On this very special episode of The Woman’s Doctor, we had a conversation with Chris Kresser. Chris is a top expert and educator in Functional Medicine and ancestral health as well as a New York Times bestselling author of The Paleo Cure. Chris is also the founder of The Kresser Institute that has trained over 2,000 functional health practitioners and coaches. There is a lot more we can add to the list of the achievements this man has obtained but we’ll keep at those for now.   In this episode, we discuss what led to Chris becoming involved with functional medicine and wellness overall, how we’re slowly detaching from our ancestral roots in the area of food and nutrients, how food is gradually losing nutritional value, and much more. Chris is truly an expert on food and essential nutrients so you might want to tune in if you are or are thinking about taking any type of supplements.   Many times, we think that just buying as many supplements off the shelves of our local store can solve our nutrient deficiencies but it is much more complex than that. Chris advises people to take frequent tests to see what nutrients they may be deficient in as well as what nutrients they may be getting too much of. For those who want to take it a step further and really dive deep into this man’s mind, be sure to check out his work and products at chriskresser.com!   Key Takeaways: [3:54] How Chris became involved with health and wellness [7:54] Changes in the soil is making food less nutrient-dense [14:47] The importance of Vitamin D [19:10] The importance of Magnesium [28:40] The main three supplements that people should be paying more attention to when consuming     Connect with Chris Kresser: https://chriskresser.com/ https://adaptnaturals.com/password   Memorable Quotes: “Certainly our ancestors weren’t taking supplements. They weren’t doing anything to augment what they were getting from food but they lived in a different world than we live in today.” “There are many things that impact nutrient availability now that weren’t common then. One example is chronic disease… Another issue is changes in soil and nutrient availability in soils.”  “Some studies suggest that in order to get the same nutrition that our grandparents got from eating one orange, we’d have to eat eight oranges today.” “We know that 60% of the calories in the average American diet now come from ultra-processed food… We’re talking about flour, sugar, industrial seed oils… people keep filling themselves up with these foods.” “I think for most people at this point, if you’re not getting regular sun exposure and you don’t live in a place where that’s possible year-round, some supplementation or at least strong attention to food levels of vitamin D, and regular testing to make sure you’re getting enough is pretty crucial.”  “Magnesium is one of the most potent treatments for migraine because magnesium deficiency is associated with migraines and chronic headaches.” “It’s almost like what magnesium deficiency doesn't contribute to because it’s involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, so it’s just a utility player if you will. It’s doing a lot of different things in a lot of different places.” “I think the 3 nutrients that people need to be aware of most would be… calcium, iodine, and iron. These are all of course essential; we need them but each of them in their own way can cause a lot of problems when you get too much.”

Did you know that hormones affect our relationships? In fact, healthy relationships are the unknown key to human health. That’s why I asked Dr. John Gray, one of the most well-known and trusted relationship experts in the world, to be on the show.  Dr. Gray is the author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, which was the #1 best-selling book of the entire 1990s. Having written over 20 books, he has appeared repeatedly on Oprah, The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, and Good Morning America. In today’s episode, Dr. Gray shares the different relationship patterns and how changes in hormones impact our relationships and behavior.  Ever wonder why men tend to get cranky in old age while women become hyper-independent? Dr. Gray dives deep into both men's and women’s hormone health and why mood changes with age. He’ll help you learn how to best work with your partner from a hormone perspective. This episode will give you some much-needed hormone clarity and the motivation to focus more on your hormone health!    Key Takeaways: [2:46] What has changed in hormone health since Dr. Gray’s first book. [6:36] Why hormonal balance is essential for men. [11:53] What happens to men when estrogen levels go too high.  [16:38] What happens to women when estrogen levels go too high. [20:02] How sex organs actually work. [23:09] Estrogen dominance. [24:26] What to do when you feel burnt out.   Connect with Dr. John Gray:   MarsVenus.com   @johngraymarsvenus_official    Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus: The Classic Guide To Understanding The Opposite Sex   Beyond Mars and Venus: Relationship Skills for Today’s Complex World   Memorable Quotes:   “Due to the shift in the consciousness on the planet, and the toxicity of the planet, our hormones have gone out of balance.” - Dr. Gray   “Men and women 50 years ago had a huge advantage when it came to the world, and it’s out of date without a doubt.” - Dr. Gray   “Every relationship is reciprocal. If you make a change, it will change him.” - Dr. Gray   “We’re built for sacrifice. Women are not. You’re built to love.” - Dr. Gray   “Once you're in a negative state, you tend to get locked into looking at more reasons why I should feel like a victim.” - Dr. Gray

JJ Virgin is a triple board-certified nutrition expert, fitness hall of famer, and author of four New York Times bestsellers, including the Virgin Diet, in which she shares how to eliminate cravings for good.   Foods today tend to be hidden with sugars and artificial ingredients, or they are labeled as gluten-free or dairy-free but are packed with other unhealthy ingredients. So what do you do to eat well? JJ is a wealth of knowledge on what foods to reduce, avoid and enjoy.   In this episode, JJ and Dr. Trevor sit down to bust myths about fad food and diets, share what trigger foods to watch out for, how to address inflammation and so much more.   Key Takeaways: [4:22] The trifecta of trigger foods to watch out for. [6:07] What food sensitivity tests are truly telling you. [8:10] The ONE food to remove or lower from your diet for dramatic changes. [12:50] Macro-balanced plates and how this helps eliminate sugar cravings. [16:20] How to retrain your tastebuds to enjoy natural foods. [20:15] Gluten-free alternatives to implement into your life.   Connect with JJ Virgin https://jjvirgin.com/ The Virgin Diet by JJ Virgin   Memorable Quotes   So much that's out there that, that looks like it's a health food, is actually hurting us. - JJ Virgin   The body isn’t a bank account, it is a chemistry lab. - JJ Virgin   Anyone who's forgotten to eat is a fat burner. - JJ Virgin   We don't just go from high sugar impact to low sugar impact. We taper down over the course of a week or two. - JJ Virgin

Dr. Alan Christianson, NMD is a naturopathic endocrinologist with a focus on thyroid disease. He has been actively seeing patients since 1996 and is a New York Times Bestselling Author of The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet.    Dr. Christianson is the founding president of The Endocrine Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is the founding co-president of The American College of Thyroidology. He has appeared on national TV shows like Dr. Oz, The Doctors, The Today Show, CNN, or print media like SHAPE magazine and Natural Health.    Dr. Christianson sits down with Dr. Trevor Cates to share his knowledge and research about thyroid issues in women. He busts the myth that synthetic hormones are inherently worse than natural, explains why instances of thyroid disease increase as women age, and demystifies the functions of some lesser known hormones and nutrients like T2 and iodine.   Takeaways:  [4:22] Dr. Christianson explains what happens to thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy [7:14] What to ask your doctor for when trying to get your thyroid levels tested [11:50] What an antibody panel tests for and why it is a common way to detect thyroid issues [17:38] Why iodine is one of the most important factors associated with thyroid function [20:33] Other nutrients that are crucial for proper functioning of the thyroid, including selenium and iron [24:50] Comparing natural and synthetic thyroid hormones, and why synthetic thyroid hormones are not as scary as they sound [27:23] Dr. Christianson speaks about the lesser known thyroid hormone T2 [32:35] Discussing how dramatically long-term outlooks have improved for patients with thyroid disease today [37:04] How and why the odds of developing a thyroid issue increase as you age [49:30] Ways to improve your health and reduce your chances of developing hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Graves’ Disease   Mentioned in This Episode:  Dr. Christianson’s Website Dr. Christianson’s Facebook Dr. Christianson’s Youtube Channel Dr. Christianson’s Pinterest Dr. Christianson’s Instagram The Woman’s Doctor Website   Twitter: “If your thyroid’s functioning at 50% you might not know otherwise, but once the hormones of pregnancy come in, that’s when it can really show up.”   “If you’re a speck below a certain window on your iron stores, that will really compound thyroid issues.”   “Thyroid disease is something that’s going wrong for a long period of time and finally crosses a threshold, and that’s why it’s more common with age.”

DR. DONI WILSON is a Naturopathic Doctor, certified professional midwife, certified nutrition specialist, and bestselling author of Master Your Stress, Reset Your Health. For more than 22 years, she has helped thousands of patients overcome health challenges and achieve wellness by using specific strategies that address the whole body and ultimately resolve the underlying causes of distress. Dr. Doni suffered from migraines for over 20 years, and in the process of solving them, she developed her Stress Recovery Protocol.  Dr. Doni brings awareness to the impact of stress on our health and how it is possible to recover from burnout and become resilient to stress in the media and at public and professional events. You can find her blog, podcast, called How Humans Heal, and her Self C.A.R.E.™ program at DoctorDoni.com. Dr. Doni joins Dr. Trevor Cates to discuss her early experiences with extreme stress, and how those events shaped her interest in stress as well as her journey to find relief for herself and her patients from chronic stress.   Takeaways:  [3:07] How Dr. Doni’s childhood inspired her to research and prevent the effects of stress [5:24] How Dr. Doni’s burnout lead her to begin treating both herself and patients undergoing different kinds of extreme stress [6:54] Why women may be more susceptible to stress, often stemming from societal expectations of their roles in the world [8:36] The four major areas of the body that are affected by stress: digestion, hormones, neurotransmitters, and immune system [11:45] Understanding how stress affects your body through testing cortisol, neurotransmitters, and adrenaline levels [14:31] Different stress types and why recovering from stress slowly is necessary for the process to be successful  [18:30] Examples of slow recovery activities to help the body heal from stress, and where to start the process [21:15] How to decrease cortisol levels at night by using adaptogens [24:41] Nutrients that can help destress the body   Mentioned in This Episode:  DoctorDoni.com Dr. Doni’s Instagram Dr. Doni’s Facebook Master Your Stress, Reset Your Health - Dr. Doni’s bestselling book Stress type quiz   Twitter: “We’re supposed to be superheroes, when really we’re human.”   “Recovery from stress is incremental, we need to be pacing ourselves.”

Cynthia Thurlow, NP is the CEO and founder of Everyday Wellness Project and an international speaker.    Her second TED talk, “Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique”  has been viewed over 12 million times, and she has had 20 years of experience in all aspects of functional medicine including cardiology and emergency medicine.    She is also a globally recognized expert in intermittent fasting and nutritional health, and has been featured on ABC, Fox 5, KLTA, CW Medium, Entrepreneur, and the Megyn Kelly Show.   Thurlow joins Dr. Trevor Cates to discuss her journey to an intermittent fasting lifestyle and the health difficulties that inspired her to change the way she eats. Thurlow also speaks about her new book, Intermittent Fasting Transformation: The 45-Day Program for Women to Lose Stubborn Weight, Improve Hormonal Health, and Slow Aging.   Takeaways:  [2:35] How to use intermittent fasting as a strategy to work with your hormones as they fluctuate throughout the month [3:30] Thurlow speaks about how she structured her popular TEDX talk to make information about intermittent fasting more accessible to the audience [4:32] Thurlow explains the basics of intermittent fasting, focusing on eating fewer meals throughout the day [6:55] Thurlow discusses the outdated information regarding the “calories in-calories out” mindset, and why it does not work as efficiently as intermittent fasting [10:16] Insulin’s effects on the body when following a typical American diet and eating frequently [12:39] The important roles of insulin, cortisol, and glucose in weight resistance in women [16:49] Why quitting snacks is an important first step in beginning intermittent fasting [20:40] Thurlow shares her recommendations for what to eat when breaking a fast [22:05] Thurlow breaks down her intermittent fasting routine   Mentioned in This Episode:  Cynthia Thurlow’s Website Cynthia Thurlow’s New Book Cynthia Thurlow’s Podcast, Everyday Wellness Cynthia Thurlow’s Instagram Cynthia Thurlow’s Twitter Cynthia Thurlow’s Facebook Group   Twitter: “Most Americans are stuck in this carbohydrate burning model, and that’s where we start to see weight loss resistance, feeling hangry, lack of energy.”   “You have to stop snacking because that will force you to readjust your macros, your protein, fat, and carbohydrates, with your meals — and this is like ripping off a bandaid.”   “Men usually have an easier time with fasting because they’re not dealing as much hormonal flux week to week, day to day, like menstruating women or women that are still getting a menstrual cycle every month”   “We are not just mini men — we have a lot of differences in our hormones, physiology and anatomy.”

Did you ever think that your skin could be sending you messages?   Dr. Trevor Cates shares a solo episode all about the connection between your hormones and the health of your skin.    Tune in to learn about endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their impact on health issues, how your hormones impact your health, and what types of foods to eat to boost estrogen levels and balance your hormones.   Dr. Trevor shares the indicators for hormone imbalances based on what your skin is presenting. Have really dry skin?  Or are you extremely prone to acne?…this episode may be the answer to your skincare struggles!   Key Takeaways: [5:45] What happens to your body when it isn't making enough progesterone or estrogen.  [6:30] Natural ways to boost estrogen levels. [7:50] The herbs that will support estrogen and menopause. [8:31] Tools to balance out androgen levels. [10:10] The value of your thyroid and what your skin means in relation to hyperthyroidism. [12:48] Stress management practices to balance hormones Resources: hormoneseries.com Clean Skin Within Natural Beauty REset    Tweetable quotes:   “Age-related, hormonal change like Puberty and menopause can actually affect testosterone and its metabolism, that breaking down of it.”   “You have to remember products don't just sit on the surface of our skin. They can get absorbed into our bloodstream, just like we would put hormone creams on our skin or nicotine patches. We use medications on our skin as a route of administration.”   “Always best to test rather than guess.”

Did you know that your body has 50 different types of hormones? These control various functions, like metabolism, sleep, reproduction, and mood.   With all of these hormones, it can get complicated. So today’s guest is here to help us address our hormones, especially when they’re low.   After discovering the hidden cause of her midlife weight gain and fatigue, Dr. Kyrin Dunston, MD  lost a life-changing 100 lbs. and overcame her adrenal fatigue.  She is fellowship trained in Anti-Aging, Metabolic and Functional Medicine and has practiced this exclusively for over a decade.   Dr. Dunston hosts the Hormone Prescription podcast and has been featured in media such as CBS, NBC, Reader’s Digest, and The Huffington Post   She is founder of the Midlife Metabolism Institute and The Hormone Club, a membership program providing women access to natural hormone treatments throughout the US.   In today’s podcast, Dr. Kyrin shares why women over 40 are often in a state of hormonal poverty and how they can overcome this with natural hormone therapy and certain lifestyle changes. All of this can help us achieve optimal longevity & vitality. So listen and learn and then share your questions with us at TheWomansDoctor.com.   Dr. Dunston joins Dr. Trevor Cates to share why women over 40 are often in a state of hormonal poverty and how they can overcome this with natural hormone therapy and certain lifestyle changes. She also busts myths about hormone replacement therapy and its safety. Takeaways:  [3:53] How Dr. Dunston’s experience with hormone imbalance led her on a journey to help others with the same issue [5:26] When hormonal poverty begins (typically age 35) and what it is [8:25] Common hormonal deficiencies in older women and its impact on their lives [9:51] How the marginalization of older women can cause hormone imbalances to be overlooked or not taken seriously [11:58] Discussing misconceptions about the dangers of synthetic hormone replacement therapy [14:56] Why assuming your doctor is always correct about what is happening with your body and hormones may be a bad idea, and how to figure out for yourself what is going on with your hormones [20:22] Dr. Dunston’s experience with finding a hormone replacement that worked for her, and how it’s changed her life [21:53] Discussing “pathological menopause”, why cortisol is one of the most important hormones during menopause [29:10] How to become hormonally and nutritionally literate   Mentioned in This Episode:  The Hormone Prescription with Dr. Kyrin Dunston Dr. Dunston’s website The Hormone Club Dr. Dunston’s Instagram   Twitter: “All my standard corporate doctor OBGYN tools really had no answers, I just had a fistful of prescriptions.”   “Hormones are the very foundation of how our bodies function.”   “We have bought into this lie that somehow, we’re less of a woman if we take hormones”

Arnita Champion is a social media personality, business owner, motivational speaker, IFBB Professional Figure Competitor, Olympic Trials finalist and certified personal trainer.  At 58 years young, she is a firm believer that change manifests primarily in those who never quit or give up.   Champion joins Dr. Trevor Cates to explain the balance that must be struck as we age between exercise and its effects, both positive and negative, on our bodies. She explains why trying to keep up with what your younger self was capable of may actually be harming your progress and putting you in danger, and how stress can impact different aspects of your mind and body.   Takeaways:  [5:10] Trends in the fitness industry can be challenging to keep up with as you age, due to increased risk of injury and difficulty keeping up with your younger self’s activity level. [8:38] Champion’s discovery that she had high blood pressure served as a wakeup call for her that stress was greatly impacting her body in a negative way. [10:05] The importance of regularly checking in with your doctor to ensure that any health issues you’re unaware of can be taken care of before they negatively impact you. [13:16] How what you put in your body is crucial to its effective functioning. Health starts from within! [15:54] Finding a consistent routine is key to a healthy, balanced body and lifestyle. Intensity is less critical. [17:06] Why Champion’s efforts to continue working out at the same intensity levels as her younger self were detrimental to her health, and what she changed. [19:33] Motivating yourself in the now to take care of your body, because ‘tomorrow never comes’. [22:07] Champion's methods for handling stress, especially emphasizing meditation.   Mentioned in This Episode:  Arnita Champion Instagram Arnita Champion Facebook Arnita Champion Website Arnita Champion Twitter Arnita Champion Tiktok   Twitter:   “We hold stress in, and it was affecting my organs - it was affecting my ability to live how I actually wanna live.”   “My mantra is ‘fight for it’ - but there’s a way you choose your battles.”   “When you fight for it, you’re not fighting for anyone else - you’re fighting for you.”   “Everybody has a different body, and you have to pay attention to YOUR body.”   “It didn’t take you overnight to get into the shape that you are now. Why do you think it’s going to take you overnight to get into the best shape of your life?” Podcast Disclaimer:  https://resources.thespadr.com/the-womans-doctor/#disclaimer

Dr. Amie Hornaman, PhD is a Clinical Nutritionist also known as the Thyroid Fixer. As founder of the Institute for Thyroid and Hormone Optimization, her goal is to optimize the health of thyroid patients around the world.   Dr. Hornaman joins Dr. Trevor Cates to discuss why Hashimoto’s is found more frequently in women yet often remains undiagnosed. She also explains how to find a doctor who will listen to your symptoms and thoroughly test you, and debunks the myth that hormone replacement therapy causes breast cancer.   Takeaways:  [3:14] About 12 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (95% are women), and an estimated 6 million people have symptoms but are undiagnosed [4:05] Why lower testosterone and increased stress can cause more thyroid conditions in women [5:59] Why lack of thorough testing leads so many cases of Hashimoto’s to remain undiagnosed [8:55] Common mood-related indicators of Hashimoto’s, including depression and apathy [10:07] How to find a doctor who will listen to your symptoms and test you thoroughly  [13:41] Busting the myth of estrogen or hormone replacement therapy causing breast cancer [16:08] Lifestyle changes to support and encourage a healthier thyroid [20:00] Nutrients, supplements and natural remedies that can improve thyroid health - and why you may not need as many supplements as you think [23:20] Improving quality of life and taking back your power by restoring your thyroid   Mentioned in This Episode:  Hormones, Health and Harmony docuseries Dr. Amie Hornaman’s website https://dramiehornaman.com/ Thyroid Fixer podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3iyP8TBLohPtjGqOn8yD4L Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dramiehornaman/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amiehornamannutrition/ Private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie   Memorable Takeaways:   “Many people are walking around with the symptoms of a thyroid condition, but they’re being told they’re normal and that everything is fine.”   “If your doctor says no to testing, it’s time to get a new doctor.”   “When I see a patient optimize, I see a strong, powerful woman that can do anything she wants to do, and nothing is gonna hold her back.”   Podcast Disclaimer:  https://resources.thespadr.com/the-womans-doctor/#disclaimer