Orthodox Health PCOS, Prayer, & Practical Healing w/ Brennan Straka & Casey Kuhn
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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