The Strength in Hormones Podcast
The Strength in Hormones Podcast is hosted by expert Functional Registered Dietitian and hormone specialist, Lauren Papanos. Join us every Wednesday for a brand new LOdown with Lo solo episode or expert guest interview. Host Lauren Papanos asks and answers the questions around how to live a vibrant life through harnessing the power of natural hormonal balance and medicinal foods. Inquire to work with Laurenโs practice at www.functionalfueling.com. Follow her on Instagram at @functional.fueling.
Episodes

Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Anti-Aging and Acne Mistakes with Esthetician & Acne Expert Danielle Gronich
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A few things we chat about ๐๐๐
The top 3 skincare mistakes people make that are experiencing cystic and fungal acne
What is fungal acne and how does it compare to acne vulgaris?
The key differences and similarities in products and treatment recommendations between acne vulgaris and fungal acne?
The ingredients in most acne products that can cause your skin to age faster
The common "clean" products people are using that can clog their pores?
The best route to approach acne - root cause treatment vs. fancy topical treatments
Important show links ๐๐๐
Discount: www.clearstem.com use code "functionalfueling" to save 20%
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![Episode 90: [The LOdown] Protein & Lean Muscle Building](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18338851/New_Podcast_Cover_300x300.png)
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
ย [The LOdown] Protein & Lean Muscle Building
A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
How protein supports lean muscle building
Determining how much protein to eat, how to time it and how carbohydrate intake influences this number
Why you should focus less on total daily protein intake and more on sources and amount per meal
How soon after exercise you should consume protein
The benefits of leucine and creatine monohydrate and where to find them in food sources
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Important show links ๐๐๐
Learn more about our Strength in Hormones workout program and join with a 7 day free trial.
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![Episode 89: [The LOdown] AMA: Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, Appetite and Hunger Hormones, and Inflammation](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18338851/New_Podcast_Cover_300x300.png)
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
ย [The LOdown] AMA: Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, Appetite and Hunger Hormones, and Inflammation
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A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
Supporting healthy progesterone while trying to conceive
How to stimulate appetite and support digestion with REDS (relative energy deficiency in sport) or low energy availabilityย
Blood markers for Insulin Resistance
How to know if you're eating too healthy or too much fiber for HA (hypothalamic amenorrhea) recovery
Can anxiety and bad sleep be a sign of HA recovery?
Top things I would do for fertility preparation again
What to do if CRP (c reactive protein lab) is too high - what else to test for and how to lower
Important show links ๐๐๐
Download our FREE HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE ย
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Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Holiday Survival Tips with Ro
In this episode I chat with my right hand gal, Romana Brennan. Romana is our other functional medicine registered dietitian here at Functional Fueling. In this episode we provide our best holiday survival tips, sharing with you how we navigate the holiday season, and what to do and what not to do to make this your healthiest year yet. You can find all of the practical strategies we discuss in this episode in this year's Holiday Guide here.
A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
Our top traditional Thanksgiving recipe swaps
How to beat constipation and bloating with travel and holiday meals
Navigating conversations around your eating decisions at meals
How to set yourself up for success before Holiday meals with a step-by-step game plan for a morning and evening Holiday party
Our favorite supplements for digestion around Holiday meals
How to navigate alcohol - whats a safe amount, how to prep before and after for success. Healthier wine and drink alternatives.
Strategies to support your circadian rhythm during the Holiday season
How to manage time and financial stress with nutrition changes
Important show links ๐๐๐
Download our FREE HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE
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Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app
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Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
Understanding and Navigating Secondary Infertility with Functional Medicine with Dr. Kalea Wattles
Secondary infertility is when mothers experience difficulties conceiving or carrying their second baby to term. In this episode I interview naturopathic doctor and fertility expert, Dr. Kalea Wattles of Functional Fertility to share why secondary infertility occurs and how functional medicine is helping thousands of women overcome secondary infertility. Whether you are experiencing secondary infertility or trying to conceive with your first, second or fifth baby, this episode is a must listen to learn more about pre-conception health!
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A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
What is secondary infertility and who is most afflicted?
Are there things that occur during pregnancy or after that can put a woman at higher risk of experiencing secondary infertility?
Are there things a mom can do during her first pregnancy to decrease chances of secondary infertility?
The link between HLA antibodies and the risk of secondary infertility
Can secondary infertility be caused by a change in sperm morphology or motility or is it primarily changes in the motherโs health?
Dr. Kalea's recommended secondary infertility lab workup
The functional treatment options for secondary infertility
Important show links ๐๐๐
Learn more about Dr. Kaelea at www.drkaleawattles.com
Discount for Inito Fertility Tracker Use code: functionalfueling15
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![Episode 86: [The LOdown] The Role of Bile and the Gallbladder in Hashimotos and Hypothyroidism](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18338851/New_Podcast_Cover_300x300.png)
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
[The LOdown] The Role of Bile and the Gallbladder in Hashimotos and Hypothyroidism
Bile is a digestive fluid that plays a profound role in thyroid health. Bile is made and released from the liver but stored in the gallbladder. In this episode we explore the connection between both the gallbladder and bile with the thyroid. I share about why many women are prone to hypothyroidism and estrogen dominance after a cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery and how thyroid hormones also play a role in bile flow.
A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
What is bile
How bile impacts thyroid hormone levels
How the thyroid impacts bile salt production
The benefits of bile on the gut, estrogen and thyroid levels, cholesterol and more
Labs that can indicate bile issues
My top foods and supplements for supporting bile flow
Important show links ๐๐๐
Sign up for my FREE The Missing Piece to Hormone Imbalances Workshop
Join our Inflammation Hormony program
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![Episode 85: [The LOdown] My Labor & Post Birth Nutrition Plan](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18338851/New_Podcast_Cover_300x300.png)
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
[The LOdown] My Labor & Post Birth Nutrition Plan
In this episode I share the exact foods, hydration solutions and herbs I put together for both labor and the first forty days after birth. I explain the rationale behind these and the exact meals and snacks I made. If you're currently pregnant, trying to conceive or even just curious about what the nutritional needs are during labor and in the fourth trimester, tune in to learn more!
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A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
the fuel demands of labor
what I prepped for labor and why
nutrition and hydration considerations for quick healing from birth
my meal ideas for the fourth trimester
galactagogue herbs to help support breastmilk production
Mentioned Show links ๐๐๐
Pregnancy Nutrition, Supplement, and Must Haves blog post
Discount for Inito Fertility Tracker Use code: functionalfueling15
Force of Nature Regenerative Meatย
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Important show links ๐๐๐
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Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Can Stem Cell Therapy Help with Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism?
Stem cell therapy is becoming a more common regenerative medicine treatment. It targets promoting repair and healing of damaged or diseased cells and tissues to restore normal function. In this week's podcast episode I interview Dr. Jeff Gross, an esteemed neurosurgeon and the founder of Recellebrate to tell us all about stem cell therapy. We discuss the potential benefits, how stem cell therapy works, and complimentary treatments that can be done alongside stem cell therapy.
A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
What is stem cell therapy and the mechanisms of how it works
The different types of stem cells that may be used for a patient and their sourcing
The potential benefits of stem cell therapy for Hashimoto's and non-autoimmune hypothyroidism
The average timeline of treatment for stem cell therapy for endocrine conditions
How athletic populations use stem cell therapy for injury recovery
Treatments like RX, herbs and supplementation that can be done alongside stem cell therapy
Important show links ๐๐๐
Join our 1:1 coaching waitlist
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![Episode 83: [The LOdown] How Mold Disrupts Reproductive & Thyroid Hormones](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18338851/New_Podcast_Cover_300x300.png)
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
[The LOdown] How Mold Disrupts Reproductive & Thyroid Hormones
In my functional medicine training I spent time learning about mold and environmental toxins and their impact on the endocrine system. I even did additional training in this subject because I found it truly fascinating. At that point I had already been working in the space of hormones for several years but was never *looking* for mold or heavy metals as a root cause. I knew they mattered and what to do if they were ever an issue but didnโt know just how much these things could have an impact in really resistant and peculiar health issues. Until I dealt with it myself...In this podcast episode I share more about my story, how mold impacts thyroid and reproductive hormones and symptoms that could indicate mold illness.ย
A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
how mold functions as endocrine disruptor
the impact of mold on testosterone, progesterone and estrogen levels
the link to leptin and insulin resistance
how mold toxins can trigger autoimmunity and thyroid issues
the important role of deiodoinase enzymes in thyroid hormone conversion
symptoms of mold illness
Important show links ๐๐๐
Join our 1:1 coaching waitlist
Save $150+ on an Air Doctor air filter with this link
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Link to Mold & Gut Health episode
Link to Cellular Hypothyroidism episode
Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app
![Episode 82: [The LOdown] Long COVID and EBV's Role in Thyroid & Period Problems](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18338851/New_Podcast_Cover_300x300.png)
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
[The LOdown] Long COVID and EBV's Role in Thyroid & Period Problems
Infections like COVID and EBV play an important role in sex and thyroid hormones. COVID has been shown to affect female reproductive health, causing dysmenorrhea or irregular menstrual cycles, and premenstrual symptoms. EBV has strong ties to its role in thyroid imbalances. A 2015 Polish study found the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the thyroid cells of 80% of people with Hashimotoโs and 62.5 percent of people with Gravesโ disease. And it's estimated that 66.7% of individuals that have long COVID had EBV reactivation. In this episode we dive into exactly what these viruses are, how these two viruses affect hormones and I share some insight into our treatment strategies. If you are currently experiencing the long term symptoms of COVID and/or have a history of mono, tune in to learn more!
A few things we chat about in this episode ๐๐๐
Long COVID and Post COVID risk factors
Functional testing for Long COVID
How COVID affects hormones
The link between COVID and the EpsteinโBarr virus
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The diagnostic criteria for EBV
The prevalence of EBV in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Our 4-part treatment approach to EBV deactivation
Important show links ๐๐๐
Join our 1:1 coaching waitlist
Follow me on Instagram
Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app
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