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301: The Menopause Gut Connection - with Cynthia Thurlow

Release Date: 01/22/2026

301: The Menopause Gut Connection - with Cynthia Thurlow

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

The conversation around menopause is evolving toward a more holistic understanding of this transition. One crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect is the profound connection between menopause and gut health. Nurse practitioner Cynthia Thurlow is shedding light on what she terms the "menopause gut" to help women navigate this stage with vitality. The Gut-Hormone Connection Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause have a direct and significant impact on the gut microbiome. This complex ecosystem of trillions of microbes is intricately linked to nearly every system in our body. As Thurlow...

300: Roadmap to Tinnitus Relief - with Ben Thompson

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

While many perceive tinnitus as a problem solely with the ears, it is actually a neurological condition occurring in the auditory brain. The Auditory Brain Connection Because the brain possesses neuroplasticity—the ability to adapt and change—this "brain buzz" is not necessarily a permanent condition.In a deep dive into the subject, Dr. Ben Thompson, an audiologist and tinnitus expert, reveals that Tinnitus is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue within the auditory system. The Impact of Stress A healthy brain typically utilizes a filter mechanism to...

299: Fertility Beyond Biological Clock - with Gabriela Rosa

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

For decades, the conversation around starting a family has been dominated by a single, ticking sound: the biological clock. We're told that age is the ultimate arbiter of reproductive success. But according to Harvard-awarded fertility specialist Gabriela Rosa, age is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. If you've been told that your "labs are normal" but you still aren't pregnant, or if you're facing the daunting prospect of IVF, it's time to look deeper. Based on Gabriela Rosa's pioneering F.E.R.T.I.L.E. Method, here's why health matters more than age, and what's truly missing from the...

298: Organic to Regenerative Agriculture - with Jeffrey Burke

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

Dr. Burke started working in health food stores while in college at the University of Michigan. In the late 70s and early 80s, he worked with industry pioneer Dr. Earl Mandel, eventually managing a chain of 170 stores. For 42 years, he hosted a national radio talk show focused on health. He now hosts the Honest Health with Jeffrey Burke podcast and serves as the Director of Education for Kokora Life, founded by Rick Scalzo. The Industry Evolution He credits his interest in natural medicine to his Ukrainian and Polish grandmother, who used to forage for mushrooms and dandelion tea and kept a...

297: Insurance Rigged Against You - with Chris Hamilton

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

Health insurance in America is expensive on purpose, not by accident. Chris Hamilton argues that confusion and hidden incentives are the real products big carriers sell… and employers and employees pay the price. How Insurance Giants Game the System Under federal rules, large insurers in the USA can only keep about 15 percent of premiums as profit, which sounds protective until you realize it pushes them to grow the total cost of care. To do that, they've built a "massive ecosystem that's able to bill the insurance company" by buying physician groups, pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit...

296: Emerge From Behind Logo - with Paige Velasquez Budde

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

The old playbook of "buy ads, rank for keywords, and wait for patients" is failing. According to Paige Velasquez Budde, CEO of Zilker Media and author of The Strategic Business Influencer, we've entered an era of "corporate suspicion." Trust in institutions is at an all-time low, while trust in individuals is skyrocketing. For health and wellness organizations, you can no longer rely on your company brand alone. AI Search Demands Leader Visibility Patients now find health providers through AI platforms like ChatGPT, not just Google. Budde calls this Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Unlike...

295: Your Fatigue Has Hidden Roots - with Martha Carlin

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

Are you constantly battling fatigue, brain fog, and persistent bloating? You might be dealing with a silent instigator: LPS endotoxins. We recently dove deep into this topic with Martha Carlin, a pioneering microbiome researcher and founder of The BioCollective. Here's what you need to know about this stealthy driver of chronic inflammation. What is LPS? LPS, or lipopolysaccharide, is an endotoxin—a component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria in your gut. While these bacteria are normal, problems arise when they die and release inflammatory debris. In a healthy gut, this isn't a...

294: Oral Health “Mouth Mapping” - Jonathan Levine

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

With long-term health, the mouth is often overlooked. For most people, the dentist is someone only seen for a cleaning or to fix a problem like a cavity or crown. However, according to Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, a world-renowned oral health expert, we are undergoing a massive paradigm shift. It is time to stop seeing the mouth as separate and recognize it as a critical data center for your entire body's well-being. This new approach, which Dr. Levine's practice calls "mouth mapping," is poised to change how we manage everything from heart disease to sleep. The Biological Connection: Mouth...

293: Not Willpower, Your Roots - with Amber Romaniuk

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

It is a staggering statistic that an estimated 90% of women and up to 50% of men in North America struggle with binge and emotional eating. For those caught in this exhausting cycle—marked by shame, frustration, and the feeling of being completely out of control—the common response is often another diet, followed by self-blame for lacking willpower. However, according to emotional eating and hormone expert Amber Romaniuk, focusing on willpower is exactly the wrong approach. Individuals are attempting to fix a deep, multi-layered issue with a surface-level solution. The true healing, she...

292: The Key to Aging Strong - with Alan Rozanski

BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast

We all want to age with vitality and independence. Yet, there's a stark statistic looming over Americans: 1 in 3 people over 65 will suffer a fall. This "overlooked aging crisis" isn't just about a broken bone; it's often the starting point for a decline in health, confidence, and independence. According to Dr. Alan Rozanski, a distinguished professor of medicine, the solution isn't a new drug or a complex medical procedure. It's a proactive, powerful strategy he calls "muscle care." The Real Reason We Fall The primary driver behind this crisis is a natural process that we've accepted for too...

More Episodes

The Gut-Hormone Connection

Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause have a direct and significant impact on the gut microbiome. This complex ecosystem of trillions of microbes is intricately linked to nearly every system in our body. As Thurlow explains, the gut intersects with every organ system, including the lungs, skin, and ovaries.

Impact of Declining Estrogen

As estrogen levels decline, the diversity of the gut microbiome begins to change. This often leads to an increase in inflammatory bacteria and a decrease in beneficial bacteria, a state known as dysbiosis. This imbalance can lead to a reduction in short-chain fatty acids, which are crucial for reducing inflammation and regulating blood sugar.

Understanding the Gut-Brain Axis

The gut and brain are closely connected through the gut-brain axis. Because the bulk of our neurotransmitters are produced in the gut, an unhealthy microbiome directly impacts mood and cognitive function. This connection often contributes to the anxiety, depression, and brain fog many women experience.

Symptoms of Menopause Dysbiosis

Common indicators of a "menopause gut" include bloating, digestive discomfort, and weight loss resistance. Changes in the microbiome affect metabolism and insulin sensitivity, making it harder to maintain a healthy weight. Women may also experience fatigue and joint pain caused by systemic inflammation originating in the gut.

Actionable Strategies for Health

The gut microbiome is incredibly resilient, meaning women can take proactive steps to support their health. Thurlow recommends prioritizing sleep and managing stress to prevent "leaky gut" and elevated stress hormones. Additionally, focusing on a nutrient-dense diet rich in protein and fiber can fuel beneficial bacteria and support muscle mass.

In this podcast you'll discover...

How declining estrogen levels directly alter gut microbiome diversity.
The role of short-chain fatty acids in reducing inflammation and regulating blood sugar.
Why the gut-brain axis impacts symptoms like brain fog and mood swings.
The connection between gut-driven systemic inflammation and menopausal joint pain.
How prioritizing protein and fiber can support metabolic health and muscle mass.
The impact of sleep and stress management on maintaining the intestinal lining.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Pre-order The Menopause Gut book HERE

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