
Ep. 240 Fear-Free Keto with Amy Berger
I am honored to reconnect with Amy Berger today! (She was with me before, in Episode 108, in 2020.) Amy has a Master’s degree in human nutrition. She is also a certified nutrition specialist and a US Air Force veteran. She is the author of many books, including a co-authored book with Dr. Eric Westman, called End Your Carb Confusion. Amy is a wealth of information! She specializes in helping people do “Keto Without the Crazy”, and keeping things sane and simple- a message that is sadly under-represented in our post-pandemic time frame. Amy joins me today to dive into reducing nutrition-related fear, worry, and anxiety. We speak about food addiction, binge eating, and orthorexia, the emerging trend in medicine of metabolic psychiatry, brain health, blood sugar, different types of fuel substrates, and weight-loss resistance. We also get into bio-hacking gadgets, the scale, and the value of food budgets. Amy’s YouTube channel is one of my favorites, and her brand and business are full of down-to-earth messaging. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with her as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Amy came up with her methodology of “keto without the crazy”. What can we do to overcome nutrition-related fear and anxiety? How Amy helps people navigate food addiction, binge eating, and orthorexia. The most effective way to overcome metabolic syndrome, obesity, type-2 diabetes, or PCOS. The importance of understanding the extent to which blood sugar and insulin problems affect cognition and the brain. How common mental health disorders associated with metabolic health, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar, can be easily corrected by changing one’s diet. How ketones can help improve mental health and clarity. Some less common reasons for weight loss resistance. Why do we sometimes need to step back and slow down? The pros and cons of bio-hacking devices. Why it is best not to weigh ourselves every day. Nutrients essential for mitochondrial health. Bio: Amy Berger, MS, CNS, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and Certified Nutrition Specialist who helps people do “Keto Without the Crazy.”™ She writes about a wide range of health and nutrition-related topics, such as insulin, weight loss, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, thyroid function, and more. She has presented internationally on these issues and is the author of The Alzheimer's Antidote, The Stall Slayer, and co-author of End Your Carb Confusion, written with Eric Westman, MD. She is the Lead Nutritionist for Adapt Your Life Academy, where she helps create course content and coaches people through implementing low-carb keto diets safely and effectively. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Amy Berger On her website On YouTube Consultations Online courses: www.adaptyourlifeacademy.com Episode 108 with Amy Berger
23 Nov 202254min

Ep. 239 Brain Energy: A New Way to Look at Mental and Metabolic Health with Dr. Chris Palmer
I am honored to connect with Dr. Chris Palmer today! He is a psychiatrist and researcher working at the interface of metabolism and mental health. Mental illness can devastate lives! Some members of Dr. Palmer’s family struggled with serious mental health issues, and his mother’s experience with the mental health system impacted him deeply. He found the system incompetent and ineffective, and many mental health clinicians were distant, aloof, and snobbish. In this episode, he shares his background and explains how a patient changed his career trajectory in 2016. We dive into the connection between mental disorders and metabolic disease, the traditional focus of psychiatry, the value of low-carb and ketogenic diets, the role of mitochondria, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We also get into intergenerational transmission of trauma and the importance of sleep, and Dr. Palmer discusses his new definition of mental health. Looking at mental health through a metabolic health lens makes so much sense! I believe that Dr. Palmer’s new book will be an incredible resource for clinicians, their patients, and their patient's families. Tune in to hear what he says about the link between metabolic disorders and mental health issues. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The traditional methodology used to address and treat psychiatric illnesses when Dr. Palmer started in the mental health field. The serendipitous way in which medications for mental problems got developed. Why are most psycho-therapies and treatments ineffective for treating chronic PTSD and depression, and personality disorders? Why mental disorders are currently the leading cause of disability on the planet. How an experience with a patient-led Dr. Palmer to understand the connection between metabolic health and mental health. The connections that contributed to the miraculous changes Dr. Palmer's patient experienced. How does the ketogenic diet affect the body and brain? The role of the mitochondria in the body and how they contribute to mental health. The impact of intergenerational trauma. How intergenerational trauma could show up as mental health issues in future generations. The interplay between sleep and mental health. Dr. Palmer gives an overview of his new definition of mental health. Bio: Dr. Chris Palmer Dr. Chris Palmer is a psychiatrist and researcher working at the interface of metabolism and mental health. He is the Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. For over 25 years, he has held leadership roles in psychiatric education, conducted research, and worked with people who have treatment-resistant mental illnesses. He has been pioneering the use of the medical ketogenic diet in the treatment of psychiatric disorders - conducting research in this area, treating patients, writing, and speaking around the world on this topic. More broadly, he is interested in the roles of metabolism and metabolic interventions on brain health. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Chris Palmer On his website Go to www.brainenergy.com to get involved with Dr. Palmer’s new approach to mental health and learn more about his book. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
19 Nov 202258min

Ep. 238 Eat Like A Human: What Should We Eat? with Dr. Bill Schindler
I’m excited to connect with Dr. Bill Schindler today! He is the author of Eat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health. He is also an internationally known archaeologist, primitive technologist, chef, and co-founder of Modern Stone Age Kitchen. Dr. Schindler is all about helping people understand ancestral approaches to maximizing safety, nutrient density, and bioavailability. In this episode, we dive into his background and discuss what we should eat, milestones related to ancestral health perspectives, nutrient density, bioavailability, and how technology has impacted how we eat today. We also discuss plant toxins, organ meats, dairy, bug protein, and more. I loved Dr. Schindler’s book, Eat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health, so do check it out! I hope you enjoy listening to our fascinating conversation. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Schindler went from being a wrestler to having an evolutionary perspective on food, how we interact with it, and living a paleolithic lifestyle. How important evolutionary milestones have impacted the way most people eat. Most of us have become severely disconnected from our food system. What plant toxins do to our bodies, and what we can do to make them less toxic so that we can consume them safely The biggest problem with oxalates. Changes that have occurred that may contribute to people becoming intolerant to dairy. What is the difference between raw milk and pasteurized and homogenized milk? How to get the maximum nutrition most safely from dairy. Ways to prepare organ meats and offal to make them more appetizing. We can benefit from including insects in our diet. Dr. Schindler explains what he and his family are doing at the Modern Stone Age Kitchen. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Bill Schindler On his websites: www.eatlikeahuman.com or www.modernstoneagekitchen.com The Eastern Shore Food Lab Non-profit Follow Dr. Schindler online: @Dr. Bill Schindler and @Modern Stone Age Kitchen Eat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health is available in print, audio, or digital from any major online book supplier. Or order a signed copy from Dr. Schindler’s website.
12 Nov 20221h

Ep. 237 Perimenopause and Menopause: What You Didn't Know with Dr. Felice Gersh
I’m honored to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today! She is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certification in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. We connected once before in Episode 221, where we spoke about PCOS and metabolic health. Today, Dr. Gersh joins me to dive into perimenopause and menopause. We discuss various issues surrounding the Women’s Health Initiative and talk about estrogen as a family of hormones, estrogen-mimicking chemicals, synthetic hormones, and oral contraceptives. We get into the importance of thyroid function, the pro-inflammatory state of a loss of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause, and the importance of nutrition and exercise for the metabolism. We also speak about the lesser-known changes that occur in menopause, including changes in body odor, constipation, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and vocal changes. I intend to invite Dr. Gersh back again to discuss women and mitochondrial health, and then once again to talk about her latest book, Menopause: The Fifty Things You Need to Know. Stay tuned to find out what menopause really is, and what it does to a woman’s metabolic system. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Gersh discusses the Women’s Health Initiative study and its devastating effects. The difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones. How chronic diseases of aging can be delayed when hormones are incorporated along with other lifestyle refinements. What do hormones do? Why every immune cell in the body has receptors for vital hormones. Why menopause cannot be defined by a specific moment in time. Changes that occur physiologically during the perimenopause years. How hormones can change the perimenopause paradigm entirely. Why perimenopause translates into many sleep issues. Why phytoestrogens are nature’s gift to women. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Felice Gersh On her website: Integrative Medical Group of Irvine On Instagram All of Dr. Gersh’s books are available on Amazon Episode 221 on PCOS with Dr. Felice Gersh Go to www.toxicology.gov to see all the ingredients in birth control pills listed as endocrine disruptors.
5 Nov 20221h 19min

Ep. 236 Keto Code: Unlocking Mitochondrial Health with Dr. Steven Gundry
It was an honor to connect with the prolific Dr. Steven Gundry today! Dr. Gundry is one of the world’s top cardiothoracic surgeons and a pioneer in nutrition. He hosts the top-rated health show, The Dr. Gundry Podcast, and is the medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine. At the height of his career as a famous heart surgeon, Dr. Gundry resigned from his position and set up a clinic to teach people how to eat to improve their health and longevity. He talks about his background and dives into how one of his patients impacted the trajectory of his second career. We discuss mitochondria, the value of MCT oil, ketones, mito-genesis, mitochondrial uncoupling, anti-nutrients, and nutrition. I hope you enjoy listening to today’s fascinating discussion with Dr. Steven Gundry! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What prompted Dr. Gundry to shift from cardiovascular surgery to doing what he does today? Dr. Gundry talks about mitochondria and their purpose. How to support mitochondrial health. Dr. Gundry explains the purpose of ketones. What is mito-genesis? Things that can help uncouple mitochondria. Why is it important to have your fasting insulin checked? Why is MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) oil unique when compared to other healthy fats? Why ketones are not a super fuel. Why it is important to make slow and incremental dietary changes for sustained weight loss. Dr. Gundry dives into DNP and the benefits of consuming polyphenols. The problem with oats. Bio: Dr. Steven Gundry is one of the world’s top cardiothoracic surgeons and a pioneer in nutrition. He is the founder of Gundry MD, a line of wellness products and supplements, hosts the top-rated health show, The Dr. Gundry Podcast, and is medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine. He has spent the last two decades studying the microbiome and now helps patients use diet and nutrition as a key form of treatment. He is the author of many New York Times bestselling books, including The Plant Paradox, The Plant Paradox Cookbook, The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age, and The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone. He recently released USA Today's national bestseller, Unlocking the Keto Code, which offers a revolutionary take on the keto diet that debunks common myths and shows readers how to reap the rewards of keto with less restriction. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Steven Gundry On his websiteOn Facebook or Gundry MD Instagram: @drstevengundry or @gundrymd Twitter: @DrGundry The Dr. Gundry Podcast
29 Okt 202253min

Ep. 235 The Impact of Nutrient Density and Why it Matters
I am delighted to connect with Chris Kresser today! Chris is the co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, the founder of Kresser Institute, the host of the top-ranked health podcast Revolution Health Radio, and the New York Times best-selling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine. Chris is as gracious in person as he is online! I have been following him for years and feel honored to have him joining me on the show today! He shares his background, and we dive into bio-individuality and functional medicine. We talk about changes to the nutrient density of food, why the RDA is inadequate, why synthetic nutrients are not beneficial, genetics, how mindset affects our health, and measurable ways to improve neuroplasticity. We also discuss his new supplement line, Adapt Naturals. I hope you will enjoy listening to today’s information-packed conversation with Chris Kresser as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Chris’s journey to health led him to where he is today. How has his approach to bio-individuality and personalized medicine changed over the last ten years? Chris explains why it is hard to do research studies on functional medicine treatment. Chris dives into his current focus on the nutrition spectrum. Solving people’s nutritional problems is usually pretty straightforward and could have a massive impact on the burden of chronic disease. How modern-day changes have decreased the nutrient density of our food. How chronic disease and environmental toxins impact our ability to absorb nutrients. Why has the US government failed to update the RDA to meet the current research on our daily nutritional requirements? Chris talks about nutrient synergy and shares his thoughts on synthetic vitamins. What is neuroplasticity, and how can it be measurably improved by a shift in mindset? What makes Adapt Naturals unique in the supplement space? Bio: Chris Kresser M.S., L.Ac. is the co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, the founder of Kresser Institute, the host of the top-ranked health podcast Revolution Health Radio, the creator of ChrisKresser.com, and the New York Times best-selling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine. He is one of the most respected clinicians and educators in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health and has trained over 2,000 clinicians and health coaches from >50 countries in his unique approach. Chris was named one of the 100 most influential people in health and fitness by Greatist.com and has appeared as a featured guest on Dr. Oz, Time, The Atlantic, NPR, Fox & Friends, and other national media outlets. He has recently launched Adapt Naturals, a supplement line designed to add back in what the modern world has squeezed out and help people perform and feel their best. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Chris Kresser On his websites: www.chriskresser.com or www.adaptnaturals.com (Chris spoke about the Core Plus Bundle) On Facebook On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube
22 Okt 202258min

Ep. 234 Metabolic Longevity and Vitamin E with Dr. Barrie Tan
I am honored to connect with Dr. Barrie Tan today! Dr. Tan has a PH.D. in biochemistry. He is a vitamin E expert focusing on lipid-soluble nutrients that impact chronic disease. Dr. Tan was trained as a chemist and a biochemist. His interest in keeping fat stable led to his discovery of annatto, which led to him becoming an expert in vitamin E. In this episode, we dive into vitamin E and its role in the antioxidant protection of lipids and fats. We talk about Dr. Barrie’s discovery of annatto, discuss tocotrienols, and get into their impact on cholesterol, metabolic and bone health, and cancer. We also briefly discuss GG (geranylgeraniol). My discussion with Dr. Tan has changed my entire perspective on the metabolic and bone health needs relevant to this specific variant of vitamin E! I hope that you will love it as much as I did! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why does Dr. Tan care most about the antioxidant that protects the lipids and fat? Dr. Tan discusses how different types of vitamin E differ from tocotrienols. Dr. Tan talks about his discovery of tocotrienols in the Annatto plant in South America. Why can’t we get sufficient tocotrienols from our food? The benefits of tocotrienols. Tocotrienols worked consistently in clinical studies done on chronic conditions like metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and osteopenia. Dr. Tan discusses his research on tocotrienols. How do tocotrienols impact weight loss and fatty liver? The impact of tocotrienols on bone health. What is GG, and why is it important for bone health? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Barrie Tan On his website On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn To download your free copy of Dr. Tan’s book, The Truth about Vitamin E, Go to www.barrietan.com/book and use the code Everyday Wellness Podcast. Dr. Tan’s Massachussets-based company is called American River Nutrition. Search for buying tocotrienol to get a list of all the companies selling it.
15 Okt 20221h 8min

Ep. 233 How to Optimize Your Hormones & Metabolism For Vitality
I am excited to interview Dr. Kyle Gillett today! He is an integrative and precision medicine physician who focuses on bio-individuality. He is active in obesity medicine and hormonal methodologies. His approach is evidence-based, and it involves shared decision-making. As a physician, Dr. Gillett wanted to treat people holistically. Hormone pathologies, menopause, and metabolic syndrome are common, so he decided to become proficient in those areas to serve his patients in the best way possible. Dr. Gillett and I dive into his background, his six pillars of health, the value of evidence-based medicine, how our modern-day lifestyles impact our hormonal health, nutritional dogma, and the importance of sleep. We discuss adrenopause, perimenopause, menopause, changes in body composition, and broken metabolisms. We also talk about weight loss resistance, lab work, muscle-centric medicine, and valuable supplements. I’ve waited months to interview Dr. Kyle Gillett! I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with him! Stay tuned to learn about hormones, weight-loss resistance, and more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Gillett dives into his 6 pillars of health. How our modern-day lifestyles impact our hormonal health. What is food intelligence? Dr. Gillett unpacks the concept of evidence-based medicine. How providers can prevent a breakdown of the patient-provider relationship. The challenges women tend to face in menopause. How Dr. Gillett helps women cope with changes in their body composition. What happens in our bodies when we are stressed or lack sleep? What is adrenopause? The benefits and effects of using melatonin. Dr. Gillett’s take on oral contraceptives and HRT. How Dr. Gillett addresses a broken metabolism. Bio: Kyle Gillett MD: University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dual board Certified Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine. An undergraduate dual major in Critical Thinking and Biology. Dr. Gillett enjoys providing holistic individualized care to his patients. His practice includes preventative medicine, aesthetics, sports medicine, hormone optimization, obstetrics and infertility, integrative medicine, and precision medicine including genomics. He believes that each human is a unique creation that requires attention to their body, mind, and soul. He uses shared decision-making and an evidence-based approach. He firmly believes “food is medicine” and “exercise is medicine”. Dr. Gillett describes the “7 pillars of health”: exercise, diet, sleep, stress, social, sunlight, and spirit. These are more powerful than any medication or supplement. He enjoys spending time outdoors on the farm with his wife, two sons, and two wolfhounds. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Kyle Gillett On Instagram On all social media platforms: Gillett Health
8 Okt 202250min