The Strength in Hormones Podcast

Episode 72: Diastasis Recti, Strength Training and Safe Movement for Pregnancy with Dr. Mae Hughes

Diastasis Recti, Strength Training and Safe Movement for Pregnancy with Dr. Mae Hughes
Working out during pregnancy can be so overwhelming. The modifications you have to make and the constant fear around what is safe and what's not. That's why I brought on an expert Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Dr. Mae Hughes to simplify this subject and answer all your (and my) questions around safe movement during pregnancy. 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What is Diastasis Recti and is it normal or preventable?
What does the research say on strength training during pregnancy and its benefits for labor?
Safe movement guidelines for pregnancy - what's a no and what can be modified?
Pelvic floor health and why it's not just about strengthening
Important show links 👇👇👇
Get pregnancy, postpartum and general pelvic floor fitness programs at www.drmaehughes.com. Use the code "functionalfueling" to save 10% on any program or workshop.
Learn more about our Strength in Hormones workout program and join with a 7 day free trial. 
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Episode 71: [The LOdown] Why Blood Sugar and A1C increase in Menopause

[The LOdown] Why Blood Sugar and A1C increase in Menopause
Went through menopause and noticed your annual labs started to look different? It's not in your head! As hormones change so does metabolism, particularly, glucose metabolism. That's all due to the drop in estrogen and progesterone that influence thyroid hormones and insulin sensitivity. Add to that a gradual decline in lean muscle tissue each year that leads to a decrease in insulin sensitivity. It is possible to achieve an optimal fasting blood glucose, insulin and A1C level at any age and in this podcast episode I am going to show you how! We walk through why these changes occur and what you can do about it to still prevent diabetes and other glucose related health problems like cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and more.  
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
the insulin resistance curve
the influence of estrogen and progesterone on glucose metabolism
how thyroid hormones become impacted post-menopausally and how this influences blood sugar
the role of lean muscle tissue in blood sugar control
strategies for improving blood sugar, insulin and A1c after menopause
Important show links 👇👇👇
Get your blood sugar and insulin levels tested - learn more about our hormone testing packages 
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Image credit: Wellness Garage
 

Episode 70: Your Guide to Sauna and The Healing Benefits of Heat Exposure

Your Guide to Sauna and The Healing Benefits of Heat Exposure
Sauna or heat exposure have long been one of my favorite tools for so many reasons. Not only are there amazing benefits to detoxification, mitochondrial and cardiovascular health but also to inflammation. Research shows that regular sauna use that mimix the heart benefits of moderate aerobic exercise with just 25 minutes of use per day. It has also been shown to lower the blood marker for assessing inflammation, c reactive protein or CRP. In this podcast episode I interview Phil Wilson of Relax Saunas to tell us about the many benefits of sauna and its traditional use that cultures have known about for centuries. Phil has been so generous to offer a giveaway of a free far infrared sauna lamp to one lucky listener of this episode. The giveaway can be entered over on my Instagram page. Just tag 2 friends accounts on my reel sharing about this podcast episode. The giveaway runs until July 2nd at 11:59 pm PST. A winner will be chosen from my account and announced on Instagram on Wednesday, July 3rd.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Cultural use and overall general health benefits of sauna or heat exposure
How to use the sauna if you are dealing with a health challenge that makes you feel fatigued or sick after use
Infrared sauna vs. traditional/dry sauna - which is best?
Why does Far Infrared matter? 
What are heat shock proteins and what are their benefits?
What is the difference between the far infrared table lamp and a sauna?
How sauna compares to red light therapy
Important show links 👇👇👇
Enter the Sauna Lamp giveaway on Instagram. Tag 2 friends on my recent reel about this episode. Giveaway closes July 2nd at 11:59 pm PST.
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Episode 69: [The LOdown] Glutathione, Your Thyroid & Autoimmunity Deep Dive

[The LOdown] Glutathione, Your Thyroid & Autoimmunity Deep Dive
Glutathione is one of the key nutrients for both thyroid health and autoimmunity. In this podcast episode I explain why this is and all the amazing things glutathione does for our thyroid, our liver, inflammation and immune system. We talk about all the link between glutathione and these health conditions, what causes glutathione depletion and how to replenish glutathione levels with dietary and supplemental strategies. We also cover how to know if glutathione is right for you and signs to watch for that might indicate you should support glutathione levels in a different way than through supplementation. This episode is a must listen for anyone with hypothyroidism, hashimoto's, grave's disease or any autoimmune disease. Tune in to learn more!
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
How and where we make glutathione
Signs you need more glutathione and what causes glutathione depletion
Why athletes or active individuals and those with autoimmunity are more at risk of low glutathione levels
The link between glutathione and autoimmunity
How glutathione works within the thyroid to stop inflammation and improve thyroid function
How to increase glutathione levels naturally
How to supplement glutathione
Potential side effects of glutathione supplementation to watch for
Important show links 👇👇👇
Join the Inflammation Hormony Waitlist for our August program
Follow me on Instagram
Link to Mitochondrial Blog
Link to topical glutathione cream I recommend (can also shop here for other discussed supplements)
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Episode 68: Your Guide to Navigating Endocrine Disruptors and Clean Beauty That Actually Works with Avery Morales

Your Guide to Navigating Endocrine Disruptors and Clean Beauty That Actually Works with Avery Morales
You may have heard the term endocrine disruptors and know that they're lurking in many of the common household, beauty products and foods. The question is- where does one start? Is it really that important and which ones are worse than others? How do we reduce endocrine disruptor exposure and live a "non-toxic life" without driving ourselves crazy about every little exposure. I've brought on the expert, Avery Morales to shed light on this subject and gracefully guide you through how to navigate endocrine disruptors. We talk about the importance, especially around conception, and when and how to get started. This episode is a follow up to our first episode on Clean Living and Endocrine Disruptors.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Recent regulatory changes in this space
How endocrine disruptors affect the body and the different types of EDC's
Greenwashing and its prevalence in the beauty space
PFA's and the right type of water filtration and cookware
What we should we look for in sunscreen
Contamination issues in food
Thoughts on essential oils functioning as an endocrine disruptor and if they're safer than synthetic fragrance
How to support detoxification if and when exposed
Resources for product guidance in this space
Important show links 👇👇👇
Join the Inflammation Hormony Waitlist
Follow me on Instagram
Follow Avery on Instagram and TikTok at @cleanlivingbyavery and learn more on her website at www.cleanlivingbyavery.com
Link to EWG clean water database
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Episode 67: [The LOdown] The Period Issue - Is it PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea?

[The LOdown] The Period Issue - Is it PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea?
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is one of the most common causes of irregular periods in women. However, a less common but prevalent cause of irregular periods is Hypothalamic Amenorrhea or HA. Each condition shares similarities but also many differences to one another. As someone who was personally mis-diagnosed with PCOS, this is an issue near and dear to my heart. Once I was able to uncover the real root cause of my irregular cycles that's when I finally was able to recover my period and be on the way to recovering the many hormonal, metabolic and digestive symptoms that came with not having one for several years. In this episode I share what you should know about the cause of irregular periods, the similarities and differences between these conditions and how this impacts treatment. Tune in to learn more!
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
An intro to what is PCOS and how it's diagnosed (hint: it's not just follicles/cysts on an ultrasound)
An intro to Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and how it is diagnosed
The symptom and lab similarities between the two conditions
The symptom and lab differences between the two conditions
The adverse consequences of irregular cycles untreated caused by both conditions
How to get the blood work you need to figure out the cause of your irregular cycles so that you can recover them
What to do if your goal for cycle recovery is to conceive
Important show links 👇👇👇
Join our Inflammation Hormony August program waitlist here
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Episode 66: Your Questions Answered: Working with a Midwife, Placenta Encapsulation and Natural Birth with Courtney Scott

Your Questions Answered: Working with a Midwife, Placenta Encapsulation and Natural Birth with Courtney Scott
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What is Midwifery 
The differences between working with a midwife vs. an OB-GYN for birth. How you can choose to also work with both via co-care.
Overview of natural birth, home birth and the safety and benefits of each
What is placenta encapsulation, it's safety and purposes
What is postpartum belly binding and how does it work
Support resources during pregnancy and for new moms from traditional birthing origin
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Learn more about our Hormone Testing Packages here
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Follow Midwife Courtney and learn more about her practice here

Episode 65: [The LOdown] I'm Pregnant! My Experience and What I'm Eating & Supplementing

[The LOdown] I'm Pregnant! My Experience and What I'm Eating & Supplementing
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
my journey from HA, hypothyroidism and ovarian dysfunction here
symptoms I experienced in the first trimester and how I managed them
labs I ordered for myself in the first trimester
foods and supplements I am taking right now and why
my birth hopes
Important show links 👇👇👇
Let me know what you want to hear most about from my pregnancy over on Instagram
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Episode 64: The Quality of Your Meat Matters More Than Produce For You- Here's Why

The Quality of Your Meat Matters More Than Produce For You- Here's Why
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What you need to know about conventional meat and the production and nutritional quality of it.
The different labelings in agriculture and what they mean for you and the animal's wellbeing: organic vs. cage free vs. grass fed vs. pasture raised
What is regenerative agriculture and why is it better for the animal and the environment?
Why I don't eat muscle meats and believe in the importance of bone in and full fat quality animal proteins for human health.
Important show links 👇👇👇
Text "protein" to (209) 300-5442 to be the first to know when Functional FuelPRO is available for purchase on Monday, May 20, 2024.
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Episode 63: [The LOdown] Functional Fueling® for Your Workouts

[The LOdown] Functional Fueling® for Your Workouts
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Nutritional needs before exercise with different timeframes of eating 
Nutritional needs after exercise
Fueling and hydration intake during exercise, if working out for more than 90 minutes
The physiology of fuel burning during exercise and why what you eat around it matters
Important show links 👇👇👇
Save 40% on my Eat for Strength course, now through May 31st only with code "episode63"
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Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app