Tag Archives | gut health

EP 751

751: Bloating, Brain Fog & Hormone Chaos? Your Gut May Be the Root Cause with Dr. Cassie Smith

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“What if your bloating, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, stubborn weight gain, and hormone symptoms are actually starting in your gut?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Cassie Smith — dual board-certified endocrinologist, founder of Modern Endocrine, and author of Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones — to unpack the powerful connection between gut health, hormone balance, stress, metabolism, inflammation, and reproductive health.

Together, they dive into how chronic stress, poor gut health, blood sugar dysregulation, inflammation, and lifestyle overload silently impact everything from cortisol and insulin to estrogen, progesterone, thyroid function, and fertility.

Dr. Cassie explains why so many women are told their labs are “normal” while still feeling exhausted, bloated, anxious, inflamed, and disconnected from their bodies — and why gut dysfunction is often the missing piece conventional medicine overlooks.

They also explore the growing metabolic and hormonal crisis happening in younger women, the connection between PCOS, insulin resistance, gut dysfunction, and birth control, and why many women are struggling to restore healthy cycles and fertility later in life.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that hormones do not work in isolation. Your gut, nervous system, metabolism, sleep, stress resilience, and hormones are all deeply interconnected.

If you’ve been feeling like your body is trying to tell you something but nobody has connected the dots yet, this episode will help you understand where healing truly begins.

DR. CASSIE SMITH

Dr. Cassie Smith is a dual board-certified endocrinologist and the founder of Modern Endocrine. After becoming frustrated with the limitations of conventional medicine, she built a practice focused on uncovering the root causes behind hormone dysfunction, metabolic issues, fertility struggles, and gut-related symptoms. She is also the author of the book Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why chronic stress has such a powerful impact on gut health and hormones
  2. How gut dysfunction contributes to fatigue, brain fog, bloating, anxiety, and weight resistance
  3. The connection between estrogen decline, microbiome diversity, and inflammation
  4. Why insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction are rising in younger women
  5. The hidden relationship between PCOS, gut health, cortisol, and fertility
  6. Why birth control is often used as a Band-Aid instead of addressing root causes
  7. The foundational lifestyle habits that support gut and hormone healing
  8. Why slowing down, resting, and reducing nervous system overload matters for recovery

QUOTES

“Your hormones are doing the best they can in the environment you give them.”

“It doesn’t matter how many supplements or hormones we throw at you if the foundations aren’t in place.”

“Your gut is where all healing begins.”

“Your body cannot heal in survival mode.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Get your “Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones” Book by Dr. Cassie Smith

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Modern Endocrine Website

Modern Endocrine Instagram

Modern Endocrine Facebook

Modern Endocrine Tiktok

Modern Endocrine Youtube

Hormones, Metabolism and You Podcast

The Menopause Gut Book by Cynthia Thurlow

RELATED EPISODES 

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

738: The Hidden Link Between Inflammation, Hormones & Fertility with Dr. Natalie Crawford 

740: Why You’re Bloated, Gaining Weight & Feeling Off in Menopause (It Starts in Your Gut) with Cynthia Thurlow

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EP 741 (1)

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Why does your body stop responding… even when you’re doing everything right?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Siobhan Mitchell to unpack the true metabolic and cellular shifts happening in perimenopause and menopause.

So many women feel like their body has suddenly turned against them—weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and rising inflammation—despite doing all the right things. But this isn’t a failure of effort. It’s a biological inflection point driven by declining estrogen and its impact on metabolism, mitochondria, and vascular health.

Together, they break down how estrogen loss reshapes everything from blood sugar control to fat storage, mitochondrial function, and long-term cardiovascular risk—while also exploring the emerging role of gut health and phytoestrogens like S-equol as targeted support.

If you’ve been working harder than ever with fewer results, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do instead.

Be sure to tune in!

SIOBHAN MITCHEL

Dr. Siobhan Mitchel, PhD, is a neuroscientist and Chief Scientific Officer at MitoQ. Her work focuses on mitochondrial health, cellular energy, and the role of oxidative stress in aging—particularly in women navigating perimenopause and menopause. She is passionate about advancing research that supports women’s long-term health, metabolism, and resilience at the cellular level.

IN THIS EPISODE

  • Why your body stops responding the same way in perimenopause
  • How estrogen loss impacts metabolism, fat storage, and blood sugar
  • The role of mitochondria in energy, brain function, and weight changes
  • Why visceral belly fat increases—and why it’s more dangerous
  • The connection between gut health, estrogen metabolism, and inflammation
  • How phytoestrogens (like S-equol) support metabolism and hormone signaling
  • Why midlife is a metabolic and vascular inflection point—not just hormonal

QUOTES

“This isn’t a failure of effort—it’s a biological shift happening beneath the surface.”

“When estrogen declines, you don’t just lose hormones—you lose metabolic protection.”

“If you support your mitochondria, you support your energy, your metabolism, and your long-term health.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off MitoQ

MitoQ Instagram

MitoQ Facebook

MitoQ Youtube

RELATED EPISODES 

693: The Cellular Shift in Perimenopause: Mitochondria, Metabolism, and Energy

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

705: The Metabolic Shift No One Warned You About in Midlife

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EP 740 (2)

740: Why You’re Bloated, Gaining Weight & Feeling Off in Menopause (It Starts in Your Gut) with Cynthia Thurlow

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Is it really just hormones… or is your gut driving the symptoms?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Cynthia Thurlow to unpack the powerful connection between gut health and hormones in midlife.

Many women are told their bloating, weight gain, fatigue, and mood shifts are “just hormones.” But Cynthia explains that the gut microbiome plays a central role in how these symptoms show up—and how they can be improved.

Together, they break down how gut health influences hormones, inflammation, metabolism, and brain function, while also highlighting the foundational habits that matter most in this season.

If you’ve been feeling off and unsure where to focus, this episode will give you clarity and a smarter path forward.

Be sure to tune in!

Cynthia Thurlow

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, intermittent fasting expert, and leading voice in metabolic health for women in midlife. With a background in cardiology, she now focuses on helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through personalized nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle strategies. She is the author of The Menopause Gut and a passionate advocate for empowering women to take control of their health during this pivotal transition.

IN THIS EPISODE

  • Why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies in midlife
  • How the gut microbiome influences hormones, inflammation, and metabolism
  • The “Three Ps” shaping gut health: puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause
  • The link between leaky gut, food sensitivities, mood, and inflammation
  • Why protein, fiber, sleep, and stress support become nonnegotiable
  • How alcohol and sugar disrupt gut health, sleep, and resilience
  • Why midlife is a critical window to build long-term health—not just manage symptoms

QUOTES

“Midlife isn’t just a hormonal shift—it’s a metabolic and microbial shift happening beneath the surface.”

“When you support your gut, you’re not just improving digestion—you’re impacting your hormones, your brain, and your long-term resilience.”

“This phase of life is an invitation to set boundaries, prioritize your needs, and finally major in what matters most.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Order Cynthia’s book: The Menopause Gut 

Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your Troscription Order

Cynthia Thurlow’s Website

Cynthia Thurlow on Instagram

RELATED EPISODES 

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

701: The Gut–Hormone Connection: Why Your Symptoms Aren’t Just Hormones

689: Blood Sugar, Inflammation, and the Midlife Metabolism Shift

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

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Energized-podcast-Dr.-Ann-Shippy

691: The Fertility Crisis No One Talks About: Why Your Health Today Impacts Future Generations with Dr. Ann Shippy

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

Millions of women struggle with infertility worldwide. And if you’re one of them, you’re not alone. 

But in this inspiring episode, I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Ann Shippy to unpack the growing fertility crisis—and more importantly, what you can do to turn things around. 

Dr. Shippy shares how the integrative and functional medicine approach helps women heal their gut, support detoxification, manage stress, and supercharge their mitochondria to naturally boost fertility and have healthier pregnancies. 

We also dive into the world of epigenetics—how the choices you make before conception can literally shape how your baby’s genes are expressed for lifelong health. 

Dr. Shippy’s message is clear: preconception care isn’t just about getting pregnant, it’s about setting up the next generation for success. 

Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, taking time to optimize your health before conceiving can make all the difference for you AND your baby. 

Tune in to learn how intentional steps today can lead to healthier pregnancies, thriving babies, and an empowered path to motherhood.

Dr. Ann Shippy 

Dr. Ann Shippy is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician and certified Functional Medicine practitioner. Before entering the world of medicine, Dr. Shippy spent years as a chemical engineer—a role that shaped her precision-driven, systems-based approach to health. Her transition to medicine was born from personal health struggles and a desire to uncover the root causes of illness rather than treating just symptoms alone. As the founder of Every Baby Well, Dr. Shippy empowers couples to prepare for healthy pregnancies through science-backed protocols, lab testing, and functional strategies. Motivated by the rising rates of chronic illness and developmental challenges in children, she authored The Preconception Revolution: A Science-Backed Path to Your Fertility and Generational Health, a practical and hopeful guide to optimizing health before conception.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. How changes in lifestyle can alter fertility AND epigenetics 
  2. Functional medicine approaches for boosting fertility
  3. The importance of healthy preconception practices for fertility and the long-term health of your children 
  4. Getting your partner involved for preconception success 
  5. Non-negotiable supplements in addition to your prenatal 
  6. Why a 90-day+ detoxification can boost conception success 
  7. Practical lifestyle and nutrition recommendations for fertility
  8. The numbers and science behind the current fertility crisis 

QUOTES

“What I realized is that as we’re improving fertility, we’re also changing something called epigenetics– how the genes are getting expressed, the little time capsules that are being passed on to the babies with the egg and the sperm, and it would help the kids be healthier.” 

“What I hope happens with this message is that even people in their 20s have access to this information about how important it is for them to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. “

“It makes a huge difference to get really good amounts of protein throughout the day, being careful with carbohydrates, and then moving your body– like even just going for a 5, 10, 15-minute walk after each meal can be amazing. And that’s gonna change the epigenetics of the baby. The baby’s going to be more metabolically sound by doing that work before pregnancy and then during pregnancy.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Pre-order Dr. Ann Shippy’s Book: The Preconception Revolution 

Pre-order The Preconception Revolution on Amazon HERE

Dr. Ann Shippy’s Website

Every Baby Well Website

Dr. Ann Shippy on Instagram 

RELATED EPISODES 

#530: The Critical Role That Nutrient Deficiencies Play In Fertility and Conception And How To Close The Gap with Lisa Dreher

#428: The Most Important Solutions To Implement to Protect Our Fertility with Dr. Christiane Northrup

688: Unlock Cellular Energy and Longevity with Urolithin A + Mitochondrial Optimization with  Jen Scheinman 

683: Aging in Reverse: How Women Over 40 Can Boost Energy, Lose Weight & Rewrite Their Story with Natalie Jill

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

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Energized-podcast-Dr.-Christine-Maren

654: Gut Health, Hormones, and Strength: The Real Power Trio in Perimenopause with Dr. Christine Maren

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Pocketcasts

EPISODE SUMMARY

Your 40s and beyond should NOT be a time of resignation…

These years should be a time for you to show up and become who you truly want to be in this world

That’s why in this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christine Maren– a board-certified functional medicine physician and fellow mom– to unpack what’s really happening during perimenopause and how you can reclaim your energy, strength, and clarity. 

We’re diving into:

  • How hormones impact your gut health
  • The powerful role of lifting heavy weights
  • Why consistent daily habits are your secret weapon
  • How subtle lifestyle changes can lead to major transformations over time 

We’ll help you understand why you’re not broken– your body is simply asking for a new kind of support. Dr. Maren has tons of tips to help you learn to show up for yourself with compassion and intention.

It’s time to stop spinning your wheels and start stepping into your next chapter with confidence, because you deserve to feel like you again!

Christine Maren, D.O. 

Dr. Christine Maren is a board-certified physician and the founder of a virtual functional medicine practice where she treats women struggling with hormone imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, gut issues, autoimmune conditions, and perimenopause/menopause transitions. She is certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFMCP), board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), and has advanced training through The Menopause Society and A4M. She sees patients in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. The benefits of exercise and strength training in perimenopause 
  2. Supplements for immune and dietary support 
  3. Combining HRT and lifestyle strategies for optimal health 
  4. How hormones affect your gut microbiome in perimenopause
  5. Diet and nutrition recommendations for gut health 
  6. Navigating the misinformation around HRT  
  7. Workout tips for staying consistent 
  8. Ways to support your gut health during hormonal changes 

QUOTES

“It could help your mood and your motivation. It can help you sleep better so you can actually work out, because sleep is really the first priority. It can help you feel like yourself again and get you back to a better baseline.”

“It’s kind of like that in perimenopause. You can’t just do HRT–  you also gotta work on your diet and your sleep and lift weights and move your body.”

“There are some really important points about estrogen and how it affects your gut health…”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Dr. Christine Maren’s Website: Accepting patients in CO, MI, & TX

Dr. Maren’s Socials:

Instagram

Facebook 

RELATED EPISODES 

#635: The Connection Between Your Gut, Inflammation, Mood, and How to Start Healing Your Microbiome with Tina Anderson

#632: The Secret to Optimal Sleep, Resilience, Performance and Emotional Wellbeing with Dr. Kristen Holmes

#636: Improve Your Mood, Clear Brain Fog & Reverse Autoimmune Disease by Healing Your Microbiome with Dr. Steven Gundry

#515: The Connection Between Gut Health and Hormone Balance with Dr. Vincent Pedre

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

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