Tag Archives | inflammation

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

April 16, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

Fertility is a powerful reflection of your overall health—not a separate or isolated system.

In this episode, fertility expert Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down what’s really happening physiologically as fertility shifts in midlife, connecting the dots between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and egg quality.

We dive into the everyday habits quietly disrupting fertility—from chronic stress and blood sugar imbalances to inflammation—and how these factors directly impact ovulation and hormone signaling.

Dr. Crawford also cuts through the noise around age, offering a more nuanced, science-backed perspective on what you can actually do to support your fertility at any stage.

You’ll learn that it’s the simple shifts each month that can make a meaningful difference starting now.

Ready to support your body from the inside out? Tune in here!

Natalie Crawford, MD

Dr. Natalie Crawford is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Texas. She’s the CEO and co-founder of Pinnacle, a professional network for women in medicine. Dr. Crawford is a digital health educator on social media and hosts the podcast “As a Woman” with over 6 million downloads. Her new book, “The Fertility Formula”, will be released this spring.

IN THIS EPISODE

How is fertility a reflection of your body’s overall environment?
Accurate cycle tracking and what signals to pay attention to
Factors that disrupt fertility and how to catch issues early on
How inflammation and metabolic health are deeply tied to fertility
5 non-negotiables when it comes to women’s health and wellness
High-impact changes to help support your fertility
Fertility recommendations for women 35 and older
Dr. Crawford’s fertility story and how to get her new book, The Fertility Formula

QUOTES

“The follicular phase and luteal phase are the two phases of the cycle, and learning to track your ovulation specifically is a really important tool because the early stages of ovulatory dysfunction all occur within a normal cycle, meaning the first stage is a short luteal defect.”

“I can’t control everything, but I want to control what I can, so I have the easiest time getting pregnant, I feel my best, I have the best odds of success if I have to do fertility treatments. That’s the zone we want to live in, and we want to lower that inflammatory burden on the day-to-day, not to be all or nothing, but to really cultivate that body resilience so we can handle the challenges of life that we know are coming.”

“It’s your body’s data. You’re gonna find out one way or another, and I think you deserve to know it sooner.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Pre-orderThe Fertility Formula

Dr. Natalie Crawford on socials:

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Dr. Crawford’s Podcast: As A Woman

RELATED EPISODES

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

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

687: The Period Brain: Why You Feel Like a Different Person Every Month And How To Stop Fighting Your Cycle and Start Thriving in It with Sarah Hill

735: The Stress–Metabolism Connection: Why You’re Gaining Weight, Craving Sugar & Struggling with Energy

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!

733: Why We’re Still Exhausted in the Age of “Evidence-Based” Everything with Shawn Stevenson

March 31, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

We have SO much information at our fingertips, and tons of science to back it up… but what REALLY moves the needle when it comes to wellness?

Here’s the truth– information isn’t the problem. Isolation is. We’re not short on data. We’re short on the kind of environment that actually supports what we know we need to do.

That’s why in today’s episode, I’m joined by bestselling author and integrative health expert Dr. Shawn Stevenson to uncover what’s really missing in today’s health conversation.

Despite having more access to evidence-based information than ever, so many people still feel exhausted, inflamed, and metabolically unwell—and we explore why that gap exists.

Dr. Stevenson breaks down where even practitioners and wellness leaders are getting it wrong when it comes to creating lasting change.

We cut through the noise to focus on simple, science-backed strategies that actually make an impact on your health and longevity.

Ready to simplify your approach and finally feel better in your body? Tune in here!

Shawn Stevenson

Shawn Stevenson is the author of the USA Today National bestsellers Eat Smarter and the Eat Smarter Family Cookbook, as well as the international bestselling book Sleep Smarter. He’s also the creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the number #1 health podcast in the U.S.. A graduate of the University of Missouri, 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, Good Morning America, ESPN, and many other major media outlets.

IN THIS EPISODE

What society is getting wrong about “evidence-based” information
Tuning into your body and emotions and tapping into its needs
Why sleep is a force multiplier for overall wellness
How to stack good habits in your favor and make them stick
Being intentional about your community and relationships
How your relationships with others can impact every aspect of your lifestyle choices
Simple healthy habits to adopt to enhance your wellness and improve your longevity
More about Dr. Stevenson’s podcast and best-selling books

QUOTES

“We’re swimming in information, we’re swimming in content. There’s just so much. We are being pulled away from the most important source of data that we will ever have, which is ourselves. Your body already knows. Your mind already knows what’s best for you, but we are not listening.”

“The longest running study in history where they follow people and after compiling all the data… the number one determinant of how long people live is the quality of their relationships.”

“It’s finding what works best for you, but giving yourself some form of an evening routine, something consistent so your brain knows that we’re transitioning into rest. And communicating that with your loved ones, with your family, because they will be the potential obstacles or the potential supporters.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE!

Order Dr. Stevenson’s Book: The Eat Smarter Family Cookbook

The Model Health Show

Dr. Stevenson on Instagram

RELATED EPISODES

730: The Metabolic Shift After 40: What’s Really Driving Weight, Energy & Mood Changes

720: Why No One Talks About Loneliness in Midlife—And Why It’s Not Just You

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

725: Exhausted, Wired & Not Yourself? The Hormone Havoc Causing Midlife Burnout with Dr. Amy Shah

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!

718: Low-Grade Inflammation: The Hidden Root of Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Hormone Imbalance with Dr. Shivani Gupta

February 5, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

What if those frustrating symptoms you’ve been blaming on aging are actually signs of inflammation you can change?

In this episode, I sit down with expert Dr. Shivani Gupta to unpack how inflammation quietly shows up in perimenopause—and why it’s not something you have to just deal with.

We explore what Ayurvedic medicine is, and how it offers a holistic, intuitive approach to healing inflammation, soothing the gut, and restoring balance as your hormones shift in midlife.

Dr. Shivani offers simple, practical solutions to help your body feel more resilient from the inside out. She also shares how her targeted supplements are designed to support gut ease, hormone balance, and whole-body vitality.

Tune in here to help calm inflammation and feel more at home in your body again!

Dr. Shivani Gupta

Dr. Shivani Gupta is an Ayurvedic practitioner and turmeric researcher who helps women reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and boost energy. Her new book, The Inflammation Code, offers a clear, non-diet plan for reducing inflammation. She hosts the Fusionary Health Podcast and created the Emmy-nominated TV show: Vibrant Health with Dr. Shivani Gupta.

IN THIS EPISODE

How Dr. Shivani became the expert she is in inflammation
The benefits of turmeric for decreasing systemic inflammation
How integrative medicine is key to addressing the underlying symptoms of inflammation and imbalance
Dr. Shivani’s Ayurvedic teas for promoting sleep quality
The easiest self-care ritual you can do from your car
Supplementation dosing for best reducing inflammation
Top benefits from Dr. Shivani’s supplement recommendations
Successful management of inflammation in perimenopause
What to expect in Dr. Shivani’s new book: The Inflammation Code

QUOTES

“Most people don’t recognize or realize those subtle symptoms of inflammation that are accumulating.”

“We are all inflamed. Whoever you are, you are inflamed. It’s a slow-burning fire.”

“My goal is for everyone to take the elemental design quiz. Learn their constitution and know for themselves… Are they more fire or are they more earth and water in nature? Because once you understand those elements, you can really start applying it to every aspect of your life.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order Dr. Shivani Gupta’s Book: The Inflammation Code HERE!

Use code DRMARIZA and get 15% off on your Fusionary Formulas Supplements

Dr. Shivani’s Website: Take the Elemental Design Quiz HERE!

7-Day Inflammation Detox Challenge

Dr. Shivani on Instagram

Dr. Shivani on Facebook

Dr. Shivani on YouTube

RELATED EPISODES

716: Midlife, Hormones & Heart Health: The Critical Connection You’re Not Hearing About with Cathy Eason

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

711: Estrogen, Inflammation, and Your Heart Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

709: GLP-1 Medications, Gut Health, and Food as Medicine: A Smarter, Personalized Approach for Women in Midlife with Ashley Koff

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!

711: Estrogen, Inflammation, and Your Heart Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

January 13, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

Believe it or not, but there is as much cardiovascular risk associated with smoking as there is with the drop in estrogen in perimenopause and menopause.

But don’t worry– I’ve brought the hilarious, talented, and brilliant Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj onto the podcast to dive into why midlife is a uniquely important—and often overlooked—window for cardiometabolic health, and what you can do about it.

In this entertaining episode, Dr. Bhojraj breaks down why the drop in estrogen matters just as much as traditional risk factors and why so many women’s concerns are missed in conventional care.

We also reframe hormone therapy not as symptom management, but as a powerful tool for optimization, longevity, and long-term heart and metabolic health.

With humor and clarity, this conversation reminds you that you don’t need to overhaul your entire life —small, strategic changes truly add up.

Tune in here to learn how to simply and efficiently boost your health, starting with your heart!

Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj is an interventional cardiologist and Institute for Functional Medicine–certified physician who bridges conventional cardiology with functional and lifestyle medicine. He spent 20 years treating disease with procedures and medications, but then shifted his focus toward uncovering root causes to help patients reverse chronic cardiometabolic conditions through food, sleep, stress optimization, and lifestyle change. Dr. Sanjay is the founder of the Well12 program and host of The Curious Cardiologist podcast, where he explores the science of longevity, inflammation, and human performance. His passion is helping people reclaim their health through simple, lasting changes.

IN THIS EPISODE

How Dr. Bhojraj moved into functional cardiac medicine
What age to start paying closer attention to cardiovascular health
Advocating for yourself and what labs you should be asking for
Why taking care of your cardiovascular health is crucial during midlife hormonal changes
Looking at your metabolic health before starting HRT
Metabolic markers to pay attention to in midlife
Non-negotiable small tweaks to improve your heart health
How bringing joy to your life can be the best tool for your health

QUOTES

“We need to talk about sleep, we need to have an intelligent discussion about diet and what that means. And we need to think about hormones too, because hormonal health is so central to cardiovascular health, and that is just not something that we talk about in cardiovascular training.”

“It’s like contributing to your 401k in your twenties, right? Like $200 doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you’re 65, you’re now retiring a millionaire– depending on how well you invest, because you made those small, little, little habits, those little changes. So that decade of the forties becomes super important, particularly because in women, that’s when perimenopause starts to happen, right?”

“The point is that I think first of all, start with something that you can do, right? Again, it’s 1% shifts. You don’t have to change a thousand different things.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Check out Dr. Sanjay’s Signature Well12 Metabolic Program HERE!

Dr. Sanjay’s Website

Dr. Sanjay on Instagram

Dr. Sanjay’s Podcast: The Curious Cardioloist

Dr. Sanjay on Facebook

RELATED EPISODES

704: Hormone Intelligence for Women in Midlife: How to Thrive Through Perimenopause with Dr. Aviva Romm

690: The Perimenopause Revolution: Why midlife isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of your most energized, powerful, and vibrant self

678: How to Turn Perimenopause Into Your Metabolic Window of Opportunity + My Simple Daily Protocol To Feel Amazing

#451: Why Do Women Have a Higher Cardiometabolic Mortality Rate Than Men? With Dr. Sara Gottfried

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!

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

October 14, 2025 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

Have you heard all the hype around Urolithin A?

In this episode, I sit down with expert integrative and functional nutritionist, Jennifer Scheinman, to dive into one of the most exciting breakthroughs in women’s health and longevity—Urolithin A.

This little-known yet well-researched natural molecule has been shown in studies to significantly improve muscle strength and function, helping combat the age-related muscle decline so many of us experience in midlife.

We’ll unpack how Urolithin A supports mitochondrial health—the very core of our energy production—so you can feel more vibrant and strong at every stage.

Plus, Jennifer shares how topical Urolithin A can even target the internal and external signs of skin aging, giving your skin and cells a rejuvenating boost.

Ready to feel vibrant, strong, and glow from the inside out? Tune in here to feel truly energized from the cellular level up!

Jennifer Scheinman

Jennifer Scheinman is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience in nutrition and wellness. She holds a master’s degree in integrative and functional nutrition, and has advanced training from the Institute of Functional Medicine. Jen’s expertise in cellular health and aging makes her a sought-after speaker and media expert. She’s the Senior Manager of Nutrition Affairs at Timeline, where she educates healthcare providers and consumers on the role of Urolithin A in supporting mitochondrial health and longevity. Beyond Timeline, Jen is a writer, speaker, and nutrition coach, helping women optimize their health and vitality during menopause and beyond.

IN THIS EPISODE

What’s happening to women’s mitochondria with age
How declining hormones play a role in energy and appearance
Ways to optimize cellular function in midlife
Supplementing with Urolithin A, and how it helps your body
Research findings on Urolithin A and muscle health
Different forms of Urolithin A supplementation for your lifestyle
How topical application of Urolithin A helps your skin
Where and how to get your Mitopure (Urolithin A) with 20% off!

QUOTES

“Other things we saw in that study were improvements in things like inflammatory markers, which we know chronic inflammation is a huge issue as we start to get older. We saw specifically C-reactive protein was lowered, and we saw other markers of muscle health that, while they didn’t make statistical significance, they were trending that way.”

“It stays very potent and very localized– a benefit to the skin. So you’re having that same cellular turnover of the mitochondria, basically making the mitochondria in your skin act in a more youthful way.”

“Even just after 2 weeks, we start to see improvements that are visibly noticeable. And then when we take that out to 8 weeks, it’s statistically significant improvements in wrinkle reduction and in wrinkle depth. So, [it’s] really powerful but gentle.”