Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+

Today, I’m delighted to welcome Craig Emmerich as my guest. He's an electrical engineer and bestselling author who works closely with his wonderful wife, Maria. Craig has been following a keto diet for over 17 years and a carnivore diet for over six years to help him overcome chronic Lyme disease and inflammatory response syndrome. Focusing on the science of human nutrition, he has helped thousands of clients regain their health and vitality.

In today’s discussion, we explore the principles of metabolic health, the role of ultra-processed foods, the bliss point, and the loss of nutrient density. We examine midlife changes in metabolic health and body composition, and highlight the critical importance of metabolic flexibility and adequate protein intake. Craig clarifies why body composition should be considered rather than the scale and explains how he determines carbohydrate tolerance. We also examine the research on the gut microbiome, the insulin-fat cell relationship, insulin resistance, fasting, and the protein-sparing modified fast as strategies for weight loss, and discuss leptin resistance, alcohol, the effects of cortisol and sleep on the hormone cascade, and troubleshooting women’s midlife challenges around HRT, hydration, electrolytes, and body composition shifts.

Stay tuned for today’s informative discussion with Craig Emmerich, who has recently launched a new book, The Art of Metabolic Health, that he and his wife co-authored.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


The importance of consuming whole foods and prioritizing your protein intake


How companies engineer foods to encourage overeating


Why body composition matters more than the number on the scale


How building and maintaining muscle helps to improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health


Why adequate protein intake is essential for maintaining and improving bone density


How your carbohydrate intake should be tailored to suit your personal goals, health status, and your response to different foods


How insulin resistance develops


Why alcohol can interfere with fat loss efforts


How inadequate sleep can worsen insulin resistance

Bio:  Craig Emmerich

Craig Emmerich, who graduated in Electrical Engineering, has spent the last 16-plus years researching nutrition and working with thousands of clients alongside his wife, Maria Emmerich. He is an international bestselling author of “Keto: The Complete Guide” and “The Carnivore Cookbook”. He uses his knowledge of how our bodies work to help clients heal and lose weight, leveraging their biology to make it easier.

Craig has helped hundreds of thousands of people regain their health and vitality with a strong focus on the science of human nutrition.

Craig has been keto for over 17 years and carnivore for over 6 years to help treat his chronic Lyme disease and CIRS pain.

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Check out Cynthia’s website.


Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com 


Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. 


Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut.


Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book


The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Connect with Craig Emmerich


On his website

I am delighted to have Dr. Ken Berry returning to the podcast for his fourth appearance today. He is a physician, bestselling author, and passionate advocate for health, known for his no-nonsense approach to wellness. Dr. Berry has practiced at the Berry Clinic since 2003 and is an active community member. He has a YouTube channel with more than 2 million subscribers- one of my favorite go-to resources for patients. 

In our discussion today, we explore a recent Time news article and the growing concerns around the declining trustworthiness of media sources. We dive into the limitations of observational research, the problem with celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed foods, rising obesity rates in children and teens, and whether genetic factors are actually behind obesity, as highlighted recently in a 60 Minutes segment. We also discuss the impact of sugar, grains, and seed oils, as well as the significance of visceral fat.

You will not want to miss this invaluable discussion with Dr. Ken Berry.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:


Dr. Berry breaks down some deeper issues surrounding the recent Time article, where a lone registered dietitian claimed that ultra-processed foods are acceptable.


How media sources are losing their credibility


The vital part social media plays in changing the narrative and holding media sources accountable


Why consumers must stay informed and be proactive in their health choices 


The health implications of eating ultra-processed foods


Dr. Berry shares his concerns about the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending drugs like Ozempic for children. 


The benefits of eating whole foods 


Dr. Berry shares his three rules for a healthy diet.


Why we need to avoid sugar and seed oils


How following a low-carb diet can help reduce visceral fat.


Dr. Berry introduces the American Diabetes Society and explains its mission.

Bio: 

Dr. Ken D. Berry, MD, is a licensed family physician, best-selling author, and leading advocate for the Proper Human Diet (PHD). With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Berry specializes in helping patients improve their health through low-carbohydrate, nutrient-dense eating. His best-selling book, "Lies My Doctor Told Me: Medical Myths That Can Harm Your Health," and his popular YouTube channel, which has over 3 million subscribers, provide accessible, evidence-based guidance on nutrition and wellness. Dr. Berry's mission is to empower individuals to reclaim their health by debunking common medical myths and promoting sustainable dietary and lifestyle changes. He is also a member of the Diet Doctor low-carb expert panel and an active participant in the keto and low-carb communities. Dr. Berry lives with his wife Neisha and their children on a farm in Holladay, Tennessee.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website.


Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com 


Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. 


Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut.


Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book


The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Connect with Dr. Ken Berry


On his ⁠website⁠


⁠YouTube⁠


Dr. Berry’s Books

⁠The American Diabetes Society ⁠

I’m delighted to connect with Dr. Catherine Clinton today. She’s a licensed naturopathic physician, author, and the Founder and Chair of the Quantum Biology Health Institute. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience, she helps wellness seekers and healthcare practitioners understand health through a systems-based, quantum biology lens. Her work is dedicated to expanding our understanding of health by honoring the body’s intelligence and its relationship with light, water, and the environment.

In today’s conversation, Dr. Clinton explains what quantum biology is and how light shapes circadian rhythms and hormone balance. We discuss the emerging science of structured water, grounding, fascia, mitochondrial health, and the gut's energetic environment, also exploring practical ways to support your health by paying attention to your body's relationship with its surroundings.

Join us for a truly fascinating discussion on how light, water, energy, and environment can influence our health in ways we have never even considered.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


How quantum biology differs from conventional biology


Why is natural morning light so important for our bodies?


The disruptive effects of LED lighting


Dr. Clinton explains what structured water is and the important role it may play in cellular function.


How healthy mitochondria support cellular energy production, hydration, overall health, and longevity


In addition to producing ATP, how the mitochondria can contribute to cellular hydration


How the minerals in drinking water can help the water move into and around cells


The value of grounding to support the electrical systems within the body


Why fascia is increasingly viewed as an active communication network within the body

Bio:  Dr. Catherine Clinton

Dr. Catherine Clinton, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician, author, and the Founder and Chair of the Quantum Biology Health Institute. With more than 18 years of clinical and educational experience, she helps wellness seekers and healthcare practitioners understand health through a systems-based, quantum biology lens.

While in naturopathic medical school, her diagnosis of two autoimmune conditions and Lyme disease reshaped her understanding of healing and led her beyond conventional models.

Dr. Clinton has published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, teaches internationally, and maintains a small clinical practice in Eugene, Oregon. Her work is dedicated to expanding our understanding of health by honoring the body’s intelligence and its relationship with light, water, and the environment.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website.


Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com 


Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. 


Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut.


Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book


The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Connect with Dr. Catherine Clinton


On her website


Order a copy of Dr. Clinton’s book, Optimize, and get free bonuses

Welcome to the latest Midlife Minute.

Today, we’re exploring the benefits of creatine monohydrate, essential aminos, grass-fed beef liver, and Yolked (fortotropin). I explain how these products work together, the importance of resistance training and hormone optimization as foundational factors in midlife, and how supplements fit in.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


The benefits of using creatine monohydrate when training


The value of essential aminos for muscle protein synthesis and reducing protein breakdown


The nutrients provided by grass-fed beef liver


What research suggests about how Yolked may relate to myostatin modulation, muscle hypertrophy pathways, and growth factor signaling


Why I recommend using creatine, essential aminos, beef liver, and Yolked together as a stacked approach


Why resistance exercise remains the primary signal for muscle growth


The importance of hormone optimization for energy, muscle building, executive function, motivation, and recovery

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website.


Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com 


Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. 


Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut.


Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book


The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Resources: 

Visit getkion.com/cynthia for 20% off.

Yolked: Use the code CYNTHIA for 20% off

Ancestral Supplements: Use the affiliate code CYNTHIA

Today, I am thrilled to connect with Dr. Linda Bluestein, a board-certified anesthesiologist and integrative pain medicine physician specializing in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and related conditions, including POTS, mast cell activation, and chronic pain.

In our discussion, we discuss the invisible illness problem and complex medical illnesses, and Dr. Bluestein shares how being diagnosed with EDS in her 40s prompted her to pivot her career to focus on what is missing in medicine regarding those complex illnesses. We explore different types of hypermobility conditions and why women are disproportionately more affected by those conditions than men. We clarify what hypermobility means, the cluster of EDS, POTS, and MCAS, what to do when you have unexplained multi-system symptoms, and how AI can be beneficial. We also examine pain science, hypermobility, sympathetic overdrive, kinesiophobia, anesthesia considerations in connective tissue disorders, and the impact of midlife transitions, HRT, medical gaslighting, nervous system regulation, movement, nutrition, and validation and hope for patients with complex medical illnesses.

I am delighted to share this informative conversation with Dr. Linda Bluestein with the Everyday Wellness community, and look forward to having Dr. Bluestein back to explore this topic further.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:


How patients with complex symptoms often go from specialist to specialist, yet none of them connect the dots.


How patients tend to be blamed when treatments fail


How POTS diagnosis is often based on heart rate changes, even though it’s not primarily a heart rate condition


How dysautonomia affects multiple body systems


How, apart from joint flexibility, hypermobility can also involve skin, tissues, organs, and multiple body systems.


How EDS, POTS, and MCAS can overlap


The value of AI tools for helping patients organize complex symptom histories


How sympathetic overdrive and kinesiophobia can worsen chronic pain


The impact of medical gaslighting

Bio:  Dr. Linda Bluestein

Dr. Linda Bluestein is a board-certified anesthesiologist and integrative pain medicine physician who specializes in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and related conditions, such as POTS, mast cell activation, and chronic pain.

She is the founder of Hypermobility MD and the host of the internationally recognized Bendy Bodies Podcast, where she bridges the gap between patients and clinicians by unpacking complex medicine through a pattern-based, whole-person lens. Dr. Bluestein is also an EDS patient herself, bringing both clinical expertise and lived experience to conversations about diagnostic delays, medical gaslighting, and compassionate, effective care.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow  


Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn


Check out Cynthia’s website.


Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com 


Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. 


Purchase Cynthia’s book, The Menopause Gut.


Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book


The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Connect with Dr. Linda Bluestein


Bendy Bodies Podcast


Dysautonomia Support Network