Ep. 256 How Eye Health and Metabolic Health Are Related with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum

I am delighted to have Dr. Uma Naidoo joining me on the podcast today! Dr. Naidoo is an awarded board-certified psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, professional chef, nutrition specialist, and author of the recently released This is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More. She was featured in the Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Harvard Health Press, Goop, and many others. Dr. Naidoo has a special interest in the impact of food on mood and other mental health conditions.  There were several strong influences in Dr. Naidoo’s early life. She grew up in a loving, nurturing home with a large extended South Asian family. Rather than going to pre-school, she decided to stay at home with her maternal grandmother, who was a wonderful cook. Dr. Naidoo used to help her grandmother pick fresh vegetables from the garden and prepare meals, and her grandparents taught her meditation and yoga. Her mother was a medical student, and she had many aunts and uncles who were physicians, so there was a lot of talk about science and nutrition in their home.  In this episode, Dr. Naidoo talks about food and lifestyle choices that can boost your mood and improve mental and emotional health. Tune in today to hear our fascinating conversation!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Naidoo’s background and her journey from medical school to becoming a chef and a nutrition-focused psychiatrist. What caused Dr. Naidoo to have an “aha” moment. The connection between gut health and mental health. Foods that tend to create the most problems with mental health. Why do you need to read food labels and pay close attention to your food choices? The clinical differences between men and women as our brains and bodies get older. Trauma can happen in many different ways. Foods that can impact libido. Foods that can positively impact brain health. What fiber does in the gut? Some lifestyle changes could positively impact your mental and emotional health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Uma Naidoo Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,   and Twitter Check out Dr. Naidoo’s website Books mentioned: Brain Wash by David Perlmutter

9 Loka 202145min

Links and resources: Send a copy of your review to: info@cynthiathurlow.com  Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's podcast with Cynthia Thurlow Link for the kombucha The study Cynthia referenced

8 Loka 202110min

I am honored to be interviewing Robyn O’Brien today! Robyn is a globally recognized voice in the food industry and has been called “food’s Erin Brockovich” by The New York Times. Her TEDx talk (based on her book, The Unhealthy Truth) exposes the shortcomings of our food system and has been viewed millions of times. It has influenced policy, legislation, and product formulation. For the last fifteen years, Robyn has advised CEOs and executives at multinational CPG companies, startups, and farm organizations. Robyn is the co-founder and managing director at rePlant Capital, a financial services firm ambitiously determined to reverse climate change through the deployment of a series of proprietary funds focused on U.S. farmers and their transition to regenerative and organic agriculture. It can be hard for those who want to make real change in our broken systems to initiate change or know where to begin. Robyn O’Brien doesn’t just make noise about problems. She builds solutions and encourages her audiences to participate by identifying their skills and experiences to leverage them as entry points for systems change. In Robyn’s story, capital is an entry point for catalytic change. If biodiversity is resiliency on the farm, Robyn deeply believes that diversity is resiliency in governance.  In this episode, Robyn explains how rePlant Capital is pioneering climate solutions by tackling soil health through a model of agricultural financing that no one else is providing. She also speaks to the importance of diverse governance and leadership in addressing these existential food, health, and climate issues.   I am very grateful to Robyn for writing her book because it has profoundly impacted the trajectory of everything I am doing right now! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Robyn shares her background. Robyn's motivation for investigating how our food gets produced. The additives in our food that drive allergies and food sensitivities. Some of the shocking facts that Robyn discovered about food allergies and American children. How Robyn realized that she had to use love and gratitude rather than fear when sharing her knowledge. The issues with the American food industry. Robyn talks about rePlant Capital. The difference between the conventional farm-debt industry and regenerative farming practices. Why we should never be afraid of starting small. The differences between various types of soil composition. Why water security is as critical as food security and national security. The importance of diversity. What you need to be concerned about regarding GMOs. Why we are seeing an escalated rate of allergies in our children. The importance of transparency in the food industry. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Robyn O’Brien On her website On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,   and LinkedIn Kiss the Ground website The documentary, Kiss the Ground (On Netflix)

2 Loka 20211h 9min

I am excited to have Courtney Contos joining me today! After years of working in restaurants, cooking, and sixteen years of teaching cooking, Courtney realized that she could probably cook most anything - even without a recipe. But, what she did not know until recently was how to nourish herself. Food is information. After suffering for 12 years with chronic debilitating rheumatoid arthritis and being told she would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair, Courtney reversed her symptoms. She now helps people as a board-certified health coach specializing in functional medicine. Autoimmune diseases and disorders happen when our immune system mistakenly attacks our bodies, and the onset is usually triggered by childhood trauma, a stressful event, or antibiotic therapy. Autoimmune conditions can be systemic, localized, or both, and they tend to impact women twice as often as they do men. Some other common autoimmune disorders include psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.  In this episode, Courtney shares her story and talks about healing autoimmunity with nutrition. Stay tuned to find out more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Courtney’s traumatic childhood led to her developing chronic and debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. Traditional, western medicine does not do a great job with the prevention and management of chronic diseases. The point at which Courtney started thinking outside of the box about her condition. The changes Courtney made with her nutrition, that allowed her to heal. The benefits of starting your day with a bowl of bone broth. The various tests that you should have done to determine your nutrient deficiencies and autoimmune triggers. Some of the foods Courtney finds the most healing. The importance of pattern interrupting and trying new things. Some tips to make bitter vegetables taste more delicious. Planning your meals will help you make your cooking more interesting. Courtney talks about herbs and spices. Some tips for controlling the variables when you’re eating out. Some lifestyle choices can help you on your healing journey. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Courtney Contos On her website On Instagram  Book mentioned: When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate

22 Syys 202157min

I am delighted today to be interviewing Dr. Casey Means! She is a Stanford-trained physician, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of the metabolic health company Levels, an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, and a Lecturer at Stanford University. Her mission is to maximize human potential and reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease by empowering individuals with tools that can help facilitate a deep understanding of our bodies and inform personalized and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices. Dr. Means was recently featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and more.  Dr. Means has an interesting story to tell. She trained as a surgeon and an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Her interest in the impact of diet, lifestyle, and nutrition on people’s foundational health started at a relatively young age. She began focusing on nutrigenomics when she was still an undergraduate student at Stanford. It was an exciting time at Stanford because the human genome project was happening, and 23andMe was going online. She enjoyed learning about the correlation between nutritional compounds and gene expression and finding out that our genes are a blueprint and not our destiny. Dr. Means is joining me today to talk about metabolic dysfunction and using continuous glucose monitors for facilitating your personalized diet. Stay tuned to find out more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Means talks about how her journey started and how she became interested in the impact of diet, lifestyle, and nutrition on people’s foundational health. The shocking amount of refined sugar that gets consumed by the average American each year and the impact that has on their metabolic health. What chronic inflammation is, what it does in the body at the cellular level, and why that is so detrimental. What happens in your body when you are overfed, when your blood sugar stays elevated over time, and when your insulin is kept high. What you should, and should not eat to maintain your metabolic flexibility. The benefits of fasting. Some practical ways of pairing proteins to help reduce blood sugar fluctuations. The impact of sex hormones on blood sugar control. What a continuous glucose monitor is and how it works. Why you need to know what’s going on in your gut microbiome. Why long-term adherence to a low carb or keto diet can cause reverse metabolic inflexibility. The correlation between blood sugar instability and debilitating hot flashes in women in perimenopause or menopause. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn    Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Casey Means On her website    Dr. Casey’s blog On Instagram @drcaseyskitchen and @levels On Twitter @drcaseyskitchen and @levels

18 Syys 20211h 3min

I am delighted to have Dr. Benjamin Bikman back on the podcast today! He was with us once before in Episode 114, where he spoke about the role of insulin resistance, metabolic health, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ben is the author of a book I frequently recommend, called Why We Get Sick.  It can be quite challenging for many women to maintain a healthy weight and good metabolic health after about forty years of age. Just about all of our fat cells are made during childhood and puberty, and when we reach our sixties or seventies, the number of our fat cells starts to decline. Insulin plays a vital role in how fat cells can change and respond to sex hormones. In this episode, Dr. Ben talks about insulin, fat cells, and sex hormones in women. Stay tuned for more! Benjamin Bikman earned his Ph.D. in Bioenergetics and was a postdoctoral fellow with the Duke-National University of Singapore in metabolic disorders. Currently, his professional focus as a scientist and associate professor (Brigham Young University) is to better understand the role of elevated insulin in regulating obesity and diabetes, including the relevance of ketones in mitochondrial function. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Ben explains why insulin is such an important topic for women, especially as they get older. The role of insulin in terms of how fat cells can change and respond to sex hormones. How estrogens protect women against too much fat. Why you need to be mindful about certain plant-based foods and the plastics, detergents, and chemicals we use. Why animal protein is undeniably superior to plant protein. Why your diet does not require carbohydrates even though some cells need glucose. The effects of seed oils and carbohydrates on insulin resistance. How digestion relates to insulin resistance and insulin instability. Vitamin D deficiency will contribute to insulin resistance. Why you need to know what your fasting insulin number is. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Benjamin Bikman On his Insulin IQ website On the getHLTH website On Instagram

11 Syys 20211h

I am excited to have the total badass, Dr. Jaime Seeman, joining me as my guest for today’s show! In addition to being an integrative medicine OB-GYN, a wife, and a mom, Dr. Seeman is on the Titan Games and was crowned Mrs. Nebraska in 2020!   Dr. Seeman was infatuated with the human body while growing up, so her mom, who was her role model, encouraged her to become a doctor. After getting a degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Dr. Seeman went on to graduate medical school, where she completed her OB-GYN residency. Dr. Seeman is challenging some of the more common notions about women’s health issues. In this episode, she talks about PCOS, overcoming insulin resistance, improving your metabolic health, hormone replacement therapy, postmenopausal bone health, and gaining control of your life with good nutrition. Stay tuned for more! Dr. Jaime Seeman is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, practicing in Omaha, Nebraska. Born and raised in the state, she played collegiate softball for the Cornhuskers. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences. After that, she went to graduate medical school and completed her OB-GYN residency at The University of Nebraska Medical Center. She currently has a private practice at Mid City OB-GYN. She offers a full range of services in obstetrics, gynecology, robotic surgery, and primary care. She completed her fellowship in Integrative Medicine at The University of Arizona School of Medicine. She is a board-certified ketogenic nutrition specialist through The American Nutrition Association. She has a passion for fitness, preventative medicine, and ketogenic therapy not only in her medical practice but in her own life. She is married to her husband, Ben, a police Sergeant, and has three young daughters. Dr. Seeman was also Mrs. Nebraska 2020, finished Top 15 at Mrs. America 2021, and appeared on NBC Titan games with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Seeman talks about her eating habits after she transitioned from being a collegiate athlete to becoming a medical student. What PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is, how it affects women, and some common misconceptions about it. How PCOS can be treated nutritionally. How and when the nutritional piece started coming together for Dr. Seeman. Overcoming insulin resistance. How women are doing things differently now compared with twenty or thirty years ago, as they transition into perimenopause. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Seeman talks about different vaginal rejuvenation therapies. How low-carb and keto diets impact thyroid health. How to maintain bone health after menopause. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Jaime Seeman Her website Follow Dr. Seeman on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter

4 Syys 20211h 3min

I am delighted to have Dr. Eric Balcavage back on the show with us today! He appeared on the podcast once before, in Episode 105, where he spoke about thyroid physiology and chronic illness. Due to the enormous demand, we invited him to join us on the podcast once again to talk about thyroid function. Dr. Eric is the owner and founder of Rejuvagen, a functional medicine clinic in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. He is also the co-host of Thyroid Answers Podcast, where he focuses on answering the pressing questions of those suffering from chronic hypothyroidism symptoms. He recently co-authored a book called Thyroid Debacle. In this episode, Dr. Eric and I take a deeper dive into thyroid physiology, bile physiology, detoxification, and chronic illnesses. We talk about the signs and symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism, fat malabsorption, and the use of synthetic versus non-synthetic thyroid medications. We also discuss why people can have lab values suggestive of them being persistently hypothyroid despite their use of escalating doses of medications. Stay tuned today to learn what stops the thyroid from functioning optimally and find out what you can do to maintain a healthier thyroid. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The physiology of the thyroid. Some things that could impact the conversion from inactive to active thyroid hormone. Seed oils, and the association between thyroid physiology, thyroid glands, and cells. Why is it possible to have hypothyroid or hyperthyroid signs and symptoms when there is nothing wrong with the thyroid gland? Why forcing extra thyroid hormone into the bloodstream does not mean that you will optimize the cell function. Why does lab work have to be properly evaluated and interpreted? The last point at which hypothyroidism could be reversed. The use of synthetic thyroid medications versus non-synthetic medications. Is it normal to have insomnia after changing your thyroid medication? The connection between HDL and fat malabsorption. Thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s. Dr. Eric shares his take on how iodine relates to thyroid function. Why do people tend to feel cold when they have an underactive thyroid? Intermittent fasting for perimenopausal and menopausal women with an underactive thyroid. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Eric Balcavage On his website The Thyroid Answers Podcast    Follow on Instagram and Twitter

28 Elo 20211h 33min