I am so thrilled to welcome my dear friend Cynthia Thurlow, a brilliant nurse practitioner and expert in intermittent fasting, back to the studio to dive into the often-ignored connection between our hormones and the gut microbiome. In this episode, we explore why perimenopause and menopause aren't just about hot flashes, but involve a dynamic shift in our metabolism and immune health driven by our gut. We’re pulling back the curtain on how lifestyle habits, fiber, and even past trauma play a massive role in how you feel as you navigate this life transition.
What you’ll learn:
(00:00) Declining estrogen levels contribute to brain fog, memory issues, and irritability in women.
(05:46) Why Cynthia felt compelled to write about the missing link between menopause and the gut microbiome.
(07:00) Hormonal shifts change your metabolism, immune system, and the way your body extracts calories from food.
(10:58) Cynthia discusses the controversy surrounding fiber and why it is a critical signaling molecule for insulin sensitivity and inflammation.
(16:42) The importance of urolithin A and why only a small percentage of people can produce it naturally.
(18:36) An elimination diet can be a powerful tool for identifying food-related triggers for bloating and weight resistance.
(32:01) Cynthia’s hypothesis on how suppressed childhood trauma often resurfaces as health problems during the menopausal transition.
(40:46) Be your own health advocate and have the courage to fire providers who dismiss your symptoms.
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Full show notes (including all links mentioned):
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Wow, you are talking to me!! Amazing, this has been happening for 12 years!! Omg, thank you, ladies
12 years is a long time to deal with that. Most women are told it’s normal, but it usually isn’t. There’s usually a reason the body gets stuck in that pattern. Have you noticed if it shows up more with sleep, energy, or something else?
Amazing 14 years told its age Im 58
Amazing 14 years told its age Im 58
This is where so many women start, trying to fix everything from the outside.
what’s interesting is how often their body still isn’t responding even when they’re doing all of this right.