Podcast Summary
Dutch test vs traditional hormone testing: The Dutch test offers a more comprehensive and accurate way to test hormone levels through urine and saliva samples throughout the day, revealing hormonal imbalances caused by birth control use and aiding in personalized recommendations for hormonal health improvement.
The Dutch test is a more comprehensive and accurate way to test hormone levels compared to traditional blood tests. The Dutch test involves collecting urine and saliva samples throughout the day, providing a more complete picture of hormone levels throughout a woman's menstrual cycle. Birth control can have a detrimental impact on hormonal health, particularly in young women, by disrupting the natural communication between the brain and ovaries. This disruption can lead to hormonal imbalances and difficulty ovulating. The use of birth control for an extended period of time, as was the case for the guest in the podcast, can make it difficult for the body to re-establish this communication and lead to long-term hormonal imbalances. The Dutch test can help identify these imbalances and provide personalized recommendations for improving hormonal health.
Hormonal Health: Women need to prioritize their hormonal health by educating themselves, demanding informed discussions with doctors, and using natural methods like red light masks to improve hormonal balance.
Women are being adversely affected by various external factors such as medications, birth control, beauty products, and foods, which disrupt their hormones and lead to long-term health issues. The birth control pill, in particular, can disrupt a woman's natural cycle and make it difficult for her to get her periods back when she wants to have children. It is crucial for women to educate themselves about their hormones and demand a more collaborative conversation with their doctors. The system is not currently supporting women in this way, and doctors need to be more open to having informed discussions with their patients. Additionally, testosterone, which is often associated with libido, also plays a role in motivation and drive. However, high levels of testosterone can lead to increased stress and cortisol production. Using red light masks, like the one from Bond Charge, can help reduce inflammation and improve skin conditions, among other benefits. Overall, women need to prioritize their hormonal health and take an active role in their healthcare.
Cortisol pattern and hormonal balance: Understanding your cortisol pattern and prioritizing relaxation can lead to better hormonal balance and improved overall health. Optimal gym performance is achieved 90 minutes after waking up. Chronic stress can deplete cortisol and progesterone, making relaxation essential. Fasting can help increase estrogen and progesterone levels, making it an important tool for hormonal balance.
While you may expect high cortisol levels due to feeling stressed, your cortisol pattern is important. Cortisol levels should be decent in the morning, peaking within 90 minutes of waking up. For optimal gym performance, it's best to work out 90 minutes after waking up. Low cortisol levels throughout the day can be a problem, leading to anxiety and difficulty relaxing. Progesterone, a hormone that helps calm the mind, is linked to cortisol. Chronic stress can deplete both cortisol and progesterone, making it essential to prioritize relaxation and downtime. Fasting can help increase estrogen and progesterone levels, making it an important tool for hormonal balance. Fasting also becomes more effective as we age and estrogen levels decrease. Overall, understanding your cortisol pattern and prioritizing relaxation can lead to better hormonal balance and improved overall health.
Women's hormonal balance, fasting: Women need to cycle in and out of fasting to maintain hormonal balance, and functional lab testing can help optimize fasting and eating patterns.
Women's bodies respond differently to fasting than men's, and it's essential for women to cycle in and out of fasting to maintain hormonal balance. Fasting can offer numerous benefits, including improved mental clarity, increased energy, and reduced inflammation. When women fast, their bodies switch from using sugar as fuel to burning fat, leading to various health improvements. However, progesterone levels can decrease during fasting, so it's crucial for women to incorporate food to support this hormone. Functional lab testing, such as that offered by Function Health, can help women understand their unique health needs and optimize their fasting and eating patterns accordingly. By understanding the importance of cycling fasting and the benefits of this healing system, women can take charge of their health and experience improved overall well-being.
Women's hormonal cycles and cycling: Fasting for 13 hours daily and a ketogenic-like diet can benefit women's hormonal cycles by increasing good estrogen levels and detoxifying the body, while being sustainable in the front half of the cycle.
Women can benefit from cycling both fasting and a ketogenic-like diet with their hormonal cycles. Fasting can help increase good estrogen levels and detoxify the body of harmful estrogen metabolites. A 13-hour fast can be easily incorporated daily, while longer fasts can be done periodically. Additionally, a ketogenic-like diet, with moderate carbs and focused on good fats, can be more sustainable for women in the front half of their cycle. This approach empowers women to take charge of their health by understanding the connection between their hormones and dietary practices.
Menstrual cycle optimization through diet: During ovulation, focus on consuming probiotic, polyphenol, and prebiotic-rich foods to optimize hormonal balance. Avoid fasting and instead focus on a nutrient-dense diet. Post-ovulation, a shorter fast can help eliminate excess estrogen.
During the ovulation phase of a woman's menstrual cycle, focusing on the microbiome and consuming probiotic, polyphenol, and prebiotic-rich foods is crucial for optimizing hormonal balance. Probiotic foods like sauerkraut, raw kefir, and fermented drinks add beneficial bacteria. Polyphenol foods, such as vegetables, especially leafy greens, help break down estrogen. Prebiotic foods, like nuts, seeds, and hemp seeds, provide nutrients that aid in estrogen metabolism. During this phase, it's essential to avoid fasting and instead focus on consuming a nutrient-dense diet. After ovulation, a shorter fast can be introduced to help eliminate excess estrogen. Remember, individual cycles may vary, so it's essential to listen to your body and adapt accordingly.
Fasting benefits: Fasting helps repair muscles, trigger cellular growth, and rebuild stronger muscles with 30g protein post-fast. It also repairs gut lining and alters microbiome, benefiting those with gut issues.
Fasting is a powerful tool for improving health and building muscle. During a fast, the body gets rid of stored glucose and fat, triggering muscle repair and cellular growth. When breaking a fast, it's essential to consume at least 30 grams of protein to help muscles rebuild and grow stronger. Fasting can also benefit those with gut issues like Candida or parasites by repairing the gut lining and altering the microbiome, making it an unwelcoming environment for these toxins. Fasting is individual and can be adjusted to fit different lifestyles and needs, making it an accessible and cost-effective way to improve health for everyone.
Hormones and Gut Connection: Lifestyle changes like stress reduction and proper nutrition can significantly improve hormonal balance and gut health. Understanding hormonal needs during different phases and incorporating foods like dark chocolate can support overall wellness.
Our gut and hormones are intricately connected, and making lifestyle changes can significantly improve both. Hormones and the gut function as a team, and addressing issues through lifestyle adjustments, such as focusing on stress reduction and proper nutrition, can lead to positive results. For example, during the week before menstruation, women may need to increase their carb intake to support progesterone production. Additionally, dark chocolate, which contains magnesium, can be beneficial during this time. It's crucial to understand our hormones and adapt our lifestyles accordingly to maintain optimal health and body love. Wellness, according to the guest, means enjoying living in your body with energy, mental clarity, good sleep, and no shame when putting on clothes.
Intermittent Fasting, Dr. Mindy Pelz: Dr. Mindy Pelz, an expert in intermittent fasting, encourages its practice for overall health and vitality. Learn more on her website, read her book 'Fast Like a Girl', and check out her YouTube channel. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Dr. Mindy Pelz, a leading expert in intermittent fasting and wellness, emphasizes the importance of this practice for overall health and vitality. She encourages people to visit her website, DrMindyPels.com, to learn more and purchase her book, "Fast Like a Girl." Her YouTube channel is another valuable resource, with new videos released weekly explaining fasting in detail. Remember, supporting local bookstores is also a great way to engage with the community. The Pursuit of Wellness Podcast, where this conversation took place, is a wellness out loud production that provides educational and informative content, but it's essential to consult your healthcare provider for individual medical and mental health advice.