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

Dr. Jason Fung, nephrologist and leading expert on intermittent fasting and metabolic health, joins to challenge calorie-focused thinking. He explores types of hunger, how hormones like GLP-1 and insulin drive weight, the role of protein, fiber and bitter foods in satiety, effects of ultra-processed carbs, and why meal timing, sleep and stress reshape body weight regulation.

A clear walk-through of a personal hormone replacement regimen, covering transdermal, oral, intravaginal, and topical approaches. Discussion of estradiol dosing and its links to brain, bone, and heart health. Exploration of testosterone’s roles beyond libido and why progesterone is used. Breakdown of compounded intravaginal therapy and topical skin boosters like copper peptides and hyaluronic acid.

Dr. Sonya Jensen, a naturopathic physician and yoga teacher focused on women’s hormonal health, trauma-informed care, and nervous system regulation. They explore why choosing yourself in midlife feels hard. Short practical nervous-system tools are shared. Conversations cover generational trauma, womb wisdom, stress links to immunity and autoimmunity, and reclaiming intuition and the gifts of aging.

Dave Watumull, co-founder and CEO of AX3 Life with 25+ years in astaxanthin research and commercialization. He explains what astaxanthin is and how it protects cells and lipids. They cover clinical results on LDL and oxidized LDL, dose ranges and absorption tips. Conversation also highlights benefits for brain, muscle, joints, liver, skin and longevity pathways.

Dr. Yael Joffe, a nutrigenomics researcher and founder of 3X4 Genetics, explains how DNA spelling changes shape weight, appetite, hormones, and mood. Short segments cover polygenic approaches to weight resistance, genetics versus epigenetics, insulin and glucose shifts in midlife, and how social connection, sunlight, and therapies can switch genes on or off.

Explores why midlife brings spikes in anxiety, depression and insomnia and how stigma blocks care. Discusses hormone swings, sleep disruption and metabolic effects on mood. Covers estrogen’s role in brain function, why perimenopause is neurologic as well as reproductive, and how targeted hormone therapy and lifestyle supports can reduce risk.

Kevin Ellis, a bone coach who turns science into practical strength and nutrition plans. Dr. Carolyn Dean, magnesium expert and author. Dr. Vonda Wright, orthopedic surgeon focused on strength prescription. Dr. Barrie Tan, researcher on tocotrienols and bone remodeling. They discuss menopause-driven bone remodeling, strength training and grip for bone stimulus, key nutrients beyond calcium (magnesium, tocotrienols, melatonin), stress and gut health impacts on skeletal resilience.

Today, I am excited to share the first class in a series of lipid masterclasses with the amazing Dr. Thomas Dayspring! Dr. Dayspring is certified in internal medicine and clinical epidemiology and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association. He was previously the Educational Director of a nonprofit organization and has served as the Chief Academic Advisor for two major cardiovascular labs.  Given the in-depth nature of my discussions with Dr. Dayspring over several sessions, each lasting nearly six hours, it seemed logical to present these masterclasses in segments to make them easier to understand. In our first class today, we dive into the fundamentals, exploring what lipids are and how lipids and fatty acids are classified. We cover the physiology and transport of cholesterol and the roles of apoptosis, apo-proteins, and apo-lipoproteins; we unravel the differences between HDL, LDL, IDL, and VLDL; and we explain how to calculate LDL and triglycerides to assess metabolic health. Dr. Dayspring also shares his preferences regarding lab values and indicators that help him assess the early risk of cardiovascular disease. We cover some detailed aspects of physical chemistry in this episode, so I highlight the main clinical points throughout our conversation to make it easier to follow. Be sure to join Dr. Dayspring and me for our next episode in the lipid masterclass series. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What are lipids, and why are they important? Dr. Dayspring explains what triglycerides are. How lipids get absorbed and transported throughout the body What lipoproteins are, and how they get classified How cholesterols get calculated The impact of triglycerides on cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health How high triglyceride levels can indicate early insulin resistance or increased ASCVD risk What is the role of HDL particles? How metabolic syndrome impacts cardiovascular health Bio: Thomas Dayspring MD is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association and is certified in internal medicine and clinical lipidology. After practicing in New Jersey for 37 years, he moved to Virginia in 2012. He served as an educational director for a nonprofit cardiovascular foundation and, until mid-2019, as a Chief Academic Advisor for two major CV laboratories. Since then, he has served as a virtual cardiovascular / lipidology educator. Career-wise he has given over 4000 domestic (in all 50 states) and several international lectures, including over 600 CME programs on atherothrombosis, lipids/lipoproteins (and their treatment), vascular biology, biomarker testing, and women’s cardiovascular issues. He has authored several manuscripts and lipid textbook chapters and performed several podcasts. For several years, he was an Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology. He was the recipient of the 2011 National Lipid Association’s Presidents Award for services to clinical lipidology and the 2023 Foundation of NLA Clinician/Educator Award. He has over 34K followers on his educational Twitter (X) feed (@Drlipid). He has Gold Heart Member status as a professional member of the American Heart Association and serves as a Social Media Ambassador for the European Atherosclerosis Society and the National Lipid Association. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com 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. Thomas Dayspring ⁠Twitter⁠ (@DrLipid) ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Books written by Gary Taubes⁠ 

Dr. Jayne Morgan, cardiologist and VP of Medical Affairs at Hello Heart, specializes in women's cardiovascular health. She discusses gaps in clinician training about perimenopause and menopause. Short, lively takes cover how midlife risk factors cluster, atypical heart attack symptoms in women, screening tips like Lp(a) and EKG, and why personalized care matters.

Today, I’ll be unpacking some of the research and science surrounding digestive rest and intermittent fasting.  In this episode, I am transparent about the fact that what works for me now may not be what worked five or ten years ago. I explain what happens in your body when you’re not eating, explore ways to approach intermittent fasting, and highlight why your goals, life stage, and metabolic health should guide your choices. Whether you’re focused on building muscle, improving metabolic flexibility, or supporting fat loss, I hope that you walk away with a clearer understanding of how long you should go without eating, while honoring your current stage of life. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How everything changed after 10 years of intermittent fasting How digestive rest differs from intermittent fasting Why intermittent fasting works better as a metabolic strategy How digestive rest supports healing The metabolic value of intermittent fasting   How perimenopause and menopause impact the gut microbiome How to determine whether digestive rest or intermittent fasting is more appropriate in different life stages Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com 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