BV #15: Kate Deering on Menopause & HRT, and Primal Bod Says Carbs Deplete Your Nutrients

6 snips

Jul 16, 2025

Kate Deering, author and bioenergetics expert, dives into the world of menopause and hormone therapy. She discusses the potential benefits and risks of estrogen therapy, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach for pre- and post-menopausal women. Kate critiques common dietary myths, especially the idea that carbs are unnecessary for nutrient absorption. Listeners will learn about symptoms management, the roles of various hormones, and practical strategies to improve well-being during this life stage.

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ANECDOTE

Kate's Bioenergetic Journey

Kate Deering found Ray Peat's work around age 38 when hitting a metabolic wall.
She wrote a book to simplify and make the bioenergetic approach more accessible.

INSIGHT

HRT Benefits May Be Biased

Health benefits in women on hormone therapy may reflect overall healthier lifestyles, not hormones alone.
Those on hormone replacement often have better education and healthcare access, biasing outcomes.

ADVICE

Slowly Increase Carbs for Stress

Increase carbohydrate intake slowly in perimenopausal women to improve glucose sensitivity and reduce stress symptoms.
Address underlying stressors before considering reducing carbohydrates or starting hormone therapy.

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In this episode we discuss:

Whether post-menopausal women can benefit from the bioenergetic approach
Concerns with estrogen therapy and the harmful advice given to women in menopause and perimenopause
Primal Bod’s argument that you don't need to hit your RDAs if you are not eating carbohydrates

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/

Kate's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katedeeringfitness/

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

0:22 – Kate Deering’s experience in the Bioenergetic space and finding Ray Peat’s work

3:02 – Dr. Jolene Brighten says that HRT isn’t enough – is she right?

6:15 – common diet misconceptions for women in perimenopause and menopause

9:59 – concerns with using estrogen therapy

14:03 – how estrogen compares to progesterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, and testosterone

16:37 – harmful medical advice given to Mike’s mom

18:17 – whether using estrogen therapy is ever warranted

24:51 – how to tell if estrogen is causing harm in post-menopausal women

30:58 – strategies for reducing symptoms associated with menopause (hot flashes, weight gain, vaginal dryness, poor sleep)

37:16 – blood markers that indicate high estrogen levels and common pitfalls to be aware of

40:13 – the importance of eating enough carbohydrates to prevent cortisol spikes

47:14 – Primal Bod (Candi Frazier’s) argument that more insulin leads to a greater need for nutrients

51:47 – whether RDA targets for micronutrients should be ignored

57:45 – whether high-carb diets cause the wasting of nutrients as Primal Bod suggests

1:03:59 – nutrient deficiencies on the carnivore diet and the demonization of insulin

1:09:56 – is adding fiber the key to hormonal balance?

1:15:46 – the importance of understanding why removing fiber and other plant foods might produce benefits

1:18:36 – the bioenergetic approach still applies to post-menopausal women