The DUTCH Podcast

In this replay of an episode from Season 2, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton welcomes Dr. Christina O'Brien to the show to dive into cortisol and the HPA axis.Sometimes a traditional diurnal cortisol test isn’t enough to properly evaluate a patient. With the DUTCH Plus, the cortisol awakening response (CAR) gives additional insight into your patient’s stress response. A “mini stress test” the CAR takes snapshots in the minutes and hours after waking to paint a clearer picture of HPA axis function.  In this episode, Christina O’Brien, DC, discusses the value of the CAR in finding hidden points of dysregulation in patients. She and Dr. Smeaton cover typical cortisol testing procedure and dive into the benefits of measuring the CAR to enhance patient care.  Show NotesDUTCH Complete https://dutchtest.com/info-dutch-complete/  DUTCH Plus https://dutchtest.com/info-dutch-plus/  Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) https://dutchtest.com/info-dutch-plus/#cortisol-awakening-response  

Dr. Felice Gersh discusses diet and lifestyle interventions for PCOS patients, including strategic eating windows, stress-reduction techniques, and other recommendations. The podcast delves into the role of adrenals in PCOS, metabolic factors, and improving treatment plans for PCOS and pregnancy.

Dr. Felice Gersh, a women's health physician, and host Jaclyn Smeaton, ND, dive into the physiology and evolutionary benefits of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). They discuss the causes and types of PCOS affecting women, including the role of adrenals, metabolic factors, and improving treatment plans. The episode is split into two parts due to the extensive exploration of PCOS.

How to best monitor hormone replacement therapy is hotly debated in the integrative medicine community, and unfortunately, common practice is not always supported by research. This week, the president and founder of Precision Analytical, Mark Newman, MS, joins Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to help you understand the best approach to monitoring hormone replacement therapies. You’ll learn why you should monitor, which tests are effective, and they’ll dive into the research about monitoring with serum, saliva, and urine. Newly published research in the journal Menopause is the first peer-reviewed study to compare FDA approved patches and gels to compounded estrogen creams, and highlights the accuracy of urine metabolite testing for monitoring of estrogen replacement therapies. Listen in to understand the implications of this new study so you can feel more confident when caring for patients facing menopausal hormone decline.  Show Notes Watch the full recording from our November DUTCH Webinar.Read more about the latest DUTCH research published in Menopause Discover even more peer-reviewed research validating DUTCH and learn how DUTCH Trust can help you feel more confident in your treatment decisions. Become a DUTCH provider and profoundly change your patients’ lives through comprehensive hormone testing. Learn more about the Mastering Functional Hormone Testing Course – free to registered DUTCH providers! 

Dr. Stefani Hayes, a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in fertility, discusses Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) with Dr. Smeaton. They explore POI impacts on hormone health, early detection signs, causes, and treatment options. The episode highlights the importance of proactive healthcare, genetic factors, autoimmune aspects, and optimizing ovarian health through natural medicine interventions.

This week, we're replaying our most popular episode of all time. Season One's "What's the Deal with the Pregnenolone Steal?" dives into the controversy around Adrenal Fatigue. Hear from Tom Guilliams, PhD, an expert in cortisol and the HPA axis, about how the brain is responsible for signaling the cortisol response, and why the adrenal glands don’t just “steal” pregnenolone to make cortisol. Show Notes Books to learn more about the HPA axis: The Role of Stress and the HPA axis in Chronic Disease Management (Guilliams) Integrative Medicine (Rakel) Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers (Sapolsky) Visit Tom Guilliams’ website https://www.pointinstitute.org/ Become a DUTCH provider and profoundly change your patients’ lives through comprehensive hormone testing. Read the DUTCH Blog to learn more about hormone health. Assessing Chronic Fatigue with the Cortisol Awakening Response Circadian Rhythm and Human Health You Need Free Cortisone and Metabolized Cortisol to Evaluate HPA Axis Health 

Tom Guilliams, PhD, discusses the HPA axis's role in stress management and how early life stress can impact it permanently. He debunks myths about adrenal fatigue and highlights resources for learning more. The podcast explores cortisol regulation, DHEA's counteraction to cortisol, morning cortisol testing, and the evolution of HPA axis research.

Join us as Dr. Kara Fitzgerald bridges the gap between epigenetics and functional medicine with her fascinating research on diet and lifestyle interventions that can slow the rate of aging. Discover how the foods we eat and how we live our lives can directly impact epigenetics and DNA methylation, leading to changes in the biological clock. Dr. Fitzgerald details her groundbreaking study from her new book “Younger You” that challenges long-standing beliefs about aging and reveals that even though living forever isn’t possible, living well for longer is within reach.  Tune in to learn more about: Dr. Fitzgerald's journey into the research of aging. How epigenetics, the switchboard for our genes, plays a pivotal role in aging. The influence of lifestyle choices, particularly diet, on DNA methylation. Key takeaways from Dr. Fitzgerald’s pioneering study on bio-age reversal and its implications. The efficacy of the Mediterranean diet in influencing the aging process. Practical recommendations for promoting favorable methylation patterns, including daily vegetable intake and modest exercise. The significance of active stress management and its connection to accelerated aging.   Show NotesLearn more about Dr. Kara Fitzgerald and buy her new book “Younger You” Connect with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald on social media: @drkarafitzgerald Access Dr. Robert Sapolsky’s research on Stress and Aging  Become a DUTCH provider and profoundly change your patients’ lives through comprehensive hormone testing. Learn more about the Mastering Functional Hormone Testing Course – free to registered DUTCH providers! Follow DUTCH on Social Media: @dutchtest 

“Menopause is mandatory, but suffering is optional”. In this thought-provoking episode of the DUTCH Podcast, Dr. Anna Cabeca, DO, provides an uplifting perspective on the transformative journey of menopause. Along with our host, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, they explore the many hormones involved in menopausal symptoms and how patients should feel empowered to control they’re health and wellbeing through this “Second Spring” phase of life.  Learn how progesterone, DHEA, cortisol, and oxytocin all play a role in the common symptoms of menopause including fatigue, weight gain, and hot flashes. You'll also learn about the vital role of insulin resistance and diet in shaping menopausal experiences across different cultures. Dr. Cabeca emphasizes the importance of hormone monitoring and holistic approaches to patient care including hormone “replenishment” therapy. Tune in to think differently about menopause and see if from a brighter perspective. 

In this episode of the DUTCH podcast, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton continues her talk with Dr. Anna Cabeca to tackle the complicated subject of hormone replenishment during menopause. Their conversation centers around how to best care for postmenopausal patients with a particular focus on hormone application, dosing, and monitoring. Dr. Cabeca explains the special attention needed when deciding what kind of test to use and when to use it.   You’ll also hear about new research published in the journal Menopause that highlights the potential clinical validity and utility of urine metabolite testing for transdermal estrogen replacement therapy, offering a viable alternative to serum testing.