Everyday Wellness

Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Joycelyn Wittstein, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and associate professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Duke who conducts NIH-funded research into post-traumatic knee arthritis. She has shared presentations at many prestigious medical conferences, and her work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals.  In our discussion, we dive into many of the joint pain symptoms Dr. Wittstein sees in her perimenopausal and menopausal patients, and we look at the impact of specific, targeted supplementations, including curcumin, collagen peptides, and creatine monohydrate. We explore effusions, the effects of osteoarthritic risk factors like prior injuries, obesity, the perimenopause to menopause transition, and the impact of GLP-1s on joint symptoms and bone physiology. We discuss REDS (Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome) and the causes of osteoporosis, and Dr. Wittstein also shares what she does to protect her bones and why she believes DEXA scans must get done early in the aging trajectory, why fractures can be problematic, and the significance of exercise and bone-building foods. You will not want to miss today’s valuable and super action-oriented conversation with Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How women in their mid-40s and 50s often experience an acute increase in joint pain  How hormone therapy can help women improve their bone health, prevent osteoporosis, and overcome joint pain   Dr. Wittstein recommends supplements for reducing joint inflammation Various foods that can drive inflammation and cause joint health problems   How the inflammatory state of obesity impacts joint health The benefits of GLP-1s for those with joint pain from inflammation Why early bone density screening is essential for women in their 40s How creatine monohydrate improves cognitive function and muscle mass The value of strength training and balance exercises for improving joint health The best foods and beverages for bone-building Bio: Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein I am an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center. I completed residency in 2009 and a fellowship in sports medicine in 2010 at Duke. Prior to medical school, I studied nutritional science at Cornell University. My practice focuses on sports medicine, with a particular interest in treating female athletes across the lifespan. I am currently president of the Forum: Women in Sports Medicine. I am part of the core leadership of the Duke Female Athlete Program. I am also a clinician researcher with NIH-funded studies of ACL and meniscus injuries and post-traumatic arthritis in knees. I am a co-author of the Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, which was released on May 6, 2025. On a personal note, I am a former collegiate gymnast, lifelong athlete, and mom of five. I live in Raleigh, NC, with my husband, Tal Lassiter, who is also an orthopedic surgeon. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein On the Duke Health website Instagram The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, co-authored by Jocelyn Wittstein, MD, and Sydney Nitzkorski, MS, RD, is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and from most bookstores.

Today, we have another episode in our series of thoughtfully curated companies. This episode is sponsored by OneSkin, a company founded and led by an all-female team of PhD-level scientists. OneSkin is redefining how we think about aging, starting with the skin, our largest organ. I am delighted to introduce Dr. Alessandra Zonari as our guest today. Dr. Zonari is far from your typical scientist. She is a true visionary with a passion for longevity, skin regeneration, and an occasional karaoke jam. With degrees in biology and stem cell biology and a doctorate in skin regeneration and tissue engineering, Dr. Zonari brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to our conversation today. Join us to learn more about OneSkin and how their products can reverse the effects of biological aging, helping your skin become stronger and more resilient as you age. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Zonari shares her mission to understand how skin can age healthier and stronger and reduce the risk of inflammation and diseases.  How the female-led research team at OneSkin brings a unique perspective to skincare How the OneSkin peptide can reverse 2.5 years of biological aging in just five days The unique way in which they test their products and measure biological aging at OneSkin  How estradiol loss during menopause exacerbates the accumulation of senescent cells and causes inflammation Some common misconceptions about skincare for women in perimenopause and menopause How lifestyle choices influence the aging process of the skin  Why we must protect the skin from environmental stressors to slow the aging process  How your skin cells can get reprogrammed to return to a youthful state How OneSkin developed a hair care line to address hair loss and thinning The importance of self-love and nourishing your body  ABOUT OneSkin:  Founded and led by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is transforming the way we think about aging, starting with the body’s largest organ, the skin. Our proprietary OS-01 (oh ess one) peptide is the first ingredient to reverse the biological age of skin by targeting cellular senescence, a key driver of aging. By targeting cellular senescence, the OS-01 peptide switches off the damaged cells that contribute to lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. The result? Skin that looks and behaves younger. Our products are designed for young and mature skin, because it is never too early or too late to invest in your skin health! We create next-level skin care. BIO: Alessandra Zonari, PhD, OneSkin Co-Founder & CSO Alessandra is not your typical scientist. She is a visionary with a passion for longevity, skin regeneration, and the occasional karaoke jam. Growing up in a close-knit family in Brazil, Alessandra saw her grandparents struggle with age-related diseases, and she soon became fascinated by the possibility of using stem cells to redefine the aging process. After earning degrees in biology and stem cell biology and a doctorate in skin regeneration and tissue engineering, Alessandra joined OneSkin in 2017 as a founding member and Chief Scientific Officer. Her contributions include 20+ papers, three patents, and the development of their proprietary OS-01 peptide. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Alessandra Zonari On the ONESKIN website ONESKIN on Instagram Interested in trying OneSkin for yourself? Visit oneskin.co/CYNTHIA and use code CYNTHIA for 15% off your first purchase!

I am honored to connect with Dr. Aly Cohen today. She is a board-certified rheumatologist, an integrative medicine physician, and one of the country's leading medical and legal experts in environmental health.  We began our conversation today exploring the role of federal agencies, including the EPA and FDA, in regulating environmental toxins and their impact on public safety. Dr. Cohen discusses her rheumatology training and explains how our environments affect our immune systems, clarifying why tap water is problematic, how water treatment plants fail to filter out most contaminants, and how pregnancy, childhood, teen years, perimenopause, and menopause are critical stages for toxin exposure. She reveals how many of the laws for processed foods are outdated and ineffective, and how the concept of GRAS (generally regarded as safe) has no real value, and also dives into changes in nutritional value and soil quality, how medications impact our gut microbiome and disease susceptibility, why iodine is essential for detoxifying the lymphatic and glymphatic systems, and how noise pollution affects our health.  This conversation with Dr. Aly Cohen is invaluable, and her book, resources, and works are particularly significant for this community. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How the gaps in federal protections outweigh the measures currently in place The cumulative effects of toxin exposure on the immune system, particularly for women in perimenopause and menopause Why tap water is unsafe for drinking Why reverse osmosis filtration is the best option  Why young people should learn about toxin exposure before becoming pregnant How estrogen loss during menopause impacts the immune system  The poor nutritional value of processed foods and the lack of effective regulation surrounding them How medications affect the gut microbiome and immune function The benefits of iodine for detoxification and thyroid health Why noise pollution is problematic for our mental health Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Aly Cohen  On her website TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn Dr. Cohen’s new book, Detoxify, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and from most local booksellers.

Today, I am delighted to reconnect with Ben Azadi, a dear friend and a five-time guest. Ben is on a mission to help one billion people live healthier lives. With over 16 years of experience in the health industry, he is the author of four Amazon best-selling books and is about to release his latest book, Metabolic Freedom.  In our discussion today, we dive into why the calories in, calories out approach is deceptive and ineffective for fat loss. We unpack Ben’s life story, looking at the value of purpose and friendship, how toxins can hinder weight loss, and the benefits of eating less frequently for better metabolic health. We also look at the health consequences of consuming seed oils, the metabolic markers we should be advocating for, and what we could do to combat all the misinformation about health and metabolism within the mainstream health and wellness industry. You will love today’s thought-provoking and insightful discussion with Ben Azadi and may even want to revisit it. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why the calories-in, calories-out approach is ineffective for weight loss Ben shares his weight loss journey, highlighting the connection between gut health and brain function How environmental toxins disrupt hormone function and lead to insulin resistance and diabetes Some practical tips for reducing your exposure to environmental toxins How ketogenic diets and fasting can reduce insulin resistance and inflammation What is metabolic flexibility? Ben shares his take on seed oils  Which oils are best to use for cooking? Being mindful when choosing who to follow and what information to consume  What you will find in Ben’s latest book, Metabolic Freedom Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Ben Azadi On his website Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok Get a copy of Ben Azadi’s latest book, Metabolic Freedom.

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Dave Rabin today. He last joined me for Episode 91 in April of 2020. Dr. Rabin is a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is the Co-founder and CMO at Apollo Neuroscience, the first scientifically validated wearable system to improve heart rate variability, focus, and relaxation, and helps attain meditative states. He is also Co-founder and Executive Director of the Board of Medicine and a psychedelic clinical researcher, currently evaluating the mechanism of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and treatment-resistant illness. Today, we examine the value of touch and sensory techniques, discussing the distinctions between sympathetic and parasympathetic vagal tone in the autonomic nervous system, changes in sex hormones during perimenopause and menopause, and how that impacts sympathetic dominance, the development of stress responses, and the concept of stress leading to personal growth. We explore the influence of the vagus nerve on systemic health, explaining what HRV is and how it can demonstrate bodily coherence, and we also dive into wearable technologies like Apollo, the disruption of psychedelic interventions, and the impact of trauma on physical and mental well-being.  I am confident that you will find today’s engaging discussion with Dr. Dave Rabin eye-opening and enlightening. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How touch helps us connect, bond, and support our autonomic nervous system How finding balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems can help us manage stress and anxiety Techniques for quickly restoring balance to the nervous system Why women experience more anxiety, depression, and heart arrhythmias during perimenopause How breathing techniques can improve heart rate variability  The significance of HRV metrics for understanding physical and mental health How the Apollo device activates a healing response within the body The potential of MDMA and other psychedelics hold for trauma healing Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠ Submit your questions to ⁠support@cynthiathurlow.com⁠ Connect with Dr. Dave Rabin On his ⁠website⁠ ⁠Apollo⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ X ⁠The Psychedelic Report Podcast⁠ ⁠Your Brain Explained Podcast⁠ Previous Episode Mentioned ⁠Ep. 91 – How To Listen To Your Body and DE-STRESS During COVID-19 – with Dr. David Rabin

I am honored to connect with Dr. Sarah Reardon today. She assists women in caring for their pelvic floors as a doctor of physical therapy, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist, and a Women's Health Clinical specialist. She is also the Founder and Chief Vagina Officer of the Vagina Whisperer, an online, on-demand pelvic floor workout platform women at all stages of life.  In our discussion today, we explore the many contributors to the silent suffering of women, exploring advocacy and screening, pregnancy, the postpartum period, and the transitions of perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Reardon brings clarity to the often-misunderstood pelvic floor, shedding light on everything from vaginal and C-section deliveries and painful sex, to proper pooping and the impact of bladder irritants and incontinence.  Dr. Sara Reardon shares many practical and empowering insights today, and her book Floored, A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage, is a must-read for every woman. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why does much shame and secrecy exist around women’s pelvic health?  Why pelvic floor therapy should be a first-line treatment for women How pregnancy and childbirth affect the pelvic floor The link between pelvic floor muscles, constipation, bladder issues, and painful sex How fatigued pelvic floor muscles can lead to bladder leakage  Common signs of pelvic floor dysfunction  Helpful strategies for healthy bowel movements How birth and emotional trauma can affect pelvic health Red flags that indicate the need for medical evaluation beyond pelvic floor therapy Top tips for pelvic floor health Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Sara Reardon On her website Instagram Directories: PelvicRehab.com, Academy of Pelvic Health 

We have a mashup episode today, with four leading experts sharing valuable insights to help women maintain bone density, muscle mass, and optimal health as menopause approaches.  Dr. Vonda Wright highlights the importance of early intervention with proper nutrition, impact exercise, and strength training to prevent osteoporosis and muscle loss as estrogen levels decline. Dr. Stacy Sims explores the role of resistance training and high-intensity exercise in improving bone density and metabolic health during menopause. Dr. Shannon Ritchey discusses the benefits of building muscle gradually with safe strength training techniques. Debra Atkinson shares exercise protocols for women in perimenopause and postmenopause, focusing on strength training, recovery, and the benefits of high-impact exercises and hormone replacement therapy. Join us for expert advice on how women can strategically strengthen their bones, build muscle, and optimize their health as they transition from perimenopause to menopause and beyond. ⁠Ep. 386 Muscle Strength in Menopause: Key Tests & Lifestyle Measures with Dr. Vonda Wright⁠ Dr. Wright highlights the importance of building bone and muscle health early. She explains that consistent nutrition, impact exercise, and strength training are essential to prevent osteoporosis and muscle loss as estrogen declines with age. ⁠Ep. 406 Protein, Creatine, and Training for Menopause and Beyond with Dr. Stacy Sims⁠ Dr. Stacy Sims emphasizes the importance of heavy resistance training, high-intensity exercise, and targeted lifestyle adjustments for menopausal women to improve bone density, muscle mass, and metabolic health. ⁠Ep. 456 Why Muscle Matters: Metabolism, Myths & More with Dr. Shannon Ritchey⁠ Dr. Shannon Ritchey advises women to focus on building muscle gradually and safely, explaining that muscle growth takes time and proper training, and strength training is the cornerstone of a fitness routine.  ⁠Ep. 321 Muscle, Bone & Joint Health in Menopause with Debra Atkinson⁠ Debra Atkinson discusses exercise protocols for women in perimenopause and postmenopause, looking at the benefits of strength training for bone health and the importance of recovery, highlighting the benefits of high-impact exercises, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and vibration plates. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on ⁠Twitter⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Check out Cynthia’s ⁠website⁠ Submit your questions to ⁠support@cynthiathurlow.com⁠ Connect with Dr. Vonda Wright On her⁠ website⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠,⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ X⁠, and⁠ LinkedIn⁠ Leave a message on VIP Phone Number 407-232-2334 Connect with Dr. Stacy Sims  On her⁠ website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ Connect with Dr. Shannon Ritchie On the⁠ Evlo Fitness website⁠ ⁠The Dr. Shannon Show Podcast⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ Connect with Debra Atkinson On her ⁠website⁠   ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠

You are in for a special treat today! We have the first episode in our new series of sponsored podcasts, and we are kicking things off with Jessica McNaughton, the CEO and Co-founder of C60 Power. Jessica is a true trailblazer in the world of health innovation. She is renowned for her ability to demystify complex information and challenge conventional wisdom while delivering practical, effective, and accessible wellness solutions fueled by her passion for transformative health. In our discussion, we explore C60, which is considered a super antioxidant, with studies suggesting that it is 100 to 1000 times more powerful than traditional antioxidants like vitamin C or E. We define what C60 is, what antioxidants are, and how they support the body and protect the mitochondria. Jessica explains how C60 gets created in the lab and walks us through the protocols for pairing C60 with fasting or intermittent fasting, looking at its potential for biohacking and how it supports athletic performance, cognitive clarity, mood, and even pet wellness. We also explore the benefits of C60 for women in perimenopause and menopause due to its role in supporting pregnenolone, the precursor molecule for all hormones. You will not want to miss this enlightening and information-packed conversation with its actionable insights and takeaways to support your journey to better health. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Value of C60 for middle-aged women How C60 supports pregnenolone The unique way C60 is structured C60 and energy, providing mental clarity and immune support Inflammation and C60 Mitochondrial health/support of athletic performance with C60 Improving the lives of pets with C60 Using C60 for better skin health How C60 can reduce oxidative damage to bones and support brain health  Benefits of C60 as an adjunct to HRT Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Jessica MacNaughton On⁠ the C60 website⁠ ⁠The scientific research⁠ on C60 How C60 supports animals C60 on⁠ YouTube⁠

Today, I am thrilled to connect with my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Stephanie Estima. Dr. Estima and I have similar audiences with many of the same concerns, so we decided to join up for a special episode where we can provide accurate answers to questions from the women in both our communities.  In our discussion, we dive into several topics we often get asked about on social media, including weight gain, insulin sensitivity, and how to identify where we are in terms of peak fertility years, perimenopause, or menopause. We discuss the significance of protein, looking at ways to increase our protein intake, the benefits of intermittent fasting, and when to consider doing that. We also explore how stress and hormones affect us in middle age, and we unpack some relevant research on fat loss and ways to fuel ourselves for exercise.  You have much to learn from today’s insightful and empowering conversation with Dr. Stephanie Estima! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How the fear-driven content in wellness circles can cause anxiety instead of providing solutions Why previously effective diets may need to change during menopause Vilifying carbs and negative consequences if a keto diet or fasting is maintained long term How menopause impacts the gut microbiome Perimenopause and menopause are just natural stages of life and not indicators of decline. Strength training and why it’s never too late to start Benefits of eating protein first in meals  Practical advice for managing health challenges during menopause Acute stress vs. chronic stress Will fasting intermittently before exercising burn more fat than fasting afterward? The importance of adopting a balanced approach to exercise and nutrition Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Dr. Stephanie Estima On Instagram  On her weekly podcast, Better! With Dr. Stephanie