Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

• Ep. 441 Women & Heart Health: A Cardiology Masterclass, Part 1

  We have a mashup episode today, exploring heart health during menopause and the benefits of hormone replacement therapy.  In this episode, Dr. Felice Gersh dives into the role of estrogen in immune function, inflammation, and heart health. Dr. Deb Matthew highlights the importance of assessing cardiovascular risks and hormone balance in perimenopausal and menopausal women to optimize heart health and minimize reliance on statins. Join us as Dr. Matthew and Dr. Gersh share their insights on heart health, hormones, and menopause. Ep. 356: Menopause, Heart Health, and HRT with Dr. Felice Gersh [00:01:53] Dr. Gersh guides listeners in understanding and appreciating the impact of estrogen on immune function, inflammation, and the healing processes within the body. [49:33] Estradiol is vital for heart health, and its decline after menopause can lead to issues like stiffening of the heart, heart failure, and arrhythmias in women. Ep. 325 Menopausal Toolkit: Heart, Brain and Hormonal Health with Dr. Deb Matthew [00:01:30] Most women fear breast cancer more than heart disease, even though cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Yet, clinicians fail to talk enough about the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy in mitigating the risk of heart disease during perimenopause and menopause.  [00:04:04] While estrogen can benefit the cardiovascular health of women, the risks associated with oral estrogen and synthetic forms, including blood clots and artery plaque instability, have led to hesitancy in using hormone replacement therapy despite its potential long-term benefits when administered correctly. [00:11:26] The balance of hormones like testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health. Imbalances, such as flat cortisol patterns due to stress, potentially increase the risk of heart disease. Dr. Matthew uses tests like coronary artery scans and coronary intima-media thickness to assess cardiovascular risk in patients before considering hormone replacement therapy. [00:20:22] Dr. Matthew emphasizes the importance of advanced lipid testing, addressing the nuances of cholesterol particle size and inflammation, balancing hormones, and optimizing thyroid and blood sugar levels to manage cardiovascular risk instead of immediately resorting to statins. Bio: Dr. Deb Matthew Dr. Deb Matthew MD, The Happy Hormones Doctor, is a best-selling author, international speaker, educator, wife, and mom of four boys. After suffering for years from fatigue and irritability due to hormone imbalances, her quest to resolve her personal health led her to change everything about her practice of medicine. She has been featured on national podcasts, radio, and broadcast shows, including NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX. Her books, This Is NOT Normal! and Why Can't I Keep Up Anymore? address hormone health in women and men. Bio: Dr. Felice Gersh Dr. Felice Gersh is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She is also a recognized expert on PCOS. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine Instagram Connect with Dr. Deb Matthew On her website Facebook Instagram

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• BONUS: Optimizing Adrenal Health: The Power of Lifestyle Changes with Dr. Izabella Wentz

  I’m delighted to connect with Dr. Izabella Wentz today! She is a PharmD, an internationally acclaimed thyroid specialist, and a licensed pharmacist who has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disease. She is also the author of three books. Her most recent book is The Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Dr. Wentz joins me to dive into how to identify what is going on with our adrenal health and why adrenal issues tend to occur along with thyroid issues. We speak about her background and how it influenced her life’s work, the myth of adrenal fatigue, and HPA dysfunction. We also discuss the physiology of the adrenals, acute versus chronic stress, signs of a dysregulated HPA axis, lifestyle, the impact of trauma, and how Dr. Wentz’s protocol works.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Wentz explains what led her to write The Adrenal Protocol. What happens in the body when we experience significant amounts of fatigue? How the physical impact of acute stress differs from that of chronic stress. Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction (other than chronic fatigue). How does sleep apnea tie to Hashimoto’s and mitochondrial health? Lifestyle factors that may contribute to adrenal fatigue. Adaptogens and supplements that can assist in balancing cortisol levels. How to know when to cut back on exercise. Foods that support thyroid and adrenal health, and foods that could negatively impact thyroid and adrenal health. What is molecular mimicry? How does trauma impact adrenal health? Dr. Wentz talks about her latest book, The Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Something you can do right now to improve your adrenal health. Bio: Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP, is an internationally acclaimed thyroid specialist and a licensed pharmacist who has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disease after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009. She is the author of three books on Hashimoto’s: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology, and Hashimoto’s Protocol, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller. Dr. Wentz currently lives in Texas with her husband, Michael, and their son, Dimitry. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Izabella Wentz On her website Facebook and Instagram Get Dr. Wentz’s adrenal healing guide: The ABCs of Adrenal Support Find Dr. Wentz’s new book, The Adrenal Transformation Protocol  Book Mentioned: From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum

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• Ep. 440 Why Less Than 3% of Women Use HRT: Myths, Labs & Lifestyle Jackie Piasta, RN, MSN, RNFA, WHNP-BC, NCMP

  I am excited today to connect with my friend and colleague, Jackie Piasta. Jackie is Vanderbilt-trained and has been board-certified as a women’s and gender health nurse practitioner. She has been practicing since 2010. She serves on medical advisory committees for several foundations and co-hosts the justASK Podcast.  In our conversation, we dive into the challenges and complexities surrounding menopausal hormone replacement therapy and FDA-approved formulations, looking at the minute percentage of women currently on menopausal hormone replacement therapy. We discuss supraphysiologic-dosing of hormones and lab work strategies regarding prescribing lifestyle, and Jackie clarifies how she differentiates hypoactive sexual disorder from low libido and dysfunctional uterine bleeding from early menopause. We explore IUDs, ablations, and other long-term bleeding therapy options, explaining how endometriosis can impact the onset of menopause. Jackie also shares her approach to managing patients who have had ablations or are using IUD therapies and not getting regular menstrual cycles, helping them to determine when they transition into menopause. This conversation is full of valuable insights, and we look forward to having Jackie back for a further deep dive into this pivotal stage of women’s health. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Jackie compares the varying information and lack of a one-size-fits-all approach in HRT with that of other medical treatments. Overwhelming options and fear surrounding HRT can make it challenging for clinicians to prescribe those treatments. How compounded HRT formulations differ from commercially available formulations The difference between a normal physiologic and a supraphysiologic dose How low libido differs from hypoactive sexual desire disorder Challenges of diagnosing menopause in women who have had ablations or hysterectomies or use long-acting reversible contraceptives   Importance of evaluating postmenopausal bleeding to rule out endometrial cancer Transparency and open communication with patients about the benefits and risks of HRT Other health interventions to be addressed alongside HRT How endometrial biopsies confirm the presence of uterine disease rather than ruling it out Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Jackie Piasta On her website   My Monarch Health on Instagram Jackie on Instagram The justASK Podcast

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• Ep. 439 AMA #11: Supplements & HRT for Balanced Hormones with Cynthia Thurlow, NP

  Welcome to today's special AMA episode, where we dive into questions from listeners regarding supplementation to support hormonal health, hormone replacement therapy, and the specific circumstances surrounding perimenopause and menopause.  We have included the relevant research links with actionable information to take to your providers. We will also happily share the provider PDF we compiled featuring experts across the United States who specialize in perimenopausal and menopausal hormone replacement therapy and links to MIDI Health, a telemedicine company I find beneficially conservative in that they can provide access to appropriate FDA-approved options to help women use their insurance to gain access to estrogen patches, oral micronized progesterone, and compounded options inexpensively. I know you will find all the information about hormone replacement therapy, perimenopause, menopause, and targeted supplementation invaluable, and please keep on sending us your questions. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What are the benefits of DHEA for pre-menopausal women? Why the keto lifestyle and cardio exercise may not be giving Mary her desired results Amanda asks about incorporating estradiol into her hormone replacement regimen The difference between micronized and compounded progesterone Can Jody start HRT at 72? The symptoms of estrogen dominance What are the optimal estrogen and progesterone levels for brain, bone, and heart health? The importance of cardiovascular risk assessment for women on HRT The complex interrelationship that exists between hormones and neurotransmitters Is HRT safe for women with a family history of cancer? Why strength training, quality sleep, and stress management are all essential for menopausal women Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected]

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• BONUS: Longevity, Fitness & Metabolic Flexibility with Brad Kearns

  I am delighted to connect with Brad Kearns today! Brad is a New York Times bestselling author, Guinness World Record setting professional Speedgolfer, #1 ranked USA high jumper, and a former US national champion and triathlete. He hosts the B.rad podcast covering healthy living, peak performance, and personal growth. Brad has always had high standards and a competitive edge that he never wants to let go of, especially as he ages. In this episode, we define fitness and dive into the cultural programming within the western medicine mindset. We talk about avoiding overtraining or training when we are stressed or sick, stress hormones, and the importance of having an ancestral health perspective on your physical activity. We also spoke about nutritional dogma, nutritional philosophies, critical thinking, and more.  I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with Brad Kearns as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned to learn how to pursue peak performance with passion throughout your life!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The importance of preserving functional lean muscle mass throughout life for longevity. How to improve your level of fitness in a healthy and stress-free manner as you age. Fitness does not have to be an ordeal that involves struggling and suffering.  The benefits of sprinkling opportunities to be more active into your daily routine rather than going to extremes and pushing yourself too hard. What happens to your metabolic and hormonal processes when you over-exert yourself physically? Brad shares a formula to work out your heart rate limit for aerobic activities. How to change your mentality and become more peppy and active throughout the day.  How to do more appropriate high-intensity workouts. What happens to your body when you go too hard for too long? Overcoming patterns of over-exercising, over-fasting, and avoiding certain macros. Brad discusses his nutritional evolution over the last ten to fifteen years, shares his personal alternative to fasting, and talks about his Carnivore Scores Chart. How to maintain optimum metabolic health and avoid losing muscle mass as you get older.   Bio: Brad Kearns is a New York Times bestselling author, Guinness World Record setting professional Speedgolfer, #1 ranked USA age 55-59 high jumper and former US national champion, and #3 world-ranked professional triathlete. He hosts the B.rad podcast covering healthy living, peak performance, and personal growth with his carefree style and lively sense of humor.   Brad has written over twenty books on diet, health, peak performance, and ancestral living, and is a popular speaker, retreat host, and host of numerous online multimedia educational courses at BradKearns.com. In 2017, The Keto Reset Diet (co-authored with Mark Sisson) became New York Times bestseller, and #1 ranked overall bestselling book on amazon.com for two days.   Brad's main message is to encourage the pursuit of peak performance with passion throughout life. He promotes the importance of performing a daily morning exercise routine for a natural energy boost, improved strength, mobility, and flexibility, and better focus and discipline in all areas of life. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Brad Kearns On the B.rad podcast On his website Resources: Jay Feldman’s The Energy Balance Podcast Mark Sisson’s Primal Essential Movements on YouTube Books mentioned: Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine by Robert. H. Lustig The Keto Reset Diet: Reboot Your Metabolism in 21 Days and Burn Fat Forever by Mark Sisson

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