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

We have an estrogen masterclass mashup episode today, featuring Dr. Carrie Jones, Dr. Stephanie Estima, Dr. Sarah Berry, Dr. Thomas Dayspring, and Dr. Kellyann Niotis, who share their insights on estrogen and women’s health in midlife.

In this mashup masterclass, we’re bringing together a powerful compilation of conversations centered on the impact of hormones on brain health and cognition. We explore the nuanced risk factors for neurocognitive changes and how shifts in insulin sensitivity during perimenopause and menopause influence various aspects, including lipid patterns, hair changes, laboratory markers, and lifestyle inputs. We examine how the gut microbiome changes dynamically, targeted nutritional interventions, the role of advanced testing, including the DUTCH test, and how genetics, detoxification pathways, methylation, and the estrobolome.

This is an exciting, dynamic mashup of some of my favorite podcast conversations dedicated to estrogen and midlife physiology. It’s one you’ll likely want to revisit more than once.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


The critical role estrogen plays neurologically, and how estrogen receptors in the brain increase as estrogen declines


How declining estradiol during menopause impacts women's lipid metabolism


Why insulin resistance tends to increase during the menopause transition


The gut microbiome shifts that occur in postmenopausal women


The link between the gut microbiome and menopausal symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, and sleep issues


How impaired estrogen detoxification pathways may increase long-term risk of hormone-sensitive cancers


How the DUTCH test provides insight into hormone patterns and metabolism beyond standard bloodwork


How declining estrogen disrupts the hair growth cycle and increases shedding


Why personalized approaches to supplements, diet, and HRT are essential for women in midlife

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website


Submit your questions to [email protected]


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. Carrie Jones


On Instagram


Estrogen Detox Made Easy


Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones (Podcast)

Connect with Dr. Stephanie Estima


On Instagram


Better! With Dr. Stephanie (Podcast)

Connect with Dr. Sarah Berry


On Instagram


The Zoe Science and Nutrition Podcast

Connect with Dr. Thomas Dayspring


On LinkedIn


On X (@DrLipid)

Connect with Dr. Kellyann Niotis


On her website


On Instagram

Podcast Links:

EP. 513 Fasting Doesn’t Work the Same After 35 – The Shocking Truth About Hormones, Hunger & Aging with Dr. Stephanie Estima

Ep. 522 Menopause Is Wrecking Your Gut – The Best Nutrition Fixes for Midlife Women with Dr. Sarah Berry

Ep. 523 This Is Why Your Cholesterol Shifts in Midlife – The Best Strategies to Reduce Risk & Improve Vascular Health with Dr. Thomas Dayspring | Women’s Heart Health & Menopause

Ep. 540 “Your Brain Needs Estrogen” – The Most Powerful Way to Protect Memory, Cognition & Longevity in Midlife with Dr. Kellyann Niotis | Menopause & Brain Health

Ep. 542 Why Your Hair Is Thinning After 40” – The Shocking Truth About Menopause Hair Loss – Cynthia Thurlow

Ep. 567 “Timing Is Everything” – The Best Way to Test Hormones, Cortisol & Thyroid for Real Answers with Dr. Carrie Jones

I am delighted to connect with Shawn Stevenson today! Shawn is the host of the prolific Model Health Show. He is also a Nutritional Scientist, an author, and a father.

Shawn was a top-tier athlete in high school. At fifteen, his hip broke while running a 200-meter time trial. He had some standard of care, but nobody ever asked how an apparently healthy kid broke his hip while running. Two years later, he went to college. Soon after that, he got diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.   

In this episode, we get into how his background influenced his career path. We discuss fast-food economies, ultra-processed foods, the impact of subsidized foods on our health, the gut microbiome, and the dangers of seed oils. We dive into metabolic switching, the vagus nerve, and how it impacts food absorption and leaky gut. We talk about brain health, how the brain is influenced by the food we eat, the interrelationship between the brain and metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, and the impact of inflammation on the brain. We also discuss the importance of hydration, electrolytes, and more.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:


How Shawn developed his passion for discussing nutrition and synthesizing research, and got to where he is today.


How changing his thinking changed his life.


What are ultra-processed foods?


How ultra-processed foods impact the health of the average American citizen.


Why so many Americans are obese today


The need to understand the connection between the brain and the gut.


What is the relationship between our immune system and our gut microbiome?


An unusual benefit of extra-virgin olive oil.


What can you do to have a healthier brain?


The critical importance of high-quality sodium for cognitive function.


Why Omega-3s are vital for our brains.

Bio:

Shawn Stevenson is the author of the USA Today National bestseller Eat Smarter and the international bestselling book Sleep Smarter. He’s also the creator of The Model Health Show, which is featured as the #1 health podcast in the U.S., with millions of downloads each year. A graduate of the University of Missouri–St. Louis and Shawn studied business, biology, and nutritional science and became the cofounder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance. Shawn has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, Muscle & Fitness, ABC News, ESPN, and many other major media outlets.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website


Submit your questions to [email protected]


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 Shawn Stevenson

On his ⁠website⁠

⁠The Model Health Show⁠

On ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠

Shawn’s books are available on ⁠Amazon⁠.

Today, I am honored to welcome Dr. Karen Corbin, an Associate Investigator and Obesity Program Lead at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute, and the Founder and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak. Her scientific career centers on human nutrition and metabolism, with a focus on uncovering the mechanisms behind individual susceptibility to metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and liver disease. A gifted scientific storyteller, Dr. Corbin founded Geeks That Speak to help scientists and fellow geeks communicate complex information in ways that are clear, compelling, and actionable.

She joins us today to share her perspective on the gut microbiome and its role in women's aging. She discusses her background as a registered dietitian and research scientist, and we explore the fundamentals of the gut microbiome, metabolic health, fermentation, and metabolism, including specific metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and postbiotics. We examine fiber as a critical fuel substrate, the research on its utilization, and the unique metabolic vulnerabilities women in midlife face. We also explore whether the microbiome drives insulin resistance, whether late-night eating becomes more disruptive after the age of 40, what’s overhyped versus underappreciated in the wellness space, and the latest thinking on GLP-1s, fecal transplants, dysbiosis, and more.

Today’s conversation with Dr. Corbin is truly insightful and informative. Be sure to stay tuned all the way to the end, where she talks about upcoming research regarding a fiber-devoid diet and how protein can ferment in the colon.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


Dr. Corbin describes the colon as a dynamic ecosystem where microbes function like a community rather than the passive waste container it was once thought to be


How the gut microbiome influences metabolism, immunity, and brain signaling


How microbes directly influence calorie absorption and energy access


What true fiber intolerance may signal


Why gut health becomes increasingly important with hormonal shifts and aging


How microbes and the body influence each other, impacting insulin sensitivity, metabolism, and energy use


Why late-night eating becomes more metabolically disruptive as circadian rhythms and hormones shift with age


How differences in metabolic pathways can cause the same foods or supplements to affect people in different ways

Bio: Dr. Karen Corbin

Karen Corbin, PhD, RD, is an Associate Investigator and Obesity Program Lead at the Advent Health Translational Research Institute and the Founder and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak.

Dr. Corbin’s scientific career focuses on human nutrition and metabolism. She explores the mechanisms, including the gut microbiome, that drive individual susceptibility to metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and liver disease.

Her overall goal is to advance clinically relevant research poised to transform patient care. Dr. Corbin is also an expert in scientific storytelling. She founded Geeks That Speak to help scientists and other “geeks” deliver complex scientific information in a way that is impactful, relevant, and inspires action.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website


Submit your questions to [email protected]


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. Karen Corbin


On her website


LinkedIn

Welcome to today’s Midlife Minute.

In this episode, I answer listeners’ questions about GLP-1 medications and midlife weight changes. I explore how hormonal shifts, insulin sensitivity, muscle mass, and the gut microbiome influence the effectiveness of these drugs, and explain why they should be regarded as part of a broader metabolic and lifestyle framework.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


Why GLP-1 medications don’t necessarily fix the root cause of midlife weight gain 


How declining estrogen can disrupt your appetite and satiety hormones


The value of checking your fasting insulin to understand your insulin sensitivity level


How inadequate protein can cause cravings for processed carbohydrates and fats


Why preserving muscle mass is critical to prevent sarcopenic obesity  


How GLP-1 medications affect digestion and gut motility


The clinical factors that are considered when prescribing GLP-1 medications 


Some simple daily habits to support your metabolic and microbiome health when using GLP-1 medications 

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website


Submit your questions to [email protected]


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

Today, I am delighted to reconnect with Caroline Alan, affectionately known as the Mineral Geek. Caroline is a health survivor, mineral expert, and educator on a mission to shift the way we think about cellular health. Her transformative experience sparked a deep dive into the science of minerals and human physiology. Caroline is the author of The Mineral Reset and Co-founder and CEO of Beam Minerals.

In today’s discussion, Caroline shares her personal story of poor adrenal health in perimenopause. We explore the effects of plant-based minerals, the prevalence of mineral deficiencies in our modern-day lifestyles, and the impact of key stages in a woman's life, including menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. We examine how macro- and micronutrient deficiencies are exacerbated by poor gut health, the value of humic and fulvic acids, and how humic and fulvic molecules can support the body at a foundational level and assist in balancing our health during perimenopause and menopause. We also discuss the circumstances and challenges women experience in middle age, and highlight some essential paradigm shifts to consider as we age.

Caroline truly loves sharing this vital information with the world, so you certainly won’t want to miss today’s insightful conversation with her.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


How Caroline’s chronic health issues extended beyond mitochondrial dysfunction and hormone decline 


The turning point Caroline experienced after introducing liquid minerals 


Why are so many women currently experiencing mineral depletion?


How nutrient density of produce has declined due to modern farming methods, making it difficult for us to meet our nutritional needs through diet alone


Why filtered and purified water can contribute to mineral depletion.


Minerals and how they support energy production and biosynthesis in the body


How minerals are absorbed and used in the body


Why the standard approach to supplementation often fails


How poor gut health, heavy metals, and parasites can impede the proper utilization of minerals


The value of humic and fulvic acids lies in their ability to help restore the body’s natural replenishment process.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website.


Submit your questions to [email protected]


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 Caroline Alan


On her website


On social media: @CarolineAlan.official 


Beam Minerals (Discount Code: CYNTHIA)


Beam Minerals Advanced Set