. Why do high levels of salt consumption relate to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension? What does uric acid do that is threatening to our physical health? The fundamental importance of following a plant-based diet. Doctors can use a tape measure to measure people’s risk of developing dementia. Why do c-section babies have an increased risk of developing metabolic issues? Dr. Perlmutter talks about his LUV (Lower Uric Values) program, designed to help people reduce their uric acid levels.  Bio: Dr. Perlmutter received his M.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine, where he was awarded the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award. He serves as a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Archives of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and The Journal of Applied Nutrition. In addition, he is also a frequent lecturer at symposia sponsored by institutions such as the World Bank and IMF, Columbia University, Scripps Institute, New York University, and Harvard University, and serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He also serves on the Board of Directors and is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. David Perlmutter On his website     Get a copy of Dr. Perlmutter’s book, Drop Acid   

Today, I am excited to have Ashleigh VanHouten and Beth Lipton joining me on the show to talk about their new book, Carnivore-ish! Ashleigh and Beth are both powerful women who are helping to rewrite the narrative around the carnivore-ish diet.  Ashleigh is a health coach, speaker, podcast host, and author of the only nose-to-tail, organ-meat-centric cookbook It Takes Guts. She is also the host of the Muscle Maven Radio podcast. Beth is a recipe developer, food and wellness writer, and cookbook author. She is an incredibly talented woman, and I was honored to have her working with me on my book, Intermittent Fasting Transformation.   Some problems exist within the weight-loss and weight-management industry, especially with how food, fitness plans, and ideologies get marketed to women. When it comes to making money, Beth and Ashleigh prefer to empower people and teach them what food does for them and how to eat it, rather than asking them to keep on signing up for workout plans and diets. In this episode, Ashleigh and Beth discuss their book and dive into the weight-loss and weight-management industry. They explain how mindset impacts food choices- particularly with women, and the need for more nutrient density and protein. We unpack plant-based versus animal-based diets, discuss the benefits of a carnivore-ish diet, and Beth and Ashleigh explain how to eat nose-to-tail and create a strategy to integrate more organ meat into your lifestyle. We also debunk some common myths around protein consumption and talk about spices and ways to jazz up your meals. Carnivore-ish is an inspiring book! It will have a huge impact on anyone considering following a more animal-based diet, particularly those who would like to learn more about organ meats. You are sure to learn a lot from listening to this episode, so stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Ashleigh discusses the red flags within the weight-loss and weight-management industry and explains what she and Ashleigh are doing differently. Ashleigh and Beth debunk the myth that fun, delicious food cannot be healthy. Things that work best for your health are usually not sexy. They are often things your Grandma taught you. Some sustainable first steps that will help you to improve your health. Beth and Ashleigh want to help women understand that eating   nutrient-dense animal protein is excellent for their health, particularly pregnant women. The benefits of following a varied omnivorous diet. How you will benefit nutritionally from eating a lot of animal protein, particularly organ meats. Why should plant-based protein not be your primary source of protein? Beth explains why she encourages people to try a carnivore diet to cleanse and reset after eating a lot of sugar or drinking more alcohol than they usually do. Ashleigh talks about the value of eating organ meats. Ashley and Beth share some tips for getting into eating organ meats and making them taste delicious. Beth talks about her favorite spices and seasoning blends. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn    Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Ashleigh VanHouten On Instagram On her website Connect with Beth Lipton On Instagram

I am delighted to welcome Vinnie Tortorich back onto the show! Vinnie was with me once before, in episode 133. Today, he is joining me to talk about his impressive new documentary, Beyond Impossible, coming out soon. I was fortunate to be the first person outside of Vinnie’s team to see his new documentary. It homes in on plant versus animal-based protein and takes a deep dive into methodologies, what marginal land represents, and the net impact of methane and cows.  Vinnie Tortorich is a truth-teller and disrupter. He encourages people to think outside of their comfort zones in an informational yet non-confrontational way. He has connections with individuals like Nina Teicholz, who can easily articulate scientific ideas and research. Ten years ago, Vinnie launched his Fitness Confidential Podcast. It amasses more than a million downloads per month. The following year, he published his book, Fitness Confidential, which became an instant bestseller. In 2019, Vinnie wrote, produced, and starred in Fat, a documentary that rose to number one in several categories across iTunes and ranked well on Amazon and Amazon Prime. A sequel, titled Fat: A Documentary 2, was released earlier this year. Vinnie was one of the first people ever to talk about the benefits of low carb and ketogenic diets on the internet. In this episode, he and I talk about non-meat products, how our health and wellness have changed since the 1980s, and how much metabolic inflexibility we are currently seeing. We also discuss how some plant-based vegan scientists have influenced public policy and how common misnomers regarding health and wellness can affect our advancement, both as individuals and as a country. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why Vinnie decided to create his new documentary, Beyond Impossible. Why do we need to consume animal-sourced proteins? The issues with fake meat. Are cows truly an invasive species on earth? Why is veganism a social construct of wealthy countries? Why Vinnie describes the liver as a gangster. Some very wealthy corporate benefactors and investors do not take good care of themselves, yet they drive the public policies that impact everyone else. What happened in the 1980s that changed the narrative around fats? Why the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet will not improve your health. What is driving the concept of the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet, and what will happen as a result of the policies that have ensued from it? You can watch Vinnie’s new documentary, Beyond Impossible, on Amazon or iTunes, or you can pre-order it. It will be out in early January 2022. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Vinnie Tortorich On his website On Twitter and Facebook  Book mentioned: Eat to Win by Dr. Robert Haas

I am delighted to have Autumn Smith joining me on the show today! Autumn is a co-founder of Paleovalley, one of my favorite socially-conscious companies. Paleovalley has a mission to create products that live up to their strict standards, and they always prioritize health over profit.  From the age of ten, Autumn suffered from intermittent, painful digestive issues. When she got to high school, her digestive issues became even more challenging, and she also started to experience mental health problems. At the time, she was unaware of the intimate connection between the brain and the gut, so she began to abuse substances, and her life spiraled out of control.  Years later, when her husband moved in with her, he saw how much she was suffering and researched chronic digestive issues. That led them to change their diet. Within thirty days, Autumn’s digestive issues disappeared, and over the next year, her mental health returned. Autumn and I are in full alignment about the quality of fats, saturated fats, avoiding seed oils, and getting enough high-quality omega 3’s and omega 6’s. In this episode, Autumn shares her backstory. We look at animal-based protein diets from an ancestral health perspective and discuss the importance of eating for satiety. We talk about regenerative farming practices, agriculture, the value of pasture-raised animals, and discuss the impact of pesticides and toxins like glyphosate on our health. We also dive into greenwashing strategies and bringing high-quality, pasture-raised animal products to the general public at more affordable prices. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Autumn tells her story explains what led her to start her company. The foods that caused Autumn to suffer from IBS and skin problems. Exercise and movement contribute to Autumn’s mental and physical health. Tracy Anderson developed a life-changing system that wakes up all the muscles in the body. Why are highly processed and refined seed oils unhealthy? The quality of the animal products we consume does matter. Small changes can have a big impact! How can you make better choices when buying animal products? Eating for satiety is very important. What is the problem with conventional feed-lot meats? We need to be more aware of the cruelty and greenwashing practices that happen with the production of animal products. What is regenerative agriculture, and why is it so important? Autumn’s bio: Autumn Smith suffered from debilitating digestive issues and crippling anxiety for most of her life. Specialist after specialist told her nothing could be done, and she was ready to give up. But as one final attempt at a life free of health issues, Autumn decided to harness the power of whole foods. She cleaned up her diet and in just 30 days, her IBS was cured. But that was just the beginning. She also had less anxiety, was mentally sharper, and a bubbly side of her that she forgot existed came back. Since then, Autumn has dedicated her life to helping others harness the power of whole foods to live vibrant lives. In 2013, she and her husband Chas launched Paleovalley, a company dedicated to helping people get the essential nutrients they need, without added sugars, grains, and other harmful ingredients. But they didn’t stop there. After learning about the healing powers of grass fed, pasture raised meat - both for our bodies and the planet - Autumn and Chas started their next venture. In 2018, they launched Wild Pastures, a regenerative meat delivery service that sends 100% grass fed pasture raised meat directly to your doorstep. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Autumn Smith The Paleovalley website Email Autumn at autumn@paleovalley.com  The Wild Pastures Burger Company website

I am delighted to have Dr. Sonya Jensen joining me on the show today! Dr. Sonya is a Naturopathic Physician with a mission to change the way women understand their bodies and themselves. She believes that women are the center of their families and communities, and by supporting them, they create a ripple effect that supports the whole. Dr. Jensen is a mother of two boys, an author, a yoga teacher, a podcaster, and a workshop and retreat leader. She runs her practice with her husband, and they help their community move into a state of thriving from surviving. Her background in cell biology and her lived experience with Ayurvedic Medicine in her home have given her insights into the human body that help her serve the women and families she works with from multiple different lenses. She is the co-founder of Divine Elements Health Center, The Longevity Lab, and The Health Ignited Academy, alongside her husband, Dr. Nicholas Jensen. Dr. Sonya believes it is everyone’s birthright to live a happy, healthy, joyful, and abundant life. Younger women often tend to pressure themselves to be perfect, both personally and in their professional lives. That sometimes occurs unknowingly. It usually happens because of peer pressure and the expectation, influence, and conditioning they get from their families. In this episode, Dr. Sonya talks about her new book, Woman Unleashed: Release Your Story. She discusses the effects of stress, talks about contraception, and explains how synthetic hormones like oral contraceptives can influence women's lives. She also shares some tips for coping with the changes that occur as women approach menopause. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Sonya explains what motivated her to write her book, Woman Unleashed: Release Your Story. The conditioning we get from our families starts in the womb, and it affects many of the choices we make in our lives. Most children experience traumas, micro-traumas, and stresses that impact them in profound ways. What happens in a woman’s body when she is under stress and in survival mode? Dr. Sonya shares strategies for bringing women out of the fight, flight, freeze, or please mode and back to the calm parasympathetic reproductive physical state. The effect that synthetic hormones like oral contraceptives have on women’s bodies. Dr. Sonya talks about various contraceptive options that will allow you to honor your body and stay connected with it. The physical and emotional changes women can expect to experience as they approach menopause. Dr. Sonya shares some tips for dealing with the changes that occur as women transition into perimenopause. Dr. Sonya explains how fasting is a strategy for supporting your hormones, becoming more aligned, and honoring your life. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Sonya Jensen On her website  On Instagram  Buy a copy of her book (The book is also available from Amazon and other booksellers) Books mentioned: The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing by Bessel van der Kolk Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor  The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit by Mel Robbins This Is Your Brain on Birth Control: The Surprising Science of Women, Hormones, and the Law of Unintended Consequences by Sarah Chapman Hill

The amazing Megan Ramos was on the show with me in Episode 116, and I am delighted to have her join me again today! Megan is a Canadian clinical educator and expert on therapeutic fasting and low carbohydrate diets, having guided more than 14,000 people worldwide. She is the co-author of the New York Times Bestseller Life in the Fasting Lane and co-founded The Fasting Method with her colleague, Dr. Jason Fung. Modern agriculture and the processed food industry have led to the mass production of hyper-palatable, highly salted, and sugared foods designed to be addictive. That has resulted in millions of people becoming obese and developing inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Fasting is an effective method for overcoming those problems. Megan and I both feel that it is vital for women to know that and to understand that fasting is a sustainable lifelong strategy for maintaining optimum health. In this episode, we debunk the myths and misconceptions around women and intermittent fasting. We talk about the evolution of the agricultural processed food industry and the impact it has had on people’s health. We also discuss leptin resistance, how stress impacts hormones, different types of body fat, fasting in women who are still cycling versus those in menopause, PCOS, the impact of fasting on thyroid health, weight loss plateaus, and troubleshooting while fasting. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Megan unpacks and busts the myths and misconceptions around women and intermittent fasting and explains how fasting enhanced every aspect of her health and the health of thousands of other women. How modern processed food was designed to be addictive. Why do we need to cut out snacking and start eating less? What   leptin resistance is, and how to overcome it with fasting. Megan explains why the fear-mongering around fasting is unfounded. The body is a whole system. So if there is one hormonal imbalance, that will probably trigger others. Megan talks about the success she has seen in women with PCOS who fast. The body composition of a tophi individual and the difference between visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. Why should healthy women fast? Megan explains why postmenopausal women find fasting easier than other women do. What are the benefits of using the DUTCH dried urine hormone test? What can women do to deal with weight-loss plateaus? Megan shares some tips for avoiding having diarrhea when breaking your fast. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Megan Ramos The Fasting Method website The Fasting Method Podcast@ the fasting method on all social media Books mentioned: Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss

Today, I am thrilled and honored to be talking to Dr. Alexandra Sowa. Dr. Sowa is a dual board-certified physician of internal medicine, specializing in metabolic health, and clinical instructor of medicine at NYU Langone. She has served as a health expert for national media outlets and print publications like SiriusXM, CBS News, NPR, the New York Times, U.S. News, World Report, and more. In addition to her private practice in NYC, she is the founder of SoWell Health, a consumer metabolic health company.  Over the years, people kept complaining to Dr. Sowa about weight gain, decreased endurance, brain fog, and irregular periods, even when their doctors had told them they were healthy and their labs looked fine. When Dr. Sowa checked their labs, however, she would immediately see that they had metabolic syndrome, an underactive thyroid, a vitamin deficiency, and in 90% of the cases, insulin resistance too. During the turbulent period of the pandemic, Dr. Sowa finally had the time to sit and think about how she could help those patients. She came up with a unique solution and developed a home-testing kit to assess and address the symptoms of people’s metabolic health issues. In this episode, we discuss the scope of metabolic health in the U.S., and Dr. Sowa explains how she came up with her Weight Biology Kit. We talk about the importance of making the right nutritional choices and improving your health by making better lifestyle decisions. We dive into the role of using technology to monitor health, the influence of alcohol, and using Naltrexone to overcome alcohol cravings. We also unpack the notions of cheat days and biohacking in the wellness space. Remember to check out Dr. Sowa’s Weight Biology Kit, a point-of-care testing kit for insulin resistance. Stay tuned for more!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Sowa came up with her home-testing kit to address people’s metabolic issues. Insulin is often the first biomarker to become dysregulated as people move towards insulin resistance. Dr. Sowa explains why insulin is a better predictor than blood sugar of where people are in terms of their metabolic health. Why do people with high insulin levels gain weight even if they are calorie-restricting and eating very little? How does nutrition impact metabolic health? The two most important things you can do to improve your health if you have elevated insulin, and you show signs of insulin resistance. Three lifestyle changes that, in addition to better nutrition, can be instrumental in helping improve fasting insulin and blood sugar levels. The disruptive role alcohol can play in your metabolic health. Some tips for overcoming alcohol cravings. Why is it best to avoid having cheat days? The benefits of journaling, as a motivator for changing behavior. The roles technology and biohacking can play in metabolic health. The eight areas that get tested in Dr. Sowa’s core point-of-care home testing products. Dr. Sowa explains what the HOMA-IR score is. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Alexandra Sowa On her website On Instagram (@getsowell) On Instagram (@alexandrasowamd)

Today, I am super excited to welcome Gin Stephens back onto the podcast for the third time! She was with me before in episodes 81 and 104, where she spoke about strategies for intermittent fasting.  Gin is an intermittent fasting expert who has been living the intermittent fasting lifestyle since 2014. She’s the New York Times and the USA Today bestselling author of Fast. Feast. Repeat, and author of the Amazon number one bestseller in the weight-loss category, Delay, Don’t Deny: Living an Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle. Gin has just written a new book, Clean(ish): Eat (Mostly) Clean, Live (Mainly) Clean, and Unlock Your Body’s Natural Ability to Self-Clean, that will be coming out in early 2022.  Gin’s lifestyle shift in 2014 led her to lose more than 80 pounds, launch her intermittent fasting website, self-publish four books, and start three top-ranked podcasts. (Intermittent Fasting Stories, The Intermittent Fasting Podcast with her co-host, Melanie Avalon, and the Life Lessons podcast with her co-host, Sheri Bullock.) In this episode, we talk about Gin’s new book, Clean(ish). We discuss how to navigate the selection of cleaner personal care products, the greenwashing endeavors of the personal-care products industry, subsidies, GMOs, the lack of clarity in labeling, and the dangers of hyper-palatable processed foods. We also touch on the gut microbiome and how to improve your health by cleaning up your nutrition, the environment, and the personal-care products you use. Stay tuned for this informative and enjoyable episode! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What motivated Gin to write her new book, Clean(ish)? A scary statistic about the diet of the average American adult. The negative effect that ultra-processed foods have on children’s health and behavior. How many ingredients in ultra-processed foods impact the gut microbiome and the brain. How kids changed between 1990 and 2018. What Gin learned about toxic chemicals in personal care products while researching her book. The cumulative effects toxic ingredients can have on your body. Having a balanced approach to changing the self-care products you use. What is greenwashing? Finding the cleanest and safest options for cleaning products. Gin unpacks the concept of GMOs. How to view food subsidies in the right context. Why do you need to avoid seed oils? Bio: Gin Stephens is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller Fast. Feast. Repeat., published by St. Martin’s Press, and Delay, Don’t Deny: Living an Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle, an Amazon #1 best seller in the weight loss category. Gin has a new book coming out in early 2022, and it’s available for preorder now: Clean(ish): Eat (Mostly) Clean, Live (Mainly) Clean, and Unlock Your Body’s Natural Ability to Self-Clean.   Gin has been living the intermittent fasting lifestyle since 2014. This lifestyle shift allowed her to lose over 80 pounds and launch her intermittent fasting website, Facebook support groups, four self-published books, and three top-ranked podcasts—Intermittent Fasting Stories, The Intermittent Fasting Podcast with cohost Melanie Avalon, and the Life Lessons podcast with cohost Sheri Bullock. Gin splits her time between Augusta, Georgia, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she lives with her husband and their three cats. Gin is also a mother to two adult sons (and she is thankful every day for the intermittent fasting lifestyle that makes her life easier). Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Gin Stephens On her website Join Gin’s community  On Instagram and Twitter Gin’s new book, Clean(ish), will be available from Amazon and all good book stores from January the 4th, 2022. If you buy a digital copy, download all the documents from Gin’s website. Books mentioned:  Brain Allergies by Dwight K. Kalita and William Philpott The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O’Brien The Dorito Effect by Mark Schatzker

I am excited to have Melissa Boloña joining me today! Melissa used to be an actress and a model. She is now the founder and CEO of a Bone Broth concentrate company called Beauty & the Broth.  As an actress, people were constantly judging Melissa for how she looked. She tried everything, including Botox and laser treatments, to keep looking young and beautiful on camera. When she tried bone broth for some digestive issues, she could not believe how much her looks improved! The bone broth made the lines on her skin disappear, and her hair became super thick!  Bone broth has amazing properties and is very easy to incorporate into your lifestyle. It is great for improving your immune system, and it can be profoundly healing. In this episode, Melissa explains what bone broth is, and what you need to look out for when buying it as a pre-made product. She talks about how she discovered the benefits of bone broth, how her career as an actress prepared her for marketing her brand of bone broth, and the importance of gut health. She also explains how much our gut health affects our bodies and minds, and talks about some new fun products she and her team are creating, including a pea vegan bone broth option. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Melissa’s acting career prepared her for creating her brand of bone broth. Melissa describes what high-quality bone broth is, what it contains, and what you need to look for in a pre-made product. Bone broths bought from supermarkets are often diluted, so you will not benefit much from them. The potency of a bone broth depends on the number of solid components it has in it. Melissa explains why the quality of her bone broth is far superior to the bone broth you would find in a store or supermarket. There are components of bone broth, other than bone, that are intrinsically beneficial to our health. Why should you only buy reputably-sourced bone broth? Why is bone broth not your average drink? Fecal implants with mice have shown us how gut health impacts personality. How bone broth supports the immune system Melissa talks about the health issues she struggled with when she was in high school. Melissa discusses her exciting new product lines. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Melissa Boloña On her website (This is where you can purchase her products) Purchase Melissa’s products on this Instagram, or connect with her personally on this Instagram.

I am thrilled to have Dr. Mindy Pelz back on the show today! She was with me once before in 2020, on Episode 113. Dr. Mindy is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, nutrition, and functional health expert who has spent over two decades helping thousands of people successfully reclaim their health. She is a recognized leader in the alternative health field and a pioneer in the fasting movement, teaching the principles of a fasting lifestyle, diet variation, detox, hormones, and more. Her popular YouTube channel (which just celebrated 18 million lifetime views) regularly updates followers on the latest science-backed tools and techniques to help them reset their health. She is the host of one of the leading science podcasts, The Resetter Podcast, and the author of three best-selling books: The Menopause Reset, The Reset Factor, and The Reset Kitchen. Both Dr. Mindy and I have reached a point in our lives where we feel inclined towards women who are energetically on the same page as we are in terms of mindset and methodology. We would both like to help the women who follow us thrive as they approach middle age, and we want to inspire them with a sense of optimism rather than despair as they head into menopause.   Dr. Mindy offers hope for women and helps them navigate middle age authentically while staying true to themselves. In this episode, we discuss an article in the New England Journal of Medicine about how ill-equipped the new generation of primary health care providers is to manage the symptoms of menopause. We dive into the importance of gut health and escaping the mindset of the rushing women syndrome (a term coined by Libby Weaver), and explain what the estrobolome is. We discuss various gadgets, including the V-Fit, the Apollo Neuro, and the Hyperbaric Oxygen Brain Tap, and talk about ways to navigate middle age as proactively as possible. Dr. Mindy also shares her best strategies for navigating middle age. Be sure to stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How to support women emotionally and encourage them to talk about their   feelings as they approach menopause. Dr. Mindy sheds some light on the changes in middle age that could cause anxiety and depression and impact sleep quality. Some tips for navigating early menopause and bringing sanity back into your life. Dr. Mindy talks about the conversation that permitted her to find her own journey. It is vital to work on the inner you rather than grasping for things outside yourself. What happens to your body as your progesterone starts to wane? Dr. Mindy shares what she encourages her patients to focus on when they are in an estrogen-dominant state. Dr. Mindy goes through five lifestyle changes that middle-aged women need to implement. Dr. Mindy explains how the V-Fit can help women balance their hormones. The estrobolome helps the body break down, detoxify, and rid itself of estrogen. Why is it vital to add diverse foods to your diet? Dr. Mindy talks about her favorite biohacking tools to strengthen the parasympathetic nervous system. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Mindy Pelz On her website    On Instagram On YouTube Book Mentioned: Rushing Woman's Syndrome: The Impact of a Never-ending To-do List and How to Stay Healthy in Today's Busy World by Libby Weaver

I am excited to have Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, an internationally recognized expert in nutritional endocrinology, joining me on the podcast today! Dr. Ritamarie is a doctor of chiropractic with a master’s degree in nutrition and certifications in herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Heart Math. She is deeply committed to transforming our broken disease-management system into a health care system in which practitioners are skilled at finding the root causes of health challenges and using the wisdom of nature combined with modern science to restore balance to the body. Dr. Ritamarie burned out in her early twenties and experienced many health problems. She wondered if her diet might be causing her problems, so she turned to the sphere of holistic natural medicine for solutions. She learned a lot and was able to heal. So she became passionate about using nutrition to help others make choices for better health. She founded the Institute of Nutritional Endocrinology to train doctors, nurses, nutritionists, health coaches, and other practitioners in the science of rebalancing hormones and restoring energy with nutrition and lifestyle approaches.   In this episode, she shares her story and we unpack insulin resistance, explain how to manage it, and talk about how intermittent fasting impacts blood sugar and helps overcome pre insulin resistance, insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. We also dive into successfully navigating perimenopause, menopause, and a plant-based keto diet and discuss the benefits of lifestyle medicine. Be sure to stay tuned for today’s educational and information-packed podcast! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Ritamarie talks about how she developed a passion for using nutrition as lifestyle medicine and became interested in managing blood sugar. The link between blood sugar imbalance and sudden heart attacks. The value of lifestyle medicine. What are the signs and symptoms of pre-insulin resistance? How do you maintain ketosis while following a plant-based diet? What is the problem with most of the fats on supermarket shelves? Find the carb-macro ratio that works for you. Why are whole food fats better for you than oil? Intermittent fasting is vital for optimizing your health and positively impacting the pre insulin and insulin resistance phases. How a woman’s diet and metabolic health impact how she experiences perimenopause and menopause. What happens to the brain that makes women more susceptible to type-3 diabetes as they enter menopause? Why is it critically important to get enough sleep? How does exposure to endocrine-disrupters in your home and personal care products negatively impact your hormonal health? Reference: Reinvent Healthcare Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo On her website On Facebook – Dr. Ritamarie or Institute of Nutritional Endocrinology (INE) Practitioners On Instagram On YouTube

Today, I am honored and delighted to have Dr. Adrienne Youdim joining me! Dr. Youdim is an internist specializing in medical weight loss and nutrition. She is the author of Hungry for More: Stories and Science to Inspire Weight Loss from the Inside Out.    Before doing her fellowship, Dr. Youdim was a perfectionist who wanted to excel, exceed, operate, and fix people. Then, she became pregnant. This changed everything for her and thus, began her introduction into the space of obesity medicine. Dr. Youdim points out that exploring our relationship with food is an opportunity to explore our relationship with ourselves. When we answer the call to address our hunger with self-awareness and radical introspection, we can engage in the life-changing work of managing our hunger from within. In this episode, we take a deep dive into different types of hunger. We discuss the pendulum bias, beliefs about weight gain, and why Dr. Youdim feels that there should be compassion at every size. We unpack the normalization of body dissatisfaction and shame and discuss the importance of understanding the epigenetic changes associated with weight loss and weight gain. We also talk about the role of hormones in weight gain and weight loss, how to differentiate between needing and craving, how traumas and beliefs play into obesity, and the importance of lifestyle medicine. Be sure to stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Youdim discusses weight-related beliefs and bias and explains why health at every size is a fallacy. Dr. Youdim explains how she fell into the obesity medicine space. What prompted Dr. Youdim to focus predominantly on different kinds of hunger in her book? Navigating away from shame and inadvertently projecting our traumas onto our children. Overcoming epigenetics and the generational patterns that impact our health and lifestyle choices. How sleep deprivation can negatively impact our mood, set us up for metabolic disease, and even change our hunger hormones. What does alcohol do to our brains that negatively impacts the quality of our sleep? How abuse, trauma, stress, and emotions are linked to illness, emotional eating, and obesity. What causes us to regain weight after dieting, and how can we combat it? Adopting a balanced approach to weight maintenance and changing body composition. The impact menopause and perimenopause have on body composition. Using the emotional hunger brought on by menopause and perimenopause as an opportunity for growth. Learning how to differentiate between needing and craving food. Learning how to approach food from a place of mindfulness BIOGRAPHY  Adrienne Youdim, MD, FACP, is an internist who specializes in medical weight loss and nutrition. Her mission is to transform the weight loss narrative into one that is both empowering and compassionate, inspiring people to live more physically and emotionally fulfilling lives. Dr. Youdim draws on best medical practices in the field of obesity medicine and on her patients’ value system, trusting that we all inherently know what we need.  Dr. Youdim believes that navigating our hunger is a process that requires, introspection, self-acceptance, and a sense of agency. One of the principles of her practice is to provide both inspiration and information. Dr. Youdim encourages her patients not only to consider the tools and logistics of a weight loss plan but also to consider the motivating values that inspire them. She gives her patients information relevant to their weight-loss journey, including resources to promote self-awareness, journaling exercises, and mindfulness practices.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Adrienne Youdim On her website On Instagram You can buy a copy of Dr. Adrienne Youdim’s book, Hungry for More: Stories and Science to Inspire Weight Loss from the Inside Out, from Amazon.

I am delighted to have Dr. Morgan Nolte joining me today! Dr. Morgan is a passionate board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy. She is the founder of Weight Loss for Health, an online course, community, and coaching program to help women in c and postmenopause reduce insulin resistance for sustainable weight loss and disease prevention. Dr. Morgan is dedicated to helping women feel empowered, confident, and in control of their health. She teaches women how food, fasting, stress, sleep, exercise, and mindset all play a role in reducing insulin resistance.  The key to maintaining long-term weight loss and health is living a low insulin lifestyle. That requires unlearning old weight loss beliefs and overcoming self-limiting thoughts. Thoughts determine emotions. Emotions determine actions. Actions determine results. In this episode, we dive into maintaining weight loss, the role of insulin in the body, understanding macros, overcoming insulin resistance, and keeping your brain healthy after mid-life. Dr. Morgan also shares some actionable tips for overcoming limiting beliefs and maintaining weight loss. Stay tuned to learn what Dr. Morgan has to share in our interesting and informative conversation today! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Morgan unpacks the false dogmatic dieting principles with which many women struggle. Why do we need to change from the caloric model of obesity to the insulin model? What we need to understand about macros. Which macros are the most satiating? Why do you need to forget about the food groups? Lifestyle changes can help reverse insulin resistance. Some key roles insulin plays in the body. What happens in the body when cells cannot communicate with the insulin hormone? The benefits of a low-carb diet and intermittent fasting. Why it is vital to get enough sleep. How stress causes weight gain. What will happen to you if you fail to manage your blood sugar dysregulation? What women in their forties and fifties need to do to maintain their brain health. Understanding the limiting beliefs that could impact weight loss and some tips for overcoming those beliefs. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Morgan Nolte On her website On Instagram and YouTube Reshape Your Health Podcast Books mentioned: The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz The Obesity Code by Jason Fung Why We Get Sick by Benjamin Bikman The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi

I am delighted to have Sam Apple joining me today! Sam is on the faculty at Johns Hopkins. Before he arrived at Johns Hopkins, he taught creative writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Creative Non-fiction from Columbia University.  Sam has written many books. His most recent is called Ravenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet Connection. It is about the German biochemist Otto Warburg and his new developments in cancer science. Warburg was a unique individual. He was a Jewish man who managed to keep doing his biochemical research despite living in the extremely challenging time of Nazi Germany. In this episode, Sam talks about Otto Warburg’s incredible discovery regarding cancer cells and the research done by Nazi scientists. He also discusses the shift in the focus on cancer research in the post-war period, how insulin drives cancer and metabolic diseases, and how to make better dietary choices. Stay tuned to hear what Sam has to share about his book, Ravenous, and the connections between diet and cancer.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What motivated Sam to write about Otto Warburg? Otto Warburg’s fascinating discovery about what makes cancer cells unique. Nazi researchers were way ahead of their time in discovering the link between environmental toxins and people developing metabolic diseases and cancer. What happened to much of the advanced research done by German scientists during the war years? What happened in the 1950s that entirely changed the direction of medical research on cancer? The accidental and surprising discovery that was made about the benefits of mustard gas. Insulin drives metabolic disease and causes cancer cells to grow. Why most Americans could develop cancer. Why do you need to get your fasting insulin checked? What does fructose do in the body that differs from what is done by other sugars? Some of the changes that Sam made in his life after researching his book, Ravenous. The cancers that you will be more likely to develop if you eat too often. Bio: Sam Apple is on the faculty of the MA in Science Writing and MA in Writing programs at Johns Hopkins. Before he arrived at Johns Hopkins, Apple taught creative writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania for ten years. He holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. Apple is the author of Schlepping Through the Alps and American Parent. His most recent book, Ravenous (Norton/Liveright, 2021), is about the German biochemist Otto Warburg and new developments in cancer science. Apple has published short stories, personal essays, satires, and journalistic features on a wide range of topics. In recent years, he has primarily written about science and health. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Wired, The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, The MIT Technology Review, and McSweeney’s, among many other publications. Schlepping Through the Alps was a finalist for the PEN America Award for a first work of non-fiction. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Sam Apple On his website Follow on Twitter and Instagram Books mentioned: The Nazi War on Cancer by Robert Proctor

Today, I am delighted and honored to be talking to Dr. Philip Ovadia. He is a board-certified Cardiac Thoracic Surgeon and Founder of Ovadia Heart Health. His mission is to help people stay off his operating table by optimizing their metabolic health to lower the risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses.   In this episode, we take a deep dive into clinical medicine. We explain how it is possible to reverse conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes and become healthy without taking any medications. Dr. Ovadia defines metabolic health, talks about his journey from being morbidly obese to losing more than 100 pounds, discusses Gary Taubes’s influence on his health journey, and his seven principles for health and wellness. We also get into metabolic health markers, the hyper-palatability of processed food, metabolic syndrome, and the metabolic inflexibility of most Americans.  Dr. Ovadia’s approach to nutrition is all about bio-individuality and having enough protein in your diet to ensure satiety. I really enjoy connecting with other western medicine-trained health care professionals who have pivoted towards optimizing metabolic health and flexibility! Stay tuned for more!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Problems that exist within the medical system. Dr. Ovadia shares his health journey and talks about his mission. Why much of Dr. Ovadia’s current education is coming from non-physicians. Dr. Ovadia talks about metabolic health. The physical effects of eating hyper-palatable processed foods versus eating nutrient-dense whole foods. Take control of what you eat rather than letting food control you. What metabolic syndrome is all about. The benefits of using a continuous glucose monitor. Why no one diet will serve everyone. Using metabolic health as a system to guide you to good health. The benefits of pushing for nutrient density to feel satiated. Bio: Dr. Philip Ovadia is a board-certified Cardiac Surgeon and founder of Ovadia Heart Health. His mission is to optimize the public’s metabolic health and help people stay off his operating table. As a heart surgeon who used to be morbidly obese, Dr. Ovadia has seen firsthand the failures of mainstream diets and medicine. He realized that what helped him lose over 100 pounds was the same solution that could have prevented most of the thousands of open-heart surgeries he has performed—metabolic health. In Stay off My Operating Table: A Heart Surgeon’s Metabolic Health Guide to Lose Weight, Prevent Disease, and Feel Your Best Every Day, Dr. Ovadia shares the complete metabolic health system to prevent disease. Dr. Ovadia grew up in New York and graduated from the accelerated Pre-Med/Med program at the Pennsylvania State University and Jefferson Medical College. This was followed by a residency in General Surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey and a Fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Tufts-New England Medical School. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Philip Ovadia On his website  At The Stronger Heart Society  On Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,   and Twitter A simple calculator for metabolic syndrome  Dr. Ovadio’s book, Stay Off My Operating Table Books mentioned: The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O’Brien     The Case for Keto by Gary Taubes Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss

Links and Resources: Hex Ferments Gut Health podcast with Dr. Uma Naidoo The Drive Podcast with Paul Offit Book Preorder Link

I am delighted to have Dr. Tracy Gapin joining me today! Dr. Gapin is a board-certified urologist, world-renowned men’s health expert, best-selling author, and professional speaker.  Almost every day during his twenty years as a urologist, Dr. Gapin saw men grappling with issues of brain fog, difficulty in focusing, problems with physical performance, and remaining engaged and present as fathers. That inspired him to help men become the best husbands, fathers, and leaders they can be. Now, Dr. Gapin considers himself a recovering urologist because earlier this year, he formally exited traditional Western medicine to focus on men’s health.   In this episode, Dr. Gapin discusses his background and talks about what sparked his interest in integrative approaches to urologic problems and men’s health issues, the contributing factors to low testosterone, and why there is a growing low testosterone pandemic with men. We also discuss hormone replacement therapy that goes beyond just testosterone, the role of peptides, SARMs (Selected Androgen Receptor Modulators), biohacking, libido, erectile dysfunction, and more. You won’t want to miss this conversation, so be sure to tune in!   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Gapin developed a passionate interest in male hormones. The story of Dr. Gapin's vasectomy. Contributing factors to the escalating issues with low levels of testosterone. The factors that could hamper a detoxification process. How insulin resistance can drive testosterone levels down. Why it is vital to approach your health systematically. The optimal range for testosterone. Non-prescription treatments to improve testosterone levels versus prescription treatments. Lifestyle and nutritional factors that could negatively impact testosterone levels. Optimizing growth hormone levels. Some possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Are there benefits to using red light therapy for low testosterone? Common reasons for using peptide therapy. Dr. Gapin shares his thoughts about SARMs. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Tracy Gapin On his website Get your free copy of Dr. Gapin’s book, Male 2.0, here

Links and Resources: Solidcore Study Current supplements Everyday Wellness podcast downloads are nearing 1 million!!

I am thrilled to have Trina Felber back on the show today! Trina was with me in episode 153, where she spoke about the mouth microbiome and reversing tooth decay naturally. She is joining me today to tell us the truth about skincare.  Trina is the Founder and Creator of Primal Life Organics. She is a wife, mother of three, dental health and natural skincare expert, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Yogi, Paleo advocate, and educator. Trina loves creating products that heal, soothe, mend and repair the body and soul. The personal care product industry is worth seventy-one billion dollars, and it is severely under-regulated. The media has been telling us so many things about skincare for so long that most of us don’t know who and what to believe anymore. There are also many aspects of skincare that many women tend to take for granted. The first episode with Trina was extremely popular, and this one is just as illuminating, helpful, and mindblowing! You will learn about the physiology of the skin, how the unhealthy ingredients in skincare products affect your body, and what you can do to protect your skin. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How under-regulated the personal care industry is. The hidden toxins and synthetic hormones in tap water. The negative ways in which unhealthy chemicals and other ingredients in skin care products can affect women. Why the skin is such a vital organ, and how our skin speaks to us. The permanent imprint that some chemicals in skincare products and Botox injections leave in your body. How to protect your skin. How the skin changes when women go through the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause. Trina discusses the plant-based ingredients that stimulate collagen and elastin production to keep your skin firm. How to put together a routine to keep your skin healthy and looking great. How to avoid getting skin problems from wearing a mask. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Trina Felber On her website On Instagram and Facebook

Links/Resources: Study Wildlytes (Use code Cynthia10 for 10% off!)

I am happy to have Dr. Kyrin Dunston back on the show today! Dr. Kyrin was with me before in Episode 119: Master Midlife and Stop the Menopause Madness. I invited her to join me once again today to take a deeper dive into the topic of testosterone in women. Dr. Kyrin Dunston is a leading OBGYN & Functional Medicine Expert. She has been featured on numerous podcasts and summits on NBC, Fox, Great Day Washington, Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, Best Self, and more. She is the host of Her Brilliant Health Revolution Podcast and Her Brilliant Health Secrets YouTube channel, which gives women the knowledge, tools, and support they need to take control of their health and not only heal but to thrive in life. In this episode, we discuss the role of testosterone in women. Dr. Kyrin explains why there is so much ambiguity around testosterone and why it is a controlled substance. She talks about where testosterone is produced in the body, how we test for it, the signs of low testosterone, and how to treat it. She also talks about hormonal illiteracy in traditional allopathically-trained providers, explains how to advocate for your hormonal health, and shares some information about women who have had their ovaries removed in conjunction with a hysterectomy.  Testosterone is a misunderstood sex hormone that is intricately related to almost every system in the body. Tune in today to learn all you need to know about testosterone in women and find out why it is vital for you to advocate for your health when navigating midlife.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What does testosterone do in the body? How medical gaslighting happens with women. Why you can no longer allow your health care provider to have all the control of your hormonal health. Why is there so much ambiguity and misinformation around testosterone for women? Some of the more common signs of low testosterone levels. Why a good sex life is vital for a woman’s health. The function of the ovaries. What happens to women who have had their ovaries removed in conjunction with their uterus? Why there is no shame in women taking hormone replacement therapy. Is there any benefit to women ten years into menopause taking hormone replacement therapy? The pros and cons of various forms of testosterone supplement administration. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Kyrin Dunston On her website On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Book mentioned: The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi 

I am delighted to have Chris Irvin joining me today! Chris is a health researcher, writer, and coach. He has his Master’s degree in exercise and nutrition science, where he studied the effects of low carb diets on human performance and therapeutics. Chris is the education manager at Perfect Keto and is the author of Keto Answers.  When finishing his Master’s degree at the University of Tampa four or five years ago, Chris was unsure whether he wanted to pursue a Ph.D. or go out and become an entrepreneur in the exercise and nutrition industry. While doing an internship at the University of Southern Florida, however, he realized that following the Ph.D. route was not for him. He had also started studying keto in grad school, and it frustrated him that all the research information was locked away in journals that were either inaccessible or hard-to-interpret. So he decided to make all the information about the ketogenic diet more accessible to the general population.  In this episode, Chris goes into the history of the ketogenic diet and explains how it evolved. He also talks about carbohydrates, reducing food cravings, and moving towards better metabolic health. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Chris pivoted into becoming the Ketologist. The history and evolution of the ketogenic diet. Much has changed, and there has been a lot of misinformation about keto products over the last few years. Why a poor keto diet could be better than the standard American diet. Navigating the correct threshold for carbohydrates. Chris unpacks net carbs versus total carbs. Some of the contributors to obesity and metabolic inflexibility. Two things you can do to move towards better metabolic health. Things that happen in your body when you eat less frequently. How a low-carb or ketogenic diet help to reduce food cravings. Some common mistakes people tend to make with a ketogenic diet. Chris has written a book called Keto Answers. What you need to look for to find a good quality MCT oil. Products and supplements that can boost autophagy and ketosis. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Chris Irvin On his website On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Recommended books: Why We Get Sick by Dr. Benjamin Bikman Keto Answers by Chris Irvin and Anthony Gustin

Links and Resources: Link for study Book preorder link Use code GrassfedBeef for 10% off

I am happy to have a good friend and an incredible pediatric advocate joining me today! Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a mental health trailblazer! She is the founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, and a media expert, who is changing how we view and treat children’s mental health. Her work has helped thousands reverse the most challenging conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS, using proven holistic therapies. Dr. Roseann has often been featured on dozens of media outlets.  The impact of the pandemic is undeniable. It has brought about a lot of change globally and has created many new challenges for everyone. Parents are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, and the landscape for children has altered considerably over the last fifteen or sixteen months. Children have been impacted from an academic, social, and even a psychological perspective. As a result, we are experiencing a surge in mental health problems across America in children of all ages.  In this episode, Dr. Roseann talks about how stress is affecting us as parents and explains what we can do to support our children. She also shares some stats and explains what parents need to look out for regarding anxiety, depression, and suicide in young people. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Some signs of chronic stress or anxiety in our children that we, as parents, need to look out for. Things you can do to benefit your children’s mental health. Maternal mental health is the number one predictor of children’s mental health. Dr. Roseann explains how to help your kids create the inner confidence and resilience they need to succeed in life. Using stress to develop resilience. Teaching your kids coping skills and stress tolerance. There are benefits to experiencing failure. Dr. Roseann talks about neurofeedback and biofeedback and explains what they do for our brains. How to limit your kids’ screen-time during the pandemic. Some signs and symptoms of long-term effects of COVID. Dr. Roseann's Bio: Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a trailblazing Psychologist, Pediatric Mental Health Expert, and the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann and Associates. Her Connecticut-based center has helped thousands of children and adults reverse the most challenging conditions such as ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, concussion, learning disability, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge Dr. Roseann’s website  Dr. Roseann on YouTube Dr. Roseann on Tiktok Get Dr. Roseann’s book here

Links and Resources: Paleonola: The Original Grain-Free Granola For the Full Hu Shop: Hu dark chocolate Use CODE: CYNTHIA for 15% off Study: Cardioprotective Mechanisms of Cocoa

I am delighted to have Dr. Uma Naidoo joining me on the podcast today! Dr. Naidoo is an awarded board-certified psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, professional chef, nutrition specialist, and author of the recently released This is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More. She was featured in the Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Harvard Health Press, Goop, and many others. Dr. Naidoo has a special interest in the impact of food on mood and other mental health conditions.  There were several strong influences in Dr. Naidoo’s early life. She grew up in a loving, nurturing home with a large extended South Asian family. Rather than going to pre-school, she decided to stay at home with her maternal grandmother, who was a wonderful cook. Dr. Naidoo used to help her grandmother pick fresh vegetables from the garden and prepare meals, and her grandparents taught her meditation and yoga. Her mother was a medical student, and she had many aunts and uncles who were physicians, so there was a lot of talk about science and nutrition in their home.  In this episode, Dr. Naidoo talks about food and lifestyle choices that can boost your mood and improve mental and emotional health. Tune in today to hear our fascinating conversation!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Naidoo’s background and her journey from medical school to becoming a chef and a nutrition-focused psychiatrist. What caused Dr. Naidoo to have an “aha” moment. The connection between gut health and mental health. Foods that tend to create the most problems with mental health. Why do you need to read food labels and pay close attention to your food choices? The clinical differences between men and women as our brains and bodies get older. Trauma can happen in many different ways. Foods that can impact libido. Foods that can positively impact brain health. What fiber does in the gut? Some lifestyle changes could positively impact your mental and emotional health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Uma Naidoo Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,   and Twitter Check out Dr. Naidoo’s website Books mentioned: Brain Wash by David Perlmutter

Links and resources: Send a copy of your review to: info@cynthiathurlow.com  Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's podcast with Cynthia Thurlow Link for the kombucha The study Cynthia referenced

I am honored to be interviewing Robyn O’Brien today! Robyn is a globally recognized voice in the food industry and has been called “food’s Erin Brockovich” by The New York Times. Her TEDx talk (based on her book, The Unhealthy Truth) exposes the shortcomings of our food system and has been viewed millions of times. It has influenced policy, legislation, and product formulation. For the last fifteen years, Robyn has advised CEOs and executives at multinational CPG companies, startups, and farm organizations. Robyn is the co-founder and managing director at rePlant Capital, a financial services firm ambitiously determined to reverse climate change through the deployment of a series of proprietary funds focused on U.S. farmers and their transition to regenerative and organic agriculture. It can be hard for those who want to make real change in our broken systems to initiate change or know where to begin. Robyn O’Brien doesn’t just make noise about problems. She builds solutions and encourages her audiences to participate by identifying their skills and experiences to leverage them as entry points for systems change. In Robyn’s story, capital is an entry point for catalytic change. If biodiversity is resiliency on the farm, Robyn deeply believes that diversity is resiliency in governance.  In this episode, Robyn explains how rePlant Capital is pioneering climate solutions by tackling soil health through a model of agricultural financing that no one else is providing. She also speaks to the importance of diverse governance and leadership in addressing these existential food, health, and climate issues.   I am very grateful to Robyn for writing her book because it has profoundly impacted the trajectory of everything I am doing right now! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Robyn shares her background. Robyn's motivation for investigating how our food gets produced. The additives in our food that drive allergies and food sensitivities. Some of the shocking facts that Robyn discovered about food allergies and American children. How Robyn realized that she had to use love and gratitude rather than fear when sharing her knowledge. The issues with the American food industry. Robyn talks about rePlant Capital. The difference between the conventional farm-debt industry and regenerative farming practices. Why we should never be afraid of starting small. The differences between various types of soil composition. Why water security is as critical as food security and national security. The importance of diversity. What you need to be concerned about regarding GMOs. Why we are seeing an escalated rate of allergies in our children. The importance of transparency in the food industry. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Robyn O’Brien On her website On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,   and LinkedIn Kiss the Ground website The documentary, Kiss the Ground (On Netflix)

I am delighted to welcome the notorious Jimmy Moore as my guest for today’s show! Jimmy is a bestselling author, a writer, and the host of the Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb (LLVLC) Show.  Jimmy has had an impact on the trajectory of my learning journey. I initially connected with him around intermittent fasting when I read a book he co-authored with Dr. Jason Fung called The Complete Guide to Fasting. I later read his books, Keto Clarity and Cholesterol Clarity, both of which I highly recommend!  Jimmy has been around for quite some time. He was very productive with creating podcasts at a time when there were very few people doing that in the keto space. In this episode, Jimmy and I have a frank and transparent conversation about childhood influences, how he pivoted from being an English Poly/Psy major to learning about the ketogenic lifestyle and the Atkins Diet, and later becoming an author. Stay tuned to hear our thought-provoking discussion! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How trauma molded Jimmy into who he is today. Jimmy shares his education and career journey. What prompted Jimmy to start learning about nutrition? How Jimmy got to the point of writing books and how he got onto the publisher’s radar after writing them. Finding a balance between sharing ‘nerdy’ information and making things easy for everyone to understand. The truth about LDL and some of the more common misconceptions about cholesterol. Some of the common keto mistakes people tend to make. Why some of the narratives on social media are changing. The benefits of using a CGM. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Jimmy Moore On his website On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok

I am excited to have Courtney Contos joining me today! After years of working in restaurants, cooking, and sixteen years of teaching cooking, Courtney realized that she could probably cook most anything - even without a recipe. But, what she did not know until recently was how to nourish herself. Food is information. After suffering for 12 years with chronic debilitating rheumatoid arthritis and being told she would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair, Courtney reversed her symptoms. She now helps people as a board-certified health coach specializing in functional medicine. Autoimmune diseases and disorders happen when our immune system mistakenly attacks our bodies, and the onset is usually triggered by childhood trauma, a stressful event, or antibiotic therapy. Autoimmune conditions can be systemic, localized, or both, and they tend to impact women twice as often as they do men. Some other common autoimmune disorders include psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.  In this episode, Courtney shares her story and talks about healing autoimmunity with nutrition. Stay tuned to find out more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Courtney’s traumatic childhood led to her developing chronic and debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. Traditional, western medicine does not do a great job with the prevention and management of chronic diseases. The point at which Courtney started thinking outside of the box about her condition. The changes Courtney made with her nutrition, that allowed her to heal. The benefits of starting your day with a bowl of bone broth. The various tests that you should have done to determine your nutrient deficiencies and autoimmune triggers. Some of the foods Courtney finds the most healing. The importance of pattern interrupting and trying new things. Some tips to make bitter vegetables taste more delicious. Planning your meals will help you make your cooking more interesting. Courtney talks about herbs and spices. Some tips for controlling the variables when you’re eating out. Some lifestyle choices can help you on your healing journey. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Courtney Contos On her website On Instagram  Book mentioned: When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate

I am delighted today to be interviewing Dr. Casey Means! She is a Stanford-trained physician, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of the metabolic health company Levels, an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, and a Lecturer at Stanford University. Her mission is to maximize human potential and reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease by empowering individuals with tools that can help facilitate a deep understanding of our bodies and inform personalized and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices. Dr. Means was recently featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and more.  Dr. Means has an interesting story to tell. She trained as a surgeon and an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Her interest in the impact of diet, lifestyle, and nutrition on people’s foundational health started at a relatively young age. She began focusing on nutrigenomics when she was still an undergraduate student at Stanford. It was an exciting time at Stanford because the human genome project was happening, and 23andMe was going online. She enjoyed learning about the correlation between nutritional compounds and gene expression and finding out that our genes are a blueprint and not our destiny. Dr. Means is joining me today to talk about metabolic dysfunction and using continuous glucose monitors for facilitating your personalized diet. Stay tuned to find out more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Means talks about how her journey started and how she became interested in the impact of diet, lifestyle, and nutrition on people’s foundational health. The shocking amount of refined sugar that gets consumed by the average American each year and the impact that has on their metabolic health. What chronic inflammation is, what it does in the body at the cellular level, and why that is so detrimental. What happens in your body when you are overfed, when your blood sugar stays elevated over time, and when your insulin is kept high. What you should, and should not eat to maintain your metabolic flexibility. The benefits of fasting. Some practical ways of pairing proteins to help reduce blood sugar fluctuations. The impact of sex hormones on blood sugar control. What a continuous glucose monitor is and how it works. Why you need to know what’s going on in your gut microbiome. Why long-term adherence to a low carb or keto diet can cause reverse metabolic inflexibility. The correlation between blood sugar instability and debilitating hot flashes in women in perimenopause or menopause. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn    Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Casey Means On her website    Dr. Casey’s blog On Instagram @drcaseyskitchen and @levels On Twitter @drcaseyskitchen and @levels

I am delighted to have Dr. Benjamin Bikman back on the podcast today! He was with us once before in Episode 114, where he spoke about the role of insulin resistance, metabolic health, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ben is the author of a book I frequently recommend, called Why We Get Sick.  It can be quite challenging for many women to maintain a healthy weight and good metabolic health after about forty years of age. Just about all of our fat cells are made during childhood and puberty, and when we reach our sixties or seventies, the number of our fat cells starts to decline. Insulin plays a vital role in how fat cells can change and respond to sex hormones. In this episode, Dr. Ben talks about insulin, fat cells, and sex hormones in women. Stay tuned for more! Benjamin Bikman earned his Ph.D. in Bioenergetics and was a postdoctoral fellow with the Duke-National University of Singapore in metabolic disorders. Currently, his professional focus as a scientist and associate professor (Brigham Young University) is to better understand the role of elevated insulin in regulating obesity and diabetes, including the relevance of ketones in mitochondrial function. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Ben explains why insulin is such an important topic for women, especially as they get older. The role of insulin in terms of how fat cells can change and respond to sex hormones. How estrogens protect women against too much fat. Why you need to be mindful about certain plant-based foods and the plastics, detergents, and chemicals we use. Why animal protein is undeniably superior to plant protein. Why your diet does not require carbohydrates even though some cells need glucose. The effects of seed oils and carbohydrates on insulin resistance. How digestion relates to insulin resistance and insulin instability. Vitamin D deficiency will contribute to insulin resistance. Why you need to know what your fasting insulin number is. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Benjamin Bikman On his Insulin IQ website On the getHLTH website On Instagram

I am excited to have the total badass, Dr. Jaime Seeman, joining me as my guest for today’s show! In addition to being an integrative medicine OB-GYN, a wife, and a mom, Dr. Seeman is on the Titan Games and was crowned Mrs. Nebraska in 2020!   Dr. Seeman was infatuated with the human body while growing up, so her mom, who was her role model, encouraged her to become a doctor. After getting a degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Dr. Seeman went on to graduate medical school, where she completed her OB-GYN residency. Dr. Seeman is challenging some of the more common notions about women’s health issues. In this episode, she talks about PCOS, overcoming insulin resistance, improving your metabolic health, hormone replacement therapy, postmenopausal bone health, and gaining control of your life with good nutrition. Stay tuned for more! Dr. Jaime Seeman is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, practicing in Omaha, Nebraska. Born and raised in the state, she played collegiate softball for the Cornhuskers. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences. After that, she went to graduate medical school and completed her OB-GYN residency at The University of Nebraska Medical Center. She currently has a private practice at Mid City OB-GYN. She offers a full range of services in obstetrics, gynecology, robotic surgery, and primary care. She completed her fellowship in Integrative Medicine at The University of Arizona School of Medicine. She is a board-certified ketogenic nutrition specialist through The American Nutrition Association. She has a passion for fitness, preventative medicine, and ketogenic therapy not only in her medical practice but in her own life. She is married to her husband, Ben, a police Sergeant, and has three young daughters. Dr. Seeman was also Mrs. Nebraska 2020, finished Top 15 at Mrs. America 2021, and appeared on NBC Titan games with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Seeman talks about her eating habits after she transitioned from being a collegiate athlete to becoming a medical student. What PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is, how it affects women, and some common misconceptions about it. How PCOS can be treated nutritionally. How and when the nutritional piece started coming together for Dr. Seeman. Overcoming insulin resistance. How women are doing things differently now compared with twenty or thirty years ago, as they transition into perimenopause. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Seeman talks about different vaginal rejuvenation therapies. How low-carb and keto diets impact thyroid health. How to maintain bone health after menopause. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Jaime Seeman Her website Follow Dr. Seeman on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter

I am delighted to have Dr. Eric Balcavage back on the show with us today! He appeared on the podcast once before, in Episode 105, where he spoke about thyroid physiology and chronic illness. Due to the enormous demand, we invited him to join us on the podcast once again to talk about thyroid function. Dr. Eric is the owner and founder of Rejuvagen, a functional medicine clinic in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. He is also the co-host of Thyroid Answers Podcast, where he focuses on answering the pressing questions of those suffering from chronic hypothyroidism symptoms. He recently co-authored a book called Thyroid Debacle. In this episode, Dr. Eric and I take a deeper dive into thyroid physiology, bile physiology, detoxification, and chronic illnesses. We talk about the signs and symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism, fat malabsorption, and the use of synthetic versus non-synthetic thyroid medications. We also discuss why people can have lab values suggestive of them being persistently hypothyroid despite their use of escalating doses of medications. Stay tuned today to learn what stops the thyroid from functioning optimally and find out what you can do to maintain a healthier thyroid. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The physiology of the thyroid. Some things that could impact the conversion from inactive to active thyroid hormone. Seed oils, and the association between thyroid physiology, thyroid glands, and cells. Why is it possible to have hypothyroid or hyperthyroid signs and symptoms when there is nothing wrong with the thyroid gland? Why forcing extra thyroid hormone into the bloodstream does not mean that you will optimize the cell function. Why does lab work have to be properly evaluated and interpreted? The last point at which hypothyroidism could be reversed. The use of synthetic thyroid medications versus non-synthetic medications. Is it normal to have insomnia after changing your thyroid medication? The connection between HDL and fat malabsorption. Thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s. Dr. Eric shares his take on how iodine relates to thyroid function. Why do people tend to feel cold when they have an underactive thyroid? Intermittent fasting for perimenopausal and menopausal women with an underactive thyroid. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Eric Balcavage On his website The Thyroid Answers Podcast    Follow on Instagram and Twitter  

I am thrilled to have the Menopause Fitness Expert, Debra Atkinson, joining me today! Debra is the bestselling author of You Still Got It, Girl and Hot, Not Bothered. She is also the host of the Flipping 50 podcast with over 1 million downloads and the TEDx talk Everything Women in Menopause Learned About Exercise May Be a Lie. Debra is a 37-year fitness expert, prior Senior Lecturer in Kinesiology, and founder of Flipping 50, the first and only online fitness membership dedicated exclusively to women in menopause.  There is a common misconception that everyone should exercise in the same way. People tend to believe that because many authorities in the fitness industry are still operating on guidelines and position statements that view men and women of all ages as a collective. In reality, no one fits the norm. Women in menopause might not even be in the same place right now as they were six months ago, or where they will be, three to six months from now. Stay tuned today to get Debra’s insightful recommendations for navigating where you are and selecting a diet and exercise strategy to suit you as an individual. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why do women approaching menopause need to exercise differently? Some of the physical changes that happen as women mature. The kind of exercise that helps with muscle development and the kind that helps with bone density. The importance of getting the right nutrition and enough sleep as you approach menopause. Why you need to tune into the feedback that your body is giving you. Reversing the effects of aging with strength training. How to gauge the right intensity for stimulating muscle growth. The best exercises for middle-aged women looking to lose body fat. The supplements that Debra most often recommends for her clients. How the loss of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone manifests in women approaching menopause. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Debra Atkinson Follow Debra on Facebook and Instagram Debra’s website Flipping50 HNB 10 DAY Challenge  The challenge offers a daily workout (or recovery) video PLUS an audio recording telling them exactly how what they'll do positively influences hormones. Those who get in early get access to mobility videos and "how-to" videos so they'll feel good even before it starts and complete with greater success.  Check it out here:   Hot, Not Bothered! Challenge 

Today, I am excited to welcome Junaid Kalmadi as my guest! Junaid is the founder & CEO of Farmers Juice, which delivers organic cold-pressed juices and wellness shots, including keto-friendly options, at nearly half the cost of a juice shop. The juice stays fresh for thirty days, using an innovative technology called HPP.  Farmers Juice has developed the world’s first keto-friendly and functional green juice line that includes adaptogens, antioxidants, and mushrooms to boost focus, calm, and athletic performance. Their mission is to make the highest quality cold-pressed juicing affordable, support the human rights of 2.4 million farmers in the US, and champion the next generation of farming with regenerative agriculture. Stay tuned today to hear about Junaid’s journey, and learn how to upgrade your diet by incorporating cold-pressed juices into your lifestyle. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What motivated Junaid to jump into the entrepreneurial space and get to where he is today. How the Standard American Diet (“SAD”) impacted Junaid’s mental, emotional, and physical health and wellbeing. How Junaid managed to overcome his unhealthy lifestyle habits and improve his mental health when he was in college. Why you should care about soil. Why Junaid focuses on supporting the farmers. What you need to be looking for when purchasing a good quality cold-pressed juice. What cold-pressing does to fruit and vegetables. How you can prevent food waste in your home. The daily rituals that Junaid recommends for grounding yourself and helping you to evolve as an individual. What prompted Junaid to create a line specifically for carb and keto-conscious individuals. How to home-blend a delicious and nutritious smoothie.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Junaid Kalmadi On his website On Facebook, and Instagram Get five dollars off your juice here. Use the coupon code CYNTHIA at checkout

I am delighted to have Dr. Gil Blander, an internationally recognized anti-aging researcher, joining me on the show today! Gil has a background in the basic biology of aging and translating his discoveries into new ways of detecting and preventing age-related conditions. He received a Ph.D. in biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at MIT. He has been featured In CNN Money, The New York Times, Forbes, The Financial Times, and The Boston Globe. There are many connections between Gil’s childhood in Israel and his quest for longevity. One of his relatives passed away when he was twelve years old. When that happened, Gil realized that he would not live forever. It worried him, and that concern stimulated his interest in longevity and aging and prompted him to study biology, do a Ph.D. at the Weizmann Institute of Science, spend five years at MIT in the best lab to study aging, and found InsideTracker. Listen in today to find out all you need to know about the lifestyle choices that will promote anti-aging and longevity. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Gil shares his background. What prompted Gil to leave the lab at MIT to go into the private sector. How and why caloric restriction extends our lifespan. How Gil transitioned from academia into the private sector. Gil explains what happens in the body when calories are restricted. How Gil managed to find the best blood biomarkers for longevity,   performance, and wellness. How Gil found the interventions to optimize anti-aging blood biomarkers. How nutrition and lifestyle changes can aid longevity. How the InsideTracker process works, and why it utilizes blood rather than saliva or urine for the testing. Gill talks about bio-individuality and clarifies some of the confusion often associated with epigenetic testing. Foods that promote or prevent longevity. The lifestyle choices that are essential for anti-aging and longevity. Gil talks about supplements. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Gil Blander (InsideTracker) On the website – Save 25% on Inside Tracker by using this referral link! On Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,   and Twitter Book mentioned: Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To  by Dr. David Sinclair

Today, the amazing, smart, and talented Melanie Avalon joins me once again! Melanie is a SAG-AFTRA actress, author of What When Wine: Lose Weight and Feel Great with Paleo-Style Meals, Intermittent Fasting, and Wine, host of the top iTunes podcasts The Melanie Avalon Biohacking Podcast, and The Intermittent Fasting Podcast with Gin Stephens, and she has appeared on this podcast twice before. Melanie is certified as a wine specialist by the WSET and as a holistic nutritionist by the AFPA. She is also a member of MENSA. Melanie developed the top iTunes app, “Food Sense Guide", to help those with food sensitivities, and she currently runs three rapidly growing Facebook groups. A few months ago, Melanie and I had a long conversation and decided to do two episodes at the same time. The first was Episode 143, which aired in April. In that episode, we focused on biohacking, for which Melanie is well-known. For today’s episode, we pivot and focus on blood sugar dysregulation. Melanie and I will bring you up to speed with everything you need to know about managing your blood sugar, tapping into the intrinsic hormonal regulation in your body, and ensuring that your blood sugar is well supported. Stay tuned for more!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Melanie first became interested in the science of dieting. Melanie talks about metabolic flexibility, the amount of energy stored in our body fat, and the purpose of insulin. Why your bio-individuality needs to be taken into account when figuring out the best diet. What a continuous glucose monitor is, what it does, and the benefits of using it. Why Melanie decided to bring carbs back into her diet. Why Melanie feels that the definitions of low fat, high carb versus a high fat, low carb are so important. Dairy is a hormonal food designed for growth. Melanie talks about the Lumen, which is one of the easiest biohacking devices to use. Melanie discusses the Biosense ketone meter. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Melanie Avalon On Facebook or PaleoOMAD, or Clean Beauty and Safe Skin Care  On Twitter  On her website The Intermittent Fasting Podcast The Melanie Avalon Biohacking Podcast Books mentioned:  The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf

I am happy to have Dr. Robert Lustig joining me today! He is an Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology and a Member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist with expertise in metabolism, obesity, and nutrition. He is one of the leaders of the current “anti-sugar” movement that is changing the food industry. Dr. Lustig graduated from MIT in 1976 and received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1980. He also received his Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) degree at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2013. He is the author of the popular books Fat Chance (2012), The Hacking of the American Mind (2017), and the recently-released book Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine. Many people assume that any food sold in the grocery store is healthy. But the truth is that most of the food-like substances that people are consuming today are far from real, and they do not metabolically support either a healthy body or a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Lustig lived in the ecosystem of modern medicine for forty years. Then, after doing some research, he saw that the data he was generating did not conform to the party line. So, in 2007, he started speaking out about what he thought to be the biggest problem in nutrition- sugar. Stay tuned to find out how Dr. Lustig is debunking modern medicine and chronic disease, and learn what you can do to navigate the modern-day nutritional battlefield. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What Dr. Lustig discovered when he started doing research. Why Dr. Lustig wrote his first book, Fat Chance. The difference between nutrition and food science. How most food has become poison. Why the concept of calories should be disregarded. Dr. Lustig talks about leptin resistance and explains what you can do to overcome it. Why eighty-eight percent of Americans have metabolic dysfunction. Dr. Lustig explains what we need to eat to have a healthy diet. Dr. Lustig shares his proposed definition of healthy. The importance of fiber. The problem with Big Pharma. Dr. Lustig explains why food subsidies do not make sense. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Lustig On his website  Get his new book here!  On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 

The pandemic has changed so much for so many of us. Our children are growing up facing unforeseen challenges, and many of us feel uncertain and fearful about what lies ahead. Human beings were never meant to be alone. Yet today, people are suffering from social isolation, a lack of contact, and not touching or connecting physically with anyone. I am happy to have Jon Levy joining me as my guest for today! Jon is a behavioral scientist best known for his work in influencing, human connection, and decision making. More than a decade ago, Jon founded The Influencers Dinner, a secret dining experience for industry leaders ranging from Nobel laureates, Olympians, celebrities, and executives, to artists, musicians, and even the occasional princess. With thousands of members, Influencers is the largest community of its type worldwide.  In Levy’s latest book, You’re Invited, readers are guided through the art and science of creating deep and meaningful connections with anyone, regardless of their stature or celebrity. The book demonstrates how we develop influence, gain trust, and build community so that we can impact our communities and achieve that which is important to us. In this episode, Jon talks about the impact that the pandemic has had on our society, and discusses the effect it has had on people's wellbeing, happiness, and longevity. Be sure to stay tuned today to find out what you can do to improve your current situation, create more connectedness in your life, adapt to this ever-changing world, and help your children to thrive going forward into the future. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Jon discusses the impact of the loneliness and lack of physical connection that so many of us are experiencing now due to the pandemic. Jon shares some of the foremost predictors of human longevity. Anti-fragility is a critical characteristic of humans. Jon explains why building and retaining a social muscle is vital. What happens to people when they spend several hours per day on social media. Jon discusses the trade-offs that we have to make to live long and happy lives. Experience post-traumatic growth rather than post-traumatic stress. Jon explains how to foster a sense of connection with others as things start to open up again after fifteen months of isolation. Jon explains what bonds us as humans. Vulnerability builds trust and strengthens relationships. Knowing where to draw the line when giving to others is vital. Jon discusses the big issue with behavioral change. Creating more connectedness in your life. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Jon Levy On his website     On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Additional Social Handles: @JonLevyTLB on Clubhouse    Jon’s new book: You're Invited: The Art & Science of Cultivating Influence Book mentioned: The Rabbit Effect by Kelli Harding

I’m excited to have Lara Adler as my guest for today’s show! Lara is an Environmental Toxins Expert and Educator. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, who teaches health coaches, nutritionists, and other holistic health practitioners how to eliminate the number one thing holding their clients back from the results they are seeking- the unaddressed link between chemicals and chronic health problems. Lara trains practitioners to become experts in everyday toxic exposures so they can improve client outcomes without spending hundreds of hours researching on their own. The information about environmental toxins that Lara will be sharing today is vital for you, the listeners, on many different levels. People are often surprised to learn that there is not much protection in the US, even though we have federal agencies designed to protect consumers. Even from my perspective, as a savvy, allopathic, western medicine, functionally-trained nurse practitioner, I learned a lot from Lara that I did not know before, so stay tuned today to hear about the nasty truth behind environmental toxins. This episode is important, so be sure to listen to it several times, take actionable steps, and share it with your loved ones!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Lara discusses the scope of the issue of environmental toxins. Why the products in the marketplace are not guaranteed to be safe. Our skin is our largest organ, yet most people don’t even think of skin as an organ. We absorb many of the chemicals and compounds that we put on our skin. How the levels of chemicals, and the associations between chemical exposures and certain illnesses or outcomes, are determined. Lara talks about what sparked her interest in the area of environmental toxins. Lara talks about endocrine-disrupting chemicals. She explains what they are and why we need to be concerned about them. Lara talks about phthalates and some of the other more common obesogens. We need to be a voice for others and protect those who have no access to workable solutions or organic food. How to make meaningful changes, starting with things that are free and easy. The problem with non-stick cookware. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Lara shares some healthy resources. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Lara Adler On her website On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Resources: Watch “The Devil We Know” and “Dark Waters” on Netflix. Lara has curated several shopping guides on her website.

I am delighted to have Phoebe Lapine joining me as my guest for today’s show! Phoebe is a food and health writer, gluten-free chef, wellness personality, culinary instructor, award-winning blogger, recipe developer, Hashimoto’s advocate, prior podcast host, and speaker. She was born and raised in New York City, where she continues to live and eat.  Many people suffer from the symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) for years without ever getting the right treatment or knowing that their symptoms might be caused by something much deeper. Sixty percent of IBS is caused by SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), which is Phoebe’s area of expertise. There are many misconceptions and misunderstandings around SIBO because it is so nuanced. Phoebe is joining me today to shed some light on the topic. She will explain how to uncover the root causes of SIBO and discuss the connection between SIBO and thyroid issues. She will also talk about finding the best diet for healing IBS and tell us which ones work best. Be sure to stay tuned for more!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Where Phoebe’s passionate interest in SIBO first started. What SIBO is. The physical symptoms that could result from SIBO. Phoebe explains what happens when the gut does not move things along as it should. Phoebe talks about the correlation between old injuries, abdominal surgery, and developing SIBO. Although food poisoning might seem innocuous, it could cause problems down the line. Why thyroid replacement therapy puts people at risk for SIBO. The vicious cycle between hormone levels and gut health. Phoebe talks about testing for SIBO. The different types of SIBO. How lifestyle choices can impact recovery from SIBO. The power of the mind-gut connection. Some suggestions for relieving the pain, gas, and bloating associated with SIBO. Phoebe talks about the benefits of the Low FODMAP Diet for SIBO. Ways to use your diet as a tool for overcoming leaky gut. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Phoebe Lapine Follow Phoebe on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Phoebe’s website Order Phoebe’s books, SIBO Made Simple, or The Wellness Project

I am excited to welcome Dr. Sylvia Tara today as my guest for the show! Dr. Tara was driven to research fat, science, and lifestyle after she finally got fed up with eating less and exercising more than her slimmer friends throughout her life. Her experiences told her there was more to weight loss than just “calories in, calories out.” As a biochemist, she was driven to get to the bottom of fat’s mysteries and the reasons it vexes us. In her best-selling book, The Secret Life of Fat, she reveals the complex biology of fat, how it resists loss, and what to do to remove stubborn fat.  Dr. Tara holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California at San Diego and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. After trying dozens of different diets and failing with all of them, she started using every tool at her disposal, talking to researchers, and reading as many research papers as possible to learn the truth about fat and find out why she had so much difficulty losing weight. What she learned was surprising, and it answered all of her questions. Be sure to listen in today to find out what Dr. Tara discovered about fat and the way it functions. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Tara talks about her book, The Secret Life of Fat, and discusses her motivation for writing it. The most surprising aspect of fat. Dr. Tara talks about leptin and the communication between fat tissue and the brain. Why it is so hard for some people to lose weight, and what you need to be mindful of to be a successful dieter. Dr. Tara shares some strategies for maintaining weight loss. Dr. Tara has recently launched a course to help people navigate through the science of fat. There are reproductive differences that women experience as they age that impact their ability to lose weight. The many benefits of exercise for women as they age. The importance of maintaining a healthy layer of fat as you age. Certain viruses can be correlated to fat and can cause a higher risk of obesity. Navigating your way around the endocrine-mimicking chemicals that we are often exposed to environmentally or through food. Some of the genetic propensities that make some people more susceptible to gaining weight. Dr. Tara talks about the bacteria in the gut biome that can impact the ability to gain or lose weight and what you can do to control it. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Sylvia Tara The Secret Life of Fat Website On Facebook      The Secret Life of Fat on Amazon

I am excited to welcome a fellow nurse practitioner, Dr. Stephanie Gray, as my guest for today’s show!  Stephanie Gray, DNP, MS, ARNP, AGNP-C, ABAAHP, FAARFM, is a functional medicine provider who helps men and women build sustainable and optimal health and longevity so that they can focus on what matters most to them!   Stephanie helps women in mid-life, who feel like their bodies have betrayed them, step back into their bodies by restoring optimal hormone levels so they can regain their sleep, figure, mood, and feel amazing once again. She is known for keeping hormone replacement therapy sexy, safe, and effective. Stephanie saw a lot of incontinence while doing her graduate training in nursing homes. She realized that urinary incontinence was the primary reason for people being admitted to long-term care facilities. So she learned the art of pessary fitting, and through that, discovered that there were non-surgical and non-pharmacological options for urinary incontinence. Those options helped people regain some dignity and allowed them to stay in their own homes. Stephanie decided that there had to be a similar approach for every other condition, so she sought out the necessary training, became a nurse practitioner, and started a practice of her own. Be sure to listen in today, to hear Stephanie’s story, and learn all you need to know about hormones and hormone therapy. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Stephanie discusses what motivated her to focus on hormone therapy. Stephanie’s health journey led her along the route of learning functional medicine, which involved optimizing her hormones. The first signs of hormonal imbalance in the body, which could tip people off that there is something wrong. Stephanie discusses pellets, BiEst, and TriEst and talks about the age at which people can start using hormone therapy safely, and the length of time that hormone therapy can continue being used. Some of the reasons for women getting hot flashes. Stephanie discusses the tests that she prefers for her patients. Stephanie explains why it is vital to find someone who can test your hormone levels effectively. Stephanie talks about hormones, bone density, osteoporosis, and osteopenia. The difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormone medications. Stephanie explains what having a hysterectomy represents for a woman. Some tips to help middle-aged women to optimize their estrogen metabolism. Stephanie owns Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic in Hiawatha, Iowa. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Stephanie Gray The website for her book podcast/blog/supplements The Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic Website On Social media: stephaniegraydnp Resources: Thanks10 will provide 10% off purchases at www.yourlongevityblueprint.com (including Stephanie’s book, Your Longevity Blueprint.) If you purchase Stephanie’s book, she has 2 free pdfs, a quick start guide, and a pdf of questionnaires to help you determine where you need to start. Go to https://yourlongevityblueprint.com/ylb-bonus/ 

Today, I am delighted to have Dr. Debi Silber joining me as my guest! Debi is a holistic psychologist and an expert in health, mindset, and personal development. She is the author of the #1 bestselling book: The Unshakable Woman: 4 Steps to Rebuilding Your Body, Mind, and Life After a Life Crisis. Her recent Ph.D. study on how women experience betrayal made three ground-breaking discoveries that change how long it takes to heal. In addition to being on FOX, CBS, The Dr. Oz Show, TEDx, and more, Debi is an award-winning speaker, coach, and author dedicated to helping women move past their betrayals, once and for all. Almost everyone has experienced an issue of betrayal at some point in their life. Every relationship, whether with a partner, parent, friend, or co-worker, has rules that are either spoken or unspoken. Betrayal involves breaking one of those rules, and the more we trust someone and depend on them, the deeper the betrayal, so when someone you trust shatters your sense of safety and security, it is traumatizing, and lots of cleaning up become necessary. Be sure to listen in today to find out how unhealed betrayal can impact your health, work, and relationships, and learn what you can do about it. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Debi unpacks what betrayal is, why it hurts, what it impacts, and what it creates. There is a physical component to a betrayal that could be even stronger than the emotional component. Debi talks about two ways that people tend to go about dealing with betrayal. You can use your experience of betrayal to help the next generation. Debi shares some statistics related to physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of a betrayal. Some of the findings from the study Debi did on betrayal for her Ph.D. Debi explains why you need to find the right person to speak to about your traumatic experience. Debi discusses the five stages, from betrayal to breakthrough, talks about where people tend to get stuck, and explains how to move from one stage to the next. Debi explains how she determines whether or not people are ready to move forward in their process. Debi unpacks Post Betrayal Syndrome and Post Betrayal Transformation. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Debi Silber On her website

I am delighted to have Dr. Alan Christianson joining me as my guest for today’s show! Dr. Christianson is a Board-Certified Naturopathic Endocrinologist who focuses on thyroid care. He is also a New York Times bestselling author whose recent titles include The Thyroid Reset Diet. Dr. Christianson is the founding president behind the Endocrine Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the American College of Thyroidology. He has featured in countless media appearances, including Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and The Today Show. Although tons of information about thyroid conditions is available out there, it can be confusing because so much of it is conflicting. Recent findings have shown that much of what we believed to be true in the past has changed. Thyroid disease has also changed. Thyroid cancers, the prevalence of thyroid treatment, and diagnoses for chronic disease have all tripled over the last couple of decades. Fortunately, Dr. Christianson is an incredible resource! He is joining us today to dive into some of the recent discoveries about the causes of thyroid disease and share some encouraging findings. Stay tuned to learn more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Christianson talks about the changes that have been happening regarding thyroid disease over the last twenty years. Dr. Christianson talks about the most important factor for the increase in thyroid disease over the last couple of decades. Understanding it can offer a solution for many people. How the thyroid works, its physiology, and how iodine interacts with it. Why there is so much iodine in dairy products. Dr. Christianson talks about the shift that took place around the mid-1980s that is relevant to thyroid disease. Everything related to iodine in our body gets filtered through the thyroid function. What you need to be aware of and understand to make educated decisions about the products you use. What almost everyone with thyroid problems can do to normalize their thyroid function in a very short time. Dr. Christianson shares some encouraging findings regarding over and underactive thyroid function. Dr. Christianson talks about thyroid medicines. Things you should take into account when having a thyroid test. What you can do to help support your body. The various factors that work together to exacerbate thyroid function. Lifestyle factors that impact thyroid function. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Alan Christianson On Facebook On Instagram On Pinterest On YouTube On his website

I am delighted to have the opportunity to connect with Trina Felber today! Trina is the Creator and CEO of Primal Life Organics, a premier, all-natural dental care company that focuses on oral health as the gateway to internal health. She is a long-standing nurse anesthetist, a mom, and a wife.  Trina believes that the antiseptic products we use in our mouths are doing us more harm than good. She pivoted to become an oral health expert after more than 25 years as a registered nurse. She created natural products to biohack your dental health for stronger, cleaner, whiter teeth and improved overall health. There is so much value in what Trina has to share today! This episode will blow your mind and completely change your perspective on dental health and dental care, so be sure to listen in!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Trina explains how she transitioned from being a nurse anesthetist to becoming an oral health care guru. Trina discusses Weston A. Price and his theories on the relationship between nutrition, dental health, and physical health. Trina talks about dental health, the anatomy of teeth, how cavities happen, and why we become prone to staining, decay, and plaque. Some tips to help you protect your teeth. The effects that wearing a mask can have on your oral health. The impact that the ingredients in commercially made toothpaste and mouthwashes have on the mouth and gut biomes. The three things that any dental product that you use needs to do. Why you should not use toothpaste that contains glycerine. How various types of light therapy can whiten your teeth and prevent inflammation. Why you should not use peroxide to whiten your teeth. Trina talks about skincare products. Some tips to set yourself up for success after eating acidic foods. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Trina Felber On her website On Facebook On Instagram Links: Facelift Kit Dental Detox Kit LED Teeth Whitener

I am delighted today to have Dr. Jade Teta as my guest! He is an integrative physician, author, and expert in natural health, fitness, metabolism, and self-development. He spent the last 25 years immersed in the study of strength and conditioning, hormonal metabolism, and the psychology of change and success. He recently started a new company, Next Level Human. It combines his medical and fitness knowledge with his expertise in self-development and mindset change. He writes and lectures extensively to healthcare professionals and the public about lifestyle medicine, natural health, and mindset change.  Hormonal health and metabolic issues are an enormous pain point for many of my followers and the women in my program. Making lifestyle shifts can be very valuable in helping us develop healthy metabolic habits and easing us through the changes that both men and women tend to go through in middle age. Join us on the show today to hear Dr. Teta’s story and learn about some lifestyle changes that you can make to improve your metabolic processes and better your hormonal health.    IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Teta talks about his journey that began at fifteen and his pivot into the hormonal health and metabolism space. How females were under-represented in the research community before 2001. Dr. Teta discusses some of the changes that occur in women who are older than thirty-five, which made him start second-guessing his original methodology and philosophies around weight loss and nutrition. How estrogen and progesterone affect what Dr. Teta refers to as SHMEC (Sleep, Hunger, Mood, Energy, and Cravings). A simple analogy to help you understand estrogen and progesterone. How biofeedback signals can help you to understand your metabolism. Dr. Teta shares what he has found to work best for most women as a different approach to exercise. Why calories matter. Dr. Teta shares his take on eating for satiety versus eating for calories and marrying macros. Most people only focus on diet and exercise without accounting for stress and movement. Dr. Teta talks about buffer foods and trigger foods. Dr. Teta discusses his strategy for helping women find the diet that works best for them. Dr. Teta talks about intermittent fasting. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Teta Teta On his website On Instagram        The Next Level Human Podcast

I am excited today to be joined by Marty Kendall. Marty is an engineer who seeks to optimize nutrition using a data-driven approach. His interest in nutrition began eighteen years ago to help his wife Monica gain better control of her Type 1 Diabetes. Since then, he has worked to develop a systematized approach to nutrition tailored for a wide range of goals. Marty has been sharing his learnings at OptimisingNutrition.com and has developed Nutrient Optimiser and Data-Driven Fasting to guide people on their journey of nutritional optimization.  Monica was only ten years old when she was diagnosed with diabetes. She suffered decreasing control of her health until she and Marty met about fifteen years later. When they got married, neither Monica nor Marty knew anything about managing diabetes. Marty had no idea what he was getting into, but he learned quickly and found a doctor who taught them both a lot by turning their situation into a maths game. That intrigued Marty and motivated him to strive towards having healthy pregnancies by managing the numbers. Be sure to stay tuned today to hear Marty’s story and learn about his data-driven approach to good health.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Marty shares the story of how he and Monica learned to control her diabetes by managing the numbers. Marty talks about the first step he took in helping to support his wife before she started riding the keto wave. Different people process macronutrients differently. Marty discusses the problems he had when he tried to optimize food choices for people with diabetes. Marty talks about the nutritional dogma that contributed to many metabolic diseases that we see currently in westernized countries. What energy toxicity represents. Marty provides an overview of the carb insulin index. Why you should check your blood sugar when you feel hungry, and not after you have already eaten. Whether or not you should avoid eating when your blood sugar rises more than thirty. Marty gives his take on biohacking devices like CGMs and glucometers. Using your blood sugar as a fuel gauge. Marty talks about how insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance influence people’s fat threshold. Marty describes some of the more common nutrient deficiencies. How Marty’s Nutrient Optimiser app blows away dogma and helps people select the right foods for their nutritional requirements. Navigating eating out. Marty reveals his recommendations for overcoming emotional eating, weight loss and insulin sensitivity, protein intake while on a maintenance diet, and gaining more muscle mass. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Marty Kendall On websites: Optimising Nutrition, Data-Driven Fasting, Nutrient Optimiser, or Big Fat Keto Lies On social media: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest Marty’s Offers: Data-Driven Fasting Challenge High Protein: Energy Recipe Book Fat Loss Recipe Book Book mentioned: Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss

I am super excited to welcome Jeremy Abramson as my guest for today! Jeremy is a health coach, wellness entrepreneur, and corporate culture creator. After working one-on-one with elite athletes and CEOs for several years, he started pursuing a more ambitious path to impact a wider audience: Corporate America. He’s making a massive impact through his live events and online presence, where he empowers people to take ownership of their lives through movement, gratitude, and joy.  Jeremy is known as the High Energy Coach because he helps top-level executives and entrepreneurs unleash their fullest potential. He is known worldwide for his expertise, mindful movement, mindset, nutrition, and neuroscience. He has built a community of over 600,000 on TikTok and continues to expand his impact globally. He is the host of the Thrive University Podcast with the mission to inspire and empower you with the knowledge and wisdom to transform your thoughts, habits, relationships, intention, vitality, and enthusiasm so that you can stop settling for mediocrity and live your dream life. Join us today and learn how to overcome your self-limiting beliefs and take ownership of your life. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Jeremy talks about things that determine the quality of your life. Travel is a way to magnify our consciousness and awareness and become better versions of who we are. Jeremy talks about his journey of discovery as he transitioned to become a mindset guru. Jeremy helps people embody what they want to communicate to others. The work you do for yourself will reflect in the work you do for others. Jeremy talks about what it was like to spend time learning from Joe Dispenza. Money and what it means to be wealthy. Some of the changes that Jeremy has seen in how people keep physically active since Covid. Moving your body increases your intuition and helps you grow and stay sharper. Jeremy talks about psychedelics and the benefits of micro-dosing. Jeremy discusses the foods and supplements that are most beneficial and best support his physical and mental health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Jeremy Abramson On his website On TikTok On Instagram Thrive University Podcast Recommended book: How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan  

I am excited to talk to Ben Azadi today! Ben is the author of four best-selling books, Keto Flex, The Perfect Health Booklet, The Intermittent Fasting Cheat Sheet, and The Power of Sleep. He has been the go-to source for intermittent fasting and the ketogenic diet. In 2008, Ben went through a personal health transformation of shredding 80 pounds of pure fat. Ever since he has been on a mission to help 1 billion people live a healthier lifestyle. Ben is also the host of a top 15 podcast, The Keto Kamp Podcast, and the fast-growing Keto Kamp YouTube channel with over 122,000 subscribers. Ben is known as 'The Health Detective' because he investigates dysfunction, and he educates, not medicates, to bring the body back to normal function. He is the founder of Keto Kamp, a global brand bringing awareness to ancient healing strategies such as the keto diet and fasting. Ben’s latest book, Keto Flex: The 4 Secrets to Reduce Inflammation, Burn Fat, and Reboot Your Metabolism, was a labor of love that took him a little over two years to complete. Be sure to tune in today to find out about his latest book, and hear what he has to say about keto and fasting.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Ben gives a general overview of his latest book, Keto Flex. Ben talks about ketosis. He explains what it is, why we would want to aim for it, and why we should not get fixated on devices. Ben discusses the benefits of teaching your body to burn fat as the primary fuel source. It is easy to overdo certain fatty foods, like cheese or nuts. Ben explains how to burn extra body fat with keto. Ben shares his thought on using devices to measure ketones. In his book, Ben shares fifteen bio-hacks for getting better sleep. Optimizing sleep is vital. Sleep can impact our ability to become fat-adapted and have success with intermittent fasting. Ben shares two great sleep tips. Ben shares some fasting strategies. Taking responsibility for your health. Ben discusses how he helps women feel better about themselves and what he does to stay positive. Ben shares a valuable takeaway from his book, Keto Flex. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Ben Azadi On his website On Instagram, Facebook, YouTube On Clubhouse: @thebenazadi Get your copy of Ben’s new book Keto Flex The Keto Kamp Podcast Books mentioned: The Unhealthy Truth by Rachel Kranz and Robyn O'Brien Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Ultimate Library Collection (On Audible) Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz The Secret Life of Fat by Sylvia Tara The Art of Living by Bob Proctor The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer

I am excited to connect with Darryl Bosshardt today! Darryl is passionate about healthily living, healthy eating, and life-long learning. He grew up working for the family mineral business in Redmond, Utah. Then he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Southern Utah University, followed by an MBA at Western Governors University. Darryl oversees the salt company, Redmond. Salt is one of the most misunderstood minerals on Earth. For thousands of years, it has sustained life and provided a source of trade. It even got used as currency. However, over the last century, salt has become known to many as a dangerous chemical that should be avoided at all costs. Things are changing, though. Currently, research is returning salt to its place of necessity for human health because without salt, everything dies. Be sure to join us today, to hear Darryl’s story, discover the misconceptions around sea salt, and find out about the vital role that salt plays in our lives. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Darryl explains where salt comes from. How Darryl and his family got into the salt business. Darryl explains why salt is not bad for us and unpacks its benefits. How sea salt differs chemically from the iodized salt used in processed foods. Darryl discusses the unique flavors of various natural salts and explains how to know if you’re buying a high-quality product. The truth about salt substitutes. Darryl shares his thoughts on magnesium supplementation. We need to remain connected to how we respond to dehydration. Adding electrolytes to your water can make a big difference to how you feel. The importance of getting enough salt when fasting intermittently. The role salt plays in our bodies.Redmond Salt is now producing Relyte, a flavored electrolyte product.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Darryl Bosshardt On Facebook  On Instagram For salt products On his website 

Today, I am delighted to have Maria Emmerich joining me. Maria is a nutritionist who specializes in the ketogenic diet and exercise physiology. She struggled with her health and weight throughout childhood. That led her to become such a passionate nutrition expert. “My goal is to help transform people’s lives and start living again!” Maria specializes in brain neurotransmitters and how food can increase mental wellness. Her expertise has sent her around the world speaking about ketogenic diets. She has also cooked with Halle Berry and writes for Halle’s website. Twenty-three years ago, Maria was twice her size, and she had some serious issues going on. The doctor told her she had PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), which is type-2 diabetes that affects female fertility. She also had acid reflux, depression, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The doctor told her she was doing nothing wrong. Those were just the cards she was dealt.  She took her dog to the vet the same week because it was losing its hair, and the first question he asked her was what she was feeding it. When she changed the dog’s diet, its hair grew back. That got her thinking, so she started doing some research. She discovered that PCOS was caused by too much caffeine, sugar, and carbohydrates, which was what she was living on. She was only sixteen at the time, but she started making some dietary changes. Be sure to join us today to hear Maria’s inspiring story and find what she has to say about healing yourself with the food you eat. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Maria shares her background story. The journey towards health and wellness does not happen overnight. Some aspects evolve and shift over a lifetime. Maria discusses how she discovered the benefits of the ketogenic diet and what motivated her to stick to it. Why you should avoid processed foods even if they claim to be ketogenic. What makes women different. Some of the mistakes Maria sees women making when they come to keto that cause them to assume that keto is not working. Maria has a free macro calculator on her website. Maria talks about what alcohol does to our bodies and sleep patterns. Maria shares her thoughts on bioidenticals versus supplementation, as women make the transition from being fertile to perimenopause to menopause. Maria talks about the protein-sparing fast and shares some strategies for fasting successfully. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Maria Emmerich On her ketomaria.com On her Keto-adapted website On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Maria’s free e-book

I am delighted and excited today to welcome Dr. David Jockers as my guest! Dr. Jockers is a doctor of natural medicine. He runs one of the most popular natural health websites, which has gotten over 1 million monthly visitors. His work has been seen on popular media such as the Dr. Oz show and Hallmark Home and Family. Dr. Jockers is the author of the best-selling books The Keto Metabolic Breakthrough and The Fasting Transformation. He is a world-renowned expert in the area of ketosis, fasting, inflammation, and functional nutrition. He is also the host of the popular “Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition” podcast. Dr. Jockers was a personal trainer in his early twenties. At the time, he was taking in about 5,500 calories a day from six meals, which he thought he had to do to maintain his muscle mass. Then he developed irritable bowel and he lost about 30 pounds over two years.  After reading the book, The Maker’s Diet by Jordan Rubin, he felt inspired to make some changes to his diet. He ended up on a grain-free, low-carb diet with lots of fermented foods and grass-fed meats and got a lot better. He noticed that when he skipped breakfast and drank a lot of water, he felt significantly better, and he started re-gaining muscle mass quickly.  Dr. Jockers has been practicing intermittent fasting for sixteen years now, and it has revolutionized his life! Be sure to stay tuned today to learn more about intermittent fasting, some common fasting mistakes, and some of the lesser-known things you can do with fasting to benefit your health. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Jockers shares his background and explains what brought him to his fasting journey. There are several key mechanisms of intermittent fasting that can help you build muscle. The benefits of exercising while in a fasted state. The amount of protein you need to consume to build lean muscle. Dr. Jockers explains what he does to amplify the amount of autophagy taking place in his body. Why doing a 24-hour fast every week is realistic. Autophagy is a by-product of fasting. Dr. Jockers shares some strategies to boost autophagy. Dr. Jockers discusses the benefits of different kinds of exercise and getting enough proper sleep. The benefits you can add to fasting with coffee and various herbal teas. Dr. Jockers unpacks what detoxing is all about, and emphasizes why it is so important. Some common fasting mistakes that people tend to make. And some things you can do to make fasting easier. Dr. Jockers shares his thoughts on fasting variations, especially for women.   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. David Jockers On his website On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube Books mentioned: The Maker’s Diet by Jordan Rubin

I am delighted to have Siim Land joining me once again as my guest for the show. Siim lives in the countryside of Estonia. He is a bestselling author, public speaker, high-performance coach, and professional biohacker. He is the author of Metabolic Autophagy, Stronger By Stress, and he is the co-author of The Immunity Fix. There is so much value in the lessons that Siim teaches and a lot of what he talks about in his books are things that people can do that don't cost too much money. Having the right amount of stress can actually make us stronger on many levels. In this episode, Siim talks to us about stress. He discusses how our bodies adapt to stress and how we can deal with it and recover from it, recognizing that stress biologically impacts our cells in very beneficial ways. Be sure to listen in today, to hear what Siim has to say about finding the appropriate balance around stress and eating right for your optimum health.  In Episode 73, Kelly and I interviewed Siim Lands about biohacking and human bio-optimization. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Simm talks about how Covid has been affecting him in Estonia over the last ten months. Different stressors cause a slightly different effect on the body. However, a general stress response does tend to happen, regardless of the source of it. Siim describes the physical effects of stress. Siim talks about hormesis and stress adaptation. Stress can be a positive factor in our lives. Siim explains what will happen if you constantly try to avoid stress. Siim discusses the benefits of minor stressors on the mitochondria. There is a tipping point where physical activities like resistance training and cardio workouts are beneficial to us versus when they cause us damage. Siim shares some recommendations for fine-tuning your fasting regimen. Learn how to get sufficient protein in your diet, particularly when you are fasting. Siim talks about what you can do to build a healthy immune system and foods that are harmful to your health. You can protect yourself against the lipid peroxidation of oxidized fats by consuming vegetables that contain antioxidants. Vitamin E and algae, like spirulina, also have lipid peroxidation protective effects. Siim explains what traditional and infrared saunas do for the body in terms of immune function and other health benefits. Siim discusses the benefits of using cryotherapy in conjunction with infrared saunas versus doing them separately. Getting enough quality sleep is the foundation for good health and longevity. Siim shares some sleep-supporting hacks. Siim talks about the key nutrients that we need in our diet to support our immune function. Siim explains what impacts immune function negatively. Siim defines what wellness means to him. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Siim Land On his website On Facebook

For April, we are doing a biohacking month on the Everyday Wellness Podcast, and today, I am delighted to have Daniel Tal Mor joining me as my guest.  Daniel is a seasoned entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of Lumen, a company developing consumer nutrition management platforms based on a small device that measures metabolism in a single breath and provides personalized food, lifestyle, and health recommendations.  The Lumen is a tool that can help prevent serious illnesses. Up until now, measuring how we expend the fats and carbohydrates in our bodies and finding out how metabolically flexible we are (or are not) has been left largely to labs and those working in a scientific environment. Having a device in our home that can do all of that has been an exciting new development.  In this episode, Daniel shares how he and his spouse came up with the idea of creating the Lumen device, and he talks about what the Lumen measures, who it was designed for, fuel management, and the importance of tracking your nutrition to maintain your metabolic health. Be sure to stay tuned today to find out what Daniel has to say about the Lumen device and how it can help us to maintain our metabolic health and flexibility.  Show highlights: Daniel discusses how he, his spouse, and her sister came up with the idea of creating a device to give consumers a sense of how metabolically flexible they are. Daniel explains what the Lumen measures. Daniel talks about the different fuels and the different motivations that they represent. Daniel talks about metabolic flexibility and explains some of the benefits of using fat as a primary fuel source versus carbohydrates. Avoid being rigid in your diet. If you are following a ketogenic diet, it could be necessary to bump yourself out of ketosis sometimes to maintain your metabolic flexibility. Daniel discusses fuel management. Daniel explains how carbon dioxide plays in with our breath and how the Lumen device differentiates when we are burning more carbs from burning more fats. Daniel looks at how it is possible to see the changes caused by some dietary indiscretions almost in real-time. Some of the changes that Daniel and his team have seen in women’s metabolisms when they get close to their menstrual period and how that impacts their nutritional requirements. Daniel talks about how lack of sleep and stress impact people’s metabolic measurements. Daniel discusses the impact that traveling can have on your metabolism and how using the Lumen has helped him to find new habits that work for him. The impact that exercise has on your metabolism. Daniel talks about the effect that prolonged fasting has on people’s metabolic values. Daniel shares some food priorities and some strategies and hacks for improving your metabolic flexibility.   Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Daniel Tal Mor On his website On Facebook On Instagram Discount code: cynthia30 for $30 off on Lumen

I am excited to welcome Melanie Avalon as my guest for today! Melanie is a SAG-AFTRA actress, author of What When Wine: Lose Weight and Feel Great with Paleo-Style Meals, Intermittent Fasting, and Wine, host of the top iTunes podcasts The Melanie Avalon Biohacking Podcast, and The Intermittent Fasting Podcast with Gin Stephens, who has appeared on this podcast twice before. Melanie is certified as a wine specialist by the WSET and as a holistic nutritionist by the AFPA. She is a member of MENSA. Melanie developed the top iTunes app, “Food Sense Guide", to help those with food sensitivities, and she currently runs three rapidly growing Facebook groups. Melanie and I became friends when I appeared on her podcast last year, and we have stayed in touch since then. We are doing a biohacking block in April. Throughout April, we will be featuring on the podcast many of the people who I consider to be cutting edge in the biohacking space. Melanie is a powerhouse woman in the intermittent fasting space. She is one of the people helping to change the face of the health and wellness industry. She has no medical training. Yet, she is able to grasp some pretty heavy-duty concepts, and she fully understands the technology behind the various biohacking devices. Melanie is joining us today to talk about some of the biohacking devices and modalities and the benefits you can expect to experience from each of them. So be sure to listen in to find out what she has to say about the benefits of biohacking, supplements, and hormetic stressors. Show highlights: Melanie talks about what biohacking means to her, and she explains where you can start with that. Melanie walks us through the spectrum of biohacking devices, from those she considers milder or more benign to the more intricate ones, and explains what they do. Blue light-blocking glasses were the first biohacking thing that Melanie did. She has never stopped using them. Melanie explains the physical benefits of Near-Infrared Light Therapy and Near-Infrared Light saunas. Cold can do some amazing things for our bodies. We talk about challenging ourselves with hormetic stress and cold therapies. Melanie talks about the benefits of using the Apollo Neuro device for sound wave therapy. Melanie is a reformed insomniac. She discusses what has been the most helpful for her in terms of the quality of her sleep. Melanie talks about supplements that can be helpful for biohacking. The role that NAD+ plays in supporting our energy levels. Melanie talks about Vitamin D and explains why getting enough of it is vital for your health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Melanie Avalon Follow Melanie on her personal Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter, join her Facebook Group.            Recommended books: The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof Lifespan by David A. Sinclair, Ph.D. and Matthew D. LaPlante  Breath by James Nestor The Switch by James W. Clement Recommended app: dminder

I am delighted and excited to talk to Dr. Doni Wilson today. She is a naturopathic doctor, certified professional midwife, and certified nutrition specialist.  Dr. Doni graduated from Bastyr University in 2000. She believes it is possible to be healthy, even when we are stressed. She helps patients reverse challenging health conditions, including fatigue, anxiety, autoimmunity, fertility, insomnia, as well as HPV, and abnormal pap smears. Dr. Doni is frequently called upon to discuss her approach in the media, as well as at both public and professional events. She writes a blog you can find at DoctorDoni.com, and her podcast is called “How Humans Heal”. After completing her pre-med degree, Dr. Doni was very interested in nutrition, so she decided to take a nutrition course. She fell so much in love with it that she ended up getting a nutrition degree. Then, a friend told her about naturopathic medical school, which she had never heard of before. There, she was able to study food as medicine. That provided her with a perfect solution because she knew that healing with food and nutrients is possible, and she wanted to be able to support people in that way. Be sure to stay tuned to find out what Dr. Doni has to share about how to stay healthy during times of stress. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Doni explains what inspired her to choose the natural medicine route, as opposed to a more traditional allopathic medicine route. Dr. Doni defines stress. Dr. Doni discusses the impact of stress on our bodies and explains how we can mitigate the stress we deal with, acutely versus chronically. The stress response is unique to every individual. We can help our body and our brain recover from stress. Some of the practices that Dr. Doni suggests, for helping her patients get out of fight or flight mode and managing their stress in the long term. Do some things in your day to prevent yourself from going full-steam ahead from the time that you get out of bed. You will experience many benefits from meditating regularly. Dr. Doni has developed an assessment to help people understand their stress type. Your stress levels can be measured using your urine or saliva. Dr. Doni explains what adaptogens are, and how they can help in managing stress. Spending time in nature is very helpful for managing stress levels. Dr. Doni explains how circadian rhythms impact our bodies. Dr. Doni explains how cortisol affects all the different body systems. Dr. Doni discusses what she has learned about HPV, which can also get activated by stress. Dr. Doni talks about the HPV vaccine, its efficacy, and the possible side-effects. There are ways to protect yourself from the HPV virus, whether or not you get the vaccine. Dr. Doni talks about her latest book, Master Your Stress, Reset Your Health, which is coming out soon. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Doni On her website 

Dr. Perlmutter has written several books to educate people on the importance of the physiological connection between the gut and the brain. In this episode, he talks to us about his most recent book, Brain Wash, which he co-authored with his son, Austin Perlmutter, also a physician. The release of Brain Wash was very timely, given the current state of affairs with the growing pandemic, both in the United States and the rest of the world. Find out what motivated Dr. Perlmutter and his son to write Brain Wash and what you can expect to learn from reading it.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN Dr. Perlmutter talks about what inspired him and his son, Austin, to write the book, Brain Wash. We need to recognize that there is hard-wiring in the brain, which relates to how we make our decisions. Dr. Perlmutter describes the two fairly distinct areas of the brain that deal with each type of decision-making. Dr. Perlmutter explains the interesting fact that was discovered about the pre-frontal cortex area of the brain. Dr. Perlmutter explains the detrimental effect that electronics and some other factors have on the evolution of the pre-frontal cortex of the brains of children and teenagers. Dr. Perlmutter talks about how we can go about reconnecting and bringing the pre-frontal cortex back online. That information forms the heart and soul of the book, Brain Wash. As a global community, we need to cultivate the ability to remain open-minded and have cognitive empathy. We need to accept and embrace the notion that people will change their views and their position on things over time. Dr. Perlmutter explains how the quality of our sleep impacts our decision-making. The impact that social media has on our notion of connectedness as humans. Dr. Perlmutter explains how the stress of the pandemic has impacted our brains and the outcome of the pandemic. Our biological age can differ from our chronological age. Dr. Perlmutter explains how that could impact our immune system and our risk for the outcome of Covid. Dr. Perlmutter talks about the powerful benefits of exposing ourselves to nature and the profoundly positive impact it has on our brains. Dr. Perlmutter talks about the importance of getting enough exercise, and why a bit of stress is good for the body. He also shares a way to calculate your ideal heart rate. The three foods that Dr. Perlmutter feels are most beneficial for the brain, to keep the amygdala at bay and serve the executive function of the pre-frontal cortex. Dr. Perlmutter talks about the book that he is working on currently, due for release in 2022. Bio:  Dr. Perlmutter received his M.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine, where he was awarded the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award. He serves as a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Archives of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and The Journal of Applied Nutrition. Also, he is a frequent lecturer at symposia sponsored by institutions such as the World Bank and IMF, Columbia University, Scripps Institute, New York University, and Harvard University. He serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Perlmutter’s books include the #1 New York Times bestseller Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar, with over 1 million copies in print. Other New York Times bestsellers include Brain Maker, The Grain Brain Cookbook, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan, and Brain Wash,.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Perlmutter On Facebook       On Instagram On his website  

We are excited to have Dr. Glenn Livingston joining us on the show today. Dr. Glenn Livingston is a veteran psychologist and was the long-time CEO of a multi-million dollar consulting firm that has serviced several Fortune 500 clients in the food industry. You may have seen his or his company’s work, theories, and research in major periodicals, like the New York Times, the LA Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, the New York Daily News, American Demographics, or any other media outlets. You may have also heard of him on ABC, WGN, and our CBS Radio or UPN TV.  Disillusioned by what traditional psychology had to offer overweight and/or food-obsessed individuals, Dr. Livingston spent several decades researching the nature of bingeing and overeating via his work with his patients and a self-funded research program. Most importantly, his personal journey led him out of obesity and a food-prison to a normal healthy weight and a much more light-hearted relationship with food. Be sure to stay tuned today to hear his story and find out how to stop overeating, stress eating, or binge eating and how to stick to any diet. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Glenn shares his story and explains how his journey influenced where he is today. How Dr. Glenn’s book, Never Binge Again, came about. Dr. Glenn dives into the concept of binge-eating and cravings-cycles and explains why some people are more susceptible to those types of behaviors than others. Dr. Glenn believes that decision-making wears down your will-power. Dr. Glenn talks about why people have different types of cravings related to different kinds of stress. Dr. Glenn looks at the idea of moderation versus abstinence. Dr. Glenn unpacks the societal pressures around sugar and alcohol. Dr. Glenn talks about why some people tend to binge-eat when breaking an intermittent fast and how they can overcome it. Dr. Glenn explains why you need to watch out for asking why certain things are the way they are. Why flour is so intoxicating. Dr. Glenn explains what the phenomenon of down-regulation is and how it works. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Glenn On his website - Click the big red button On Facebook On Twitter His blog On LinkedIn Books mentioned: Never Binge Again by Dr. Glenn Livingston Sugar Fat Salt by Michael Moss

We are delighted and excited to welcome Dr. Ken Berry back as our guest. He is a board-certified family medicine physician based in Tennessee, and he has dedicated his practice to fighting to end the epidemics of chronic disease caused by hyperinsulinemia. Dr. Berry was one of our favorite guests from 2020, and we brought him back on the show because it is the start of a new year, and we would like to get a fresh perspective on how to get back on track. Today, he will be speaking to us about the recent USDA dietary guidelines, weight-loss stalls, and sugar addiction. Ken Berry is a certified physician, an Amazon Best Selling Author, and a passionate advocate of health on his YouTube channel where he has over one million subscribers. Along with his online presence, he is active in his community of Camden Tennessee where he has been practicing at The Berry Clinic since 2003. Dr. Berry is known for his direct, no-nonsense approach to health and wellness. After signing with Victory Belt Publishing House this year, Dr. Berry just released the second edition of his best-selling book Lies My Doctor Told Me. He is also writing his second book called Common Sense Keto for Type II Diabetes. He looks forward to working with the real people of the world in continuing his mission to bring an end to the obesity and Type II diabetes epidemics, along with bringing awareness to such issues as thyroid health and hormone optimization. Be sure to listen in today to find out what Dr. Ken has to share about fighting hyperinsulinemia with a proper diet. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Berry talks about the influence of the major food and beverage companies on the USDA dietary guidelines. How the big food corporations are taking advantage of our evolutionarily passed-on craving for sweetness. Why people are struggling with losing weight. Reclaiming control over your diet is a powerful step that can open many doors for you. Some people become more easily addicted than others to various things, including sweetness. That’s why you need to be honest with yourself if you think you have a problem. A national health crisis is evident due to the vast number of adults in the US who have at least one metabolic syndrome marker. There is a lot of value in using a CGM to monitor your blood sugar, to see your response to specific macronutrients. The kind of damage you cause to your body when your blood sugar spikes above 140. Dr. Berry shares his thoughts about various supplements, like Berberine and Chromium. Dr. Berry defines a proper human diet. A nutritional suggestion for those who don’t have much access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Dr. Berry discusses his position on sleep and stress. What Dr. Berry will be focusing on in 2021.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s Website  Connect with Ken On YouTube      On Facebook On Twitter Follow Dr. Berry on his rediscovery of the proper human diet. He goes live on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, every Monday at 7 pm central standard time.  Books mentioned: Sugar Fat Salt by Michael Moss Sacred Cow by Diana Rodgers and Robb Wolf

We are excited to have Dr. Will Cole joining us as our guest for today. He is a leading functional-medicine expert who consults people around the world. Named one of the top 50 functional medicine and integrative doctors in the nation, Dr. Cole specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems. He is very well-known as the bestselling author of Ketotarian, The Inflammation Spectrum, and his newly-released book, Intuitive Fasting, where he explains how to use the powerful benefits of flexible intermittent fasting to gain metabolic flexibility and find food peace. He is also hosting the new podcast, The Art of Being Well. Dr. Cole has always been interested in health and wellness, even as a young kid. His parents were ahead of their time in terms of their approach to health and wellness. In the sixth or seventh grade, he was inspired by the book Patient Heal Thyself, where the author, Jordan Rubin, spoke about reversing his autoimmune condition with food. Dr. Cole’s interest in health eventually evolved into a desire to be formally trained. Be sure to listen in today to hear about his new book, Intuitive Fasting, and learn about how fasting will benefit your health beyond just losing weight. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Cole discusses his background and how he created his powerful platform for his patients. Dr. Cole discusses what the impetus was for writing his book about intermittent fasting. Dr. Cole believes that wellness should come from our authentic intuition. Dr. Cole unpacks what metabolic flexibility means, and he explains why we should be concerned about it. Dr. Cole explains how much the mentality of fasting differs from that of counting calories. Dr. Cole explains why it is critical to eat for satiety and to align yourself with the intuitive eating approach. Ways to avoid eating too much fat when following the ketogenic diet. Dr. Cole talks about the anti-aging benefits of fasting. Why you need to find a sustainable way of eating where you can leverage all the benefits without doing too much too soon. How effective fasting differs for men and women. Dr. Cole discusses his personal dietary preferences. Dr. Cole shares his take on using bio-hacking tools. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Will Cole On his website On Instagram

We are delighted to have Gary Taubes joining us today. Gary is an award-winning science and health journalist, and a co-founder and director of the Nutrition Science Initiative (NuSI). He is the author of The Case Against Sugar, Why We Get Fat, Good Calories, Bad Calories, and most recently, The Case For Keto. Gary is a former staff writer for Discover and correspondent for Science. He has written three cover articles on nutrition and health for The New York Times Magazine. His writing got featured in The Atlantic, Esquire, and numerous "best of" anthologies, including The Best of the Best American Science Writing (2010).  As a science writer for Discover Magazine, Gary became obsessed with “bad science” and how hard it is to do science writing. After he had written his second book, a physicist friend suggested that since he was interested in “bad science”, he should look into public health because it was terrible. Gary then moved into public health, writing mostly for the Science journal in the early 1990s. By the late 90s, he had stumbled onto the world of nutrition and did a series of investigative articles. Gary found that the evidence supporting certain basic notions, like salt causing high blood pressure, and dietary fat being the cause of heart disease, did not pan out. That got him interested in obesity and what causes it, and ever since then has not stopped writing about nutrition. Be sure to listen in today to hear what Gary has to say about why the established rules about eating healthy might be the wrong approach to weight loss, and how low-carbohydrate, high-fat/ketogenic diets can help many of us achieve and maintain a healthy weight for life. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Gary explains how after starting as an engineer, he ended up writing about science and health. Gary explains why calories are irrelevant. Gary discusses the roles of insulin in the body, and how it impacts your ability to utilize and store fat for energy. Looking at what leads to fat-shaming. Fat accumulation is caused by hormones. Gary gives his perspective on Ancel Keys’ policies. Gary talks about satiety and hunger. The health benefits of the ketogenic diet. The eating of carbohydrates after being on a ketogenic diet. Why certain carb-rich foods will cause cravings and spike your insulin significantly after you have been on a ketogenic diet for some time. Gary discusses the possibility of having long-term physical damage from your blood sugar levels going above 140. Gary explains the difficulties that surround writing a book about advances in nutrition. Gary discusses the reality of carbohydrate addiction. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Gary's Links: Visit his website, like him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, and purchase his book, The Case for Keto! Books mentioned:  What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon Calories Don’t Count by Herman Taller The Atkins Diet by Robert Atkins Protein Power by Mike and Mary Eades Sugar Busters by Leighton Steward, Morrison Bethea M.D., Sam Andrews M.D., and Luis Balart M.D.

We are excited to welcome Susan Bratton back to the podcast today. (Her first podcast was Episode 64, from September of 2019.) Susan is our go-to expert on intimate wellness, sexual regeneration protocols, and ageless sexuality. She loves talking about all the misunderstandings and myths about our female sexuality and aging because, at the age of fifty-nine, she is having the best sex of her life! Susan Bratton is an expert in intimate wellness, sexual regenerative protocols, and ageless sexuality. She is a best-selling author and publisher of lovemaking techniques, bedroom communication skills, and sexual vitality advice that include Sexual Soulmates, Relationship Magic, Revive Her Drive, Ravish Him, The Steamy Sex Ed™ Video Collection, Hormone Balancing,  The Pump Guide, and Thrust-In-Time serve as examples of the exciting variety of her 34 books and programs. Be sure to listen in today to find out what Susan has to share about intimate wellness and having better sex as you age. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Susan talks about the benefits of douching with nascent iodine. Taking care of your vaginal microbiome. Susan talks about some of the things that can happen to the vagina that people might assume are unrelated. Women from different ethnic backgrounds have different cultures in their vaginal systems, and there are lead bacterias for each of those ethnic categories. Most women don’t realize that semen is full of serotonin, testosterone, and all kinds of luteinizing hormones that help to regulate menstrual cycles. You do have some control over how your aging process goes. Susan discusses what she learned from the journey of vaginal restoration treatments and protocols that she started on when she was about fifty-five. Susan shares a trick she learned about overcoming vaginal atrophy and having better orgasms. How the vFit device works, and how women can benefit from using it. Some products and therapies will aid holistic vaginal rejuvenation and help you have great sex for your whole life. Susan talks about bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. The benefits of having an O-Shot. What you need to have good, exciting sex for your whole life. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Susan: On her website     CEO, The20, LLC. LinkedIn @Do.The.20 @SusanBratton Better Lover The Sexual Soulmate Pact Relationship Magic  Links to the free gifts, products, and sites Susan mentioned on the show: FLOW organic nitric oxide supplement Hormone Balancing Hot To Trot (great pic on page 12 of women’s erectile tissue system)    Pump Guide for Men and Their Partners vSculpt At-Home Vaginal Rejuvenation Device (Canada)    vFit At-Home Vaginal Rejuvenation Device  Fun Factory Susan Recommended Pleasure Tools for Solo and Couples (USA) Susan’s videos and articles: Better Lover Videos Personal Life Media - Be A Better Lover Articles

We are thrilled to have Dave Asprey joining us as our guest for today’s podcast! Dave is the Founder and Chairman of Bulletproof. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling science author, host of the Webby award-winning podcast Bulletproof Radio, and was featured on the Today Show, CNN, The New York Times, Dr. Oz, and more. Dave is very well-known in the biohacking sphere. His first big book was The Bulletproof Diet, which has been out for about seven years. (The diet has been out for about the last ten years.) The book includes the things you should not eat, when to eat, intermittent fasting, and hacks to intermittent fasting. It has helped people to lose more than a million pounds.  In this episode, Dave shares the truth about keto and explains how to fast for optimum health. Be sure to tune in today to hear Dave’s story and find out what made him decide to write his latest book. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dave explains what made him decide to write his latest book. Dave explains what return on means in terms of fasting. Optimal health starts with what you eat and when you eat it. Dave talks about the vegan trap in which he found himself. Dave shares some excellent advice about fasting, for women in particular. How fasting helps you to become more plugged into the world around you. Fasting is about a whole lot more than just losing weight. Dave shares three hacks to help you to improve your fasting skills. How to make MCT oil easier to tolerate. Dave talks about Inner Fuel, the prebiotic fiber he makes for Bulletproof. Dave explains why he likes to use raw honey. Learning to be kind to yourself around exercise. Learning to be peaceful with your hunger. Dave discusses what is coming up next for him. The benefits of using a continuous glucose monitor. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dave Levels Metabolic Fitness Program Sign up for Dave’s Bulletproof Program Dave’s New Book: Fast This Way

We are excited today to have Nina Teicholz joining us as our guest. Nina is a science journalist and the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Big Fat Surprise, which upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat, especially saturated fat, and spurred a new conversation about whether these fats cause heart disease.  Named a “Best Book” of the year by the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, and Mother Jones, among others, it continues to be called a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the amazing story of how we came to believe fat is bad for health and what a better diet might look like. Nina is also the founder of the Nutrition Coalition, a non-profit that works to ensure that government nutrition policy is transparent and evidence-based. It is work for which she has been asked to testify before the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Senate.  Nina is a graduate of Stanford and Oxford Universities and previously served as associate director of the Center for Globalization and Sustainable Development at Columbia University. Nina lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. As a journalist in the early 2000s, while Nina was doing a series of investigative pieces for Gourmet Magazine, they assigned her a magazine story to look into trans-fats. Although she had no idea what trans-fats were at the time, she took the piece on, and interviewed people about trans-fats. What surprised her was that when she started talking to research scientists, she discovered that as early as the 1970s, people had already started talking about the potential dangers of trans-fats. Nina was told about the researcher’s experiences of attempts to get their research suppressed or of people yelling at them and trying to intimidate them off the stage when they spoke about their findings at meetings.  Be sure to stay tuned today to hear Nina’s story and learn about the science and politics of saturated fats, the dangers of vegetable oils, and the history of how we came to believe that fat is bad for health. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Nina explains how she became interested in determining how the paradigm shifted in the 1950s regarding the quality of fats recommended to the nation. Nina talks about the politics of science. The theme that inspired Nina to write her New York Times bestselling book, The Big Fat Surprise. The profound and tragic influence that Ancel Keys had on our nation, the food industry, and people’s health. The tipping point that occurred when the food giants and the processed food industry started getting involved in some of the private organizations, like the American Heart Association, who before that time, used to be far more objective. The conflict of interest that exists with institutions like the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. The challenges related to the shifting diet paradigm. Why nutrition has become so politicized over time. Nina talks about the struggles she has had as a journalist, and with the group that she founded, in trying to have some influence over the dietary guidelines. The cognitive dissonance around people not being willing to entertain the possibility that they should question dogma. The criticism and hostility leveled at Nina for her alternative viewpoint in the work she does. The importance of the US Dietary Guidelines, and what went wrong with them. How Nina’s research has impacted what she eats. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Nina Teicholz Nina’s website On Twitter       The Nutrition Guidelines Website

Today, we have a treat for all of you, our listeners! Vinnie Tortorich, one of the very first people to ever talk about the benefits of low carb and ketogenic diets on the internet, is joining us as our guest.  Vinnie started his Fitness Confidential Podcast nearly ten years ago. The show has produced well over 1,700 episodes, and it amasses more than a million downloads per month. Vinnie published his book, Fitness Confidential, in the year following the launch of his podcast. It instantly became a bestseller and continues to sell well on Amazon and Audible.  In 2019, he wrote, produced, and starred in Fat, a documentary that rose to number one in several categories across iTunes and ranked incredibly well on Amazon and Amazon Prime. It is currently the best selling movie ever released by Gravitas Ventures and is teamed with a sequel titled Fat: A Documentary 2, which is now available for resale on iTunes and was released worldwide in the first week of January 2021.  Vinnie has had a fascinating journey! Sometimes, we may not understand why our life takes a particular direction at the time, but looking back, it all makes sense.  In this episode, Vinnie talks to us about his journey into health and fitness, exercise physiology, and nutrition. Be sure to listen in today to find out what made Vinnie fall in love with the human body and how he eventually ended up working with the Hollywood elite. Show highlights: Vinnie discusses how he went from being an exercise physiology student in New Orleans to ending up in California and becoming a major influencer in the low carb/keto zone of genius. Vinnie talks about the point at which he started changing his philosophy and thinking beyond conventional wisdom. Vinnie describes the nutritional environment in which he grew up. The dietary changes that Vinnie made when he began putting on too much weight. Vinnie discusses what led to him moving from New Orleans to LA in 1991. The resistance that Vinnie encountered in LA when he suggested that kids should stop eating sugar and how that eventually led to him working with the Hollywood elite. Why most people fail to understand how much of a chemical processed sugar is. Vinnie talks about how and when he realized that being in ketosis is an important tool for maintaining physical health. Vinnie explains what keto is and what it is not. What happens when you eat too much fake food. What it took for Vinnie to get UltraFat, his real, vegan, keto-friendly, on-the-go product on the market. What you can expect to see in Vinnie’s new move, Fat: A Documentary 2. Vinnie shares his feelings about censorship in the health and wellness space. Vinnie talks about what he will be working on next.   Connect with Vinnie Ultrafat is available from NSNG Foods On Instagram  On Twitter On The Fitness Confidential Podcast  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website 

We are excited today to have Kara Collier joining us as our guest. Kara is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Support Clinician with a background in clinical nutrition, nutrition technology, and entrepreneurship. After becoming frustrated with the traditional healthcare system, Kara helped start the company NutriSense, where she is now the Director of Nutrition. She is the leading authority on the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, particularly in non-diabetics for health optimization, disease prevention, and reversing metabolic dysfunction. Kara oversees the health team and product development and has personally interpreted thousands of complex glucose datasets. Part of Kara’s frustration with the Western medical mindset is that in a hospital or clinical setting, the priority is usually to medicate and treat people as quickly as possible and then get them out. People are in and out of the hospital all the time, and they are suffering because the root cause of their problem, which is usually their lifestyle, is not getting addressed. In this episode, Kara talks about blood sugar levels and explains why CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) are useful for everyone and not just diabetics. Be sure to stay tuned to learn how food influences your blood sugar and how you can make the best nutritional choices for your health and wellness.  Show highlights: Kara explains what it was about the traditional Western medicine mindset related to food and nutrition that prompted her to second guess what she was doing. Kara defines normal in terms of what we would ideally like to see for a fasting glucose level. What people need to be concerned about regarding their hemoglobin A1C. Kara discusses where she prefers to see the ranges for fasting insulin. Some of the things that can influence someone's postprandial reading. Kara explains what happens in our bodies when our blood sugar values are not where they should be. Kara discusses what she is seeing in terms of the impact on glucose from certain types of diets, like keto and vegan. The differences between men and women. What a CGM is. Why should everyone wear a CGM, not just diabetics. How different types of exercise impact your blood sugar values. The benefits of fasting and the impact of fasting on your blood sugar. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Kara On the NutriSense website

Today, we are excited to have Dr. Cate Shanahan joining us as our guest. Dr. Cate is a board-certified family medicine physician and a globally recognized metabolic health expert who has changed the nutrition conversation. If you have heard that vegetable oils are unhealthy and that bone broth is part of a healthy diet, that was thanks to Dr. Cate’s books, blogs, and her work with the LA Lakers and other legendary sports franchises.  Dr. Cate started her career with a traditional, Western medicine mindset which does not focus on food as an integral part of health and wellness. She went through all her medical training, hoping to find the underlying cause of her sports injuries, but unfortunately never got there. Then she got sick with a knee infection, and when nothing else worked, she started to question everything she had ever learned about nutrition.  In this episode, Dr. Cate shares her journey to wellness, tells the story of the biggest medical lie, and explains the trap people get sucked into with certain aspects of the medical system. She also explains how the foundation for your good health starts with the food you eat. Stay tuned today to hear those stories, and learn how to best support the complex physiology of your body so that it can function at its normal and fullest level. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: Dr. Cate explains what fueled her desire to learn more about health and wellness. How biochemistry gave Dr. Cate the confidence to go against what she had been taught. Why seed and vegetable oils are your number one health enemy. The “hateful eight” oils that you should always avoid eating. The story behind the biggest medical lie.  The story of the origin of the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is the source of the current nutritional dogma. What the profits over health mindset has led to. The shift that Dr. Cate experienced while living in Hawaii. The effects that seed and vegetable oils have on the body over time. The truth about cholesterol. Why seed oils are a driving factor for the pandemic. Some critical steps you can take towards changing to a healthier diet. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn    Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Cate Shanahan On her website   Books by Catherine Shanahan MD: Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food The Fatburn Fix: Boost Energy, End Hunger, and Lose Weight by Using Body Fat for Fuel Food Rules: A Doctor's Guide to Healthy Eating Book mentioned: Spontaneous Healing by Andrew Weil

We are thrilled and excited today to have Robb Wolf as our guest. Robb is a former research biochemist, a two-time New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paleo Solution and Wired to Eat, and co-author of Sacred Cow. He has helped transform lots of lives and thousands of people across the world with his podcasts, books, and seminars. He has functioned as a review editor for the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, and is a consultant for the Naval Special Warfare Resiliency Program, and serves on multiple boards. Robb was once a state power-lifting champion, and he has always been interested in human performance. Both his parents were quite sick, and observing their downward health slide, Robb suspected that there could be a better way to live, for better outcomes. His lifestyle eventually led him to a health crisis, which brought him to an ancestral way of living and eating and then to the paleolithic diet. In this episode, Robb shares his journey and talks about his books. Be sure to listen in today to find out what Robb has to share about the paleo diet and the importance of optimum nutrition for optimum health.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: Robb shares his background. Robb shares how he started developing an ancestral health model. About Robb’s first book, The Paleo Solution. It sold nearly a million copies. Some of the dogma that has been disproven about eating a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet. The importance of getting enough protein in your diet. Robb shares some strategies to get people to boost their protein intake. Robb explains the importance of having enough stomach acid. Why and how the book Sacred Cow that Robb co-authored with Diana Rodgers came about. Robb talks about his surprising discovery that there is very little nutritional difference between meat from grass-fed animals and those raised conventionally. Animals could get treated better before they get slaughtered. The electrolytes in Robb’s LMNT powder have been assisting first responders and boosting women’s breast milk. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Robb Wolf Join the Healthy Rebellion Robb’s website The Healthy Rebellion Podcast On Instagram     On Twitter    LMNT

We are delighted to have Elle Russ joining us today! Elle is the author of the book Confident as Fu*k, and the best-selling book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution, which has helped thousands of people around the world reclaim their health. Elle is also a TV and film writer, and she hosts two podcasts, The Primal Blueprint Podcast and Kickass Life Podcast.  Elle’s story is a powerful one. It pushed her into being an advocate for helping people to understand what goes on with their thyroid because, in many ways, most people are not treating their thyroid problems as proactively as they could be doing.  In this episode, Elle shares her background and discusses the importance of the thyroid gland, its physiology, negative and positive feedback loops, hormones, the lifestyle piece, and the effects of fasting on your thyroid health. Be sure to tune in today to gain a deeper understanding of your thyroid gland, and become empowered to advocate for yourself.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: Elle shares her story. About the physiology of the thyroid gland. The six main tests that you need to get if you suspect you might have a problem with your thyroid. How the feedback loops work with your thyroid hormones. The lifestyle piece is critical to maintaining a healthy thyroid. The best combination of pills to take for your thyroid hormones. Some of the things that could impact the conversion of synthetic T4 to the active form of thyroid hormone, T3. The impact of middle age, perimenopause, menopause, and fasting on your thyroid health. The mindset component of hypothyroidism. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s Website Connect with Elle Russ Elle’s Website   Confident As Fu*k  The Paleo Thyroid Solution  Books mentioned:  Stop the Thyroid Madness by Janie A. Bowthorpe Recovering With T3 by Paul Robinson

We are excited to have Dave Feldman joining us as our guest for today’s show. Dave is a Senior Software Engineer who became obsessed with cholesterol after seeing his levels rise on a ketogenic diet. That led to his observation of the “Lipid Energy Model” to help explain these changes, and he has since conducted over fifty experiments that demonstrate rapid changes of lipid levels using this new understanding.  Dave has done some very interesting work. He admits to being a bit obsessed with cholesterol, which is a synthesized organic molecule that binds every single cell in our bodies. He describes it as “the intellectual property of the animal kingdom”. In this episode, he talks to us about what opened up his interest in cholesterol, what cholesterol represents, and how it works in the body. He also discusses how the cholesterol paradigm has shifted, the effects of a ketogenic diet on cholesterol levels, and he explains his Lipid Energy Model. Dave can dilute the very complicated information about cholesterol and makes it accessible, so stay tuned to find out all you need to know about cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: What cholesterol represents, why you should be concerned about it, and how that paradigm has shifted. Why cholesterol would go up on a low carb diet. The risk associated with the changes in lipids for low carb. What surprised Dave when he looked at his lab results before, and then after starting keto. Dave’s fascinating Lipid Energy Model. What and who the lean-mass hyper-responders are. How you can hack your labs. How rapidly your blood work numbers can change, and the importance of being transparent with your health-care provider. Why some people remain insulin resistant when they are ketogenic, and whether or not that is acceptable. Whether or not Dave thinks that whole carbs will oxidize. How can we truly answer the question of risk in this uncharted territory? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dave Feldman Dave’s website Dave on Instagram Dave on Twitter    Dave on Facebook

We have Doc Parsley (Dr. Kirk Parsley) joining us as our guest for today. He served as the Undersea Medical Officer at Naval Special Warfare Group One from 2009 to 2013. There, he led the development and supervised the group’s first Sports Medicine Rehab center. He is a former SEAL, and he received his medical training in Bethesda, at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He interned in OBGYN at Balboa Naval Hospital and subsequently completed a Navy residency in Hyperbarics and Diving Medicine in 2006. Doctor Parsley is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and served as Naval Special Warfare’s expert on Sleep Medicine.  His philosophy for wellness is simple: to optimize our health and get the most out of our bodies and minds, we must live more closely to the way we evolved as a species. He believes that many diseases and disorders that we accept as “inevitable” in modern society are unnecessary complications of poor sleeping habits, living in a toxic environment, eating foods we were not designed to digest, and allowing stress to overwhelm us. His passion is to help his patients and clients achieve the highest quality of life possible, and realize their health, performance, and longevity goals. Sleep is a pain point for so many of us. Doc Parsley is the sleep guru, and in this episode, he talks about his journey from being a Navy SEAL to becoming the sleep guru, the purpose of sleep, sleep hygiene, what happens to you when you sleep, and how sleep impacts your cognitive function. Be sure to stay tuned to find out why a good night’s sleep is foundational to your good health. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: How Doc Parsley went from being a Navy SEAL to be the sleep guru. The purpose of sleep. What happens to your body when you are asleep. Why deep sleep is the exact opposite of fight or flight. How dreams are a rehearsal mechanism that is fundamental to learning. How a lack of sleep affects PTSD. What aligning your body’s normal rhythm with the circadian rhythm means. The function of cortisol. What happens to your brain and the quality of your sleep when you take certain types of sleep medications.  The purpose of melatonin. How changing your behavior impacts your sleep. What sleep hygiene is. Doc Parsley’s thoughts on EMF radiation. Sleep deprivation and ADD. The sleep products that Doc Parsley developed. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Kirk Parsley Doc Parsley’s sleep ritualization      Doc Parsley’s website 

We are delighted to have Shawn Wells joining us on the show today. Shawn is the world’s leading nutritional biochemist and expert on Health Optimization. He is also a biohacker, and he has formulated over 500 supplements, food, beverages, and cosmeceuticals. He has patented ten novel ingredients and, as such, has become known as the Ingredientologist - the scientist of ingredients.  Shawn became a biohacker and a formulator because he had health issues. He has managed to overcome various autoimmune problems, including Epstein-Barr Virus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hashimoto’s disease, and Fibromyalgia, which all hit him at once because he was going so hard. Those issues shut him down for six months, and in all of that time, he could not even get out of bed.  This year, Shawn stopped what he was doing, went inward, and started working with various therapies and doing plant medicine. As a result, everything changed for him. Be sure to listen in today to find out from Shawn how to make your way back to optimum health.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: Shawn’s journey to good health. Byron Katie’s tenets, what she embraces, and the transformative work she does. Where Shawn’s health issues stemmed from. How Shawn’s life-path changed and how he got to where he is now. Why Shawn feels so blessed as a result of all the health issues that have happened to him. What bio-hacking is, and how it can help you live a fuller life. Why you need to get enough sleep and have regular sleep patterns. How keto can help to prevent metabolic dysfunction. What you can do proactively to support your mitochondrial health. How micro-dosing can help you heal. How adaptogens help you to normalize. What Shawn recommends in terms of quality supplements. More about Shawn Wells Formerly a Chief Clinical Dietitian with over a decade of clinical experience, Shawn has counseled thousands of people on natural health solutions such as keto, paleo, fasting, and supplements. He has also personally overcome various health issues, including Epstein-Barr Virus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, depression, insomnia, obesity, and a pituitary tumor. As a world-renowned thought-leader on mitochondrial health, he has been paid to speak on five different continents. His insights have featured prominently in documentaries, nationally syndicated radio programs, and regularly on morning television. His expertise can help any health-conscious individual to better manage stress and experience higher performance and more energy through utilizing his practical, holistic solutions. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Shawn Website Facebook Instagram        Twitter LinkedIn

We’re thrilled to have Alisa Vitti joining us on the show today! Alisa is a women’s hormone and functional nutrition expert, and a pioneer in female biohacking and femtech. Her company is called FLO Living, and it is helping to change the narrative for women's hormonal and menstrual healthcare. Through FLO Living’s digital programs, telehealth coaching, and supplements, women everywhere can naturally treat their hormonal issues like PCOS, PMS, Infertility, and Perimenopause.  Many women struggle with their health and managing all that they have to do in their busy lives. Alisa is a wealth of knowledge, and she believes that it is long overdue for an end to women’s unnecessary hormonal suffering. Diet, fitness, and medical research has historically been done on men and postmenopausal women, but there is a lack of research being done on women's health. As a result, women are eating, working out, and living in a way that does not work for their female biochemistry. In this episode, Alisa discusses the infradian rhythm and explains what women need to know to optimize their health during their reproductive years. Be sure to stay tuned today to find out what Alisa has to share about optimizing women’s hormonal health. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: The origin story of Alisa and her company, FLO Living. Alisa explains what femtech is. What the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists decreed about women’s cycles, in 2015. Why women need to ovulate in every menstrual cycle. The kind of information that is vital for women from early on in life. About women’s INFRADIAN biological rhythm, and how changing a few things can set women up for a completely different experience of their health and hormonal issues. The methodology that Alisa created to help women in synching with the infradian rhythm in their bodies. A biohack to help women modulate their food and fitness with what is happening to them metabolically, across their cycle. The toxic mythology that keeps women ill. Taking care of yourself like the champion that you are. How Alisa suggests that women should look at perimenopause. About the MyFLO app that Alisa created. Alisa has graciously offered a free month of FLO 28 to you, the listener. More about Alisa Vitti Alisa Vitti is also the creator of the MyFLO period app - helping you have a better period the more you use it. It is ranked consistently in the top 10 of paid apps in the highly competitive health and fitness category on iTunes. She has written two bestselling books: WomanCode and the newly released, In the FLO - the first book to discuss the female infradian rhythm. It describes her IG-loved Cycle Syncing Method(TM)— the first and only diet, fitness, and lifestyle program that is based on female hormonal patterns. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Vitti and her company have been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and more. She is a course instructor for Mind Body Green and on the council for Well + Good. She is passionate about ending the long-standing gender bias that excludes women from medical, fitness, and nutrition research. She is also dedicated to improving workplace equality for women by increasing biological rhythm sensitivity and awareness. Vitti gets invited regularly to train teams on how to use her Cycle Syncing Method(TM) for greater creativity, productivity, and wellbeing at work. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Alisa You can find Alisa on social media @ FLO Living and @ alisa.vitti FLO Living FLO Tracker In The FLO Book Cycle Syncing Membership Get a free month of FLO 28 here.  Recommended movie – Hysteria with Maggie Gyllenhaal

We are delighted and very excited to have Wim Hof joining us today! Wim is known as The Iceman because he is an extreme athlete who can withstand unbelievably cold temperatures. He has a new book that has recently come out, called The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential, which has just hit the New York Times Bestseller List. The Wim Hof Method is a combination of cold water exposure, breathing techniques, and meditation.  Many of us are feeling overwhelmed with stress right now. Wim explains that we are built to be connected with our stress mechanisms at will to defy any kind of stress. If we don’t go into the stress mechanisms of our brain in the way that nature intended, we leave them unstimulated. Those underdeveloped mechanisms will eventually be unable to work in connection with our will when something truly stressful happens to us. Wim has a lot of wisdom to share, so be sure to stay tuned today to learn about his unique method for coping with stress naturally.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: How we are built to connect with our stress mechanisms at will, to be able to defy any stress. How the cold quickly connects us with our adaptive powers, thermogenesis, and the deeper parts of our brain. Connecting with the deeper parts of the brain through the power of your intention. Why you need to work hard and change your mindset to gain control of your deeper biological processes. How breathing techniques, meditation, and cold therapy can stimulate your immune system, change your biochemistry, and heal you. How to get high on your own supply. What a typical day looks like for Wim. Using hormetic stressful exercises to access the RNA. Using mitochondrial influence to create more energy than you will ever need. Wim’s new book is The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Wim Wim’s website

We’re excited to have Dr. Stephanie Estima joining us today! Dr. Stephanie is an expert in female metabolism and body composition. She has a passion for intermittent fasting and functional neurology, brain metabolism, and the specific application of the ketogenic diet and fasting to female physiology. She also likes to focus on distilling strategies and nutritional proxies, movement, posture, and mindset-actualized human potential, healthspan, longevity, and achievement. Many women are asking about what goes on in their bodies during their fertile years. And they also want to learn more about their menstrual cycles. That is an area where Dr. Stephanie shines, so in today’s episode, she talks to us about what happens each month during your menstrual cycle, why you need more muscle, the best time to try to get pregnant, and when it’s the right time to do a fast or a keto diet. Be sure to tune in today to find out about eating, fasting, and training in accordance with your menstrual cycle. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: What goes on with your body each month when you have a menstrual cycle. Keto for women. How to do it right and why women are not meant to be in ketosis forever. How to eat in line with your menstrual cycle How to fast in line with your menstrual cycle What happens in the menstrual cycle when you ovulate. The best time for you to try to fall pregnant. How Dr. Stephanie guides women with weight issues or insulin resistance through their menstrual cycle. Why you need to keep on building muscle throughout your lifetime. The influence that oral contraceptives have on a woman’s body. Some tell-tale signs that show that a woman is pushing herself too hard. The book, The Betty Body, that Dr. Stephanie is very close to completing. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Stephanie On her website On Instagram  The Better Podcast

We are excited to have Dr. Kedar Prasad on the show with us today! He is a youthful and very knowledgeable eighty-five-year-old gentleman who attained the world’s first Radiation Biology Ph.D. in 1963.  Dr. Prasad holds patents on the radiation defense benefits of micronutrients. He has published 29 books and over 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers on micronutrition, including papers on radiation defense with micronutrition.  Dr. Prasad has been a professor at the University of Colorado Medical School for more than thirty years and is the Director of Vitamin and Cancer Research. He is also a member of the British Royal Society of Medicine, an invited member of the Nobel Nominating Committee for Candidates in Medicine, and former President of the International Society of Cancer and Nutrition.  He is joined today by his colleague, Dave Nemelka, who is a Wharton MBA, a Proctor and Gamble Health-Care Brand Manager, a Founder of McKinley Capital, and the Founder and CEO of Engage Global. He is also Dr. Prasad’s partner in bringing wellness to the world with micronutrition. Misinformation about radiation and EMF is abounding at the moment. Dr. Prasad has invested his life in coming up with answers, and he is with us to give us a message of hope and positivity.  Dr. Prasad and Dave are joining us on the show today to educate us and to help us understand what electromagnetic frequency fields are. They explain why EMF radiation is a concern with the growing technology of 5G, what electromagnetic frequency fields do to our bodies, how to protect ourselves proactively against EMF radiation, and how micronutrients work to protect us from the inside out against damage from 5G EMF radiation. Stay tuned to find out more! The Story Behind the Micro Daily EMF Product Dr. Prasad has formulated a micronutrient product that has a rich history of science behind it. In 2001, he was approached by the US Department of Defence while they were getting ready for the Afghan war. The US military was collaborating with the Russian Federation at the time because of their experiences in Afghanistan. The Russians had had positive experiences with antioxidants with their troops in Afghanistan. Those troops were healing and performing better than troops without antioxidants, so the US military also wanted to have a supplement for the US soldiers. They picked Dr. Prasad as their expert, and in 2001, they began an almost six-year process with Dr. Prasad conducting fourteen clinical studies to validate the foundational formula that is in the patent-pending Micro Daily EMF product. The product is safe to use, and none of the ingredients in it interact adversely with either prescription or non-prescription drugs. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: What EMF radiation is and why we need to be concerned about it. Credible research that indicates that 5G EMF radiation causes cellular damage and is a threat to our health. The impact of EMF on the developing brain. Using micronutrition as an effective defense against 5G EMF radiation damage. Dr. Prasad developed a supplement that has all the necessary micronutrients that are critical for the health of our bodies.  Why Dr. Prasad recommends taking a micronutrient supplement twice, rather than once a day. Why Dr. Prasad does not add any iron, copper, or manganese to his micronutrient preparation. Some simple changes you can make that will reduce your exposure to radiation from the EMF devices in your home. Our bodies are designed to deal with threats from our environment if we give them the proper nutrition at the foundational, cellular level. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Prasad Dr. Prasad’s website You can purchase Micro Daily EMF product here using the code 12229 You can purchase the Micro Daily product directly from here

We’re delighted to have Dr. Jason Fung joining us today! Dr. Jason is a well-known, leading expert in intermittent fasting and low carbohydrate diets. He is a Canadian-trained nephrologist, and he has written many best-selling health books, including The Complete Guide to Fasting, The Obesity Code, and Life in the Fasting Lane. He has a new book coming out soon called The Cancer Code.  Dr. Jason has a real desire to help and serve his patients. Although he was trained in traditional western medicine, he came to realize that many of the strategies he was using with his patients were not working from a preventative standpoint. He is with us today to share his story, explain the truth about diabetes, kidney disease, and insulin, talk about his new book, and discuss the healthiest and easiest way to lose weight and improve your overall health. Be sure to stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: The truth about diabetes and kidney disease. How fasting can cure diabetes. The changing paradigms of medicine. The hormonal effects of insulin. Why counting calories will not help you to lose weight. The healthiest way to lose weight. Some of the reasons that people reach plateaus with intermittent fasting and what they can do about it. Why no one diet works for everybody. Extended fasting as an option. Dr. Jason’s new book The Cancer Code. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Jason Fung Dr. Jason Fung’s website The Fasting Method Dr. Jason Fung on Twitter Dr. Jason Fung on Instagram Dr. Jason Fung on YouTube  

We are delighted to have Dr. Joan Ifland joining us today. She is an expert in the processed food addiction space, and she has written the textbook on foundations, assessment, and recovery from processed food addiction. She is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, she has earned her Ph.D., she has an MBA from Stanford Business School, and she also has a BA in Economics and Political Science. She has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network on the Book of John Gray, and she founded online services for food-addicted people. Dr. Ifland is spearheading a movement to educate individuals and clinicians about processed food addiction, and she has some helpful resources available for people who feel helpless in their struggles with their food addiction. In today’s episode, Dr. Ifland shares her story and talks to us about why people become addicted to processed foods. Be sure to tune in today to get Dr. Ifland’s expert advice and find out why weight-loss programs are not powerful enough to overcome severe food addiction.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:   The scope of the problem with processed food and when, where, and how it all started. The role of the tobacco industry in creating addictions to processed foods. Why, after 30 years of tobacco involvement, many people have addictions to food. How the five As in the corporate business model lead to people becoming addicted to processed food. They are Advertising, Availability, Affordability, (young) Age of onset, Addictive properties in the product. How the ‘Bliss Point’ affects people. How the pleasure centers in the brain make processed foods irresistible. Some other factors that lower people’s ability to resist compulsively eating processed foods. Why weight loss programs are not strong enough to overcome severe food addiction. Where you can get more information about overcoming food addiction. The similarities between alcoholism and food addiction. How the online global Addiction Reset Community (ARC) trains people to manage their food addictions. Integrating healthier food choices. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Joan Ifland Dr. Ifland’s food addiction reset website  Dr. Ifland’s speaker website  About Everyday Wellness Podcast Everyday Wellness is not just another health podcast. Your host, Cynthia Thurlow (nurse practitioner and nutrition/IF expert) has over 20 years of experience in clinical medicine and wellness. Her mission is to bring you the best, science-backed yet practical information to improve your physical and mental wellness every day. She is a busy mompreneur and knows how important your time is. She has designed this podcast to be short in time and big on impact. She interviews a variety of guests in the field of health and wellness, and discusses important issues, and provide practical strategies that you can use in your real life.

Today, we are excited to have Dr. Kyrin Dunston joining us! She is a leading by example OBGYN and Functional Medicine expert who lost a life-changing 100 pounds and healed herself from chronic disease by addressing the root causes of her health issues naturally.  Dr. Kyrin has featured on many different podcasts and summits, and on NBC, Fox, Great Day Washington, Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, First for Women, Best Self, and more. She is the host of the Stop the Menopause Madness Summit, where top experts share their top strategies for attendees to lose weight, regain energy, balance mood, feel sexy, look great, and master midlife. Dr. Kyrin is the author of Cracking the Bikini Code. She hosts her Brilliant Health Revolution Podcasts and her Brilliant Health Secrets YouTube channel, which gives women the knowledge, tools, and support they need to take control of their health, heal, and thrive in life.  Dr. Kyrin is with us today to talk about how women can master midlife and stop the menopause madness. She talks about her transition from mainstream medicine to a root-cause resolution approach to women’s health and why so many women are suffering as they make the shift from perimenopause into menopause. Be sure to stay tuned today to benefit from Dr. Kyrin’s expert advice! IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: Why millions of women are suffering as they make the transition from perimenopause to menopause. Why traditional medical views of menopause and treatments miss the mark. The difference between mainstream medicine and a root-cause resolution approach to women’s health and wellbeing. The truth about hot flashes. Some of the tests and methodologies that Dr. Kyrin uses to address women’s symptoms. How cortisol, other hormone and ANS dysfunction, toxicity, nutritional deficiency, and energy body balance exacerbate symptoms at menopause. Identifying the root causes of symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, and low libido. Using natural treatments for symptoms of menopause. Using the Dutch Test for hormone testing. How inflammation and toxicity disrupt the hormones. The issues that surround bioidentical hormones. Estrogen dominance can play a role in women’s health problems. About the Stop the Menopause Madness Summit. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Kyrin Dunston Stop the Menopause Madness Summit  Dr. Kyrin’s website Dr. Kyrin on Youtube  Dr. Kyrin on Facebook Dr. Kyrin on Instagram Dr. Kyrin on Twitter   About Everyday Wellness Podcast Everyday Wellness is not just another health podcast. Your host, Cynthia Thurlow (nurse practitioner and nutrition/IF expert) has over 20 years of experience in clinical medicine and wellness. Her mission is to bring you the best, science-backed yet practical information to improve your physical and mental wellness every day. She is a busy mompreneur and knows how important your time is. She has designed this podcast to be short in time and big on impact. She interviews a variety of guests in the field of health and wellness, and discusses important issues, and provide practical strategies that you can use in your real life.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Daniel Pompa joining us today! Dr. Pompa is a respected researcher, author, podcast host, and teacher. He specializes in root cause, inflammation-driven disease, the therapeutic application of the ketogenic diet, fasting, ancestral-based health approaches, cellular healing, and detoxification. Stay tuned for more!

We are excited to welcome Abel James as our guest for today’s podcast! Abel is a New York Times bestselling author, musician, and creator of the hit podcast, Fat-Burning Man. His new book and audiobook, entitled Designer Babies Still Get Scabies is a number one international bestseller in humor, and it is available now. Stay tuned for more!

Do you have metabolic problems? Did you know you can turn them around with intermittent fasting? We are delighted to have Megan Ramos on the show with us today. Megan is a Canadian Clinical Educator and an expert on therapeutic fasting and low carb diets. She used to suffer from type two diabetes and metabolic problems. She tried fasting to overcome her physical problems and within six months, she reversed her diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and she lost over sixty pounds.

Is your child overweight? Would you like to know what you can do about it? Sugar has shifted the health trajectory of our entire nation. Understanding some of the issues with sugary foods and making some simple dietary changes can have a tremendous impact on your health and the health of your children.

Are you overweight? Did you know that there is an undeniable connection between obesity and susceptibility to COVID 19 infection? Today, we are happy to welcome Dr. Benjamin Bikman as our guest. Dr. Bikman is interested in understanding more about chronic, modern-day diseases, the origins and consequences of obesity and diabetes, and the pathogenicity of insulin and insulin resistance. He is joining us today to talk about fat cells, insulin resistance, why obesity matters with COVID 19.

In today’s episode, we have an in-depth conversation about supporting women who are navigating the physical changes that occur during perimenopause, and we discuss various ways to create a lifestyle where your body can ride the hormonal ups and downs effortlessly. Stay tuned to find out more!

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with JJ Virgin, the author of four New York Times bestsellers. Additionally, she is a prominent TV and media personality, has launched over 10 businesses, and her current endeavors include Founder of The Mindshare Collaborative, the most influential community in health. JJ also hosts two popular podcasts, Mindcast for health experts and entrepreneurs and the JJ Virgin Lifestyle Show with health tips for consumers.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Ken Berry, a practicing board certified physician, an amazon Best Selling author, and a passionate advocate of health on his YouTube channel where he has over one million subscribers. Along with his online presence, he is active in his own community of Camden Tennessee where he has been practicing at The Berry Clinic since 2003. Dr. Berry is known for his direct, no nonsense approach to health and wellness.

In this episode Cynthia is joined by Dr. Nadia Pateguana to tell you everything you need to know about PCOS. Dr. Nadia is a Naturopathic Doctor and Dietary Coach for The Fasting Method with Megan Ramos and Dr. Jason Fung. Dr. Nadia has over 15 years of clinical experience with using Real Food and Intermittent Fasting for Metabolic and Reproductive Health. In this episode you'll learn about: - PCOS and how it affects the body - Diagnostic criteria for PCOS - What you can do to address PCOS issues

Joining Cynthia for this episode is Dr. Ted Naiman! He is a board-certified Family Medicine physician in the department of Primary Care at a leading major medical center in Seattle. His personal research and medical practice are focused on the practical implementation of diet and exercise for health optimization. In this episode you'll learn about: - Ways to reverse diabetes and obesity - An easy way to evaluate your food to see what’s best for your health - The best sources of protein

Are you caught up in all of the extraneous details of keto? Are you completely overwhelmed by unnecessary and conflicting information and fearmongering about food and health? In this episode, Cynthia and Amy Berger get back to the basics of keto to help you yield better results. In this episode you'll learn about: - Why a ketogenic diet might be helpful for cognitive function - How to keep keto SIMPLE - The truth about ketones and if higher ketone levels increase weight loss

In this episode, Cynthia sat down with Zuby. Zuby is an independent rapper, podcast host, author, public speaker and creative entrepreneur, with over 300,000 followers online. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: - How to tackle difficult topics - How to politely agree to disagree - How to respect and listen to other's opinions

In this episode, Cynthia sat down with Dr. Carrie Jones. Dr. Jones is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women’s health and hormones. In this episode you'll learn: - What is perimenopause and is it real? - What is important for women to know about menopause? - What parts of the body does menopause affect?

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Dr. Eric Balcavage. He is the owner and founder of Rejuvagen, a functional medicine clinic in Chadds Ford, PA. He is a nationally recognized speaker and educator on thyroid physiology, bile physiology, detoxification, and chronic illness.

Cynthia spoke with her longtime friend and intermittent faster Gin Stephens! Gin is the author of “Delay, Don’t Deny: Living and Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle,” an Amazon #1 best seller in the weight loss category and the #1 new release “Fast. Feast. Repeat.” Gin has been living the intermittent fasting lifestyle since 2014. This lifestyle shift allowed her to lose over 80 pounds and keep it off for good.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Andrew Horn, an entrepreneur, speaker, and writer. He is the founder of Tribute, an online collaborative video montage website, as well as Dreams for Kids DC, an award-winning non-profit. After stepping down from Dreams for Kids DC, he went on to find another non-profit venture called AbilityList, the Craigslist for people with disabilities. Delivering a TEDx talk at 21, he went on to speak at conferences like the United Nations and Colleges.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Monique Attinger, a certified Holistic Nutritionist. As a Low Ox Coach, she consults her clients in reaching their health goals by limiting Oxalate intake. If you’ve been doing everything right and still don’t feel well, you could have oxalate-related inflammation!

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Ben Azadi. Ben is the founder of Keto Kamp, a program designed to help people learn about Keto, Fasting, and more. He is also a 3x best-selling author of “The Perfect Health Booklet,” “The intermittent Fasting Cheat Sheet,” and “The Power of Sleep.” Known as “The Health Detective,” he helps his clients investigate their dysfunctions and educates them to a healthier lifestyle.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Mike Young. Mike is the founder of the Makeover Master, host of “Made Over Podcast,” author of “Made Over: How to Create A Powerful Brand that Will Transform Your Business & Save Your Life," and a seasoned entrepreneur.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Dr. Jud Brewer. Dr. Jud Brewer based on his work in the field of habit change and the “science of self-mastery”, combining over 20 years of experience with mindfulness training and a career in scientific research. He is passionate about understanding how our brains work, and how to use that knowledge to help people make deep, permanent change in their lives — with the goal of reducing suffering in the world at large.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Dr. Paul Saladino. Dr. Saladino is the leading authority on the science and application of the carnivore diet. He has used this diet to reverse autoimmunity, chronic inflammation and mental health issues in hundreds of patients, many of whom had been told their conditions were untreatable.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with author and consultant Eve Meyer. Eve is the co-author of the book Life In The Fasting Lane along with Dr. Jason Fung and Megan Ramos. She is a speaker, author, and entrepreneur recognized by Forbes and CNN. After decades of struggling with obesity and reaching 300 pounds, she discovered fasting and changed her life.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Rachel Varga. She is a Board Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist, an international clinical trainer, speaker and academically published award-winning author in the field of plastic and aesthetic nursing. Through education on skin care, skin and laser rejuvenation, non-surgical solutions, and healing lifestyle practices, Rachel helps inspire others with her unique toolkit to navigate and strategize aging impossibly well – using the SCIENCE of BEAUTY.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. She is a Washington University fellowship-trained physician in Nutritional Science and Geriatrics and is board certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulation. She completed her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition, Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism at the University of Illinois. Dr. Lyon works closely with the Special Operations Military and has a private practice in NYC.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Dr. Anna Cabeca. She is a triple board certified, Emory University trained physician and hormone expert. She counsels women one-on-one to help them understand and improve their health and manage their hormones, ultimately changing the lives of thousands of women across the globe. Her new book “The Hormone Fix” and other empowering transformation programs have helped women of all ages become their best selves again.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with minimalist fitness and health specialist Jerry Teixeira. He has have spent the last 4+ years studying progressive bodyweight training, and is now sharing what he learned through a clear, easy to navigate series of videos designed to take anyone form absolute beginner to a strong, functional physique with minimal equipment.

In this episode, Cynthia spoke with Tricia Nelson, who lost fifty pounds by identifying and healing the underlying causes of her emotional eating. Tricia has spent nearly thirty years researching the hidden causes of the addictive personality. Tricia is also the author of bestselling book, Heal Your Hunger, 7 Simple Steps to End Emotional Eating Now. She also certifies health coaches so they can get better results, referrals and revenue by helping their clients overcome emotional eating.

In this episode, Cynthia sat down with board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, Dr. David Rabin! He is the chief innovation officer, co-founder and co-inventor at Apollo Neuroscience Inc. He has always been fascinated by consciousness and our inherent ability to heal ourselves from injury and illness. Dr. Rabin has been studying resilience and the impact of chronic stress in humans for more than 15 years.

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Dr. Steven Horwitz. He is a world-class chiropractic doctor, wellness and performance consultant, and served as a member of the United States Olympic Team Medical Staff! Connect With Steven * Check out his website (https://www.dallassportsacademy.com/) * Connect on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dallassportsacademy) * Visit his Twitter (https://twitter.com/DrHorwitz)

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with mother, mentor and entrepreneur Kareen Mills. She is the host of the Motherhustler podcast, is part of a group of entrepreneurs focused on female business owners, and stands out as an accomplished business strategist. Her main focus is on enhancing, inspiring, and educating women.

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Dr. Teralyn Sell. For the past 20 years, she has been helping career-driven women overwhelmed by anxiety and panic attacks get off and stay off medication. She helps put an end to their symptoms using a natural approach that balances their brain chemistry and permanently changes their behavior so they can rediscover their motivations, build their confidence, and get their life back on track.

In this episode, Cynthia sat down with Dr. Terry Wahls to discuss COVID-19. She is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa where she conducts clinical trials. In 2018 she was awarded the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Linus Pauling Award for her contributions in research, clinical care and patient advocacy.

In this episode Cynthia and Kelly spoke with Sachin Patel, a father, husband, philanthropist, functional medicine practice success coach, international speaker, and author. His philosophy is that “The doctor of the future is the patient” and he is actively doing whatever it takes to keep people out of the medical system and empower them through education, self-care, and remapping their mindset.

In this episode, Cynthia sat down with Dr. Tom Moorcroft, a global leader in solving complex medical mysteries. His goal is to operate as a “medical detective” and deduce what’s really keeping someone sick and help them get better. Concerning the Coronavirus, he contends there’s no need to be panicked when you have the most up to date information shared with you by an expert in complex medical illnesses. Connect With Dr. Tom * Check out his website (https://www.originsofhealth.com/)

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Dr. Jeff Bland. He has been an internationally recognized leader in the nutritional medicine field for over 35 years and is known as the father of functional medicine for his ability to synthesize complex scientific concepts in a manner that is both personable and accessible. Connect With Dr. Jeff Bland Check out his website (https://jeffreybland.com/) Check out his website (http://plminstitute.org/)

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Michael Collins. He is a father, author, and chairman. He has been completely sugar-free for over 30 years. He is Chairman of the Board of a Food Addiction Institute, a 501(c) non-profit, that helps raise awareness about processed food and sugar worldwide and is the founder of SugarAddiction.com, which has been helping thousands successfully quit sugar for over nine years.

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly talked Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Courage Coach and Holistic Beauty Expert, Diane Kazer. She is the author of 'Killer Breasts, A Step by Step Guide to Overcoming Breast Implant Illness', producer of the Non-Toxic Beauty Summit and creator of Cleanse, Heal, Ignite.

Ep. 81 Benefits of the Fasting Lifestyle and Listening to your Body! – with Gin Stephens In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Gin Stephens. She's the author of the Amazon Best Seller Delay Don't Deny Living An Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle. Gin has been living the intermittent fasting lifestyle since 2014 which has allowed her to lose over 80 pounds. She has multiple facebook support groups books, and podcasts. With her latest book, Fast Feast Repeat in Spring 2020. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The Benefits of the Fasting Lifestyle  Listening to your body Experimenting with your body along your fasting journey Optimizing your feeding window Practical tips to help improve your health and well-being every day Connect With Gin Stephens Check out her website (http://www.ginstephens.com/) Connect on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Ginstephens) Visit her Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ginstephens/) Get Started With Sunbasket Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Kelly Donahue Follow on Twitter Check out Kelly’s website About Everyday Wellness Podcast Everyday Wellness is not just another health podcast. Your co-hosts, Cynthia Thurlow (nurse practitioner and functional nutritionist) and Dr. Kelly Donahue (clinical health psychologist and nutritional therapy consultant) have over 25 years of combined experience in medicine, psychology, and wellness. Our mission is to bring you the best, science-backed yet practical information to improve your physical and mental wellness every day. We are busy mompreneurs and know how important your time is. We have designed this podcast to be short in time and big on impact. We interview a variety of guests in the field of health and wellness, and we discuss important issues and provide practical strategies that you can use in your real life.

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Michael Moody. He is a personal trainer, author, researcher, motivational speaker, and a lifelong student of the mind and body. His fitness and life-structure programs have helped his clients lose more than 3,000 pounds and transform their lives since 2005. With over 17,500 hours of one-on-one personal training sessions, Michael has truly refined the approach to fitness.

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Bobbi Parker-Hall. Bobbi is a personal trainer, public speaker, author and founder and CEO of Modern Bodies. For over 20 years she’s been helping women get in the best shape of their lives and stay that way! She believes that no matter your age or current fitness level, you can start building your best version of yourself NOW.

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly sat down with Dr. Brian Lenzkes. He is an internal medicine doctor in San Diego who has been focusing on clinical nutrition. Dr. Lenzkes has been voted one of the “Top Doctors” in San Diego for 11 years. He is currently down nearly 50 lbs after making some “evidence-based” lifestyle changes.

Happy Holidays! As a listener of Everyday Wellness, you know that at the end of every episode, we ask each guest to give us their top two tips for improving your health and wellness every day. In this special episode, Cynthia and Kelly look back on the tips most frequently given by the expert guests in 2019. Can you guess the most commonly given tip? Here's a hint...the top tip is completely FREE! Listen to find out this tip and all of the valuable top tips given by the 2019 guests.

In this educational episode, Kelly & Cynthia welcome Jeremy Fox, a Licenced Professional Counsellor, EMDR Consultant, Mental Health Therapist specializing in Trauma Recovery. You will hear him talk about how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) Therapy has helped people relieve many types of psychological trauma. Jeremy speaks about how the amygdala, which is an important part of the limbic system, can sometimes become overactivated due to traumatic anxiety. 

Join us in this fun episode with Shelby from Fitasamamabear. Shelby was once a self-proclaimed fast food junkie & led an unhealthy lifestyle. Now she is a certified strength and nutrition coach! Listen to how she decided enough was enough and turned her health around one small change at a time. 

In this fresh episode, we are joined by one of the founders of “The Weekly Juicery,” Kimmye Bohannon. Kimmye explores and unravels her juicing journey and shares her top tips for chasing good health & aging in reverse. She also states how she began turning her hobby into her career, being able to provide a nutritious and organic beverage to over 200 Weekly Juice Customers. We discuss the important health benefits of juicing and discover what makes Cold Pressed Juice different than the rest.  

In this episode, we are joined by Siim Land. Siim Land is a best-selling author, public speaker, high-performance coach, content creator, and professional biohacker. In this interview, he explains the definition of biohacking and shared some proven techniques that can make our body function optimally and promote health, performance, longevity, and wellbeing.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Nick Greiner. Dr. Nick Greiner has been in practice for 12 years and is the owner and operator of Greiner Health Solutions in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania together with his wife, Dr. Erin Greiner. Through his clinic, Dr. Greiner has been helping people all over the world with lifestyle, chiropractic, oxidative and regenerative therapy.

We are joined by Fat Loss Expert turned high performance coach, Natalie Jill. Natalie works to help women “Age In Reverse” and level up their lives! At 48 years old, she has rebuilt herself three times over. Being gifted at what she does, she helps women uncover what is holding them back from results and guides them to uncover their true passion. Natalie has created a globally recognized brand with well over 2.5 million social media followers worldwide, two best selling books, and recognition from Forbe

In this episode, we are joined by Trudy Scott. Trudy Scott is a Food Mood Expert, and a certified nutritionist on a mission to educate and empower anxious individuals worldwide about natural solutions for anxiety, stress and emotional eating. She serves as a catalyst in bringing about life enhancing transformations that start with the healing powers of eating real whole food, using individually targeted supplementation and making simple lifestyle changes.

In this episode, we are joined by Lance W Essihos. Lance Essihos is the creator of the increasingly popular and innovative series, “University of Adversity,” as well as providing VIP quality podcast production that allows people with or without a podcast the freedom to have their own voice and success without all of the work.

In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow and Kelly Donahue, PhD talk about one of the most controversial, trending food substances that has been circulating in the nutrition space. They dove into what makes a food healthy or unhealthy, better and worse alternatives to meat and the general role and impact of food and nutrition to our overall health. 

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Shawn Baker. Dr. Shawn Baker is a doctor, an athlete, a father and a proponent of a carnivorous lifestyle. His achievements are as heavy as the weight he can lift and include serving as a chief of orthopedics and as an orthopedic surgeon for several high establishments. He has a past history as a nuclear weapons Combat Commander, is a Gold Medal holder of the Texas Strong Man, and was in the top 5 of the USA Strongest Man Contest.

In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow and Kelly Donahue, PhD talked about Personalized Lifestyle Medicine, its definition, benefits and implementation. They talked about the common misconceptions of traditional medicine, benefits of Personalized Lifestyle Medicine and its impact on an individual's health that goes way beyond just prescribing medicine. They also touched on trending diets, nutrition and the importance of lifestyle change for illness and disease prevention.  

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Terry Wahls. Dr. Terry Wahls is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa where she conducts clinical trials. She is also a patient with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which confined her to a tilt-recline wheelchair for four years.

In this episode, we are joined by Susan Bratton. Susan Bratton is a champion and advocate for all who desire passionate relationships. Considered the “Dear Abby of Sex,” Susan’s fresh approach and original ideas have helped millions of people of all ages and across the gender spectrum transform sex into passion.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Beth Westie. After having her 3rd pregnancy, she suffered shooting pains due to ovarian cysts. These pains got so bad that she was taking 35 supplements and was even rushed to the Emergency Room. This is when she started looking into eastern medicine and healthier lifestyles to balance her hormones.

In this episode, we are joined by Tony Whatley. He finished college while working full-time as a pipefitter and welder. He later began working his way through engineering design roles, and then into Project Management. Alongside his oil career, he became an expert at creating part-time “side-hustle” businesses. He managed to create both 6-figure and 7-figure online businesses and became a millionaire at the age of 34 when he sold one of his online companies. 

In this episode, we are joined by Katarina Wilk. Katarina Wilk is a health and medicine journalist and the author of the book Perimenopower - the ultimate guide for women who started to experience strange symptoms with sleep, mood and body that are linked to perimenopause.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Gordon Pedersen. His list of accomplishments is long: He has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. He has a Ph.D. from the Toxicology program and a Ph.D in Immunology and Biology from Utah State University. He is Board Certified in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine and also holds a Master’s degree in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness. He has formulated over 150 products, was a Bronze medalist in the 2003 Utah Winter Games, and is a Best Selling Author. 

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kasia Kines. Dr. Kasia Kines is an Amazon best-selling author of Epstein-Barr Virus Solution, a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition from MUIH (Maryland University of Integrative Health), and a graduate of the first doctoral functional nutrition program created by Dr. Liz Lipski, PhD and CEO of Holistic Nutrition Naturally LLC and EBV Educational Institute.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tom Incledon. Dr. Tom Incledon is a world-renowned expert in human health and performance. He is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Causenta Wellness, where he is bringing a unique approach to health care and cancer treatment.

In this episode, we are joined by Michelle Sutphin. Michelle Sutphin is a lyme disease survivor who healed through natural means. Her goal is to spread the word about natural holistic modalities with her story and expertise.

In this episode, we are joined by Teri Cochrane. Teri Cochrane is an internationally known health expert specializing in complex and chronic conditions as well as optimizing elite performers. She recently authored Amazon #1 newly released book titled The Wildatarian Diet: Living as Nature Intended.

In this episode, we are joined by DeBritt Ealey. DeBritt Ealey is a licensed acupuncturist, a CBD coach and herbalist practicing for almost 20 years. She teaches us about different methods of therapy including: Traditional Acupuncture, Cupping, Gua Sha, Detox Therapy, Supplements, and Rejuvenation treatments. And an overview of the therapists you used and what types of health issues commonly seen in her clinic.

In episode 54, we are joined by Dr. Tro Kalayjian. He grew up obese in an obese family with multiple complications brought by their condition. He went through college, medical school, and residency; and consistently gained pounds every year. His life changed when one day, he accepted his wife’s challenge to finally lose the weight so that he can better help his patients to get off medication and start their weight loss journey the healthy way.

In this episode, we are joined by Anthony Giordano. Anthony, a.k.a “Italian Goes Keto” was obese and pushing 200 pounds 2 years ago. He decided to turn things around when his wife was expecting and realized he needed to make changes to his health in order to live longer for his family. Anthony did what most Italians wouldn't do, he gave up carbs - pasta, pizza, and bread! He lost 50 pounds with the low-carb ketogenic diet. 

Dena Jackson is a stand-up comedian and speaker who teaches hatha yoga and meditation. She has performed at various comedy festivals across Canada and the United States. She recently delivered a TEDx talk and has a podcast called the Ego Podcast. She talks to us today about how yoga changed her life and how it helps her with her comedy. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and leave us a rating/review. We appreciate it. Find us at www.chtwellness.com and www.kellydonahuephd.com.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez (Dr. E). Dr. E. has made it his mission to be a guide for as many people as possible through his website, social media channels and –most recently– with his podcast, the Highway to Health Show. Dr. E talks to us about taking responsibility for your health and stem cells as a component of health. You can find our more about Dr. E at http://drernestomd.com Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and leave us a rating/review. We appreciate it.

Courtney Hasseman joins us to talk about a whole female health approach to wellness. She provides integrative healthcare for women and nutritional therapy specializing in hormonal and reproductive health. Courtney is passionate about providing unhurried, highly personalized, comprehensive care for women. We cover many women's health topics to include non-hormonal contraception and pelvic floor exercises. You can find out more about Courtney here: https://courtneyhasseman.com/

In this episode, Cynthia and Kelly talk about the challenges that come with all of the fun of balancing work and kids in the summer. We share our best strategies for staying cool when summer stress heats up!

In this episode, we talk to Ash Niknia. Ash is a bio-hacker, producer of natural health products, and a Bulletproof human development potential coach. Ash shares his weight loss journey with us and the tools that he used to lose 65 pounds. He tells us how that experience prompted him to change careers to create a life about which he is passionate. Ash advocates for mental health and shares tips for improving mental health. You can learn more about Ash here: http://Dariaimports.com

In this episode, we talk to Kylie Larson. Kylie describes her journey that started with yoga and how to find internal happiness beyond exercise, food, and your job. She talks to us about her passion -- coaching high performers. Kylie talks about what it means to be a high performer whether you are a stay-at-home mom or an executive. You can find out more about Kylie at http://www.kyliefityoga.com/ Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and leave us a rating/review. We appreciate it.

In this episode, we are joined by functional medicine expert, Dr. Jill Carnahan. Dr. Jill gets personal and shares her own health journey and how she combined the best of traditional and functional medicine to heal herself. She uses that knowledge in the amazing work she does with her patients at Flatiron Functional Medicine in Boulder, Colorado. She uses personalized medicine to uncover the root cause of disease. Find out more about Dr. Jill here: https://www.jillcarnahan.com/

In this episode, we are joined by Lynn Marie Morski. Lynn Marie is a physician, attorney, law professor, and lifelong quitter. She has carved out a successful path by not only knowing when to persevere and when to quit, but more importantly, how to learn from the situations in which quitting was the best option. She shares why quitting strategically is so important and gives us tips for how to quit for a better life. You can find out more about Lynn here: https://quittingbydesign.com/

In this episode, Magdalena Wszelaki shares her top strategies for natrually balancing hormones with food. She provides two key strategies for optimizing health: an elimination diet and not eating dessert for breakfast. You can find out more about Magdalena and her work here: Hormonesbalance.com and check out her book Cooking for Hormone Balance here: HERE Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and leave us a rating/review. We appreciate it. Cynthia: www.chtwellness.com Kelly: www.kellydonahuephd.com

In this episode, Cynthia talks about her long hospital stay and how her gut health helped her to have a positive outcome. We also talk about the things she'll be doing (that we can all learn from!) to restore the health of her gut after taking very strong antibiotics. We're so glad she's back! Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and leave us a rating/review. We appreciate it. Find out more about Cynthia at www.chtwellness.com and find out more about Kelly at www.kellydonahuephd.com.

In this episode, Lisa Davis gives us the down and dirty on her book and all of its delicious recipes for improving sexual health. Learn why she loves healthy fats and the key non-food component that needs to be resolved for ultimate intimacy and overall well-being. You can learn more about Lisa and her book here: http://cleaneatingdirtysex.com/ Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and leave us a rating/review. We appreciate it.

In this episode, we share details about our programs. Cynthia's newest offering is Wholistic Abundance which is a membership community that offers a monthly blueprint for hormonal health. Learn more here: https://chtwellness.com/product/wholistic-abundance. Kelly's current offering is the Health Gains Weight Loss Program. It is a 6-week online educational and coaching program designed to help participants improve their health and lose weight. Learn more here: https://www.kellydonahuephd.com/healthgains

In this Episode, Breanne Kallonen talks about the importance of gut health and how to test for problems in the gut that could be at the root of health issues. We all know how important gut health is to our overall mental and physical well-being. Breanne breaks it down and gives us her powerhouse strategies for keeping the gut healthy while traveling. Find out more about Breanne here: https://www.breannekallonen.com/