In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John are joined by return guest, certified nurse midwife Brennan Straka, & Dr. Michael's own wife, Casey, to discuss the complexities of women's health, with a particular focus on PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

They explore fasting, dietary changes, & the importance of faith in navigating health challenges. Casey shares her personal journey with PCOS, highlighting the emotional & physical struggles that she faced. Brennan delves into various aspects of women's health, particularly hormonal health, & the impact of nutrition & lifestyle choices.

They discuss the importance of understanding labwork, the role of vitamins & genetic mutations, & the significance of herbal remedies. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of infertility & the importance of faith in navigating these challenges.

Takeaways

Fasting can be a gift, but challenging for the body.
PCOS is often diagnosed when women start trying to conceive.
Dietary changes & supplements can significantly impact PCOS symptoms.
Faith plays a crucial role in dealing with health challenges.
Understanding the hormonal effects of birth control is essential.
Nourishment should be viewed as a blessing, not a restriction.
Finding balance in fasting & nutrition is key to health.
Women often face unique health challenges that require tailored approaches.
Hope & faith are vital in the journey of fertility and health.
Community support is important in navigating health issues.
Lipid panels can be misunderstood in conventional medicine.
MTHFR mutations can affect folate metabolism.
Folic acid supplementation has historical significance.
Herbal remedies like spearmint tea can help with PCOS.
Gentle exercise is crucial for managing PCOS symptoms.
Dietary choices impact hormonal health significantly.
Healing involves addressing the whole person, not just symptoms.

Sound bytes

“It’s gut-wrenching. You’ve set your heart on a family… & then the ‘maybe a year’ talk.” - Casey
“Diagnosis means excess androgens & ovulatory dysfunction... many women won’t show cysts at all.” - Brennan
“Under stress, precursors get diverted to cortisol... & progesterone gets over-used downstream.” - Dr. Mike
“Chronically undereating resets your basal rate... your thyroid is the thermostat for that system.” - Dr. Mike

Chapters

00:00 Opener

01:30 Introduction to Women's Health & PCOS Awareness

03:36 Casey's Orthodox Journey

07:12 Casey's PCOS Journey

11:02 On Wanting to Provide Your Husband with a Large Family

13:15 What Really Helped Casey's PCOS the Most?

15:36 Balancing Hope & Faith During PCOS Struggles

21:39 Brennan Enters the Chat - What Is PCOS?

25:19 PCOS, Progesterone, & the HPA Axis

26:38 Birth Control Pill Use & Estrogen Issues

31:27 ADHD Medication & Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

32:53 The Stress of Over- & Undereating

38:54 Good Night to Casey

39:56 Orthodox Health Fasting Promo

40:35 The Dangers of Chronic Caloric Restriction

42:45 On Balancing Pride & Asceticism

45:34 Reframing "Diets" as Nourishment

46:25 Examining PCOS Labwork

50:01 MTHFR Gene Mutations in PCOS

54:09 Brennan's Own MTHFR Struggles

56:29 John's PCOS 101 Seminar

58:39 Herbs & Tea Time with Brennan

59:57 Brennan's Top Supplements for PCOS

01:02:42 Top Lifestyle Habits for PCOS

01:04:59 On the Benefits of Sugary Coffee for Hypothyroid

01:07:32 What About PCOS Without Hypothyroid

01:10:23 On the Taboo of Dietary Sugar

01:14:24 Brennan's Advice for Those Struggling with Fertility

01:18:52 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead

01:20:47 Outro

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