Menopause Mastery

When Betty was struggling with her autoimmune disorder and asked whether it had anything to do with her diet, her doctor laughed in her face. Today, she knows that her doctor couldn’t be more incorrect.   Nowadays, autoimmunity is an epidemic. And despite research showing that food can contribute to the onset of autoimmune conditions, much of conventional medicine still denies this.   In today’s episode, Betty talks about how food plays a role in autoimmune conditions. Explaining how it works biologically and the research behind it, she’ll explain food-related triggers for autoimmunity and what you can do about them.    If you have an autoimmune condition, Betty will convince you that your diet is something you should be paying attention to!    Key Topics/Takeaways:   The 3 major “military branches” of the immune system. How the body identifies viruses and bacteria. Why the body recognizes certain foods as invaders. The reason humans have lost so much oral tolerance. The research behind the connection between food and autoimmunity. Everything you need to know about dietary testing + what you should look for in a test.    Memorable Quotes:   “The only autoimmune condition that we actually know the cause of is celiac disease.” (3:33, Betty)   “If we have antibodies that have now been triggered to things we eat every day or at some level of frequency, that means that the immune system is now responding to that food as if it's a foreign invader.” (8:54, Betty)   “We lose immune tolerance to foods over time.” (16:15, Betty)   “When we're looking at possible triggers for autoimmune conditions, food absolutely should be part of that process.” (22:38, Betty)   “At the end of the day, finding out what foods are triggering you are important.” (25:05, Betty)   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram

Last week, Betty talked about autoimmunity and its relationship with sex hormones and immune stimulation. Today, she continues that talk by explaining the underpinnings of autoimmune conditions.   In this episode, Betty dives into the topics of leaky gut and dysbiosis. She describes why the microbiome is so important and how to tell if it’s out of balance. By going through the causes, you’ll know how to avoid leaky gut and autoimmune conditions in the first place.   But if you’re struggling with gut issues right now, don’t dismay! Betty will give you advice and tips on how to balance your microbiome and get it back to an optimal state.   It turns out that you can do a lot in your daily life to positively affect your gut. After listening, you’ll know how to take control of your microbiome and avoid long-term problems!     Key Topics/Takeaways:   Why you should balance your gut. How gut bacteria evolves over time. Tips for balancing the microbiome.  How the foods we eat affect the microbiome. The causes of autoimmunity. How to test your microbiome.  The “5 R’s” of gut repair.   Memorable Quotes:   “Our microbes are neither good nor bad.” (3:47, Betty)   “How we eat grows different bacteria.” (11:30, Betty)   “If you talk to your practitioner and they say, there's no way to know if there is leaky gut or not, then you need to go to another practitioner.” (21:18, Betty)   “Everything really lives and dies in the gut.” (25:10, Betty)   “So at the end of the day, there's almost always a relationship between the microbes and the leaky gut.” (29:55, Betty)   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram

Did you know that 9 out of 10 individuals who get autoimmune conditions are women?   In this episode, Betty talks about why autoimmune conditions are so prevalent in women. She takes you through the various sex hormones, with an emphasis on estrogen, explaining how they are related to autoimmunity.    Betty is particularly passionate about this topic because part of the reason she came to the fields of functional medicine and nutrition was as a result of her own autoimmune history. Her passion will translate over to you as she explains ways to avoid autoimmune conditions in yourself.   The fact is, there are easy steps you can take to reduce the chances of an autoimmune condition. This episode is your first step in doing just that!    Key Topics/Takeaways:   Risk factors for autoimmune conditions. Why women have more autoimmune conditions than men. The connection between autoimmune disorders and hormones. How to know if your hormones are out of balance. Why you should know the purpose of estrogen. Does pregnancy trigger autoimmune diseases? Ways to prevent autoimmune conditions.   Memorable Quotes:   “The truth is autoimmune conditions are probably one of the most distinct and widely varied diseases that have the most wide variety of causes that are often multifactorial.” (1:45, Betty)   “There is no other thing on the planet as ubiquitous and as prevalent at changing our DNA and the function of our cells than viruses.” (4:39, Betty)   “There are over 50 million people with at least one autoimmune condition, the majority of which do not know.” (14:16, Betty)   “Ultimately estrogen and all those compounds that our body either makes or come in contact with that look estrogenic are going to stimulate inflammation.” (37:38, Betty)   “Yes, we got the short end of the stick as women, but it's all because nature wants to make sure that we can continue the species. And so we have to just work within that.” (41:33, Betty)    Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram

Did you know your skin could be a glimpse into the rest of your health?   Dr. Keira Barr is a dual board-certified dermatologist and a menopause specialist who wants to empower women with the tools they need to help them feel more comfortable in their skin.   This episode discusses why skin is so important and what could negatively impact it.    You’ll hear tips and tricks to heal your skin naturally from the inside out while feeling empowered to prioritize your skin health. Dr. Keira explains that skincare is not just what we do on the outside, but is also an internal job.   Skin is the number one reason people go to the doctor and influences everything from how you feel to how you show up in the world. After listening, you’ll take your skin health a lot more seriously!    Key Topics/Takeaways:   Why Dr. Keira became a dermatologist. The importance of skin. The reason your worth shouldn’t be tied to your appearance. Dr. Keira’s definition of skin care. The relationship between skin and the gut. How stress impacts skin. Tools to help improve your skin. Why you should check your own skin.   Where to Find the Guest:   DrKeiraBarr.com   Does your skincare routine need a makeover? Take the quiz today!   @drkeirabarr   Memorable Quotes:   “Your skin is just this messenger of telling you what's happening in your body.” (4:46, Dr. Keira)   “We teach best what we need to learn the most.” (6:26, Dr. Keira)   “Skincare is so much more than the products that we use.” (9:24, Dr. Keira)   “I really define skincare as connection and relationship. And it's the connection and relationship to ourselves.” (14:26, Dr. Keira)   “Your skin is not trying to sabotage you. It is not trying to make you have a bad day. It is offering information that something is happening beneath the surface that needs your attention.” (16:44, Dr. Keira)   “We have been conditioned in Western medicine especially to always look outside ourselves for answers, but that is not where the answers are.” (24:49, Dr. Keira)   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram

Concerned about the effects that iodine, bromine, fluoride, and chlorine can have on your body? In this episode, Betty explains the halides and their connection to thyroid function.   Nowadays, this topic is fairly common. For instance, we need to detox from them, we need to take doses of iodine, fluoride in toothpaste is bad for you, and chlorine in the pool can cause thyroid dysfunction. But what’s really true and what’s a misconception?   Betty will answer all of these questions and more by showing you what the most accurate research says. By using her broad experience as a functional medicine practitioner, you’ll finally know everything you need to know about halides and the thyroid.    Get ready for a heaping dose of knowledge and clarity! After this episode, you’ll know that halides are not so scary after all.    Key Topics/Takeaways:   What’s really true about halides. Why it’s important for women to have adequate levels of iodine. Symptoms of iodine deficiency + who’s at risk. Is fluoride in water, food, and toothpaste actually harmful? Fibrocystic breast disease What the research shows about halides and the thyroid. How much exposure to chlorine is actually harmful?  The best way to test your iodine levels.   Memorable Quotes:   “I wouldn’t worry a ton of chlorine other than the effect of it on your skin and lungs.” (8:02, Betty)   “Bromine is number one an essential nutrient, and also number two, not truly something that is going to alter iodine's function at the thyroid.” (11:39, Betty)   “Fluoride out of all the halides is the only one that we know disrupts thyroid function at super physiological doses, above five milligrams a day” (12:38, Betty)   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram

So what the heck is really going on with the libido during menopause?   In this episode, Betty talks all about menopause, the loss of sex hormones, and why women lose their libido as they age.   She’ll walk you through the physiological and psychological effects of menopause and how that’s connected to a woman’s libido. Not only that, but she’ll give you some easy tools to boost your libido no matter how old you are.   Turns out, you don’t need to lose your sexuality in the second season of life. In fact, this can be your opportunity to be freer than ever while having a killer libido!   Key Topics/Takeaways:   What leads to sexual function changes both pre and post-menopause. The difference between men’s and women’s sexual desires and urges. How interpersonal relationships affect libido. What’s at play during menopause psychologically and physiologically.  Sexual dysfunction in men. Tips to boost the pleasures of sex and increase arousal in the second phase of life. How culture affects the sex drive.    Resources:   Take this quiz to uncover your major dominant hormonal imbalance!    Julva Revitalizing Cream   Dry Farm Wines   Memorable Quotes:   “Libido takes a nose dive for women long before we get to menopause.” (1:29, Betty)   “For women, if we don't feel connected, if we don't feel appreciated, if we don't feel the right feelings inside, we're not gonna have a lot of sexual interest.” (2:05, Betty)   “For most people, particularly women that have too much on their to-do list, sex becomes a to-do list item rather than something that you look forward to.” (7:57, Betty)   “I truly believe that sexuality is something that should continue through our adult, and I don’t like using the word senior, but our second season of life.” (19:41, Betty)   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram  

Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is the often misunderstood sleep problem that you may be dealing with, particularly if you are one of those people that wake up in the middle of the night and have interrupted sleep or daytime sleepiness and brain fog.    In this episode, Betty gives insight into what UARS is, how it differs from OSA, and the importance of getting this problem resolved sooner rather than later.    Surprisingly, correcting this issue allows for your weight-loss to become easier, as well as allows your blood pressure, headaches, IBS, and other things to all get better.   Listen now for more insight into what may be fracturing your sleep!     Key Topics/Takeaways:   What is UARS? How does UARS differ from obstructive sleep apnea? Stages of sleep How do you know if you have upper airway resistance syndrome How to get rid of UARS How sleeps problems affect your health and what happens if the problem is not resolved   Memorable Quotes:   “People that have upper airway resistance syndrome will suffer with metabolic disorders; i.e., leads to weight gain and metabolic changes like insulin resistance and risk for diabetes, and cardiovascular consequences. So it actually causes strain on the heart.” (3:31)   “Women are more likely to be diagnosed with upper airway resistance syndrome because of our structural smallness. We are smaller in size and stature. The other things that can lead to this is placement of the jaw and how your teeth align and the alignment of the palette.” (4:28)   “So the important thing to know here is that this is not gonna be the person that's sputtering and wheezing, and sounds like a freight train. They may not be making noise at all. Like I said, it often gets missed because no one says anything about their breathing problems or what's really going on.” (12:24)   “Obviously, the sleep study is very important. But one of the other ways you can look at it is a cone beam scan. So a cone beam scan is a scan of your head. Many sophisticated dentists, particularly the ones that do this kind of work, have one in their office.” (17:36)   “This is not just a, I wanna sleep better - It's a quality of life. And then long term cardiovascular consequences. So, if this is going on, you've gotta get it fixed.” (21:20)     Connect with Betty Murray:   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram

Betty is fully exposed as she shares the results of her DNA test with raw honesty. You’ll learn exactly how she’s wired and designed.    To help her interpret, The DNA Company founder Kashif Khan joins her and brings with him his immense knowledge. (To find out more about Kashif and his company, go back to episode 15 for his interview!)   They’ll discuss the different DNA markers that affect the brain and more specifically, how Betty’s dopamine levels and neurotransmitters play a role in the way she acts, learns, and behaves.   With this real-life example of the benefits a DNA test can bring you, you’ll be able to decide if taking one is right for you!   Key Topics/Takeaways:   How Betty’s sensitivity to stimuli affects her. Where Betty’s attention to detail comes from. Why being an entrepreneur is built into her DNA. What kinds of foods are best for Betty to eat, and the foods she should avoid. The reason chemicals are so hard on Betty. Betty’s serotonin and dopamine levels.   Memorable Quotes:   “You're really good at developing the neural pathways, that transfer information, which means you're really good at developing new skills, which speaks to this multi-hat-wearing entrepreneur.” (8:42, Kashif)   “Call it the drama queen response, you’re quite the opposite.” (10:03, Kashif)   “About 50% of what you’re meant to clear and block is getting in.” (14:39, Kashif)   “You have the very unique and rare worst possible fat metabolism.” (18:01, Kashif)   “It's not that you're hungry and you need food. It's that when you eat food, you just need a lot of different stuff.” (21:22, Kashif)   Connect with Betty Murray Certified Nutritionist & Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner  CEO & Founder, Living Well Dallas Functional Medicine Center   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram

In recent years, there has been an explosion of infertility among young people. In fact, some might call it an epidemic.   This week, Betty speaks with author, health coach, and fertility expert Sarah Clark about why young people are having so much trouble getting pregnant.   Sarah will authentically share her story of being diagnosed with premature ovarian failure at the ripe age of 28. You’ll discover her road to accepting the diagnosis and finally having children.   You’ll learn that while many might jump into chemicalized treatments, if you find and treat the root causes, your natural fertility can be recovered.    Taking a mind-body-spirit approach, she’ll help you get unstuck from the diagnosis and view fertility in a whole new way.   Key Topics/Takeaways:   What to look for when experiencing infertility. Implementing an effective elimination diet. Which hormones to look at. What to look for in the male to improve fertility. Why mindset is so important. Tools to boost your fertility chances. How to talk to your children about looking at fertility in a new way.   Where to Find Sarah Clark:   FabFertile.com   FertilityDietFreebie.com   @fabfertileinc   Memorable Quotes:   “Typically the only option is donor eggs. No one’s looked at those missed healing opportunities and there’s so many things we can do to optimize pregnancy success.” (8:20, Sarah)   “That diagnosis can get embedded in our soul.” (12:02, Sarah)   “88% of Americans are considered to be insulin resistant, cuz it's riding right along with obesity, which is directly correlated to fertility problems.” (24:00, Betty)   “If you’re dealing with infertility, there’s something outta balance, something for you to look at and examine and to get help with.” (28:26, Sarah)   “There’s no negative side effects for you taking the time right now to work on your health.” (32:54, Sarah)   “Your body is a garden and your garden is jacked up full of weeds with some really crappy soil. So you’ve gotta re-nourish that garden and it takes a little bit.” (34:08, Betty)   Website: Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials: Facebook Instagram

Sleep is one of the most important options and lifestyle changes that we can make to help your body recover.   However, when women go into menopause, they have some very particular changes that affect sleep. In fact, as we get into our 40s and 50s, at least 40% of women have ongoing sleep issues.   In this episode, Betty shares some of the most common sleep issues and explores the underlying causes. From yoga to a daily routine, she’ll also give you some of her favorite tips for improving the quality of sleep.    She’ll also give her take on sleep meds—are they actually effective?   If you struggle with sleep at all, Betty will hand you the solutions you need.    Key Topics/Takeaways:   About insomnia and sleep disturbance. How to deal with sleep-disordered breath. Betty walks you through what hormones affect sleep. Effective treatments for sleep problems. The effective way to use melatonin. Dealing with night sweats. Caffeine and stimulants.   Connect with Betty Murray Certified Nutritionist & Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner  CEO & Founder, Living Well Dallas Functional Medicine Center   Website Living Well Dallas Hormone Reset Betty Murray   Socials  Facebook Instagram