Health Trip Podcast with Jill Foos

The balance of estrogen and progesterone shifts, leading to changes in the gut microbiome. This fragile ecosystem of bacteria in your digestive tract plays a crucial role in digestion and regulating hormones, supporting the immune system, and even affecting mental health. As estrogen levels take a massive dip, the diversity of gut bacteria can decrease, leading to issues like bloating, weight gain, brain fog, increased anxiety, sleep issues, and even increased inflammation.

This episode explores how maintaining a healthy gut can ease some of the common symptoms of menopause. Practical strategies for supporting your gut health through diet, lifestyle changes, and possibly even supplements are offered to you. Whether navigating menopause or preparing for it, understanding the connection between gut health and hormonal balance is key to thriving during this transition. Kara Siedman, RDN and Pendulum's Senior Manager of Scientific Communications joins the Health Trip podcast to discuss how to support gut health during the menopausal transition through lifestyle interventions, such as diet, and personalizing a probiotic supplement protocol, if needed.

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If you're feeling overwhelmed by confusing and conflicting advice and products promising miraculous hair regrowth results, you're not alone. Many women in midlife are searching for effective ways to promote hair growth and restore their hair and confidence. Today, we're cutting through the noise to bring you clear, actionable strategies that work, grounded in science. As women age, their bodies undergo many physiological changes during menopause that can impact hair growth, including hormonal fluctuations, nutritional deficiencies, and overall health.

Dr. Lady Dy, MD is board-certified in both Dermatology and Dermatopathology. With 20 years of expertise in her field, Dr. Dy founded Dy Dermatology Center. She joins the Health Trip Podcast to share her expertise in science-backed strategies to grow hair in midlife women.

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As women enter their 40s and 50s, the chances of experiencing hair thinning or significant hair loss increase due to various factors, including hormonal changes, genetics, stress, and even nutritional deficiencies. Hair is often closely tied to identity and self-confidence, so these changes can feel particularly unsettling. Dr. Alan Bauman MD, founder of Bauman Medical, joins the Health Trip Podcast once again to talk about midlife women's hair loss. In episode #87 we’ll delve into the root causes of hair loss during midlife. From the hormonal fluctuations of menopause, which can lead to conditions like androgenetic alopecia, to the impact of stress and lifestyle choices, we’ll explore why these factors play such a significant role. Additionally, we'll look at common myths and misconceptions about hair loss and provide insights into what’s happening on a biological level.

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Up to 70% of post-menopausal women experience hair loss, hair thinning, widening of the part, or a receding hairline. Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is an effective treatment for female hair loss that has gained attention due to its non-invasive nature and promising results. This therapy involves exposing the scalp to red light wavelengths, typically 630-670 nanometers. The light penetrates the skin and stimulates the hair follicles, encouraging increased blood flow and cellular respiration. This process helps to prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, leading to thicker, fuller hair. Red light therapy is particularly appealing for women experiencing androgenetic alopecia or general thinning, as it offers a drug-free alternative with minimal side effects.

Dr. Michael Rabin, MD, and CEO of LaserCap Company shares his expertise on episode #86 of the Health Trip Podcast. We dive into how red light therapy works on cellular respiration, how midlife women in menopause can benefit from its use, how to use it as a stand-alone treatment or combined with other protocols, and how to purchase the best at-home device to fit your needs and budget.

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There are many causes of hair loss and stress is a top contributor. Whether it’s caused by an acute stressor, such as chemotherapy or going through a divorce, or chronic stressors, such as dieting, not sleeping, or taking certain medications, stress is most likely involved in the hair loss equation. Stress can trigger or worsen different types of hair loss.

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that involves rapid shedding of hair over a short period, usually a few months after a stressful event. It occurs when significant stress pushes hair follicles into a resting, or telogen, phase and can be caused by physical or emotional stressors, hormonal changes, or other factors. Menopause is stressful. Midlife women experience physiological symptoms that create a stressful life. Up to 70% of postmenopausal women will experience hair loss, thinning, widening of the part, or a receding hairline. While just managing your stress alone may not bring back your hair to where you’d like it to be, it is important to have strategies that work for you.

Dr. Tricia Pingel, NP, aka the "Adrenal Whisperer", is a leading naturopathic physician who specializes in stress & cortisol management. In episode #85 of the Health Trip Podcast, she shares her expertise on the impact stress has on the body, how it affects hair loss, and strategies to reduce your daily stress.

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The complex interplay between menopause and the endocrine system is something that all women should learn more about. Today, we delve into the hormonal changes women experience during menopause, exploring how the endocrine system regulates these transitions. From fluctuating estrogen levels to adrenal gland function, we’ll discuss how these changes impact overall health and well-being. Whether you’re a postmenopausal woman or preparing for menopause, understanding the nuanced hormonal changes that are happening in your body during this time will help you become a better self-advocate on your health journey. My guest, Dr. Sarah Musleh, MD is an esteemed endocrinologist, dedicated mother, and co-founder of Anzara Health, a pioneering multistate female-owned concierge endocrinology platform. Her practice focuses on women’s health and medical weight loss, providing personalized care to patients with a variety of hormone disorders, including metabolic dysfunction, PCOS, and thyroid disease.

She’s Passionate about improving her patient's health 'from the inside out,' Dr. Musleh employs a holistic approach that addresses both physical and emotional well-being. Raised in a multicultural household, she speaks four languages and has had the privilege of living and working on multiple continents. You can hear her speak both English and Spanish to her online community, making sure that more women are informed, educated, and heard.

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Whether you’re re-entering the dating pool after a hiatus or continuing your journey in the world of romance, this episode is tailored just for you—midlife women who are navigating the unique blend of personal transformation and relationship dynamics that menopause brings. Menopause, often marked by significant physical and emotional changes, also heralds a period of profound personal growth and self-awareness. It’s a time when many women experience a renewed sense of freedom and confidence. We explore how to harness your life experiences to enrich your romantic adventures, discuss strategies to communicate your needs and desires effectively, and tackle the challenges of intimacy and vulnerability that often accompany new relationships at this stage. We also cover practical tips for using dating platforms, ensuring safety online, and finding potential partners who share your zest for life.

Bela Gandhi is a dating/relationship expert and founder of the Smart Dating Academy, TEDx speaker, and founder of Smart Dating Academy and has been featured on most national/local media outlets including Good Morning America, Steve Harvey, the Today Show, Kelly Clarkson, Access, ABC, NBC, Fox, and more.

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Many health coaches, like myself, educate women on all stages of menopause and help them understand what’s going on in their bodies. We share current science-backed resources to learn from and help them feel empowered to talk to their providers about possible treatment options. We are pivotal in teaching effective stress management techniques, which can alleviate anxiety and mood fluctuations. We provide strategies to improve sleep hygiene, helping women combat insomnia and night sweats that often worsen with hormonal changes. We educate women about nutrition during midlife, navigating a new healthy way of eating to support body composition changes and goals. We help women find their motivation to move daily.

Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum is back today to highlight the role that health coaches play in the menopausal journey. Dr. Sandi trains people to become Functional Medicine health coaches because she believes that growing the health coaching profession will be the solution to combating chronic disease, offering affordable access to functional and lifestyle medicine, and reducing healthcare costs. As founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, a collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine, Dr. Sandi is a leader in health coaching education. Listen in on The Health Trip Podcast, episode #81.

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Fiber contributes to overall health and wellness, keeping you fuller for longer, aids in regular bowel movements, lowers cholesterol and stabilizes blood glucose levels. Fiber feeds the good bacteria in your gut, which produce short-chain fatty acids, or postbiotics. Ashley Koff, RD, shares her expertise on why menopausal women would benefit from these fascinating compounds for longevity on the Health Trip Podcast, episode #80.

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Many women entering perimenopause often experience the onset of new food and/or seasonal allergies or intolerances. Maybe you’re noticing new and strange symptoms after drinking alcohol, eating specific foods, or smelling fragrances. Maybe you're noticing adverse reactions to environmental compounds, such as hay fever, skin issues, like eczema, or even asthma. Did you know that estrogen stimulates the release of histamine and your body may struggle to excrete it? Higher histamine also leads to more estrogen being released in your body and you can see what a vicious cycle this can be.

Dr. Meg Mill, PharmD, is also a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with over two decades of clinical experience. Her virtual Functional Medicine practice has transformed the lives of hundreds of clients worldwide by connecting the dots between their diverse unexplained, and often overlooked health struggles, such as migraines, gut issues, chronic fatigue, skin reactions, anxiety, or allergies. She uses her EAT Method to uncover and resolve the underlying connections whether it's histamine intolerance, hormone imbalances, gut dysfunction, or MCAS. She empowers clients to take back control of their health so they can regain the energy, mental clarity, and confidence needed to fully show up for their lives again.

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Two of the most common symptoms during the menopause journey are increased levels of anxiety and depression. The decline of women’s sex hormones creates a plethora of adverse effects, such as weight gain, insomnia or fragmented sleep, hair loss, loose skin, loss of lean muscle mass, brain fog, night sweats, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, and more. These devastating changes are driving women to feel frustrated, confused, and depressed about their current state of health, including how they look and feel.

Psychiatrists prescribe psychopharmacology to their patients and most leave it at that. What if there was a psychiatrist who also prescribed healthy lifestyle behavior modifications alongside medication? My next guest practices something called cosmetic psychiatry and it’s fascinating. Dr. Andreea Seicean, MD, PhD, MPH, is the Clinical Director of Like MySelf Wellness. She is an ABPN Board-Certified Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist, clinical investigator, scientist, and Professor. She completed her training at Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Clinic, and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Her PhD is in epidemiology and biostatistics and she’s an expert in outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and quality improvement. Listen in to episode #76 on the Health Trip Podcast to learn more.

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According to the CDC, over 60 million women in the United States are living with some form of heart disease. Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. According to the British Heart Association: after menopause your cholesterol levels can go up, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Your body cannot control sugar levels (glucose) as well – this can increase your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight gain, which we know as metabolic syndrome.

 As women move through the menopause transition, it has been shown that as estrogen levels decline, a woman’s CVD risk may increase. Estrogen is heart protective and more is being done to educate and screen women to see if they are good candidates for MHT. But, still, so many women remain confused, and overwhelmed, by the barrage of information on the internet, the misinformation, or lack of information, provided by their doctors, and their current fear-based understanding of taking MHT and getting breast cancer. 

On this episode of the Health Trip podcast, Dr. Michael Davidson, MD, joins me to break down advanced lipid testing for women. He is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and clinical lipidology. He’s a Professor of Medicine, Director of the Lipid Clinic at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship in cardiology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. An active researcher, Dr. Davidson’s clinical research background encompasses pharmaceutical and nutritional clinical trials. His extensive research on statins, novel lipid-lowering drugs, and nonpharmacologic risk factor reduction have established him as a world opinion leader.

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The lymphatic system is the sewer system of our body and we’d be dead without it. It’s responsible for clearing out toxins, waste, bacteria, and water from our body that build up in our tissues. The connection between a healthy lymphatic system and the menopause transition is explained by Dr. Christine Schaffner, ND, on the Health Trip Podcast. Dr. Schaffner shares her expertise in understanding the many benefits of moving lymph throughout our body and supporting a midlife woman’s journey through menopause. Hormonal fluctuations, a poor diet, and living a sedentary lifestyle during midlife can affect the way the lymphatic system works. Dr. Schaffner breaks down the science into visual and tangible components keeping the listener engaged.

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According to the NIH, the overall prevalence of sleep disorders among postmenopausal women was 51.6%. About a third of women’s lives around the world are affected by disrupted sleep and menopause, and both of these have a large effect on their health. Sleep disturbance is a significant issue for midlife women and poor sleep has been shown to increase a woman’s risk for Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer, metabolic disease, and heart health. Learn about the stages of sleep, how all of your senses affect sleep, and what strategies, supplements, and Ayurvedic modalities support deep and restorative sleep for you.

Deepa Kanaan, is an Allied Functional Medicine Practitioner, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Author, and a Yogini at OHA Health. Deepa joined the Health Trip Podcast to share her expertise in sleep quality and Ayurvedic modalities. She offers easy-to-use Ayurvedic strategies and supplement education around restorative sleep. articles have been shared by Dr. Mark Hyman, MD. She is the author of the book How To Sleep Better-The Miraculous 10-Step Protocol To Recharge Your Mind & Body.

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