Endurance Eats 26: Perimenopause and Performance: Fueling Women Over 40
In this insightful episode, Alex Larson and Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan explore the unique challenges and opportunities that perimenopause and menopause present for women's health. They discuss how exercise and nutrition can be tailored to support women through these life stages, focusing on maintaining health and vitality.
Guest Bio:
Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan is a leading voice in exercise physiology and sports nutrition, known for her passion for empowering women and advancing evidence-based health strategies. She serves as the Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where she also directs the Applied Physiology Laboratory and co-directs the Human Performance Center.
With a PhD from the University of Oklahoma and over 180 peer-reviewed publications to her name, Dr. Smith-Ryan’s research focuses on exercise and nutrition interventions that improve body composition, cardiovascular health, and metabolic function—especially in women’s health, perimenopause, post-menopause, and overweight and obese populations.
She has led projects funded by the NIH as well as national and international clinical trials, and she’s been recognized with numerous honors, including Nutrition Researcher of the Year, Young Investigator of the Year, and Outstanding Sports Scientist of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Dr. Smith-Ryan is also an active member of organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Diabetes Association, and the International Society of Sports Nutrition. A devoted mentor and educator, she’s passionate about translating lab-based research into practical strategies that improve real lives.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Connect with Me:
Instagram: @alexlarsonnutrition
Website: alexlarsonnutrition.com
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