The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast Perimenopause Isn’t Just About Hormones: What Every Perimenopausal Woman Should Know Before Starting HRT with Dr. Deanna Minich | Ep 368
Jul 15, 2025
Dr. Deanna Minich, a nutrition scientist and chief science officer at Symphony Natural Health, delves into the complexities of perimenopause. She emphasizes that hormone replacement therapy isn't the only solution, urging listeners to consider the health of their entire endocrine system, including the gut and liver. The conversation covers the five pillars of hormone processing and the influence of endocrine disruptors. Plus, learn how gut health and innovative dietary strategies, like incorporating maca, can enhance hormonal balance and well-being during this transition.
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Work Through The Five Hormone Steps
- Assess hormones across synthesis, transport, activation, metabolism, and excretion before adding exogenous hormones.
- Address each step to avoid pouring in hormones that can't be activated or eliminated properly.
Start With Gut Health
- Start hormone workups by improving gut health and ensuring regular excretion.
- Use the 5R functional approach: remove, replace, re‑inoculate, repair, rebalance for gut restoration.
Toxic Load Can Mimic Hormone Symptoms
- Brain fog and mood can be driven by total toxic load and endocrine disruptors, not only sex steroids.
- Adding hormones can worsen symptoms if detox pathways are overloaded.