Hormones, Metabolism & You! 96: Ayurveda for Perimenopause & Menopause: Gut Health, Estrobolome Support, and Anti-Inflammatory Spices
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What if brain fog, bloating, exhaustion, and hormonal chaos are not separate problems, but signals of one shared root issue? In this episode of Hormones, Metabolism, and You, Dr. Cassie Smith is joined by returning guest Dr. Shivani Gupta, Ayurvedic practitioner, turmeric researcher, and author of The Inflammation Code.
Together, they explore how chronic inflammation quietly disrupts gut health, hormone metabolism, sleep, mood, and energy, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Gupta explains how ancient Ayurvedic principles align with modern functional medicine, offering practical, non-diet strategies to support digestion, estrogen metabolism, circadian rhythms, and nervous system balance.
This conversation focuses on working with the body rather than against it, using daily rhythms, simple rituals, and gut-forward practices to support long-term resilience at every stage of life.
Key Topics Covered
- How chronic inflammation can drive brain fog, bloating, fatigue, and hormonal symptoms
- The gut–hormone axis and why digestion is central to estrogen metabolism and mood
- Ayurvedic “digestive fire” (agni) and how modern habits weaken it
- Why perimenopause and menopause represent a Vata (air and ether) phase of life
- Early signs of hormonal transition beyond hot flashes, including anxiety, dryness, and sleep disruption
- How circadian rhythms influence inflammation, hormone balance, and metabolic health
- Food-first strategies to support estrogen metabolism and reduce bloating
- Why how and when you eat may matter as much as what you eat
- The role of gut testing and microbiome balance in long-term healing
- Super spices as medicine: turmeric, ginger, cumin, coriander, and fennel
- Why healing does not require extreme diets or rigid routines
- Building personalized, sustainable self-care rituals that actually stick
Key Takeaways
- Chronic inflammation often connects gut symptoms, hormone imbalance, fatigue, and brain fog
- Perimenopause and menopause represent a natural shift that requires more grounding and rhythm, not more pushing
- Gut health plays a central role in estrogen metabolism, mood, and overall resilience
- Circadian alignment supports inflammation reduction and nervous system balance
- Small, consistent rituals are often more powerful than complex protocols
- Spices like turmeric and ginger can support digestion and inflammation when used consistently
- Healing is individualized and works best when aligned with your body’s natural rhythms
Resources & Links
- 🌐 Website: https://www.shivanigupta.com
- 📘 Book: The Inflammation Code (Hay House, February 2026)
https://www.theinflammationcode.com - 🎙️ Fusionary Health Podcast
- 📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.shivanigupta
- 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshivanigupta
- ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.shivanigupta
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