25: The Postpartum & Midlife Crash: Rebuilding Minerals, Bones & Energy with Maja Miller

In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz welcomes metabolic health coach and functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, Maja Miller. With a wealth of experience helping clients achieve optimal health, Maja dives deep into the often-overlooked importance of minerals in maintaining bodily functions and overall well-being. She discusses the common deficiencies many face today and shares practical insights on how to address them through a holistic approach to nutrition.

Listeners will discover: 

• Minerals are the “spark plugs” of the body. They drive every metabolic process, including hormone production, energy, and detoxification. Without the right minerals in balance—especially foundational ones like magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium—your body’s systems can’t function properly, no matter how "healthy" your diet looks on the surface.
  

• Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) reveals deep insights. Blood tests show only what’s in transit, but 90–95% of minerals are stored inside cells. HTMA provides a 3-month snapshot of what’s going on intracellularly and is especially useful in identifying mineral deficiencies, toxicities, and imbalances that blood work misses.
  

• Thyroid issues may actually be mineral issues. The thyroid relies on at least nine key minerals—including iodine, magnesium, zinc, and copper—to function properly. TSH may look “normal” on labs, but if minerals are deficient or out of balance, thyroid hormone won’t be produced, converted, or utilized properly at the cellular level.
  

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding rapidly deplete minerals. Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density while breastfeeding, especially if they enter pregnancy already deficient. Maja emphasizes the importance of remineralizing preconception and during postpartum to prevent issues like tooth demineralization, postpartum anxiety, and infertility.
  

• Low stomach acid from mineral deficiencies opens the door to infections. Sodium is required for stomach acid production, but it’s been demonized in modern diets. Without enough stomach acid, pathogens like H. pylori, mold, and parasites can thrive—especially in those with thyroid issues, where low stomach acid is common yet often misdiagnosed.

Tune in for an informative discussion that empowers listeners to understand the vital connection between minerals and overall well-being.

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For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/