Ep. 361 Metabolic Health: Addressing Mitochondria, Medicine and Advocacy with Casey Means, M.D.

I am honored to have Dr. Carolyn Dean joining me today. Dr. Dean is a medical doctor, naturopath, and best-selling author. She has dedicated more than 50 years to integrating the science of medicine with the gifts of nature to help her patients feel better, boost their energy, and take control of their health. Today, our conversation centers on The Flexner Report and its influence on modern medicine and the essential role of magnesium in over 80% of metabolic functions. We dive into why we are so magnesium-depleted and common disorders associated with low magnesium levels, and we explore the effects of magnesium on bone health and the microbiome and the synergistic properties of various forms of magnesium and other micronutrients.  I am confident you will find today’s discussion with Dr. Carolyn Dean as enjoyable as it is enlightening. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How the Flexner Report has impacted allopathic, functional, and integrative approaches to health and wellness Why is magnesium so poorly understood? How to get your magnesium accurately tested How our modern-day lifestyles are contributing to the current magnesium deficiency epidemic  Dr. Dean shares her formula for hydration  The potential side effects of allopathic medications and how they impact our health Why magnesium is essential for aging women The relationship between magnesium and bone health The benefits of magnesium supplementation The complex relationship between magnesium and other minerals Dr. Dean talks about Magnesium Threonate and explains how all magnesium compounds can ultimately reach the brain. Bio: Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, is a medical doctor, naturopath, and best-selling author. She has spent 50+ years committed to applying the science of medicine and the gifts of nature to help people feel better, find more energy, and take control of their personal health. Dr. Dean follows the 2017 revision of 2004's best-selling book The Magnesium Miracle® with her newest revision Magnesium: The Missing Link to Total Health®. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow    Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn   Check out Cynthia’s website  Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Carolyn Dean On her website (For educational resources) RnA ReSet Store website Podcast  Magnesium: The Missing Link to Total Health by Dr. Carolyn Dean is available on Amazon  Recommended Publication Magnesium in the Central Nervous System

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Dave Rabin today. He last joined me for Episode 91 in April of 2020. Dr. Rabin is a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is the Co-founder and CMO at Apollo Neuroscience, the first scientifically validated wearable system to improve heart rate variability, focus, and relaxation, and helps attain meditative states. He is also Co-founder and Executive Director of the Board of Medicine and a psychedelic clinical researcher, currently evaluating the mechanism of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and treatment-resistant illness. Today, we examine the value of touch and sensory techniques, discussing the distinctions between sympathetic and parasympathetic vagal tone in the autonomic nervous system, changes in sex hormones during perimenopause and menopause, and how that impacts sympathetic dominance, the development of stress responses, and the concept of stress leading to personal growth. We explore the influence of the vagus nerve on systemic health, explaining what HRV is and how it can demonstrate bodily coherence, and we also dive into wearable technologies like Apollo, the disruption of psychedelic interventions, and the impact of trauma on physical and mental well-being.  I am confident that you will find today’s engaging discussion with Dr. Dave Rabin eye-opening and enlightening. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How touch helps us connect, bond, and support our autonomic nervous system How finding balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems can help us manage stress and anxiety Techniques for quickly restoring balance to the nervous system Why women experience more anxiety, depression, and heart arrhythmias during perimenopause How breathing techniques can improve heart rate variability  The significance of HRV metrics for understanding physical and mental health How the Apollo device activates a healing response within the body The potential of MDMA and other psychedelics hold for trauma healing Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Dave Rabin On his website Apollo Instagram Twitter (X) The Psychedelic Report Podcast Your Brain Explained Podcast Previous Episode Mentioned Ep. 91 – How To Listen To Your Body and DE-STRESS During COVID-19 – with Dr. David Rabin

I am thrilled to connect with my friend and colleague, Dr. Tony Youn today.  Dr. Youn is a nationally recognized board-certified plastic surgeon and the author of many best-selling books. He has a massive social media presence and hosts the widely acclaimed podcast The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show. In our conversation today, we dive into Dr. Youn’s new book, Younger for Life, and he offers valuable insights on skin health and overall well-being. We explore the aging process and address oxidative-free radical damage, chronic inflammation, autophagy, and the impact of processed foods. We also get into helpful supplements for skin support, examine the concept of greenwashing, and discuss sunscreen, exfoliation, in-office treatments, breast implant illness, and the power of lifestyle choices. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How to avoid aging too quickly through nutrition and lifestyle changes How sugar and seed oils impact skin aging The benefits of collagen supplements for healthier skin  Hormonal changes that affect the metabolism and skin health after menopause The importance of screening the ingredients in skincare products How chemical sunscreens differ from physical sunblocks Using Retinol for anti-aging and skin health Non-invasive fat reduction treatments and their potential risks Dr. Youn discusses breast implant illness What you need to look out for when using Botox Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Anthony Youn On his website Youn Beauty   On Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show Buy a copy of Younger for Life  Bookshop.Org

Today, I am thrilled to be connecting with Jillian Turecki, a renowned relationship coach, educator, author, and host of the Jillian on Love podcast.  Sought out for her empathetic approach, Jillian has guided 1000s of individuals over the past two decades, driven by an unquenchable curiosity about what makes a relationship thrive. Through her compassion, directness, and authenticity, she has helped them transform their relationships with themselves by focusing on self-growth.  In our conversation, we explore the societal expectations for women and how improving our relationships with ourselves allows us to become more authentic in our other relationships. We address loneliness and trauma, unlearning parental conditioning, and dealing with situationships, and get into the difference between sexual chemistry and a real connection, narcissism, and warning signs in relationships. Jillian also shares her perspective on marriage and the importance of self-reflection.  Join us for the invaluable insights Jillian has drawn from her extensive experience over the past twenty years.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How women internalize narratives of weakness due to societal expectations How self-esteem impacts relationship choices What people can do to empower themselves and avoid feeling alone The benefits of self-validation What we can do to heal past wounds and foster healthy relationships The challenge of distinguishing lust from love Why self-awareness is essential within relationships Red flags to look out for in relationships How to deal with communication breakdowns in relationships Tips for moving on from a broken heart BIO: Jillian Turecki is a certified relationship coach, teacher, author, and host of the Podcast, Jillian On Love. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity about what makes a relationship thrive, Jillian has helped thousands over the last 20 years through her teachings, courses, and writing to revolutionize their relationship with themselves so that they transform their romantic relationships. Jillian is sought out for her compassionate, direct, and very authentic style of coaching, teaching, and writing. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Jillian Turecki On her website On Instagram or Jillian On Love on Instagram Jillian On Love Podcast

I am honored to connect with Dr. Dave Diamond today. Dr. Diamond is a professor at the University of South Florida in their Department of Psychology, Molecular Pharmacology, and Physiology. He has a Ph.D. in biology, specializing in behavioral neuroscience. In our discussion today, Dr. Diamond talks about his journey as a neuroscientist and his interest in heart disease, and we discuss how Ancel Keys, the nutritional department at Harvard, and governmental dietary guidelines have significantly hindered our state of health. We explore the diet-heart hypothesis, the effects of seed oils and low-fat diets, the misconceptions surrounding cholesterol, metabolic errors, and the role of insulin resistance in coronary artery disease and metabolic health. We also scrutinize the implications of scientific misconduct, the effects of statins, and the role of nutrition in shaping lipid panels.  Join us for today’s valuable, insightful, and informative conversation with Dr. Dave Diamond.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Diamond became a leading voice in heart disease research The negative impact of a low-fat, high-carb diet  How the American Heart Association ignored the effects of sugar on heart disease How seed oils have contributed to the obesity epidemic  Why a low-carb diet could increase the risk of heart disease How the demonization of cholesterol deflects from nutritional factors exacerbating poor metabolic health How the benefits of statins get overstated  How statins can lead to strokes and heart attacks and contribute to metabolic damage The perils of scientific misconduct and the profit-driven pharmaceutical industry The benefits of a low-carb diet Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. David Diamond On X (Twitter)   Email Dr. Diamond: [email protected]

I am happy to connect with Coach Bronson Dant today. He has spent over a decade guiding and training people in health and fitness. He discovered the benefits of a whole food animal-based ketogenic diet for optimizing metabolic health and performance and wrote The Ultimate Ketogenic Fitness Book. In our discussion today, we dive into the powerful story of Coach Bronson’s pain-to-purpose journey. We explore the value of mindset and look at how age-related changes affect muscle, inflammation, and metabolic flexibility. He shares his three pillars of muscle health related to nutrient density, bioavailability, and satiety, and we examine the importance of sleep, the impact of extremes in exercise, and the value of stress management. We also unravel the complexities of weight loss resistance, and Coach Bronson discusses his research from the Journal of Nutrition Metabolism and Health Science, sharing his perspective on macros and functional movement in menopausal women. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Coach Bronson shares his three pillars for nutrition The limitations of basing nutrition on calories alone How the hormone piece impacts effective weight management How to avoid physical deterioration through fitness and nutrition Why Coach Bronson advocates for living life to the fullest and dying quickly How does muscle mass impact metabolic health? The importance of taking a balanced approach to weight loss How sleep aids muscle recovery and growth  Stress management, nutrition, and fitness for overall well-being How alcohol affects our health and fitness The benefits of combining functional movement training and proper nutrition for older adults  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Bronson Dant On his website  On YouTube and Instagram The Ultimate Ketogenic Fitness Bundle is available on Amazon

I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz today. Dr. Gilberg-Lenz is involved in women's empowerment and public education, appearing frequently to share her expertise in women's health and integrative medicine. She received her medical degree from the USC School of Medicine and did her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA Cedars Sinai Medical Center. She is the author of The Menopause Bootcamp.  In our discussion, we dive into paradigm shifts and identity differentiation in middle age, debunking the common misconception that our worth ties into our physical attractiveness or the ability to have children. We talk about ageism and the impact of misogyny on sexual education and healthcare, exploring precursors to disease risk in menopause, pelvic floor advocacy, bone and muscle changes in menopause, and the effects of disordered eating on mental health. We also touch on brain remodeling, the three Ps, and how cycle changes can impact our ability to interact with our environment and affect our relationships.  I am excited for you to listen to this insightful conversation, which is the first of two discussions with Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How women get pressured to conform to societal standards  Sexual health education is so important Why we need policy changes to address gender-related health disparities How our past medical history is essential for predicting our future health outcomes The importance of pelvic floor health for women The benefits of vaginal estrogen and energy-based devices during menopause  Why annual pap smears are essential for sexually active women over 40 The musculoskeletal changes that occur in menopause How disordered eating patterns often get hidden, and how they can worsen with hormonal changes and mood disorders How the brain chemistry brain of women gets remodeled with puberty, pregnancy, and menopause Bio: Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz A Diplomat of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, received her medical degree in 1996 from the USC School of Medicine and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Gilberg-Lenz is involved in women’s empowerment and public education. She appears frequently as an expert in women’s health and integrative medicine in print, online, and on TV, where she is the Chief Medical Correspondent for the Drew Barrymore Show. She is the author of MENOPAUSE BOOTCAMP: Optimize Your Health, Empower Your Self, and Flourish as You Age (Harper Wave; October 11th)  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz On her website Dr. Gilberg-Lenz on Instagram The Menopause Bootcamp on Instagram Dr. Gilberg-Lenz’s Menopause Bootcamp

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Casey Means today. Dr. Means is the Co-founder of Levels, a health technology company dedicated to reversing the global metabolic health crisis. She is also the co-author of the book Good Energy, along with her brother Callie Means.  In our discussion today, we dive into mitochondria and metabolism, looking at the impact of cognitive dissonance and the reductionistic philosophies of medical specialization. We explore the effects of siloing, the challenges posed by our broken medical system, the Flexner Report, the role of RVUs, the effects of insulin resistance on metabolic health and mitochondrial dysfunction, and the symptoms commonly seen in women. Dr. Means also offers her insights on advocacy, continuous glucose monitors, and the labs she finds impactful, and she shares the incredible story of her mother's health journey.  Good Energy is an outstanding book that will benefit every listener and clinician, and I will often recommend it. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How energy gets created in the body The link between insulin resistance and acne How insulin resistance impacts fertility How underpowered parts of the brain and neurological system can show up as depression or anxiety, potentially leading to dementia The problem of our siloed, reactive, and specialist-obsessed culture The importance of getting your biomarkers tested and learning simple strategies to improve your metabolism, based on the results  What are the conditions encompassed by the metabolic spectrum disease?  The labs that Dr. Means finds most impactful Dr. Means shares her thoughts on continuous glucose monitors. The benefits of looking at your basic eating patterns in a non-judgmental and curious way before implementing any changes Dr. Means shares the powerful story of her mother’s health journey.   Bio: Dr. Casey Means Casey Means, MD, is a Stanford-trained physician and co-founder of Levels, a health technology company with the mission of reversing the world’s metabolic health crisis. Her book on metabolic health, Good Energy, comes out in May 2024 with Penguin Random House. She received her BA with honors and MD from Stanford, was President of her Stanford class, and has served on Stanford faculty. She trained in Head & Neck Surgery before leaving traditional medicine to devote her life to tackling the root cause of why Americans are sick. She has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Women’s Health, and more.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Casey Means On her website Good Energy  Newsletter signup On Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn Good Energy, by Casey and Calley Means, is available from Amazon and most anyplace good books are sold.

I am delighted to have the privilege of reconnecting with Dr. Deb Matthew today. She joined me once before on Episode 259. She is a distinguished best-selling author, international speaker, and dedicated educator known as the Happy Hormone Doctor.  Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, causing one of every 3.2 deaths among women annually. In our conversation today, Dr. Matthew and I delve into the realm of cardiovascular disease, exploring the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, essential laboratory testing, medications, and the neurocognitive changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. We also focus on lifestyle, gut testing, and the all-time favorite topic of weight loss resistance.  Stay tuned for today’s engaging, enriching, and enlightening discussion with Dr. Deb Matthew. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How HRT reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease  How long-term use of estrogen can reduce the risk of heart disease over time Why should you do a hormone panel before starting HRT? How cortisol levels impact cardiovascular health How the coronary calcium score helps to predict heart attack risk Cholesterol markers and their significance in cardiovascular risk assessment Managing cholesterol levels in perimenopausal women The importance of addressing underlying hormonal imbalances in women to mitigate cognitive decline and lipid disorders The connection between gut health and brain fog How women’s testosterone levels impact their cognition and motivation Hormone imbalance and weight loss resistance in women Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Deb Matthew On her website On Facebook and Instagram Purchase Dr. Deb Mathew’s book This is Not Normal on Amazon or download the ebook  Ep. 295: HRT’s Impact on Women’s Health Through Time with Dr. Deb Matthew

I am thrilled to have Dr. Elisa Song joining me today.  Dr. Song is an integrative pediatrician and author of Healthy Kids Happy Kids. She trained at Stanford University, New York University (NYU), and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).  In our conversation today, we dive into kids in crisis, exploring the butterfly effect of crisis impacting teens and young adults. We discuss the significance of the gut microbiome, dispelling myths surrounding antibiotics and addressing the resulting global health crisis. We touch on PANS, PANDAS, rheumatic fever, and strategies for restoring the gut microbiome of children, post-antibiotics. We also look at the significance of food labeling and constipation in children, explore the importance of the vagus nerve and heart rate variability, and examine the impact of sugar, glyphosate, and other forever chemicals.  Stay tuned for today's insightful and enlightening conversation with Dr. Elisa Song as we dive deeply into crucial aspects affecting pediatric health and wellness. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr Song discusses the crisis surrounding the health of children and the shifts and trends she has seen in pediatric medicine over the last two decades Why do we need to address the root cause of illness instead of just treating the symptoms? How autoimmune disease rates in children are rising The importance of empowering teens through education and support to make healthy choices  How do antibiotics impact children’s health? Strategies for restoring the gut microbiome of children after antibiotics How the vagus nerve impacts the gut microbiome and brain How sugar affects children’s health The importance of gut health for brain function and detoxification How to improve children’s health through diet, exercise, and integrative treatments Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Elisa Song On her website Find out more about Dr Song’s book here