Episodes

  • BONUS: Cholesterol, ApoB, and Lp(a) with Crystal Gossard, DCN, MS, CNS, LN

    BONUS: Cholesterol, ApoB, and Lp(a) with Crystal Gossard, DCN, MS, CNS, LN
    Sep 28 2026
    This episode is sponsored by Life Extension. I am delighted to have Dr. Crystal Gossard, the Manager of Education at Life Extension, joining me today. Dr. Gossard is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition with over 15 years of experience in nutrition, fitness, dietary supplements, and integrative functional medicine. In our conversation today, Dr. Gossard and I discuss uncommon heart health testing, including gaps in care for women in perimenopause and menopause, and clarify the critical importance of a bioindividual personalized approach. We dive into specifics on labs, including ApoB as a direct measurement, the influence of glycation, insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity, LP(a), and high-sensitivity CRP as both a marker of systemic inflammation and a targeted inflammatory profile marker. We also cover oxidized LDL, inflammation and oxidative stress, the importance of CoQ10, and screening modalities like coronary artery calcium scoring, CCTA, CT angio, and Cleerly, and minerals, including magnesium and its role in over 600 enzymatic reactions in the body. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The importance of advanced lab testing for cardiovascular and metabolic health in women, particularly during perimenopause and menopause What ApoB reveals about cardiovascular risk Why Dr. Gossard considers LP(a) a one-and-done test How elevated high-sensitivity CRP can indicate inflammation “simmering” in the background How to manage inflammation through nutrition How Dr. Gossard explains oxidized LDL The value of CoQ10 for oxidized LDL When should someone move beyond lab work to cardiovascular screening? What magnesium testing can reveal How magnesium supports the body 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. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Crystal Gossard Life Extension Instagram LinkedIn Live Foreverish Podcast Try Life Extension and save $10 on orders of $50 or more, plus free shipping, with code: CYNTHIA10.
    Show more Show less
    53 mins
  • Ep. 647 Spore-Based Probiotics and Gut Health with Kiran Krishnan, Ph.D. | Probiotics, Gut Health, Womens Health

    Ep. 647 Spore-Based Probiotics and Gut Health with Kiran Krishnan, Ph.D. | Probiotics, Gut Health, Womens Health
    Sep 26 2026
    I’m thrilled to reconnect with microbiome expert Kiran Krishnan today. Kiran co-founded Just Thrive and previously served as Chief Scientific Officer at Microbiome Labs. He has more than 16 years of experience in the dietary supplement and nutrition industry, with postgraduate research experience in molecular biology and virology. In today’s conversation, we take a deep dive into the science of spore-based probiotics, their ecological impact, how they interact with the existing gut microbiome, their potential to address dysbiosis, and why standard probiotics fail to survive stomach acid in meaningful numbers. We explore research on osteoarthritis, catabolism, and the gut-hormone connection, discussing how declining bacterial diversity may influence the metabolic and hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause. Kiran explains the role of the pathobiome and endotoxemia, how the gut-brain axis can influence inflammation, and the importance of gut-barrier integrity, neurotransmitter production, and vagal nerve signaling in regulating the immune system. We also discuss the differences between fiber, resistant starch, polyphenols, fermented foods, prebiotics, and postbiotics, and Kiran shares his perspective on the carnivore diet, its potential impact on the microbiome, and key insights into SIBO. Stay tuned for today’s fascinating and informative conversation with Kiran Krishnan. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Kiran explains the science behind spore-based probiotics Why spore-based probiotics can survive stomach acid better than many standard probiotics How inflammation can inhibit the growth of beneficial gut bacteria How bacterial diversity in the gut decreases during perimenopause and menopause Why awareness of endotoxemia remains limited within the broader medical community Kiran explains how the gut-brain axis helps the body respond to its environment What prebiotics and postbiotics actually do Why an inability to tolerate fiber may point to a problem with the underlying biology rather than the food itself How SIBO and SIFO can be symptoms of a more complex underlying problem Bio: Kiran Krishman, Ph.D. Kiran is a research microbiologist and a health and wellness expert who aims to make complex information understandable to all. He has founded several successful health and supplement companies over the last 15 years, including co-founding and leading Microbiome Labs, a preeminent microbiome therapeutics-focused brand among healthcare professionals. He is currently a co-founder and partner in 3 other companies that aim to revolutionize wellness care. He has conducted and published several research studies in scientific journals, published chapters in scientific textbooks/references books, holds global patents, and is a sought-after speaker on human health and the microbiome. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Check out Cynthia’s website. Check out the Everyday Wellness Podcast on Instagram! www.instagram.com/everydaywellnesspodcast Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Kiran Krishnan The Biome Learning Center: Join Kiran’s circle community to download his free leaky gut guide and 5 pillars for building a resilient gut.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Ep. 646 HRT and Bone Health in Menopause | Menopause, Perimenopause, Bone Health

    Ep. 646 HRT and Bone Health in Menopause | Menopause, Perimenopause, Bone Health
    Sep 24 2026
    Welcome to the latest Midlife Minute. Today, I answer some listener questions about bone health, osteoporosis, HRT, and the menopause transition. Stay tuned to learn more about bone loss, bone health, and proactive ways to protect your bone mass. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Bone density loss during perimenopause Value of HRT for protecting bone mass during the menopause transition If you’re using an estrogen patch and your estrogen levels are still low, what should you consider? How women with osteoporosis can continue strength training with guidance from a licensed medical provider What highly-active women who consistently under-fuel their bodies may experience Conditions and medications that could contribute to low bone density The value of DEXA scans and bone health markers Bone loss may accelerate during menopause How HRT for osteoporosis prevention differs from HRT for established osteoporosis The benefit of AMH and FSH labs for identifying women who may benefit from earlier intervention 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. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line
    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • Ep. 645 Chronic Stress and Dysregulation with Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Ed.D. | Stress, Emotional Dysregulation

    Ep. 645 Chronic Stress and Dysregulation with Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Ed.D. | Stress, Emotional Dysregulation
    Sep 23 2026
    I’m thrilled to reconnect with Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Ed.D., today. She's a licensed clinical psychologist, board-certified in neurofeedback, and mom of two neurodivergent children. She's also the author of the upcoming book, The Dysregulated Kid. Today, we discuss how midlife women become stressed and how stress is an event and dysregulation is a physiological state. We also explore emotional regulation, hypervigilance, midlife’s invisible load, strategies to stimulate the vagus nerve, and ways to address both over- and under-stimulated behavior. Stay tuned for today’s insightful and informative conversation with Roseann Capanna-Hodge. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies for yourself and your family members, too! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How stress “creeps in” through everyday pressures and affects the nervous system Why some coping strategies that worked earlier in life may become less effective or maladaptive amid midlife hormonal and neurological changes The value of practicing belly breathing and other regulation strategies in “micro little bits” throughout the day How emotional regulation can help change dysregulated patterns passed down through families. How explaining regulation through science can reduce shame and help children become more receptive to these strategies. Why caring for a dysregulated child can be especially triggering for parents with difficult childhoods or histories of dysregulated parenting How women carrying an “invisible load” can find small openings to practice regulation strategies throughout the day How nutrition can support emotional regulation and affect focus, motivation, irritability, anger, and hyperactivity How using brief regulation practices, movement, breathing, touch, and daily routines can help manage chronic stress. Why regulating the nervous system should come before, or support, other interventions Bio: Roseann Capanna-Hodge. Ed.D. is a leading expert in emotional and behavioral dysregulation with more than 30 years of experience helping families transform chaos into calm. As the creator of Regulation First Parenting® and the CALMS Dysregulation Protocol®, she bridges clinical science with everyday parenting so families can finally understand what’s really driving their child’s struggles. Specializing in nervous system dysregulation, the root cause of challenges like ADHD, anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, and PANS/PANDAS, Roseann gives parents and professionals brain-based tools that create lasting change without blame, shame, or guesswork. Through her bestselling books, upcoming book The Dysregulated Kid, and top 1% podcast, Dysregulated Kids, she has helped thousands of families support their child’s brain, behavior, and emotional well-being in practical, hopeful ways. Featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and Parents Magazine, Roseann is on a mission to bring Regulation First Parenting™ to every home so that children can thrive and families can finally feel calm again. 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. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Ed.D Website Social media: @Dr Roseann Order Roseann’s NEW book, The Dysregulated Kid.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • BONUS: Perimenopause and Menopause: What you didn't Know with Dr. Felice Gersh

    BONUS: Perimenopause and Menopause: What you didn't Know with Dr. Felice Gersh
    Sep 21 2026
    I’m honored to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today! She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. We connected once before in Episode 221, where we spoke about PCOS and metabolic health. Today, Dr. Gersh joins me to dive into perimenopause and menopause. We discuss various issues surrounding the Women’s Health Initiative and talk about estrogen as a family of hormones, estrogen-mimicking chemicals, synthetic hormones, and oral contraceptives. We cover the importance of thyroid function, the pro-inflammatory state associated with estrogen loss in perimenopause and menopause, and the role of nutrition and exercise in metabolism. We also discuss lesser-known changes that occur in menopause, including changes in body odor, constipation, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and vocal changes. I plan to invite Dr. Gersh back to discuss women and mitochondrial health, and then again to talk about her latest book, Menopause: The Fifty Things You Need to Know. Stay tuned to find out what menopause really is, and what it does to a woman’s metabolic system. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Gersh discusses the Women’s Health Initiative study and its devastating effects. The difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones. How chronic diseases of aging can be delayed when hormones are incorporated along with other lifestyle refinements. What do hormones do? Why every immune cell in the body has receptors for vital hormones. Menopause may not be defined by a specific moment in time. Physiological changes that occur during the perimenopause years How hormones can change the perimenopause paradigm entirely. Perimenopause and sleep issues Phytoestrogens - nature’s gift to women 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. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh Website:⁠ Integrative Medical Group of Irvine⁠ Instagram⁠ Dr. Gersh’s books are available on ⁠Amazon⁠ Previous Episode Mentioned ⁠Episode 221 on PCOS with Dr. Felice Gersh⁠
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Ep. 644 Insulin Resistance and Advanced Lipid Testing with Dr. Tom Dayspring

    Ep. 644 Insulin Resistance and Advanced Lipid Testing with Dr. Tom Dayspring
    Sep 19 2026
    Today, I’m honored to reconnect with fan favorite, Dr. Tom Dayspring. Dr. Dayspring is a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association, and is certified in internal medicine and clinical lipidology with extensive experience in perimenopause and menopause management. He has been a frequent contributor and educator at Everyday Wellness. In this episode, we discuss labs that help to monitor changes in insulin resistance (specifically the LPIR score), the clinical practice limitations Dr. Dayspring believes stem from a lack of humility, and aspects of women’s medical histories that may indicate greater heart disease risk. We examine statin therapy and other treatment modalities, premature menopause and cardiovascular disease risks, Lp(a) as the primary inherited risk factor for heart disease, and current guidelines, treatment goals, and recommendations. Dr. Dayspring also shares his thoughts on estrogen patch shortages and oral estradiol therapy challenges with elevated triglycerides. As always, this is an invaluable conversation with Dr. Tom Dayspring. Stay tuned for an upcoming podcast with Dr. Dayspring, where we'll focus on lipids and brain health. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Lipoprotein changes and how they can reveal insulin resistance before fasting insulin or glucose begin to rise Why someone can be insulin resistant while showing normal triglyceride levels The importance of looking at a woman’s broader medical history to find potential cardiovascular risk signals Why premature menopause and premature ovarian failure should be taken seriously as cardiovascular and long-term health risk factors How Lp(a) is the most inherited risk factor for atherosclerotic heart disease across the population Why women may benefit from repeat Lp(a) testing around the menopausal transition What clinicians may address when Lp(a) is elevated, including other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors Oral estrogen may have a beneficial effect on Lp(a). How epidemiological evidence has linked endometriosis with heart disease Why Dr. Dayspring recommends checking ApoB when triglycerides are elevated 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. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Tom Dayspring On X (@DrLipid) LinkedIn
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Ep. 643 What Menopause Does to Lp(a) and Cholesterol |Menopause, Perimenopause, Cholesterol

    Ep. 643 What Menopause Does to Lp(a) and Cholesterol |Menopause, Perimenopause, Cholesterol
    Sep 17 2026
    Welcome to the latest Midlife Minute. This episode unpacks ongoing research on Lp(a), explores how women’s lipids change during the perimenopause-to-menopause transition, and clarifies what we can do about it. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How total cholesterol, LDL, and ApoB tend to rise most steeply around the final menstrual period, rather than increasing gradually with chronological aging Why women should have their Lp(a) checked both before and after menopause How oral and transdermal estradiol can affect LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and Lp(a) differently Why I recommend including ApoB when checking your lipids during the perimenopause window How your lifestyle can reduce your cardiovascular risk, even when your Lp(a) is elevated Why omega-3 fatty acids and commonly used lipid medications do not lower Lp(a) Why supplements are not replacements for statins in genuinely high-risk patients I review the various PCSK9 inhibitors currently available, how they are administered, and their effects How a CAC, a CT angiogram, and an AI-assisted CT angiogram can help women and their providers determine how aggressive their approach should be when Lp(a) is elevated 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. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line References: 1. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020. El Khoudary SR, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, et al.Guideline 2. Menopause: A Cardiometabolic Transition. The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2022. Nappi RE, Chedraui P, Lambrinoudaki I, Simoncini T.Review 3. Dyslipidemia Across the Menopause Transition: Mechanisms, Trajectories, and Opportunities for Cardiovascular Prevention. Maturitas. 2026. Castaneda R, Tatit CP, Hurtado Andrade MD, Faubion SS, Shufelt CL.RecentReview 4. Lipoprotein(a) and Women's Cardiovascular Health: A Review. JACC. Advances. 2026. Michos ED, Saucier S, Mehran R, Koschinsky ML. 5. Lipid Metabolism in Women: A Review. Atherosclerosis. 2025. van Oortmerssen JAE, Mulder JWCM, Kavousi M, Roeters van Lennep JE.Review 6. Are Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Midlife Women Due to Chronological Aging or to the Menopausal Transition?. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2009. Matthews KA, Crawford SL, Chae CU, et al.Observational 7. Trajectories of Lipids Around the Menopause Transition in Chinese Women: Results of the Kailuan Cohort Study. Fertility and Sterility. 2023. Dai Q, Wu S, Cao Z, et al. 8. Lipid Management in Patients With Endocrine Disorders: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2020. Newman CB, Blaha MJ, Boord JB, et al.Guideline 9. The Effects of Menopause Hormone Therapy on Lipid Profile in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022. Nie G, Yang X, Wang Y, et al.SR 10. Perspectives on Dyslipidemia and Coronary Heart Disease in Women. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2005. Bittner V.Review 11. Dyslipidemia in Midlife Women: Approach and Considerations During the Menopausal Transition. Maturitas. 2022. Torosyan N, Visrodia P, Torbati T, Minissian MB, Shufelt CL.Review 12. Effects of gender, age and menopausal status on serum apolipoprotein concentrations.13.Lipoprotein(a).The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2025. Mora S, Kronenberg 14. Why, how and in whom should we measure levels of lipoprotein(a): A review of the latest evidence and clinical implications. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2025. Razavi AC, Bhatia HS, Blumenthal RS, Shapiro MD, Mehta A.RecentReview 15. Red Yeast Rice for Hypercholesterolemia: JACC Focus Seminar. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2021. Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Zambon A.Review 16. Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. Drugs. 2023. Blais JE, Huang X, Zhao JV.SR 17. Non-Genetic Influences on Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations. Atherosclerosis. 2022. Enkhmaa B, Berglund L.Review 18. NHLBI Working Group Recommendations to Reduce Lipoprotein(a)-Mediated Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Aortic Stenosis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018. Tsimikas S, Fazio S, Ferdinand KC, et al.Review 19. Consumption of a defined, plant‐based diet reduces lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and other atherogenic lipoproteins and particles within 4 weeks. Clinical Cardiology. 2018. Najjar RS, Moore CE, Montgomery BD. 20. Lipoprotein(a): Current ...
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • Ep. 642 Metabolic Health and Brain Aging with Dr. Zaldy Tan | Menopause, Perimenopause, Metabolic Health

    Ep. 642 Metabolic Health and Brain Aging with Dr. Zaldy Tan | Menopause, Perimenopause, Metabolic Health
    Sep 16 2026
    Today, I am honored to connect with Dr. Zaldy Tan, a geriatric medicine and memory disorder specialist whose research career has centered on the Framingham Heart Studies Offspring Cohort. Dr. Tan currently directs Cedar Sinai’s memory and healthy aging programs, after previously leading the memory clinic at Beth Israel and Harvard Medical School. His book, Age Proof Your Mind, translates his clinical and research background into a practical framework for people trying to assess and protect their own cognitive trajectory. In our conversation, Dr. Tan explains why middle age is the old age of youth and the youth of old age. We discuss common symptoms of memory issues and those that are reversible. We explore the Framingham Offspring Study and its impact on brain health over time, looking at the effects of sleep, depression, vitamin deficiencies, alcohol, loneliness, and nutrition, and Dr. Tan shares the three Ds, dementia, delirium, and depression- the red flags he sees in his clinical practice, explains how he helps prepare caregivers for caring for loved ones with neurocognitive memory loss, and discusses late-stage issues, medications, blood-based biomarkers, and the role of genetics in brain health. Stay tuned for a truly fascinating discussion with Dr. Zaldy Tan. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The importance of being sensitive to how your memory changes over time Various factors that could contribute to memory problems The profound effect alcohol has on the brain and neurologic function How social isolation can increase the risk of dementia in future years Dr. Tan discusses the Framingham Offspring Study and the links between metabolic dysregulation and brain MRI markers of brain aging. How the 3 Ds, delirium, dementia, and depression, can overlap The red flags in a patient’s history that lead Dr. Tan to believe there may be a more serious issue What care partners should be aware of when a family member is experiencing dementia The importance of protecting sleep and maintaining consistent sleep patterns for those with memory problems How genetic testing is incorporated into Dr. Tan’s care model Bio: Dr. Zaldy Tan is the Director of the Memory & Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, which U.S. News & World Report ranked in 2024 as the best hospital on the U.S. West Coast and among the top hospitals in the country. He holds the Carmen & Louis Warschaw Endowed Chair in Neurology and is a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Tan was the founding director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Tan performs aging and dementia research covered by The New York Times, Time, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Reuters, ABC News, and NBC News. He regularly speaks at major national and international conferences and is the author of Age-Proof Your Mind and What to Remember When You Are Forgetting. 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. Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Zaldy Tan Dr. Tan at Cedars Sinai (Los Angeles) On Instagram Dr. Tan’s book, What to Remember When You Are Forgetting, is coming out on September 15th, 2026. Pre-order HERE.
    Show more Show less
    47 mins