Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Health, and Science for Women 35+

I am honored to engage in a conversation with Dr. Sean Pastuch today.Dr. Pastuch spent more than ten years treating patients and training clients. He has worked with some of the most elite athletes in the world, guiding them toward success by seamlessly connecting fitness with healthcare. In today’s conversation, we discuss the sustainability of New Year's resolutions, explain why strength training is essential, and talk about chronic cardio and muscular independence, the pitfalls of overtraining, and the impact of body image marketing. We explore advocacy within the current healthcare system, emphasizing the need for confidence-building to become effective advocates for ourselves and our children. Dr. Pastuch also explains the simplicity of his morning routine, highlighting the importance of uncomplicated habits for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.Stay tuned for simple-to-apply behavior changes, mindset shifts, and exercise protocols to help you live a life of freedom without compromise.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Pastuch shares his thoughts on New Year's resolutions How fitness planning in 5-year rather than 1-year chunks can make your progress feel less daunting and more achievable Why mindset is such an essential aspect of fitness Dr. Pastuch shares advice for finding a good trainer Some strategies for weight loss and fitness Why do we need to adapt to our body changes during perimenopause and menopause rather than relying on methods that worked in the past? The benefits of focusing on overall health and well-being instead of striving for a specific body ideal The importance of addressing underlying issues before focusing on exercise and nutrition for weight loss Why passive solutions are not enough to address generational problems How to become your own best health advocate  Bio:Dr Sean spent over a decade treating patients and training clients. He has worked with the most elite athletes in the world, the people who need the .01% edge on their competition, like professional baseball players, CrossFit games champions, and Olympic medalists. He found his success by bridging the gap between fitness and healthcare, using his expertise in both the gym and the clinic to create a new way to help people consistently get out of pain without going to the doctor or missing out on their active lives. Since leaving practice in 2017, Dr. Sean has taken the methods he used to help over 10,000 people perform at their best, free of pain, and made his methods and mindset shifts available to the masses through the founding of his company, Active Life, where his team not only help people from around the world to get out of pain without going to the doctor or giving up their active life, but they mentor fitness and healthcare professionals to do the same for their clients and patients. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Sean Pastuch Website    Instagram

Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist and intermittent fasting expert, discusses the forecast for metabolic health in 2024 and the conflict of interest with organizations like the ADA. He shares frustrations with the focus on calories in and out and explores topics such as bio-individuality and therapeutic fasting. The podcast covers the connection between obesity and diabetes, the importance of protein consumption, effectiveness of calorie restriction diets, hydration, brain health, the role of GLP ones, and the use of Ozempic for type two diabetes.

Dr. Jud Brewer, addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist, discusses the impact of lifestyle, self-talk, and trauma on our hunger habits. Topics include the differences between hedonic and homeostatic hunger, the role of self-talk in eating habits, and the effects of trauma on binge eating. The podcast also explores the complexities of hunger and eating behaviors, the importance of protein and electrolytes, understanding willpower and behavior change, and leveraging past experiences to change behavior.

Sal Di Stefano, a sought-after fitness expert and co-host of the Mind Pump Podcast, discusses body image, training in middle age, and nutrition. They explore the limitations of relying on weight as a measure of success, the impact of self-hatred on behavior, the importance of self-care, and adjusting exercise routines for women in middle age. They also touch on topics like longer fasting, muscle building for increased metabolism, and the controversy surrounding continuous glucose monitors.

I am honored to connect with Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum today. Dr. Scheinbaum is the Founder of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, an initiative focused on helping practitioners and businesses hire health coaches who focus on chronic disease and reducing healthcare costs. She is an educator and clinical psychologist with a career spanning over 40 years, lecturing prolifically on the psychology of wellbeing, mind-body medicine, and the psychology of eating, and writing several books on health coaching, panic attacks, and anxiety.In our conversation today, we dive into nutrition confusion, scientific evolution, biased myths and beliefs, contradictory messages, and how cognitive dissonance affects people’s eating patterns and attitudes toward food. Dr. Scheinbaum shares how she transitioned from being a vegan to becoming an omnivore, and we explore the role of Erikson's stages of development and family dynamics in shaping theories and behaviors around food. We look into the psychology of eating, social messaging, and the consequences of appetite judgments, food shame, and orthorexia. Dr. Scheinbaum also explains how to find local practitioners who can assist you in navigating your relationship with food, mind-body medicine, and cognitive-behavioral therapies.Stay tuned for today's insightful discussion, where Dr. Sandi Scheinbaum unravels the psychology that shapes our eating patterns, attitudes, and approaches to food. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why is there so much confusion around nutrition? The psychology of food labeling How eating habits get shaped by childhood experiences and cultural influences How we need self-compassion without judgment to develop a healthier relationship with food The potentially negative impact strict food rules can have on the mental and physical health of children How social influences and the desire to fit in affect people’s eating habits Dr. Scheinbaum tells her story of shifting from veganism to becoming a meat eater How gender differences impact eating habits The benefit of having a health coach to support lifestyle changes How thoughts and physical sensations are interconnected  Bio:Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum trains people to become Functional Medicine health coaches and helps practitioners and businesses hire them because she believes that health coaches are the key to combating chronic disease and reducing healthcare costs. As the Founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, a collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine, Sandi is a leader in the field of health coaching education. As an educator and clinical psychologist for over 40 years, she has lectured extensively on the psychology of well-being, mind-body medicine, and the psychology of eating. She wrote several books on health coaching, panic attacks, and anxiety. Sandi founded FMCA at age 65 because, rather than retiring, she is on a mission to grow the health coaching profession so that millions of people can get the support they need to lead healthier lives.Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Learn Functional Medicine Coaching Connect with Sandra Scheinbaum On her website On Instagram  The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy on Instagram Books Mentioned:Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael MossThe Dorito Effect by Mark Schatzker

Dr. Ken Berry discusses the impact of diabetes on life expectancy, alternative approaches to improve metabolic health, lab tests for assessing metabolic health, the consequences of bad nutrition advice, and concerns about long-term effects of GLP1 agonist medications in diabetes treatment.

Dr. Stephanie Estima, specializing in female metabolism and body composition, discusses topics ranging from managing hormones during breastfeeding to addressing fibrocystic breasts. She also covers topics like fertility awareness, contraceptive methods, detoxification strategies, optimizing diet and training for women, and more in this enlightening conversation.

I am thrilled to have Gary Taubes back on the show today. (He was with me before on episode 137. Gary is an investigative science and health journalist whose work has been pivotal in catalyzing the low-carb keto movement. He has written many books, including his most recent, Rethinking Diabetes, and his articles are in many of the best anthologies. He has also received many science awards.Today's discussion is particularly significant, given the recent report from the American Diabetes Association revealing that the annual cost of diabetes in the United States reached a staggering $412.9 billion in 2022, with individuals diagnosed with diabetes now representing one in every four dollars spent on healthcare. In our discussion today, we dive into the history of diabetes, pertinent statistics, the prevailing standard of care, and the transformative influence of insulin on diabetes management and reactive hypoglycemia. Gary provides insights into his reactions to GLP ones, the integration of medical and nutrition science into the medical field, and the influence of organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, AHA, USDA, and NIH. Our discussion also extends to the effects of pharmaceuticals, the shortcomings in our approach to diabetes management and existing models, and the challenge the low-carb community faces.Stay tuned for today's eye-opening conversation, where we shed light on the complexities surrounding diabetes care, explaining how simple lifestyle changes can tremendously improve quality of life.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Rethinking Diabetes is a groundbreaking exploration of diabetes diagnosis, management, and treatment Gary discusses the evolution of evidence-based medicine Why the traditional medical approach to treating diabetes is inadequate How the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association were based on outdated assumptions  How medical treatments compare with lifestyle changes for managing diabetes Controversies surrounding how the pharmaceutical industry has influenced the way medical associations have shaped their diabetes management policies How medical guidelines and dietary advice have evolved What constitutes a healthy diet? How patients often have trouble following diet recommendations, despite their best intentions Is obesity a hormonal disorder or caused by overeating?  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Gary Taubes On his website Twitter Facebook Ep. 137 – High Blood Sugar Levels And Its Long-Term Damage with Gary TaubesBook Mentioned:Rethinking Diabetes What Science Reveals About Diet, Insulin, and Successful Treatmentsis available from most bookstores or on Amazon.

I am delighted to have the privilege of reconnecting with Dr. Deb Matthew today. She joined me once before on Episode 259. She is a distinguished best-selling author, international speaker, and dedicated educator known as the Happy Hormone Doctor. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, causing one of every 3.2 deaths among women annually. In our conversation today, Dr. Matthew and I delve into the realm of cardiovascular disease, exploring the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, essential laboratory testing, medications, and the neurocognitive changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. We also focus on lifestyle, gut testing, and the all-time favorite topic of weight loss resistance. Stay tuned for today’s engaging, enriching, and enlightening discussion with Dr. Deb Matthew.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How HRT reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease  How long-term use of estrogen can reduce the risk of heart disease over time Why should you do a hormone panel before starting HRT? How cortisol levels impact cardiovascular health How the coronary calcium score helps to predict heart attack risk Cholesterol markers and their significance in cardiovascular risk assessment Managing cholesterol levels in perimenopausal women The importance of addressing underlying hormonal imbalances in women to mitigate cognitive decline and lipid disorders The connection between gut health and brain fog How women’s testosterone levels impact their cognition and motivation Hormone imbalance and weight loss resistance in women  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com. Connect with Dr. Deb Matthew On her website Facebook Instagram Dr. Deb Mathew’s book This is Not Normal on Amazon or download the ebook Previous Episode featuring Dr. MatthewEp. 295: HRT’s Impact on Women’s Health Through Time with Dr. Deb Matthew

I am thrilled to connect with my friend and colleague, Dr. Anthony Youn today. Dr. Youn is a nationally recognized board-certified plastic surgeon and the author of many best-selling books. He has a massive social media presence and hosts the widely acclaimed podcast The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show.In our conversation today, we dive into Dr. Youn’s new book, Younger for Life, and he offers valuable insights on skin health and overall well-being. We explore the aging process and address oxidative-free radical damage, chronic inflammation, autophagy, and the impact of processed foods. We also get into helpful supplements for skin support, examine the concept of greenwashing, and discuss sunscreen, exfoliation, in-office treatments, breast implant illness, and the power of lifestyle choices.Stay tuned for more!IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How to avoid aging too quickly through nutrition and lifestyle changes How sugar and seed oils impact skin aging The benefits of collagen supplements for healthier skin  Hormonal changes that affect the metabolism and skin health after menopause The importance of screening the ingredients in skincare products How chemical sunscreens differ from physical sunblocks Using Retinol for anti-aging and skin health Non-invasive fat reduction treatments and their potential risks Dr. Youn discusses breast implant illness What you need to look out for when using Botox Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Anthony Youn On his website Youn Beauty   Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Twitter The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show Buy a copy of Younger for Life  Bookshop.Org