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

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, providing 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. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN How the influence of food companies has led dieticians and diabetes associations to focus on moderation instead of a balanced diet Dr. Fung shares his frustration with the lack of progress in addressing the diabetes issue How hormones impact weight gain and hunger Why does focusing on calories in and out not provide the solution to weight loss? How intermittent fasting can help to control hormonal issues How middle-aged women need to find balance when fasting to maintain muscle mass and avoid sarcopenia How intermittent fasting can lead to increased strength despite losing muscle mass  What causes shift workers to gain weight? The potential drawbacks of using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss Why magnesium deficiency is a common problem in modern society Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause supplement line Connect with Dr. Jason Fung ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Twitter ⁠and ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠The Fasting Method⁠ Dr. Fung's ⁠books⁠ Previous Episode Featuring Dr. Jason Fung ⁠Ep. 121 – The Truth About Diabetes, Kidney Disease and Insulin Resistance with Dr. Jason Fung⁠

Today, I’m thrilled to reconnect with Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist with more than 15 years of clinical experience, widely recognized as one of the earliest adopters of GLP-1 therapies in the United States. She is also the author of the upcoming book Weightless: A Comprehensive Guide to the New Era of GLP-1 Medications. In our discussion, we explore the transgenerational impact of obesity as a complex, chronic, and deeply multifactorial condition. We discuss the effects of environmental exposures and trauma, the essential role of education in overcoming weight-loss resistance and managing obesity, and the physiological changes women experience in the perimenopause-to-menopause transition. We explain the importance of body positivity and image, reframing our thoughts around obesity and being overweight, and why building and maintaining muscle is non-negotiable. We dive into the physiology of GLP-1 medications and specific targets for women in perimenopause and menopause, ways to address weight-loss stalls, and the effects of the weight bias so deeply entrenched in our society. Dr. Salas Whalen also shares her thoughts on alternatives and additions to GLP-1 therapies, clarifying the importance of protein and strength training while using GLP-1 drugs.  This conversation with Dr. Salas-Whalen is truly invaluable, and I highly recommend her upcoming book, Weightless. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: • What people come to understand about “normal eating” after starting GLP-1s • How GLP-1s interrupt the binge–guilt–shame cycle • The role GLP-1s play in helping people stay in control of food rather than letting food control them • Strategies for avoiding side effects when using GLP-1 medications • Why certain foods trigger problems on injection days • Importance of proper guidance to prevent severe side effects • The impact a prescriber’s guidance has on your success with GLP-1s • Why treatment plans must be tailored to each patient’s needs and metabolism • Factors doctors consider when deciding whether to add additional medications to a GLP-1 plan Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause supplement line Connect with Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen Website On social media: @drsalaswhalen Dr. Rocio’s Book, Weightless - Pre-order now! (Releases 12-30-25)

We have another AMA episode today, where I answer some of the most frequently asked podcast listener questions. In response to a question from Catherine, we unpack the timing hypothesis in this episode, exploring the cardiovascular nuances and clarifying why individualized care truly matters. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Cardiovascular and metabolic benefits of starting hormone therapy within about 10 years of menopause onset What the timing hypothesis really means in clinical practice Why feeling better does not necessarily imply long-term disease risk has been reduced How endothelial (blood vessel) health influences the effectiveness of hormone therapy  Why metabolic changes after menopause matter more than most women realize How their hormone therapy decisions must change as women move further beyond menopause  Risks and benefits of oral versus transdermal hormone delivery Value of shared patient-clinician decision-making  How lifestyle habits and risk assessment form the foundation for safe, effective, and personalized hormone therapy decisions Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Today, I am honored to connect with doctors Andy Lazris and Alan Roth, the authors of A Return to Healing. Dr. Lazris, a physician practicing geriatric primary care medicine in Maryland, is a Certified Medical Director who orchestrates medical care and provides education for several long-term care facilities. Dr Roth is a physician, practicing family medicine and palliative care in New York. He is the Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine and Ambulatory Care at MediSys Health Network.  In our discussion, we explore the impact of the Flexner Report, including how it has reshaped our medical system and clinical guidelines, expanded the definition of disease, and influenced critical thinking. Drs. Lazris and Roth explain how challenging established medical dogma becomes even more problematic within a Flexnerian framework. They examine the prevalence of ineffective and costly procedures, the manipulation of research studies, the role of documentation in medical literature, and the impact of terms like non-compliant and histrionic on the quality of patient care. They also clarify what actually happens with screening measures and how patients can find excellent care.  Their book, A Return to Healing, is truly a love letter to their communities. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of our current medical system and how it has gotten derailed. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why doctors should question dogma and think critically rather than just following medical guidelines How medical training encourages standardized testing and discourages nuanced and patient-centered thinking How our profit-driven system rewards procedures and prescriptions over proper patient care Why drugs can sometimes cause more harm than good, and how elderly patients often suffer due to overprescribing How drug companies manipulate statistics to make small benefits seem huge Why patient noncompliance can often mean informed refusal rather than ignorance or defiance How biased medical documentation may unfairly target women and minorities Modern fast-food-type medicine and eroding trust within the doctor–patient relationship Why shared decision-making is meaningless in a system built on one-size-fits-all dogma Protecting yourself within a dysfunctional medical system Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause supplement line Connect with Dr. Andy Lazris and Dr. Alan Roth On their⁠ website⁠ Email Dr. Lazris: ⁠[email protected] ⁠ Email Dr. Roth: ⁠[email protected] ⁠

I am delighted to have my good friend and fan-favorite, Dr. Tabatha Barber, join me again to share her wisdom on the podcast!  Dr. Tabatha is a triple board-certified OB/GYN specializing in menopause and functional medicine. She has a wonderful podcast called The Gutsy Gynecologist Show and is often referred to affectionately as the Gutsy Gynecologist. Dr. Tabatha was with me in two previous podcast episodes, ⁠#206⁠ and ⁠#212⁠, and both are in the top twenty downloaded podcasts in the last 18 months! Many women suffer unnecessarily when going through perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Tabatha and I have an AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode today. We discuss weight gain related to perimenopause and menopause, issues with estrogen replacement therapy, how many different factors can impact libido, how to address a partial hysterectomy and HRT, and bioidenticals versus synthetic hormones. We also get into lab work, skin reactions relative to perimenopause and menopause, emotional eating, leptin resistance, and many other topics.  I’m grateful for all the great questions and have no doubt this episode with Dr. Tabatha will be another fan-favorite! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why do too much estrogen and too little estrogen both cause weight gain?  How fragrances and plastic contribute to the imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. How changing to organic tampons and pads, or using a Diva cup, can be a game-changer for women. Should women who have had a partial hysterectomy and are on HRT still check progesterone and testosterone levels and fast like a post-menopausal female? Dr. Tabatha shares her thoughts on plain estradiol versus Biest and Triest. Dr. Tabatha offers her recommendations for a healthy 48-year-old female with zero libido. What can a 17-year-old with high testosterone do to get her testosterone level within the normal range? Is there a biological or mindset issue at play if you never feel full and always want to eat, irrespective of how healthy or satisfying the foods you eat are? The benefits of fasting.  What can we do to support our pelvic joints? How do our hormones affect our skin? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow)  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause supplement line Connect with Dr. Tabatha Barber On her ⁠website⁠ ⁠The Gutsy Gynecologist Show⁠ ⁠Episode 206 Pt 1: A Deep Dive into Perimenopause- Hormonal Imbalances and Birth Control with Dr. Tabatha Barber⁠ ⁠Episode 212 Pt. 2: A Deep Dive into Hormonal Imbalances and Menopause with Dr. Tabatha Barber⁠ Books mentioned: ⁠The XX Brain⁠ by Lisa Mosconi