Ep. 344 Lipid Masterclass: A Deep Dive into Our Cardiovascular Needs with Dr. Thomas Dayspring 

Dr. Thomas Dayspring is certified in internal medicine and clinical lipidology. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association. He joins me today for the second class in our series of Lipid Masterclasses.
In today’s class, Dr. Dayspring shares valuable insights on cardiovascular health and lipid management. We dive into the complexities of cardiovascular disease, focusing on lipoproteins, atherogenesis progression, and its implications on myocardial infarctions (heart attacks). He explains the mechanisms of ApoB invasion into arterial walls and discusses the critical importance of finding competent healthcare providers, particularly for women navigating the perimenopausal to menopausal transition. He also gets into the limitations of bikini medicine, and we tackle pertinent issues surrounding hormone replacement therapy, including potential side effects and clinical observations.
Dr. Dayspring has a wealth of information to share today, and we have several additional masterclasses coming up to follow this class. Be sure to tune in for those episodes.

Ep. 343 The Autoimmune Cure: Trauma’s Connection to Autoimmunity with Dr. Sara Gottfried

Today, I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Sara Gottfried, a board-certified physician practicing evidence-based integrative precision and functional medicine. (She last joined me for Episode 211.)
Dr. Gottfried graduated from Harvard and MIT. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University and the Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health. She is also the author of four New York Times best-selling books, including her recent publication, The Autoimmune Cure.
In our discussion today, we discuss the interrelationship between trauma and autoimmunity, highlighting its prevalence, particularly among women. We dive into the impact of trauma, explaining its correlation with autoimmune conditions and demystifying the role of the PINE network (the Psycho Immune Neuro Endocrine system). We explore triggers for perimenopause and menopause, gender differences specific to the changes in immunity and vulnerability in women, the consequences of burnout in various professions, the shortcomings of conventional allopathic methods in addressing mental health and trauma, and immunomodulation, including vitamins, polyphenols, low-dose Naltrexone, and somatic-based therapies.
With Dr. Gottfried’s invaluable insights into crucial health topics, this episode is a must-listen. Stay tuned for more!

Ep. 342 Understanding Menopause: Hormonal Shifts in Women’s Brains with Dr. Lisa Mosconi

I am delighted and honored today to interview Dr. Lisa Mosconi. She is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience in neurology and radiology at Cornell Medicine and Director of the Women’s BRAIN Initiative and the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital. She is also a globally acclaimed neuroscientist with a Ph.D. in neuroscience and nuclear medicine and the author of the New York Times bestseller The XX Brain and, more recently, The Menopause Brain.
In our conversation, we discuss how women’s brains change during perimenopause and menopause, looking at the significance of puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause, as well as the lack of medical research on women and medical gaslighting. We explore the concept of bikini medicine and its misconceptions regarding women’s health and hormones alongside the crucial roles of hormones like estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone in our neuroendocrine system. Dr. Mosconi also provides insights into evolving menopausal treatments, including lifestyle interventions.
Dr. Mosconi is an esteemed figure in neuroscience and a prominent voice in women’s health. I am confident you will gain valuable insights and perspectives from my discussion with her today.

Ep. 332 Bio-individuality and Fasting: Personalized Approaches to Metabolic Health with Dr. Jason Fung

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Jason Fung today. We last connected in October 2020 for Episode 121.
Dr. Fung is a nephrologist and a prominent figure in the intermittent fasting and low-carb space. He has made significant contributions as a founding member of The Fasting Method with his evidence-based guidance on weight loss and blood glucose management through low-carb diets and intermittent fasting. He has written several books, including The Obesity Code, The Complete Guide to Fasting, The Diabetes Code, and The Cancer Code.
In our discussion today, we look at the forecast for metabolic health in 2024, exploring how the growth of the diabetes population relates to the effects of the pandemic and addressing the conflict of interest with organizations like the ADA and registered dieticians. Dr. Fung shares some of his biggest frustrations, including the shallow and myopic thinking amongst those focusing on calories in and calories out, and we get into various facets of metabolic health, from the nuanced influences of gender, puberty, perimenopause, and menopause to hedonistic eating, sarcopenia, bio-individuality, and therapeutic fasting. Dr. Fung also shares his perspective on GLP-1s, shiftwork, supplements, and more.
Join us for valuable insights on various aspects of metabolic health and how they impact our well-being.

Ep. 325 Menopausal Toolkit: Heart, Brain and Hormonal Health with Dr. Deb Matthew

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.

Ep. 297 Dr. Felice Gersh: Estrogen, Immunity & Menopause Mysteries

Prepare to be enlightened by an engaging discussion with a true powerhouse in women’s health!
I have the pleasure of being joined once again by the esteemed Dr. Felice Gersh, a renowned physician with a cutting-edge career in obstetrics, gynecology, and integrative medicine.

In today’s episode, Dr. Gersh and I explore the intricate interplay between estrogen and immune function, delving into the impact of ovarian aging, menopause, bone health, mental cognition, sleep, and mood. We traverse the vast landscape of the gut microbiome and vascular system, unraveling the secrets of different estrogen types and receptors while addressing the crucial role of inflammation.

With a keen focus on hormone replacement therapy, Dr. Gersh also shares her invaluable insights on the critical window for intervention and her exceptional approach to caring for women in perimenopause and menopause.
Dr. Felice Gersh is an invaluable resource on women’s health! Tune in for an enriching discussion that will leave you eagerly anticipating more episodes with this esteemed physician!

Ep. 259 Breaking Down Perimenopause, Menopause and Women’s Health with Marcelle Pick

Today I am honored to connect with a friend and fellow nurse practitioner, Marcelle Pick! Marcelle is passionate about transforming how women experience healthcare through an integrative approach. She has successfully treated thousands of women through her unique approach to wellness.
Marcelle is currently a faculty member of The Institute of Functional Medicine and has served as a Medical Advisor to Healthy Living Magazine. She has written countless articles and multiple books, including Is It Me or My Hormones?
I always think of Marcelle as a pioneer in the women’s health/nurse practitioner space. In this episode, we dive into her background and the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative. We discuss the limitations of the traditional allopathic model regarding hormones, common misconceptions about adrenal health, perimenopause, and menopause, adverse childhood events and adrenal health, how lifestyle affects our sex hormones, fibroids, endometriosis, PMS, PMDD, and contraception for perimenopause. We speak about endocrine disruptors, mold, and micro toxins. We also get into ways to think about hormone replacement therapy and ways to address intimacy and low libido.
I love connecting with other nurses and nurse practitioners! I hope you will love today’s conversation with Marcelle as much as I did!

Ep. 241 Mitochondria and the Impact of Hormone Imbalances in Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr. Carrie Jones

I am happy to reconnect with Dr. Carrie Jones today! (She was with me before in Episode 106, in July of 2020.) Dr. Jones is an internationally-recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women’s health and hormones. She has her Master’s in Public Health and was one of the first to become board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology and currently serves on the board.

I like to think of Dr. Jones as the Queen of Hormones! In today’s episode, we dive into common hormone imbalances that occur in perimenopause and menopause. We discuss the difference between healthy and non-healthy mitochondria, the impact of toxins on our hormones, and thyroid function. We talk about the impact of puberty, pregnancy, post-partum, and perimenopause on our immune system. We also get into non-thyroidal illnesses, the role of skeletal muscle, things that no longer serve us in middle age, and why we tend to become more weight loss-resistant with age.

I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Dr. Carrie Jones as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more!

Ep. 237 Perimenopause and Menopause: What You Didn’t Know with Dr. Felice Gersh

I’m honored to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today! She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. We connected once before in Episode 221, where we spoke about PCOS and metabolic health.

Today, Dr. Gersh joins me to dive into perimenopause and menopause. We discuss various issues surrounding the Women’s Health Initiative and talk about estrogen as a family of hormones, estrogen-mimicking chemicals, synthetic hormones, and oral contraceptives. We get into the importance of thyroid function, the pro-inflammatory state of a loss of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause, and the importance of nutrition and exercise for the metabolism. We also speak about the lesser-known changes that occur in menopause, including changes in body odor, constipation, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and vocal changes.
I intend to invite Dr. Gersh back again to discuss women and mitochondrial health, and then once again to talk about her latest book, Menopause: The Fifty Things You Need to Know.

Stay tuned to find out what menopause really is, and what it does to a woman’s metabolic system.

Ep. 227 The Upgrade: A Unique Perspective on Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr. Louann Brizendine

I was happy to connect with Dr. Louann Brizendine today! She is the founder of the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF. She completed her degree in Neurobiology at UC Berkeley, graduated from Yale School of Medicine, and did her internship and residency at Harvard Medical School. She also served on both the faculties of Harvard University and the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Brizendine founded the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF. Her New York Times bestseller, The Female Brain, and its follow-up, The Male Brain, continue to be read around the world.

Today, we dive deeply into her new book, The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond, which was released in April 2022.