The Perimenopause Solution Podcast (Tara Thorne)

On today's episode I talk about oral health and why it's so important for your overall health, including your hormonal health. I talk about fluoride (and what to use instead), root canals, wisdom teeth cavitations, oral dysbiosis, which bacteria we can see on your GI MAP that comes from your mouth, and so much more.

Toothpaste Brands I've mentioned in this episode:

RiseWell
BOKA

I mentioned a special I’m having if you’re listening to this in real time: my “Black Friday in October” sale. You can click HERE to read more about these packages.

I’m doing things a little differently this year and offering my "Choose Your Own Health Adventure” programs in October. This is so women can get on top of their symptoms before the silly season.

We’re also giving ladies an extra month - free of charge - on us, (because things tend to slow down over the Christmas period and these packages run for 4 months over the Christmas / New Years timeframe). These packages give you the chance to do the functional testing of your choice with my team and I, outside of my bigger 6 month program, (The HBS).

In this episode of The Hormone Balance Solution, our guest, Carol Petersen discusses the critical role of progesterone in alleviating symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations. She emphasizes the importance of adjusting the dosage based on stress levels and situations, and the potential dangers of low doses.

Carol draws on her extensive 30-year career experience and shares the impact of insulin, glucose, and dietary habits on symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and the significance of cholesterol levels in relation to hormone balance. Further, Carol sheds light on the effects of progesterone, testosterone, and hydrocortisone on candida overgrowth, and the importance of addressing candida overgrowth through improving the microbiome.

Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

1. The importance of tailored progesterone dosage and its impact on various symptoms.

2. The surprising connection between insulin, glucose, and hormone balance, and how dietary habits can play a pivotal role.

3. Eye-opening facts about cholesterol levels and the potential drawbacks of long-term statin use.

4. The crucial role of protein intake in maintaining metabolic health and preventing diseases.

5. Unveiling the impact of certain hormones on candida overgrowth and strategies to combat it.

About Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP:

In this episode, I dive into why hormone testing isn't the best approach during perimenopause.

With hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone fluctuating so much, tests like the Dutch hormone test can be misleading and expensive. Instead, I emphasize focusing on symptoms to guide your approach.

I also touch on the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and when testing might actually be useful for ensuring its effectiveness. My goal is to help you better understand the complexities of hormone balance during this phase.

In this episode:

1. Understand why hormone testing during perimenopause can be misleading
2. Recognize the fluctuation of estrogen and its impact on symptoms
3. Learn how progesterone levels can vary due to stop-start ovulation
4. Discover why symptoms are a more accurate gauge than hormone testing
5. Identify the right time for testing hormones and how it relates to hormone replacement therapy

LISTEN TO EPISODE 91: Debunking common arguments for needing to run the DUTCH test

In this episode I challenge the notion of; "I've tried everything". You see, I hear this a lot from women but the truth is, often they've not actually tried “everything" - and this should give them hope. There's often so much more to explore and I explain it all in this episode. I go down the list of things you must look at before you say “I’ve tried everything!”. See how many you can tick off.

You're NOT destined to live in pain, or with mood swings, or with debilitating PMS, or with headaches, or with fatigue, and so on. Before you conclude that you’re a “lost cause” (you’re not), listen to this episode.

 I’m doing things a little differently this year & hosting my annual Black Friday Choose Your Own Health Adventure SALE in October. Why? 👇

What I’ve witnessed is that women want more time - BEFORE the holidays - to cement healthy habits & get themselves into an optimal health state before the festivities hit. It’s a good idea to go into the holidays with robust health because ultimately we may indulge a little during the holidays. 

Also, around the holidays my team & I take a well deserved break. Everyone shuts down for a week or so over Christmas & new years so I wanted to give you an extra month - on us - free of charge - because the holidays aren’t a normal time of year. 

So if you want to do some functional health testing outside of my 6 month program (The HBS) these smaller programs are for you! 

This is a once yearly opportunity to work with me and Michelle to do testing of YOUR CHOICE! We only have space for a limited number of ladies so hop on the waitlist to be the first to find out when this special becomes available. Waitlist HERE.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new course, "HRT Made Simple™," which is now available for those seeking to empower themselves with knowledge about hormone replacement therapy. After years of research, client care, and extensive learning, I am delighted to share this comprehensive resource with you.

Here's what you can expect from this episode:

• My journey and experience with hormone replacement therapy
• The importance and need for the HRT Made Simple™ course
• My purpose of the course and empowering women to advocate for themselves

• Breaking through the false data of the past and the resulting fear surrounding hormone replacement therapy
• Explaining the reasons behind the misconceptions and fears

• Exploring the invisible benefits of hormone replacement therapy
• Differentiating between symptom mitigation benefits and disease-reducing benefits
• Real-life transformative experiences with HRT

• Examining the need for simplicity in understanding hormone replacement therapy
• Empowering women with essential, practical knowledge about HRT
• Different forms and dosages of hormone replacement therapy

• Recommended books for further education on hormone replacement therapy
• Other educational resources and practitioners to follow for ongoing learning
• Membership and course suggestions for further deepening knowledge

• Navigating conversations with doctors about hormone replacement therapy
• Addressing the outdated knowledge and misconceptions among doctors
• Providing tools for confidently discussing HRT with healthcare professionals

• Identifying knowledgeable HRT practitioners in North America, the UK, and Europe
• Database of resources for finding healthcare providers who understand hormone replacement therapy
• Effective ways to advocate for the need for HRT with healthcare professionals

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't. 

In this episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast, we're diving into why you can't solely rely on HRT to combat symptoms of perimenopause. Yes, HRT is a game-changer, but our lifestyle and dietary choices play a massive role in our hormonal harmony. Tara shares insights on why optimizing your body's nutrient stores and reducing toxic exposure are vital for making HRT truly effective.

Tara's a strong advocate for functional testing, and she can't stress enough the importance of annually checking in on our nutrient levels with a stool test and an HTMA (hair tissue mineral analysis). These tests are eye-opening and help us tailor the approach to hormone health and overall wellness.

And speaking of nutrient optimization, she's offering a special opportunity in connection with HRT Made Simple. You'll have the chance to supercharge your hormone support with a customized HTMA testing package—an invaluable resource in helping address nutrient deficiencies and bring balance to your health.

After hosting an Ask Me Anything regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on Instagram, Tara's compiled your questions together and sits down on this episode of the HBS podcast to answer them one by one. 

Mentioned in this episode:

PIQUE TEA – These are some of Tara’s favourite teas! They’re crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They’re made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE to visit the shop.

PALEOVALLEY – Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

Episode 21: Is testing hormones in peri-menopause a waste of time?

Episode 68: Metabolic health and the peri-menopause transition - An interview with MY OWN IFM-trained functional medicine Doc!

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't

In this episode, I dispel a few common myths around estrogen and menopause. I delve into the dangers of low estrogen levels and debunk the notion that perimenopause is solely characterized by estrogen dominance. I also touch on how taking the 'natural' approach to this midlife transition may do more harm than good!

The term estrogen dominance has been widely used in the past, but it may not accurately describe the hormonal imbalance experienced during perimenopause. In fact, estrogen tends to be erratic - up, down and all over the place. Instead, we need to recognize the potential dangers of low estrogen levels, and consider hormone replacement as a key strategy at this time in our life. 

While low estrogen levels in peri-menopause can lead to various symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and decreased bone density, it's far more concerning of what diseases it can lead to later in life.

I know that the concept of going through menopause naturally seems like a lovely idea but not bringing hormone replacement on board is unhealthy and could potentially be harmful in a lot of ways.

Estrogen is vitally important for more than 400 different functions in the body and with low levels we set ourselves up for a much higher chance of dementia, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and the list goes on. 

Join me for this episode, and help me dispel some of the myths of estrogen. 

And if you're interested in diving deeper into the hormone balance solution, be sure to check out the video mentioned in the podcast - HERE!

On this episode I spoke with Oromyofacial Myologist and Speech Therapist, Robynann Williams.

This episode was mind-blowing!

We spoke about how the tongue is connected to your face structure, your breathing, even your toes!

We spoke about teeth clenching, (it's not all parasites and stress related) and how your tongue position can affect your hunched shoulders as well as back and neck tension.

We also spoke about tongue tie and the epidemic of small jaws and elongated face shapes and why this is ocurring - and how to prevent it. This is a must-listen also for those with crowded teeth too. There is a reason the teeth are crowded and just straightening them isn't always the long-term solution.

You can look up RobynAnn on the Australian Association of Orofacial Myology here: https://australianassociationoforofacialmyology.org.au/

And you can book a session with RobynAnn here: https://www.beyondself.com.au/team/robynann-williams/

REGISTER HERE for my upcoming Hormone Balance Training: The most effective way to end the hormonal imbalance rollercoaster without birth control, starving yourself, or wasting money on testing and supplements you don’t need.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can. And I’m running a giveaway! If you leave this podcast a 5 star review and take a screenshot and send to me on Instagram, (I’m @TaraThorneHealth) we’ll give you my 6 week Happy Hormones course - for free!

In this episode, Tara sheds light on the invisible benefits of HRT that go beyond alleviating menopausal symptoms and explores the life-saving potential of this therapy.

Tara emphasizes that HRT can play a crucial role in protecting against multiple disease states, including osteoporosis, dementia, muscle wastage, and certain types of cancer. The podcast explains that the use of HRT can have a significant impact on bone health, reduce the risk of dementia and sarcopenia, and support cardiovascular health, among other benefits.

The podcast episode also challenges the misconceptions about the duration of HRT usage. Tara advocates that HRT is not merely a short-term solution for symptom relief but rather a long-term strategy for overall health and wellness. She highlights the importance of considering HRT for life to reap its disease-preventing and protective benefits.

Additionally, Tara shares insights from her HRT Made Simple course and discusses the importance of being proactive about hormonal health to ensure a fulfilling and healthy future, beyond the perimenopausal stage.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pique Tea – These are some of Tara’s favourite teas! They’re crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They’re made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE to visit the shop.

Paleovalley – Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

In this episode, Tara takes a deep dive into three of the most commonly recommended supplements—Vitamin D, Iron, and Selenium—and why they might not be as harmless as they seem.

While these nutrients are essential for health, the one-size-fits-all approach to supplementation can do more harm than good, especially when practitioners prescribe them without proper testing.

Tara breaks down the misconceptions, the risks of over-supplementation, and how these supplements interact with other key minerals in the body.

She encourages listeners to take a more critical approach, work with practitioners who think beyond blanket recommendations, and prioritize testing before taking any supplement.

In this episode: 

• The widespread belief that Vitamin D is a miracle nutrient and why this is misleading.
• How Vitamin D deficiency is often a symptom of inflammation rather than the root cause of disease.
• The dangers of high-dose Vitamin D supplementation and how it interacts with calcium and magnesium.
• Why iron deficiency is often misdiagnosed and why ferritin alone is not a reliable marker.
• The importance of looking at iron metabolism instead of assuming a deficiency.
• The risks of excess selenium and how over-supplementation can lead to toxicity.
• The myth that everyone with a thyroid condition needs selenium supplementation.
• The role of Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) in understanding your mineral status.
• The importance of working with a practitioner who understands nutrient interactions and proper testing.

BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE

In this episode I touch on something that is SUPER important - more important than many understand I believe, and this isn’t anyone’s fault.

We’re all trying to do our best and trying to feel our best, and often women are desperate to feel better so they will try almost anything.

This includes supplements they read about online or see in-store, over the counter. But just because a health practitioner talks about a supplement online doesn’t mean this will be helpful for YOU.

And just because something is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it can’t be harmful. There’s so much out there that people think are, not only benign, but HELPFUL - and this isn’t always the case.

My point? DIY-ing your supplements can be a waste of money at best and harmful at worst and in this episode I dive into this in more detail.

If you're ready to stop DIY-ing your health please apply to join us inside The Hormone Balance Solution HERE. 

**I am not a doctor and I do not know you or your individual unique case. Do not take any supplements mentioned in my podcast without first consulting with your doctor.**

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In the first episode of this 2-part series, we took a closer look into methylation and MTHFR gene mutations. If you're interested in learning more about how these factors can impact your health, you won't want to miss this episode.

Here are three MTHFR points we discussed in part 1:

1️⃣ MTHFR Gene:

MTHFR stands for methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, which is responsible for the production of the MTHFR enzyme. When there is a mutation or variant in this gene, it can lead to reduced enzyme function, affecting the conversion of folate to its active form.

2️⃣ Importance of Methylation:

Methylation is a crucial process that occurs over a billion times per second in every cell of our body. It plays a fundamental role in various bodily processes and can impact every tissue and organ system. Healthy methylation is essential for optimal mental health, as neurotransmitters rely on it for their synthesis, metabolism, and excretion.

3️⃣ Gene Expression:

Methylation also has significant implications for gene expression. It can determine whether certain genes are activated or suppressed, potentially influencing disease prevention or onset.

Understanding the impact of methylation on gene expression is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.

If you're curious to learn more about methylation and its relationship to hormonal harmony, gut health, and nutrient deficiencies, make sure to tune in to the Hormone Balance Solution podcast. 

Welcome to the first episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast. Grab a tea & settle in as this is a really important episode. You may want to grab a pen & paper too so you can take notes.

In this episode we talk about the imperative importance of gut health for your hormones. The fact is, if you don't get your gut right you won't be able to balance your hormones, (& you don't need gut symptoms to have gut issues!). Gut health is FOUNDATIONAL to hormonal health & this is why I'm starting the podcast off with this topic.

In this episode I mention that I have a free Healthy Gut Guide you can grab HERE, which will get you started on your healthy gut, healthy hormones journey.

You can also grab my probiotic of choice, MegaSporeBiotic, HERE by using my practitioner code, (which also gets you 10% off): TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode Tara breaks down the common arguments for running a DUTCH test and provides her perspective on why it may not be the best investment for those experiencing perimenopausal symptoms. She discusses the limitations of the test in providing root cause answers and highlights the potential need for additional, often costly, tests to address the suggestions raised by the Dutch test results.

Tara also discusses the significance of combining the results of Root Tests such as the comprehensive blood work, stool test, and HTMA to provide a more holistic understanding of hormonal imbalance and related health concerns, particularly during perimenopause.

Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect in this episode:

1. Root Cause Analysis: Understand why the Dutch test may not give root cause answers and how it may lead to additional expenses.

2. Metabolites vs. Practical Solutions: Uncover the reality around estrogen metabolites and how lifestyle changes can support pathways highlighted by the Dutch test.

3. Organic Acids and Blood Work Comparison: Explore the comparison between organic acids tests and comprehensive blood work, learning when each may be more beneficial.

4. Deep Dive into Adrenal Health: Gain a new perspective on interpreting cortisol patterns and understanding the importance of nervous system support.

5. The Best Hormone Tests for Perimenopause: Discover practical advice on which hormone tests may be more beneficial during the perimenopausal phase.

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

EPISODE 45: My thoughts on the DUTCH test

EPISODE 81: An interview with Deanna Minich, PhD, nutrition scientist, educator, & author about melatonin & its multiple functions, specifically, Herbatonin, which is far superior to other types of melatonin.

.

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

In Part 2 of my series on How to lose & maintain a healthy weight in your 40's & beyond, I dive into diet, movement, and stress and how it all affects or success in losing those unwanted pounds. 

I also share some great strategies for those looking to lose a few pounds while maintaining a healthy relationship with food and their body:

• How eating the right foods that regulate blood sugar and preventing inflammation can aid in weight loss
• How weight loss is primarily determined by diet rather than exercise, although regular movement is still important
• How stress can negatively impact gut health and ultimately your weight

If you want to learn more about what's going to maintain and optimize your health, and how to do your best at preventing chronic disease as you age, subscribe to the podcast for our weekly conversations.

AND if you are interested in finding out more about The Hormone Balance Solution you can do that HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

Paleovalley - Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE

Previous HBS Podcast Episodes Referred in this Episode (Blood Sugar Balance): 

EPS 38: Blood sugar balance is foundational to you feeling better in your 40's, (& yours is probably imbalanced)

EPS 44: All about CGMs with Catherine Staffieri

In this episode, Tara gets real about why it's crucial to build muscle for metabolic health and longevity in midlife and beyond.

Exercise, particularly muscle-building exercises, can significantly impact our overall health as we age. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect from this (what I hope is) empowering episode:

1. Understanding the Importance of Muscle: Tara explains how muscle plays a pivotal role in combating chronic disease states such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, osteoporosis, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Building robust muscle is our superpower against these health issues.

2. Challenging Age-Related Misconceptions: Tara passionately challenges the misconceptions around aging, emphasizing that losing strength as we age is not an inevitable consequence. With the right exercise and nutrition, we can defy the limitations often associated with getting older.

3. Anabolic Resistance and Muscle Health: The episode sheds light on anabolic resistance, a common phenomenon as we age, and provides actionable solutions for combating it. Tara discusses the importance of protein intake, heavy weight lifting, and hormone replacement therapy to counter anabolic resistance and build muscle effectively.

4. Waist Circumference as a Predictor: Tara also highlights the significance of measuring waist circumference as a predictor of metabolic dysfunction, providing valuable insights for assessing and improving our metabolic health.

FUN(CTIONAL) FACT:

Did you know that muscle mass significantly predicts lifespan? Research shows that individuals over 60 years of age with lower muscle strength were 50% more likely to die from all causes, including cancer.

Mentioned in this episode:

Paleovalley – Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

On this episode I spoke with Jo Lia from No Tox Rox and we spoke all about mold.

Mold toxicity is a big problem, and I’ve seen many a client suffering with their hormonal health only to find out it was mold driving their symptoms.

But how do you know what to look out for?
How do you know when mold is an issue?
What’s the best way to test?

We get into these questions and more on this episode.

Jo is a building biologist, a certified EMR consultant and a IICRC trained water damage restoration technician specialising in creating healthy homes where families can thrive.

With over a decade of experience in the field, Jo has assessed hundreds of homes, work-places and schools.

Much of her work is focused on remedying mold and EMF exposures but her true passion lies in prevention. She loves nothing more than arming people with the tools and knowledge to create their own healthy homes by understanding what the environmental challenges are and changing the things they can control.

Jo has appeared in several health publications, on wellness podcasts and on Channel Ten’s ‘Healthy Homes’ program.

You can find Jo here: https://www.notoxrox.com/

On Instagram @notoxrox

Jo also provided these resources for our listeners:

https://www.vcstest.com/ - Free visual contrast sensitivity test to assess your likelihood of having biotoxin illness.
www.staraniseorganic.com/essential-oils (email any questions to info@staraniseorganic.com) for thieves and non toxic cleaning products

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

This is Part 2 of my interview all about EMFs with Joanne Lia from No Tox Rox.

I last spoke with Jo back on episode #11 - all about mold, so make sure you go back and check that out if you haven’t yet. This time, Jo and I spoke about EMFs.

We covered the following in this jam-packed two-part interview:

• Why should we be concerned about EMFs in the first place?
• Is living close to electrical towers / mobile phone towers a problem?
• Are EMFs worse if you live in an apartment building?
• What does the research and science say about EMF exposure and our health and safety?
• Earbuds and bluetooth headphones - should we be concerned?
  Infertility and EMFs - is there a connection?
• How can we mitigate the dangers of EMFs and protect ourselves, (including a candid conversation about EMF pendants and other “shielding” devices)?

Jo is a certified building biologist and certified electromagnetic radiation (EMR) consultant. She specialises in creating healthy indoor environments. As well as conducting healthy home/office audits, Jo also conducts pre-lease/pre-purchase audits for homebuyers.

Find Jo here:

Website: https://www.notoxrox.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notoxrox/

Links to Products and the Rosa Institute we spoke about on this episode:

Defender laptop pad: https://www.earthingoz.com.au/defendershield-defenderpad

Belly Armour: https://bellyarmor.com/

An alternative to Belly Armour that Jo recommends and has a 10% off code for which is NOTOXROX10 is: https://radiasmart.com/?aff=4

The Rosa Institute: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/

Bio Initiative Report: https://bioinitiative.org/?s=EMF

Swiss Shield: https://www.swiss-shield.ch/

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode of the Hormone Balance Solution podcast we discuss how overwhelm is a choice and I share some tips on reframing our mindset to manage our busy lives more effectively.

Overwhelm is a choice

We have the power to choose how we perceive and approach our daily tasks and responsibilities. By reframing our mindset and practicing mindfulness, we can ease the burden of overwhelm.

Prioritize peace and calm

In our fast-paced society, busyness is often glorified. However, we should strive to prioritize peace, calmness, and tranquility in our lives. It's essential for our mental and physical well-being.

Mindfulness is the antidote

Being mindful and catching ourselves when we start spiraling into overwhelm is crucial. Practice being present, recognize when the "hamster wheel" mentality kicks in, and consciously choose to take one task at a time.

     Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't. 

When we enter our 40's it can become a confusing time - welcome to perimenopause!

Yes - even if you're still cycling regularly.

But don't worry, there's so much we can do safely, naturally, and effectively to combat the ups and downs of peri-menopause.

So if you're experiencing strange symptoms perhaps you've not had before, or if symptoms you've experienced for a while now are getting worse, this is the episode for you.

Please know; you're not crazy - you're in your 40's.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

And if you do write a 5 star review, please send a screenshot of it to @tarathornehealth and we'll send you my 6-week Happy Hormones course, completely free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

We welcome back Carol Petersen, for an informative Q&A style discussion. She helps us unearth the intricate relationship between progesterone and various aspects of women's health.

From its influence on the GABA receptor, affecting both mood and hormonal balance, to its potential benefits during breastfeeding and in managing postpartum depression, this episode digs into progesterone's multifaceted role.

We also tackle crucial health concerns, such as its implications in endometrial cancer treatment and the myths around its cancer risks. Carol shares her expertise on utilizing progesterone for PMS, migraines, and sleep issues, emphasizing a tailored approach influenced by symptoms rather than standard hormone tests.

Join us for an enlightening conversation that promises to shed light on achieving hormonal harmony in various stages of life.

In this episode: 

1. Progesterone's Dual Role: Did you know that progesterone shares a receptor action with benzodiazepines? Discover how this impacts your GABA receptors and overall well-being.
2. Breastfeeding and Balance: Learn whether it's safe to take progesterone while nursing and how it can support moms dealing with postpartum blues.
3. Spot on Spotting: Is mid-cycle spotting driving you nuts? We delve into what those frustrating spots might be telling you about your estrogen and progesterone levels.
4. Hormones and Heartbeats: Ever felt your heart skipping a beat? Uncover the link between hormone levels, adrenaline spikes, and those pesky palpitations.
5. Endometriosis Insights: We're diving deep into the role of hormonal treatment in managing endometriosis, shedding light on vitamin D and candida connections.

About Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP:

Mentioned in this episode:

[FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don’t need!).

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Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast - a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.

Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years - plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.

I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.

So tune in, make sure you’re subscribed, leave a review, and get ready to learn important health information that isn’t readily available …. everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

I just had a jaw-dropping experience with improving my metabolic health through weight lifting, and it was so amazing that my doctor couldn't believe the results!

In just a few short months, I saw dramatic improvements that had a profound impact on my overall well-being. Through this eye-opening journey, I've learned so much about the importance of metabolic health, especially as we age. Here are some of my findings:

1. Lifting weights and building muscle have a significant impact on supporting metabolic health.

2. Understanding the role of macronutrients and finding the right balance is key to supporting muscle growth.

3. It's not about quick fixes but about long-term well-being. Avoid falling into the trap of fad diets and excessive cardio.

You might also enjoy this episode:

EPISODE 97: Breaking the yo-yo weight cycle: why chasing a number on the scale is a bad idea in midlife, how calorie restriction will let you down, & what to do instead.

Mentioned in this episode:

MegaSporeBiotic – Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

PALEOVALLEY – Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE

Study referred to in this episode: Use of menopausal hormone therapy beyond age 65 years and its effects on women's health outcomes by types, routes, and doses https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38595196/

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

EPISODE 17: What you need to know about perimenopause, menopause & BHRT with Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN PART 1

EPISODE 18: What you need to know about perimenopause, menopause & BHRT with Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN PART 2

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

Register for my Perimenopause Made Simple Masterclass on May 14th, at 7pm EST / 4pm PST:

How to reclaim your happiness & confidence in midlife & overcome fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, insomnia, and more without sacrificing your favourite foods or relying on medication & set yourself up for healthier decades to come. >>REGISTER HERE <<

Today we talk all-things-melatonin.

**I am not a doctor and I do not know you or your individual unique case. Do not take any supplements mentioned in my podcast without first consulting with your doctor. **

Oftentimes, practitioners in the health and wellness space talk about the more "sexy" hormones like estrogen and progesterone, but melatonin is a powerful hormone that does far more for us than just help us sleep.

Melatonin is powerfully anti-cancer, and clinical trails are showing very promising outcomes from melatonin supplementation in oncology patients.

For this reason alone we must sit up and take notice of this amazing hormone. In this episode I go into how melatonin is anti-cancer, why we become low in melatonin, and I also talk about melatonin's incredible gut health benefits and how it's being used to treat IBS, GERD, gastritis, and other GI issues very successfully.

In my practice we've used melatonin to treat some of these conditions ourselves, with great success. I also tell you what my favourite type and brand of melatonin is.

There are two types: synthetic and plant-based.

Most melatonin you've ever come across is synthetic but it's the plant-based melatonin that is most powerful. I'll explain everything on this episode so settle in and get ready to learn about all-things-melatonin.

Mentioned in this episode:

Herbatonin - Save 15% when you use Tara's code: Tara15

Blue Light Blocking Glasses Recommendations:

• Baxter Blue (Australian site) Save 15% when you use Tara's code: Tara15
• Bon Charge Save 15% when you use Tara's code: TARA15

Research mentioned in this episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4375362/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32910542/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908021/#:~:text=Some%20common%20sources%20of%20tryptophan,chocolate%20(see%20Table%201). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6854986/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409706/#:~:text=Eggs%20and%20fish%20are%20higher,good%20dietary%20sources%20of%20melatonin. https://www.phytomelatonin.com/cognitive-health?utm_source=HPROF-21%20-%20Target%20Group%206&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HPROF_Newsletter_2023-05-19&_kx=zkXV_eyQC6dn9gmiOeqDMqCeZ5-QibfL0nwAFjggV4QRiVkZaC0VdiHn4953Edh9.Ucc2VP https://www.phytomelatonin.com/cancer-prevention?utm_source=HPROF-21%20-%20Target%20Group%206&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HPROF_Newsletter_2023-05-19&_kx=zkXV_eyQC6dn9gmiOeqDMqCeZ5-QibfL0nwAFjggV4QRiVkZaC0VdiHn4953Edh9.Ucc2V
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/19/3934/htm

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

One of the most valuable tests she recommends is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), which provides a long-term look at nutrient levels, mineral imbalances, and heavy metal exposure. Since minerals are the foundation of optimal hormone function, ensuring they are in balance is key to feeling your best. Tara also highlights the importance of stool testing for gut health and explains why she considers blood work essential for tracking long-term trends in metabolic and hormonal health.

On the flip side, she advises against spending money on hormone testing (like the DUTCH test) in perimenopause, as hormone levels fluctuate too much to provide reliable data. She also discusses why organic acids tests and food sensitivity panels often lead to unnecessary treatments instead of addressing root causes. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by lab testing options, this episode will give you clarity on where to focus your efforts—and your budget.

In this episode: 

1. The problem with unnecessary lab testing – Many women waste money on tests that don’t provide useful insights.
2. HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) – A must-have test that offers a deep look at mineral levels, nutrient imbalances, and heavy metals affecting hormone health.
3. Stool testing – Essential for gut health, which impacts everything from digestion to hormone metabolism.
4. Blood work – Important for tracking metabolic trends, inflammation markers, and overall health over time.
5. Why hormone testing isn’t helpful in perimenopause – Hormone levels fluctuate daily, making tests like DUTCH unreliable for assessing estrogen and progesterone levels.
6. Why organic acids and food sensitivity tests aren’t necessary – These tests often lead to additional unnecessary testing instead of targeting true root causes.
7. How to make informed choices – Focus on testing that provides actionable data and long-term health benefits.

BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE

You might also like these episodes:

EPISODE 45: My thoughts on the DUTCH test

EPISODE 91: Debunking common arguments for needing to run the DUTCH test

EPISODE 70: All about minerals & the HTMA test with Lisa-Pitel-Killah

EPISODE 74: Why I don't recommend or use food sensitivity testing

Many women experience a lack of hunger in the morning, but Tara explains why this could be a sign of deeper health concerns.

In this episode, Tara highlights how a healthy morning appetite is a key indicator of metabolic health. She explains how skipping breakfast or feeling uninterested in food early in the day could point to hormonal imbalances, such as cortisol dysregulation or thyroid issues. And as always, she makes it clear, the critical role of a protein-rich breakfast in preventing muscle loss and supporting overall health, especially as we age.

Tara shares practical strategies to help improve morning appetite, such as managing stress and incorporating more protein and produce into your diet. She also challenges common approaches like fasting, encouraging women to prioritize consistent eating habits—particularly during midlife, when hormonal shifts can add extra strain on the body. Tune in for actionable advice to help you support your metabolism, hormones, and overall well-being.

In this episode we cover: 

• Hunger and Health Signals: An absence of morning hunger might indicate hormonal imbalances or potential thyroid issues. It's vital to listen to your body's signals and understand what they might be indicating about your health.
• Importance of Protein: Eating at least 35 grams of protein at breakfast is crucial. This fuels muscle growth, combats anabolic resistance, and lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.
• Stress Management: Tara emphasizes the importance of managing stress through proactive measures like meditation and slowing down, rather than relying on physical activities as stress busters.
• Reconsider Fasting: Especially in midlife, fasting might not be the best strategy as it can affect your hormone balance and stress resilience.
• Monitor Your Metabolic Health: Regular testing for markers like fasting insulin is recommended to maintain and improve metabolic health.

In this episode, you'll discover:

1. The crucial link between hormonal balance and mental health

2. The role of estrogen and progesterone in supporting mood

3. The impact of diet, exercise, and lifestyle on mental well-being

4. Strategies for managing perimenopausal symptoms effectively

5. The potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for mental health

On the previous episode of the Hormone Balance Solution podcast we looked at some studies on Cold Water Therapy and today we will continue delving into this research by looking closer at how it affects our mitochondrial health. (Episode 66)

Here's what we've found and discuss on this episode:

1. The effects of cold water immersion are mainly due to the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

2. Cold exposure can increase the activity and volume of brown fat, which can potentially aid in preventing obesity and metabolic diseases.

3. Cold water immersion after exercise can support muscle recovery, reduce soreness, and improve perceived recovery.

4. Cold exposure shows promise in improving lipid metabolism and clearing circulating metabolites.

5. While more research is needed, cold exposure might be a fantastic strategy for improving metabolic flexibility.

**While there are promising studies indicating the benefits of cold water therapy, more research is needed due to the small sample sizes and variable study designs. It's important to approach this practice with caution and always consult with a healthcare professional.**

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

In this episode of the podcast I spoke about copper toxicity; what the symptoms are, how one becomes copper toxic, how copper toxicity AND deficiency can look the same, what the best test is for copper (blood vs. HTMA), and more.

A must-listen for anyone with hypothyroidism (or symptoms), PMS or estrogen excess, or any type of mental health issue.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In the 2nd episode of this 2-part series, we dive into the fascinating topic of methylation and its impact on hormonal balance. You will get some valuable insights about the factors that impact methylation, including gut health, Candida, dysbiosis, parasites, and more.

Listen to the previous episode on methylation HERE. 

1️⃣ Methylation is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Simply taking methylated B vitamins may not be enough to address methylation issues.  Considering the role of various cofactors in optimizing methylation. Nutrients like methionine, cysteine, taurine, DHA, zinc, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, B6, betaine, and choline are all essential for supporting methylation. It's crucial to address all these aspects and provide your body with the complete package of nutrients it needs.

2️⃣ Support your methylation pathways with the right nutrients.

The key is to relieve the strain on your methylation pathways and provide optimal conditions for healthy methylation to occur. This includes focusing on essential aspects of health, such as gut health, digestion, supporting the microbiome, dealing with dysbiosis, and eliminating gut pathogens like Candida and parasites.

3️⃣ The connection between Candida overgrowth and methylation.

Candida produces a toxic byproduct called Acetylaldehyde, which inhibits a vital cycle in the methylation process known as Methionine Synthase. Reducing alcohol consumption is also crucial, as it produces Acetylaldehyde and adds extra pressure on methylation.

Remember, methylation is a delicate dance that requires a holistic and personalized approach.

So, if you suspect methylation issues or resonate with the symptoms we discussed in the podcast, consider working with a functional practitioner to determine the best course of action for your unique situation.

I hope these tips provide you with valuable insights into supporting your methylation for optimal hormone balance. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we delve deeper into other aspects of hormone health.

And if you're interested in diving deeper into the hormone balance solution, be sure to check out the free video about the program and the women I've helped so far – HERE!

So this podcast episode is going to be a little different than what we normally discuss.

To be honest, it's been a really rough month for me in all facets of my life. And I want to share some insights and life lessons that have resonated deeply with me during this period of self-reflection. 

Life has this funny way of teaching us valuable lessons when we least expect it. For me, it was the passing of someone dear to my heart that truly shook my world. It made me pause and reflect on the importance of reducing stress and focusing on what truly matters.

One powerful realization that has taken root within me is that things happen for me, not to me. By embracing this mindset, I've found the strength to take risks worth taking. Calculated risks that propel me forward and teach me valuable life lessons. It's in these moments of vulnerability that we truly discover ourselves.

I this episode I encourage you to embrace life's teachings with an open heart. Let go of the need to control everything and surrender to the outcome.

Remember, we're all imperfect beings, learning and growing as we go. So let's take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them.

If you want to learn more about what's going to maintain and optimize your health, and how to do your best at preventing chronic disease as you age, subscribe to the podcast for our weekly conversations.

AND if you are interested in finding out more about The Hormone Balance Solution you can do that HERE.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Minerals are crucial for hormone health & overall health, yet hardly anyone in the health & wellness space is talking about them.

In this episode we talk about how the thyroid, your estrogen levels, & your adrenals rely on healthy mineral status & balance. I touch on why blood work for your thyroid may seem normal yet your minerals can show us if you have a more sluggish thyroid picture than what your bloods are picking up. I also talk about the symptoms of mineral imbalances, why blood testing for minerals is not accurate & what the best test to do is for minerals is & why - plus more! This is a jam-packed episode & a must-listen for anyone wanting to optmise their hormonal & overall health.

Grab the Symphony Health sole kit I spoke about on this episode HERE and use the code TARA15 for 15% off.

Grab the Bumbleroot powder I spoke about on this episode HERE & use the code TARA15 for 15% off your first order & taraten for 10% off subsequent orders.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Did you know that protein has a vital role in building muscle and overall health as we age?

I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of prioritizing your health in your 40s to prevent chronic disease later in life and making sure you are eating enough protein is a great place to start. 

In this episode of the Hormone Balance Solution podcast I teach you how to calculate the ideal daily protein intake and breakfasts high in protein have been shown to have the greatest effect on satiety, caloric intake, blood sugar, and muscle protein synthesis.

I also discuss how animal products have higher levels of essential amino acids compared to plant-based foods, and how deficiencies can occur over time with highly plant-based diets.

I go over the importance of macronutrient balance, particularly protein and carbs, for optimizing thyroid function, appetite regulation, and thermogenesis. And we also delve into the impacts of protein intake on insulin levels, satiety, caloric intake, blood sugar, glucose regulation, and muscle protein synthesis.

In summary, your protein intake aides in gut health and optimizing digestion which are crucial for good quality of life as we age. I hope you enjoy this episode and stay tuned next week as we pick up on the importance of protein in part 2. 

Find out more about The Hormone Balance Solution and apply to join us HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode, you'll discover:

1.The importance of balancing estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones for overall well-being.

2. How estrogen kickback can manifest as symptoms and why it's actually part of the natural process when starting progesterone.

3. Tara's personal experience with estrogen kickback and how she overcame it.

4. Counterintuitive solutions to estrogen kickback, including continuing with or potentially increasing progesterone dosage.

5. The significance of working with a knowledgeable practitioner to find the right hormone dosage for your body.

Breast Cancer is something that affects so many women and as we enter midlife, it's even more important that we give this topic our attention.

From the foods we eat to the impact of alcohol consumption, healthy gut and mineral support, to the influence of genetics and lifestyle, we'll delve into all the factors that contribute to breast health in this episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast.

Here's some of what I share in this episode:

Gut Health and Breast Cancer Risk:

Our gut health has a significant impact on hormone metabolism and inflammation regulation in the body, which can influence the risk of breast cancer and disease states. It's essential to prioritize a healthy gut by consuming gut-supportive foods and maintaining a balanced diet.

Lifestyle Factors and Breast Cancer:

Obesity and alcohol consumption have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. By focusing on maintaining a healthy weight, minimizing alcohol intake, and optimizing lifestyle choices, individuals can help reduce their susceptibility to breast cancer.

Hormones, Microbiome, and Breast Health:

Hormones play a crucial role in breast health, and the gut microbiome can impact estrogen metabolism, affecting its removal from the body. Additionally, low levels of melatonin have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Prioritizing hormone balance and microbiome health can be key in promoting overall breast health.

Melatonin and Breast Health:

Low levels of melatonin can influence the development of breast cancer, and disruptions in the circadian rhythm have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Melatonin, known for its potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, is recommended for its potential impact on breast cancer and resistance to chemotherapy. Paying attention to our gut microbiome, specific bacteria, and enzymes can offer insights into breast cancer risk and development.

Join me on a journey to understanding the crucial role of diet, melatonin levels, circadian rhythm, gut microbiome, and more in maintaining optimal breast health. Empower yourself with knowledge to make informed, precautionary choices for your well-being.

Mentioned in this episode:

Studies of Reference:

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet#:~:text=Breast%20cancer%3A%20Epidemiologic%20studies%20have,breast%20cancer%2C%20compared%20with%20nondrinkers https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3832299/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36374962/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10058520/#:~:text=The%20microbiota%20can%20increase%2Fdecrease,and%20modulating%20the%20immune%20system. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10058520/#:~:text=The%20microbiota%20can%20increase%2Fdecrease,and%20modulating%20the%20immune%20system.

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

In this episode, Dr. Simmons and Tara Thorne discuss the misconceptions surrounding breast cancer, hormone therapies, and the vital role of estrogen in our health. It's an eye-opening and empowering conversation that you won't want to miss.

1. Understanding the Significance of Hormone Receptors in Cancer Cells: Dr. Simmons explains the complexities of treating cancer cells that no longer have hormone receptors, shedding light on the challenges in cancer treatment.
   
   
2. Debunking Misunderstandings about Estrogen and Progesterone: Tara Thorne shares how many individuals misunderstand the significance of estrogen and progesterone in breast cancer and discusses common misconceptions about lowering estrogen levels.
   
   
3. Unveiling the Truth about Tamoxifen: Discover the surprising truth about tamoxifen – a synthetic estrogen – and its effects on the body, as Dr. Simmons explains its association with unwanted side effects and its impact on decision-making for individuals with breast cancer.
   
   
4. The Protective Benefits of Estrogen: The hosts emphasize the protective benefits of estrogen in breast cancer survival and discuss the lack of publicized information about hormone replacement therapy and its positive outcomes for women.
   
   
5. Mammograms aren't preventative: Dr. Simmons highlighted the limitations of mammographic screening programs and the potential harmful effects of mammograms, challenging the established beliefs around breast cancer growth and detection methods while advocating for a proactive and holistic approach to breast health.
   
   
6. Proactive Health Measures: Dr. Simmons highlights the importance of proactive health measures and a holistic approach to overall health, including breast health as part of general wellness.

In this episode we discuss testosterone - an absolutely critical hormone for women that starts to decline in our 20’s.

Testosterone plays a much bigger role in a woman’s body than simply supporting libido. It protects us from breast cancer, alzheimer's, supports our mood, supports our motivation, boosts our metabolism, and SO much more.

I break it all down for you in this episode, so settle in and enjoy.

Please also share this episode with a friend if you think they’d benefit from listening, as this is little known but hugely important information for women everywhere.

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Natural peptides like GLP one Agonists are not just about weight loss - they have a wide range of potential health benefits.
         
2. Functional medicine practitioners should consider the potential of natural peptides to address conditions that conventional medications may not effectively treat.
        
3. Prioritizing patient well-being over rigid beliefs can lead to more effective and holistic healthcare solutions.

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

EPISODE 54: Exercise, weight loss & fasting for the midlife woman with Chris DeHollander

EPISODE 49: How to lose & maintain a healthy weight in your 40's & beyond PART 1

EPISODE 63: Toxins: a big contributor to weight gain & the inability to lose weight

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

Breast tenderness is a common but often dismissed issue among women. In our latest podcast episode, I share some effective and safe natural solutions to address breast tenderness and overall breast health.

Here's what to expect on this episode:

1. The significance of estrogen to progesterone ratio, hormone balance, and iodine levels in determining breast tenderness.

2. The impact of diet on reducing inflammation, as well as the essential role of high-quality fish oil in supporting overall health and cellular membrane health.

3. The crucial connection between gut health and breast health, and how to assess and support gut health for inflammation reduction.

4. The influence of hormone balancing, progesterone usage, and estrogen signaling on addressing breast tenderness in midlife and perimenopausal women.

Mentioned in this episode:

Purchase Herbatonin here and use Tara's discount code for 15% off, which is Tara15: https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/TaraHerbatonin

BOOK: Happy Healthy Hormones by D. Rosensweet

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

EPISODE 81: An interview with Deanna Minich, PhD, nutrition scientist, educator, & author about melatonin & its multiple functions, specifically, Herbatonin, which is far superior to other types of melatonin.

EPISODE 46: All about melatonin: a hormone that’s anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, aids brain detox & SO much more

In this episode I talk GLUTEN: Is it friend or foe?

Should you be avoiding it?

How does gluten impact our hormones?

Can gluten ever be a part of a "healthy" diet?

I share with you my clinical experience with clients as well as some research, which you can find here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31986568/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31986568/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32006368/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25701700/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772047/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30060266/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4104239/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266949/

And don’t make the mistake of thinking gluten isn’t a problem for you just because you don’t have an obvious reaction to it!

Gluten is a sneaky protein that can contribute to many symptoms that you may not think are related like anxiety, depression, joint pain, and more. This is a must-listen for anyone who values their health and their hormones.

In this episode I talk about the Microbiome Labs Wheat Rescue product, which you can purchase HERE by using my practitioner code, (which also gets you 10% off): TaraMegaSpore

Also, you can grab my free Healthy Gut Guide HERE, which will get you started on your healthy gut, healthy hormones journey.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Are you struggling with weight gain and hormonal imbalances? What if I told you that toxins and chemicals are sabotaging your weight loss goals? Many women in their 40s are not aware of the impact they can have in terms of slowing down weight loss. In the latest episode of The Hormone Balance Solution I dive deep into the connection between persistent organic pollutants (POPs), hormones, and weight gain.

In this episode we'll:

1️⃣ Discover how persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can linger in the environment and wreak havoc on our health, including weight gain. We explore their impact on hormone receptors, the catchers mitts on our cells that regulate hormone function.

2️⃣ Explore the ways toxins disrupt sugar and fat metabolism, cause inflammation, and increase the number and quality of fat cells. Find out why even those who eat well and exercise struggle to shed those extra pounds.

3️⃣ Uncover the truth about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals that can cause significant weight gain. Learn how PFAS chemicals mimic fatty acids, interfere with glucose signaling, and make it harder to lose weight.

4️⃣ Get practical tips and advice on reducing exposure to harmful chemicals such as PFAS. From checking the safety of your cosmetics using the Skin Deep database to filtering your water, we've got you covered.

5️⃣ Gain insight into the connection between chemicals, hormone balance, and thyroid health. Discover how toxins can impede overall health and slow down metabolism, throwing your thyroid out of balance.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy can contribute to increased adult fat mass later in life? It's just one eye-opening example of how chemicals can impact our long-term health.

If you're looking to understand the impact of chemicals on your hormones and weight, this podcast episode is a must-listen! Don't miss out on valuable insights and expert advice to help you attain hormone balance and reach your weight goals.

And if you're interested in diving deeper into the hormone balance solution, be sure to check out the free video about the program and the women I've helped so far – HERE!

[box]
Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't. [/box]

In this episode, Tara Thorne breaks down why keto and carnivore diets are not ideal for women in perimenopause—especially when it comes to gut health. She explains that carbs aren’t the enemy, and cutting them out can actually worsen gut imbalances, leading to long-term inflammation and poor health.

Tara discusses how restrictive, low-fiber diets may offer short-term relief but ultimately harm the gut microbiome. She emphasizes the need for a diverse, plant-rich diet to support healing and calls out the importance of working with a practitioner who understands functional gut testing and nutrition. Her message is clear: you can eat carbs, support your gut, and feel better.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Carbohydrates and Weight Loss
• Understanding dysbiosis and its contribution to gut symptoms.
• The role of bacteria in gut health and the production of beneficial or harmful metabolites.
• Diet Recommendations for Gut Health
• Potential systemic health problems of Keto and Carnivore Diets, including inflammation, dementia, and cancer linked to poor gut health.
• Importance of proper stool testing and guidance from a gut expert for determining gut health issues.

Your health didn't decline overnight—it took decades of stress, diet choices, and life events to get to this point.

True healing requires commitment, patience, and consistency.

The women who succeed are the ones who stay the course, even when progress feels slow.

If you’re ready to commit to deep, lasting change, BOOK A CONSULT WITH TARA HERE.

You may also enjoy these episodes:

Episode 111: Gut health IS health. How many approach gut health incorrectly & why the right testing matters with Dr. Jason Hawrelak.

Episode 112: Why we stopped using the GI MAP in my practice & how we are approaching gut testing these days

Mentioned in this episode:

PIQUE TEA - These are some of Tara’s favourite teas! They’re crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They’re made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea).

In today's episode we're discussing something close to my heart - the privilege of aging. Here are three key takeaways for you:

1️⃣ Aging is a privilege: We often take our loved ones and our own lives for granted, assuming we have endless time. However, recent losses have reminded me that aging is indeed a privilege. Let's cherish the people we love and make the most of every moment we have together.

2️⃣ Embrace your age: Instead of hiding or being ashamed of your age, wear it with pride. Getting older is a gift not everyone gets to experience, so let's celebrate each year and acknowledge the wisdom and growth that comes with it.

3️⃣ Accept and appreciate the aging process: As human beings, we all go through physical changes as we age. Rather than resisting or complaining about these changes, let's embrace them and find joy in the process. By accepting the inevitability of aging, we can lead happier, more content lives.

Remember, age is not just a number – it's a part of our unique journey.

Let's make the most of it by embracing every stage and finding gratitude in the privilege of growing older.

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, tune into the full episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast for more insights and inspiration. 

Keep learning, keep growing, and keep embracing the beautiful gift of aging.

Mentioned in this episode:

ZINZINO - If you're interested in trying out the ZINZINO fish oil I recommend in this episode, please email me. Make sure you tell me which country you live in when you email me so I can send you the right information: tara@tarathornenutrition.com

Make sure to register for my FREE live training that's happening Sept 12 / 13 - depending on where you're located in the world. Click HERE to save your seat.

I've never done this training before, and I will likely not run another live training at least for the rest of this year, (or longer) so now’s your chance.

PLUS I’m going to be making a HUGE announcement on this training that you don’t want to miss! Bring all your questions for a live Q&A with me at the end too. See you there!

Register for my FREE Women's Masterclass: How to kick fatigue, weight gain, raging moods and insomnia in your 40s, so you can find that lost libido, self-esteem and confidence… without having to give up multiple foods, coffee, or resort to medications. REGISTER HERE

This is Part 1 of my interview all about EMFs with Joanne Lia from No Tox Rox. I last spoke with Jo back on Episode #11 - all about mold, so make sure you go back and check that out if you haven’t yet. This time, Jo and I spoke about EMFs.

We covered the following in this jam-packed two-part interview:

• Why should we be concerned about EMFs in the first place?
• Is living close to electrical towers / mobile phone towers a problem?
• Are EMFs worse if you live in an apartment building?
• What does the research and science say about EMF exposure and our health and safety?
• Earbuds and bluetooth headphones - should we be concerned?
  Infertility and EMFs - is there a connection?
• How can we mitigate the dangers of EMFs and protect ourselves, (including a candid conversation about EMF pendants and other “shielding” devices)?

Jo is a certified building biologist and certified electromagnetic radiation (EMR) consultant. She specialises in creating healthy indoor environments. As well as conducting healthy home/office audits, Jo also conducts pre-lease/pre-purchase audits for homebuyers.

Find Jo here:

Website: https://www.notoxrox.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notoxrox/

Links to Products and the Rosa Institute we spoke about on this episode:

Defender laptop pad: https://www.earthingoz.com.au/defendershield-defenderpad

Belly Armour: https://bellyarmor.com/

An alternative to Belly Armour that Jo recommends and has a 10% off code for which is NOTOXROX10 is: https://radiasmart.com/?aff=4

The Rosa Institute: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/

Bio Initiative Report: https://bioinitiative.org/?s=EMF

Swiss Shield: https://www.swiss-shield.ch/

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The importance of prioritizing metabolic health over chasing a specific weight.
• How strength training in midlife can transform your body composition and support overall health.
• The role of adequate protein and carbohydrates in building muscle and maintaining metabolic health.
• Why excessive fasting and calorie restriction can backfire in the long run.
• How to reframe your mindset around weight and body composition to feel confident and strong in midlife.

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

EPISODE 68: Metabolic health and the peri-menopause transition -An interview with my IFM-trained functional medicine doc!

EPISODE 89: An interview with my trainer: Meaghan Janisse. Why eating MORE is the key to getting the body (and muscle) you desire.

In this episode, we delve into the research surrounding coffee and its effect on our health.

Tara uncovers some intriguing insights that challenge the popular notion of giving up coffee altogether.

Despite the common misconception that coffee is harmful, numerous studies have actually linked moderate coffee consumption to several health benefits.

Did you know that drinking coffee is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality? That's right, your daily cup of joe might just be contributing to a longer lifespan!

Multiple large studies and meta-analyses have consistently shown that moderate coffee consumption, ranging from 1 to 3 cups a day (or even up to 2 to 5 cups), is generally not associated with negative health effects. In fact, it may have significant benefits for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, depression, certain types of cancer, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Here's a sneak peek of what we uncover:

1️⃣ The health benefits associated with moderate coffee consumption.

2️⃣ How coffee may protect your liver from diseases like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

3️⃣ The potential role of coffee in lowering the risk of certain GI tract cancers.

4️⃣ Coffee's impact on vascular health and its potential to reduce the risk of heart disease.

5️⃣ The relationship between coffee consumption and metabolic health, including its potential to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Mentioned in this episode:

Herbatonin – Save 15% when you use Tara's code: Tara15

MegaSporeBiotic – Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

SOURCES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440772/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033062018300392?via%3Dihub https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408390903586412?scroll=top&needAccess=true https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/FO/C7FO00388A https://journals.lww.com/eurjcancerprev/abstract/2017/09000/coffee_and_cancer_risk__a_summary_overview.9.aspx
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29167102/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8778943/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8352830/ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/does-coffee-tea-and-caffeine-consumption-reduce-the-risk-of-incident-breast-cancer-a-systematic-review-and-network-metaanalysis/9C2DE2DCA91F548E6898167852599BD8

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

This is part 2 all about headaches and migraines. If you haven't yet listened to Part 1 please go back and do that first as that’s very valuable information that connects into this episode. Enjoy!

I work with many women who struggle with headaches and migraines.

They are debilitating.

Not only are they debilitating but often these women have to take some pretty heavy duty meds to combat the pain. And they have no choice - especially when they have kids and jobs they have to attend to.

The good news is, often we can significantly reduce the amount and frequency of this pain in these women. It’s all about getting to the root cause of what’s driving the pain for them, and that’s what this episode is all about.

I talk about all the various root causes for migraines and headaches and what some of the strategies we use with our ladies are to combat this horrible affliction. I hope the nuggets of information in this episode can help you or one of your loved ones overcome their pain.

Here are the links & discount codes to the brands I mentioned on this episode:

Sole water by Symphony Health: Use code Tara15 to save 15%

Bumbleroot powder: Use code TARA15 for 15% off your first order & then use code taraten for 10% off subsequent orders

Fish oil by Microbiome Labs: use my practitioner code: TaraMegaSpore

Herbatonin 0.3mg by Symphony Health: Use code Tara15 to save 15%

Aspirin protocol: https://www.ajmc.com/view/aspirin-effective-in-treating-acute-migraine-preventing-recurrent-migraine-review-finds

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

And if you do write a 5 star review, please send a screenshot of it to @tarathornehealth and we'll send you my 6-week Happy Hormones course, completely free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode I share with you a TON of sleep solutions if you're struggling to get or stay asleep.

I share a checklist of strategies that the ladies inside The Hormone Balance Solution get to help them get, and stay asleep.

There's nothing worse than not being able to sleep, so grab a warm tea of something yum and settle in for this week's episode so we can get you sleeping better, and hence, feeling better.

Here's where you can purchase Baxter Blue blue light blocking glasses using my code: Tara15 for % off

Following on from the previous episode, today we dive deeper into gut health & we discuss various infections - like H. pylori & parasites - that can be undermining your hormonal health. These gut infections can wreak havoc on hormones, so settle in & I hope you enjoy!

Grab my free Healthy Gut Guide HERE, which will get you started on your healthy gut, healthy hormones journey.

You can also grab my probiotic of choice, MegaSporeBiotic, HERE by using my practitioner code, (which also gets you 10% off): TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

I’ve had so many women ask me why we no longer include the DUTCH hormone test as part of the suite of functional testing you get when you join The Hormone Balance Solution, so I wanted to speak to this.

I also often get asked why I don’t recommend hormone testing for women in their forties and why I say that hormone tests can be a waste of money and you can’t hang your hat on the results.

In this episode I go in-depth to answer these questions and explain my stance so you can understand where my team and I are coming from, how we do things as practitioners, and WHY we do things the way we do, (there’s a method to our madness!).

I also talk about my philosophy surrounding how I help women overcome their symptoms and what it means for me to stay within my integrity as a practitioner, which is of the UTMOST importance to me.

There’s nothing more important than serving the women we work with to the highest of our abilities so they can achieve lasting relief from their symptoms and improve their overall health and wellbeing. I hope you enjoy this episode! 

Find out more about The Hormone Balance Solution and apply to join us HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this short episode I explain why hormones are so important and what some lesser known hormones are.

It's not all about the sexier hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and even thyroid. Hormone balance requires us to look at ALL the 50+ hormones we have.

I also mentioned that if you're listening to this episode in real time you may want to join my upcoming training called The Ultimate Gut Health & Your Hormones training.

You can join the training HERE.

In it, I go deep into everything you need to know in order to optimise your gut health to optimise your hormonal health. We also will do a live Q&A and I'm giving out a ton of resources too. So I hope to see you there!

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Understanding thyroid health becomes increasingly vital as many may encounter issues like hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's during midlife. What's less known is the role hormones, particularly progesterone, play in supporting thyroid function.

In this episode, Tara delves into how declining progesterone levels during perimenopause contribute to sluggish thyroid activity. She explains the crucial interconnection between progesterone and thyroid health, alongside the impact of aging, inflammation, and stress on the thyroid as we age.

Tara highlights the significance of being proactive about thyroid health by advocating for comprehensive thyroid testing. She offers insights into how lifestyle changes, along with hormone and thyroid hormone replacement therapies, can be utilized as remedies to support thyroid and overall health during midlife.

In this episode we cover:

1. The concept of "thyropause" and its significance as we age.
2. Why progesterone is a crucial ally for your thyroid, especially in midlife.
3. Common symptoms of a sluggish thyroid and how they might be misdiagnosed.
4. The importance of comprehensive thyroid blood tests and why T3 is a game-changer.
5. The role of illnesses like COVID in triggering thyroid complications.

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Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast - a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.

Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years - plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.

I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.

So tune in, make sure you’re subscribed, leave a review, and get ready to learn important health information that isn’t readily available …. everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast - a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.

Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years - plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.

I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.

So tune in, make sure you’re subscribed, leave a review, and get ready to learn important health information that isn’t readily available …. everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

As we age into our 40’s and beyond, we need to start thinking seriously about hormone replacement therapy, (HRT).

HRT is very health-protective and can significantly reduce our risk of disease states such as dementia, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. But there’s still so much fear surrounding HRT, and this is frustrating because this fear is misplaced.

There are reasons why people are fearful of HRT but you shouldn’t be, and in this episode I explain how the fear started, why it's misplaced, and how HRT - when done right - isn’t only safe, but very health-protective and a necessary part of healthy ageing.

To find out more about The Hormone Balance Solution 6 month program, (where we educate about healthy HRT and so much more) click HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Grab your PaleoValley goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Here are some ways that I focused on my mindset and nervous system.

1.    In those rough times when it was all too easy to keep spinning, I found that reconnecting with my spirituality had a profound impact on my mindset on multiple levels.

  2.    I slowed down in order to speed up my healing. Slowing down, taking things off my plate, allowed me to focus on the things that are important, the things that really matter.

  3.     It's truly a blessing to have beautiful, supportive, and healing friendships and to recognize the value of cultivating such relationships. I try to remember that while acknowledging our own personal achievements, it's also really important to be open to receive support from others around us. After all, success is a team effort!

4.      Prioritizing self-care, forgiveness, and surrendering and letting go of negative emotions and old stories are key to overcoming challenges and moving towards healing and success. When you love yourself, I think you can love others better.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK: 

If you're interested in diving deeper into the healing modalities discussed today, make sure to check out the next episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast called Healing Beyond the Physical with Alison Gallagher. It promises to be an enlightening conversation that you won't want to miss.

On this episode I’m talking about self supplementing and why this can sometimes be dangerous. We’ll dive into vitamin D, DIM, and selenium. There are other supplements to be wary of too, but a lot of women are taking these particular three so I wanted to get you thinking about whether you really should be and how to know for sure.

Blindly supplementing without testing can be problematic and these - albeit “natural” - health supplements that are easy to come by may not always be completely benign.

I mentioned a special I’m having if you’re listening to this in real time: my “Black Friday in October” sale. You can click HERE to read more about these packages. I’m doing things a little differently this year and offering my "Choose Your Own Health Adventure” programs in October. This is so women can get on top of their symptoms before the silly season. We’re also giving ladies an extra month - free of charge - on us, (because things tend to slow down over the Christmas period and these packages run for 4 months over the Christmas / New Years timeframe). These packages give you the chance to do the functional testing of your choice with my team and I, outside of my bigger 6 month program, (The HBS).

**I am not a doctor and I do not know you or your individual unique case. Do not take any supplements mentioned in my podcast without first consulting with your doctor.**

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Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can. And I’m running a giveaway! If you leave this podcast a 5 star review and take a screenshot and send to me on Instagram, (I’m @TaraThorneHealth) we’ll give you my 6 week Happy Hormones course - for free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Improve Your Overall Health and Wellness with Medicinal Mushrooms

If you've been feeling intrigued by the world of medicinal mushrooms and their potential to transform your health, then our latest episode is a must-listen! In this week's episode, our hosts Tara sits down for an interview with Brandi Garden to dive deep into the fascinating world of functional mushrooms and their incredible benefits.

Brandi takes us on a journey through her inspiring health story, from her struggles with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to founding her company, Eversio, to offer high-quality functional mushroom supplements and extract blends.

Here's what they discussed:  

1. Brandi Garden's Inspiring Health Journey:

Learn about Brandi's personal struggle with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the challenges she faced with Western medicine, and how her search for better health solutions led her to the power of functional mushrooms.

2. Uncovering the Myths and Benefits:

Discover the truth about functional mushrooms and how they can contribute to brain health, relaxation, sleep, hormone balancing, and adaptogenic qualities.

3. The Story Behind Eversio:

Get the inside scoop on Brandi's company, Eversio, the Latin meaning behind the name, and their commitment to providing high-quality, potent, and concentrated mushroom products.

4. Avoiding Ineffective Supplements:

Hear about the frustrations surrounding the prevalence of low-dose or ineffective mushroom supplements in the market, and why correct dosages and organic certification are crucial for maximum benefits.

5. The Future of Functional Mushrooms:

Find out about the exciting developments in mushroom blends for specific health benefits and the company's focus on providing valuable resources, including research, blogs, and over 100 recipes.

Brandi Garden Biography:

Brandi Garden is the co-founder of Eversio Wellness, a family owned and operated Canadian mushroom wellness company with the mission to change lives through fungi.

The fungi kingdom found Brandi after three bouts with skin cancer, caused by the pharmaceutical she’d been prescribed for over a decade. She’s since started Eversio with her husband, and has become a passionate advocate for the daily use of medicinal mushrooms as preventative and natural medicine and an alternative to pharmaceuticals.

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

EPISODE 16: Is blue light negatively impacting your health with Aaron Telford of Baxter Blue

EPISODE 81: An interview with Deanna Minich, PhD, nutrition scientist, educator, & author about melatonin & its multiple functions, specifically, Herbatonin, which is far superior to other types of melatonin.

There are a lot of health claims out there about cold water immersion - I'm sure you've seen them; it seems like everyone is talking about it lately. And whenever I see this kind of trend come up, it peaks my curiosity to uncover the truth behind the claims - so I've attempted to do just that.

I tasked my team researcher with finding as many studies on cold water immersion/ therapy as possible and that is what I will be discussing on this 2-part series on Cold Water Therapy.

Here's what we've found and discuss on this episode:

1.  Cold water immersion, when done correctly and under controlled conditions, may have several potential health benefits. Research suggests that it can increase brown adipose tissue and resting energy expenditure, potentially aiding in weight management.

2. Gain insight into how exercise and physical activity may influence the benefits of cold water immersion.

3.  Learn how cold water immersion and the cold face test can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing acute stress responses.

4.  Uncover the potential effects of cold water therapy on insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular health.

5. Winter swimming has been associated with improved mood, decreased fatigue, pain relief, and decreased tension. This suggests that cold water immersion may provide mental and emotional benefits, in addition to potential physical benefits.

**While there are promising studies indicating the benefits of cold water therapy, more research is needed due to the small sample sizes and variable study designs. It's important to approach this practice with caution and always consult with a healthcare professional.**

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness.

We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't. 

Today, we're diving deep into the world of functional testing and exploring the unique approach used in Tara's practice to help women in midlife, typically between the ages of 35 to 55, tackle common symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, gut issues, mood swings, and more.

In this episode, Tara unveils the reasons behind opting for comprehensive gut health assessments and hair tissue mineral analysis over traditional hormone tests to uncover root causes and drive real results.

Join us as Tara explains why these specific tests are crucial for addressing inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and overall well-being, ensuring you have the key insights to optimize your health journey. Get ready for an informative session that's all about achieving balance and rejuvenation during this transformative phase of life!

You might also enjoy these episodes:

EPISODE 45: My thoughts on the DUTCH test

EPISODE 91: Debunking common arguments for needing to run the DUTCH test

EPISODE 102: Why we don't test hormones in perimenopause

EPISODE 70: All about minerals & the HTMA test with Lisa-Pitel-Killah

EPISODE 104: How high fat (keto/carnivore) diets can destroy gut health & the new stool tests we are using

EPISODE 74: Why I don't recommend or use food sensitivity testing

EPISODE 112: Why we stopped using the GI MAP in my practice & how we are approaching gut testing these days (COMING SOON)

Do we really need to test our hormones in peri-menopause and if we do, can we rely on the results?

In this episode I explain why running expensive tests like the DUTCH hormone test, when you’re in peri-menopause, can be a waste of your money, and what to do instead.

And don’t forget, on December 7th I’m hosting a FREE women's hormone training called: The most effective way to end the hormonal imbalance rollercoaster without birth control, going on a restrictive diet, or wasting money on testing and supplements you don’t need.

Make sure you register for that HERE as it will be jam-packed with important information you need to know.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can. And I’m running a giveaway! If you leave this podcast a 5 star review and take a screenshot and send to me on Instagram, (I’m @TaraThorneHealth) we’ll give you my 6 week Happy Hormones course - for free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

In this episode I tell you what my two favourite functional tests are that I keep coming back to time and time again.

These are tried and true tests that give us SO much valuable information that really helps no matter what your symptoms are.

I’ve been in this industry a while now and I’ve used and learned about a lot of functional tests. Maybe I’ll change my tune one day about what I think are the best tests but currently these are my two favourites.

Dive in and have a listen!

I mentioned a special I’m having if you’re listening to this in real time: my “Black Friday in October” sale. You can click HERE to read more about these packages. I’m doing things a little differently this year and offering my "Choose Your Own Health Adventure” programs in October. This is so women can get on top of their symptoms before the silly season. We’re also giving ladies an extra month - free of charge - on us, (because things tend to slow down over the Christmas period and these packages run for 4 months over the Christmas / New Years timeframe). These packages give you the chance to do the functional testing of your choice with my team and I, outside of my bigger 6 month program, (The HBS).

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Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can. And I’m running a giveaway! If you leave this podcast a 5 star review and take a screenshot and send to me on Instagram, (I’m @TaraThorneHealth) we’ll give you my 6 week Happy Hormones course - for free!

You might also enjoy these recent episodes:

EPISODE 78: Exercise is a non-negotiable in midlife & beyond + what is "skinny fat" and why is it dangerous?

EPISODE 49: How to lose & maintain a healthy weight in your 40's & beyond PART 1

EPISODE 50: How to lose & maintain a healthy weight in your 40's & beyond PART 2

On the latest episode of the Hormone Balance Solution Podcast we discuss How I feel about monitoring macros and calories and whether I think it's the golden key to unlocking weightloss in your 40's.

I'll also share some great takeaways for those looking to maintain a healthy relationship with food and their body:

• How lowering calories may actually cause increased hunger signals due to the hormone leptin decreasing during prolonged calorie restriction
• How extreme dieting is not recommended for women going through perimenopause and aging for long-term health
• How psychological and emotional factors need to be considered when embarking on a weight loss regime.

If you want to learn more about what's going to maintain and optimize your health, and how to do your best at preventing chronic disease as you age, subscribe to the podcast for our weekly conversations.

AND if you are interested in finding out more about The Hormone Balance Solution you can do that HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

Paleovalley - 

This is a 2 part episode in which I discuss the very important topic of the dangers of birth control pills that you may not be aware of.

Unfortunately, this information isn’t readily available, which in my opinion is a crime.

This is why I ask that you share this episode with as many female friends and family members you can, so we can spread this knowledge and hopefully prevent some nasty side effects from women who take the pill when there are other safer alternatives they can explore.

In this episode I speak about:

• Alternative natural, safe, and effective remedies for those thinking about going on the pill for peri-menopause symptoms
• Contraceptive alternatives to the pill
• What to expect if you’re thinking of coming off the pill and how to decrease post-pill symptoms

… and a ton more.

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

Linked studies:

https://journals.lww.com/co-obgyn/Abstract/2021/12000/Oestrogen_component_of_COCs__have_we_finally_found.3.aspx#:~:text=Estetrol%20is%20the%20newest%20oestrogen,as%20compared%20to%20ethinyl%20estradiol

PMID: 30658282 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/669152/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3567872/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2256527/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1500656/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27725646/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26919969/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28542115/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27182211/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9698126/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8549943/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1637902/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8030630/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8505183/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12198379/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3967214/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28115639/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9805216/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5173458/ https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046607 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6807507/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23852908/
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/hair-loss-oral-contraceptives
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2256527/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1637902/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25832993/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8549943/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8030630/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12198379/ https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/hormonal-contraceptives-and-risk-for-depression-and-suicide/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28184328/

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Today's episode is a little different. 

I wanted to take a moment and answer some of the questions I receive regularly in my inbox. 

In this episode I answer: 

Do I recommend seed cycling? 

How is the GI MAP different from other stool tests?

I am still using a form of birth control, can I still work with you in the HBS?

What book recommendations do you have regarding minerals?

Do I need a health professional when interpreting the GI MAP or HTMA? 

Does Saw Palmetto stop hair loss from BHRT with testosterone?

Will taking magnesium glycinate help me optimize my sleep?

Is it true that collagen doesn't contain all of the amino acids?

And a whole lot more! 

Listen to the full episode to hear my answers to these popular questions. 

Mentioned in this episode:

The Mineral Fix: How to Optimize Your Mineral Intake for Energy, Longevity, Immunity, Sleep and More by James DiNicolantonio (Author), Siim Land (Author)

Herbatonin – Save 15% when you use Tara's code: Tara15

Blue Light Blocking Glasses Recommendations:

• Baxter Blue (Australian site) Save 15% when you use Tara's code: Tara15
• Bon Charge Save 15% when you use Tara's code: TARA15

The Hormone Balance Solution

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Make sure to register for my FREE live training that's happening Sept 12 / 13 – depending on where you're located in the world. Click HERE to save your seat.

I've never done this training before, and I will likely not run another live training at least for the rest of this year, (or longer) so now’s your chance.

PLUS I’m going to be making a HUGE announcement on this training that you don’t want to miss! Bring all your questions for a live Q&A with me at the end too. See you there!

Register for my FREE Women's Masterclass: How to kick fatigue, weight gain, raging moods and insomnia in your 40s, so you can find that lost libido, self-esteem and confidence… without having to give up multiple foods, coffee, or resort to medications. REGISTER HERE

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On today’s episode I’m sharing my story with you.

From PMS in my early 20’s to the heartache of postpartum anxiety and thyroiditis in my 30’s - I’ve been through the wringer. And I’m sharing this with you so you know I truly do understand where you are as I’ve been there too.

I’ve had a lot of both physical and mental struggles in my 43 years - and I’ve also overcome them. I’ll be damned if I live a life of mental or physical pain. No way!

And you don’t have to either.

I hope my story inspires you to know that you too can become symptom-free and feel better in your 40’s than you did in your 20’s.

Remember, this is what we do for the women inside The Hormone Balance Solution. To find out more about The HBS or to apply, click HERE.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

On this episode of the podcast I talk about iron. Iron can be very dangerous if you don't need it, and ferritin alone isn't a good marker for determining whether or not you have an iron deficiency.

If you're taking iron supplements based on one ferritin reading then this is a must-listen.

I go into why iron is useless without copper, how one may become iron toxic and the dangers of iron toxicity, why most people likely don't need iron supplements, the best tests to determine a true iron deficiency, and more.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Do you suspect you might have SIBO but feel overwhelmed by the conflicting information out there? In this episode, Tara Thorne demystifies Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), shedding light on what it really is, its common symptoms, and the significant role the gut plays in our overall health.

She dives deep into the risk factors, from PPI and antibiotic use to lifestyle triggers like binge drinking and food poisoning. Tara also emphasizes the importance of proper testing, exploring the nuances of the complex, yet critical, SIBO breath tests, and the potential pitfalls of relying solely on symptoms or stool tests for diagnosis.

Additionally, Tara provides actionable insights into treatment options, including why traditional methods may not always be ideal. From discussing individualized herbal tinctures to evaluating the impact of diet and transit time, this episode equips listeners with valuable knowledge to navigate their own SIBO journey with more clarity and confidence.

In this episode you'll learn about:

 1. The Two Types of SIBO:

• Gram-positive bacteria from the upper respiratory tract.
• Colonic SIBO where bacteria like e.coli make their way up from the colon.

 2. Symptoms to Watch For:

• Bloating a little too quickly after meals? Tara explains why this could be a key indicator.
• Other symptoms like gas, belching, diarrhea, and more.

 3. Associated Conditions:

• How SIBO ties into conditions like IBS, fibromyalgia, and even liver cirrhosis.

 4. Testing and Risk Factors:

• The best ways to test for SIBO, including the tri-sugar breath test.
• Factors like PPI use, antibiotics, and even binge drinking that might increase your risk.

 5. Effective Treatments:

• Herbal tinctures, prebiotics, and the importance of addressing root causes like hypothyroidism.

In this episode, Tara clarifies the limitations of using herbs, supplements, and phytoestrogens as alternatives to natural bioidentical hormones in alleviating perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.

She explains that while some herbal remedies may offer temporary relief for certain symptoms, they do not provide the comprehensive protective benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using natural bioidentical hormones.

Tara emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making regarding HRT and provides resources, such as her course "HRT Made Simple," to guide women through understanding the significant health benefits of hormone therapy for long-term well-being.

Here are three key takeaways from our discussion:

• Bioidentical Hormones vs. Alternatives
  While herbs and phytoestrogens might offer some relief from symptoms, they don't replace the health-protective benefits of natural bioidentical hormones, which are vital for mitigating risks associated with heart disease, osteoporosis, and more.
  
  
• The Importance of Educating Yourself
  Many doctors aren't fully equipped to guide you through hormone replacement therapy because they don't receive extensive training in medical school. My course, HRT Made Simple, provides you with simplified, evidence-based knowledge, empowering you to make informed decisions alongside your healthcare provider.
  
  
• Rethinking "Natural" Menopause
  Living longer means facing extended periods of hormone deficiency post-menopause. As we’re at a higher risk for serious health conditions in these years, reconsidering the idea of natural menopause is essential. Embrace modern medicine’s role in improving your quality of life.

You might also enjoy these episodes:

EPISODE 83: Why doing menopause "naturally" is not a good idea & will increase your risk of disease states.

EPISODE 84: The Invisible Benefits of HRT (HRT is important even if you have NO symptoms!). 

EPISODE 85: Why your doc says HRT is dangerous (it's not!). 

EPISODE 108: Synthetic vs. Bioidentical vs. Compounded HRT: which is better? Which should be avoided?  

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast - a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.

Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years - plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.

I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.

So tune in, make sure you’re subscribed, leave a review, and get ready to learn important health information that isn’t readily available …. everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

Find me on Instagram: @TaraThorneHealth 

In this episode, Tara discusses the vital importance of paying attention to thyroid health and its significant role in overall wellness. She shares a cautionary tale of a long-time friend who was unknowingly battling severe hypothyroidism, highlighting the common misconception that thyroid issues are only linked to weight problems when, in fact, they can affect various bodily functions and overall health.

Tara emphasizes the importance of recognizing common thyroid symptoms, like fatigue, brain fog, and constipation, that are often overlooked or dismissed, especially by women in midlife who are typically more vulnerable to thyroid issues due to declining hormone levels and increased stress. She urges listeners to act preventively rather than reactively, underscoring that timely intervention could prevent severe health consequences.

In this episode Tara shares: 

1. Thyroid Haven - Discover why your thyroid health isn't just about weight—it's a master regulator of your entire body, from brain to bones.
2. Spot the Signs - Learn the classic symptoms of thyroid issues like fatigue, brain fog, and even low libido.
3. Temperature Tale - Why tracking your morning temperature might be the key to uncovering thyroid struggles.
4. Prioritize Prevention - Uncover why putting your health first isn’t selfish—it's the smartest thing you can do for your loved ones.
5. Master of Testing - The importance of getting the right thyroid panels and understanding functional optimal ranges.

BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE 

This is a short and sweet episode where I discuss my thoughts on new year resolutions, what the new year can bring for you if you so choose, and why 2023 can be your best year yet if you want it to be.

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

And if you do write a 5 star review, please send a screenshot of it to @tarathornehealth and we'll send you my 6-week Happy Hormones course, completely free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

This week I invited a very dear friend of mine, Alison Gallagher to join me for a discussion of what energy healing is and how it supports the work that we do for ourselves through physical healing.

One of the things I found particularly intriguing was the idea that energy healing goes beyond just the spiritual realm. It encompasses various practices and even includes how we speak to ourselves. It's about being in integrity with ourselves and making choices based on our inner guidance rather than seeking validation from external sources.

Alison shared how energy healing is not about "fixing" someone, but empowering them to take control of their own lives. And that's something I truly believe in. Our bodies are incredibly intelligent and capable of healing themselves if we tap into our innate potential. It's just unfortunate that society often promotes low vibrational states instead of encouraging us to acknowledge and appreciate our own divine abilities.

This is Part 2 of my interview all about perimenopause, menopause, and BHRT with Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN 

Jill is a Registered Nurse, Certified Health Coach, advocate for aging women, and mom of four who is on a mission to change the way we approach menopause and aging. She helps midlife women break free from the mainstream way of thinking where disease and decline are accepted as an inevitable part of aging ~  and embrace the notion that it’s absolutely possible to feel vibrant, happy, healthy, balanced, and strong through midlife and beyond.

We spoke about how to tell if you’re in peri-menopause, symptoms to look out for, about testing hormones when in your peri-menopause years; should you even bother? What’s the best type of testing? We spoke about why hormones are so incredibly important to preserve as we age, about what some of the dangers of low hormones are - especially when we hit menopause and beyond. Jill also dispelled the myths around the fears of hormone replacement therapy and also explained what forms and types of hormones are best - plus so much more! 

Please enjoy Part 2 of Peri-menopause, menopause, and BHRT with Jill Chmielewski and go back and listen to Part 1 if you haven’t done that yet. 

Jill is such a beautiful soul and I feel honoured to be learning from her inside her community: Pausing Together. This is a place for women to connect, learn, and open up discussions on topics that affect "PAUSAL" women (available on Apple and Google).

You can also find Jill on Instagram where she’s: @jill.chmielewski and via her website: https://www.jillchmielewski.com/

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REGISTER HERE for my upcoming Hormone Balance Training: The most effective way to end the hormonal imbalance rollercoaster without birth control, starving yourself, or wasting money on testing and supplements you don’t need.

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Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can. And I’m running a giveaway! If you leave this podcast a 5 star review and take a screenshot and send to me on Instagram, (I’m @TaraThorneHealth) we’ll give you my 6 week Happy Hormones course - for free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

In this episode, Tara Thorne gets real about estrogen metabolism and why your liver health matters more than you think.

She breaks down the three phases of liver detox and explains why supporting your body’s natural detoxification is the key to optimizing estrogen pathways. Tara shares her clinical insights on why expensive DUTCH tests, though popular, may not be the best investment for women in perimenopause. Instead, she focuses on the power of gut health and nutrient balance using more effective tools like stool tests and Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA).

Tara dives deep into how your liver, gut, and nutrients are the foundation for hormonal health and overall well-being. From eating more cruciferous veggies to practicing stress-reduction techniques, she outlines practical ways to support your body’s natural detox processes daily. She also clears up confusion around methylation and the COMT enzyme, shining a light on why DUTCH tests fall short in this area.

If you’re ready for a fresh perspective on hormone health, this episode is a must-listen. Tara’s evolved approach goes beyond hormones, helping you prioritize long-term gut health and personalized nutrition strategies that improve your overall health from the inside out.

I had the pleasure of interviewing my very own doctor, the incredible Dr. Jasmina Dedic-Hagan on this episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast!

We covered a wide range of topics related to hormonal health, sleep, bone health, and the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

It was an eye-opening conversation that provided some valuable insights on what happens to us through perimenpause and our menopausal journey.

Here are a few of the things she shed light on:

1️⃣ Prioritize Sleep:

Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on hormone balance and overall health. Develop a sleep routine, practice good sleep hygiene, and consider natural supplements like melatonin to support healthy sleep patterns.

2️⃣ Understand Perimenopause:

Perimenopause is a transitional phase that occurs before menopause, characterized by hormone fluctuations and changes. It's crucial to educate ourselves about its effects on our bodies and seek help when needed. Our understanding and support during this stage can make a world of difference.

3️⃣ Focus on Metabolism, Not Just Weight:

Instead of fixating on the number on the scale, shift your focus to metabolic health. Prioritize a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and monitor blood sugar levels. Managing hormones like cortisol, insulin, and estrogen is key to achieving hormonal balance and maintaining a healthy weight.

To dive deeper into these topics and gain more valuable insights from Dr. Jasmina, listen to the full episode on The Hormone Balance Solution podcast.

And if you're looking for personalized guidance and support, don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Jasmina through the Linden Health website for telehealth consultations.

Here's to taking charge of our hormone balance journey and empowering ourselves with knowledge, holistic approaches, and supportive strategies!

ABOUT Dr. Jasmina Dedic-Hagan

On today's episode I tackle one of the most common issues we help women with inside The Hormone Balance Solution program: hair loss.

I tell you what the most common reasons are for hair loss and what you must be thinking about in order to stop your hair loss, (yes! It IS possible).

You can also grab my probiotic of choice - MegaSporeBiotic, as mentioned in this episode. By registering HERE and using my practitioner code, (you get 10% off): TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, & share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far & wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

If you're interested in finding out more about my 6 month women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode, Tara dives into the complexities of high-fat, ketogenic, and carnivore diets, specifically focusing on their impact on the microbiome. She emphasizes the importance of consuming ample protein, particularly as we age, but raises concerns about the excessive intake of fats that often accompanies these dietary approaches.

Tara breaks down why high-fat diets are problematic for gut health, detailing how increased bile production can feed harmful bacteria and produce damaging metabolites like hydrogen sulfide. She offers practical tips for maintaining a balanced gut, such as incorporating a diverse range of plant foods and being cautious with saturated fats.

Bringing it all together, Tara discusses how these diet choices can lead to systemic inflammation and other health issues over time. She highlights the importance of stool testing to understand your individual gut health and advises against trends like bulletproof coffee and excessive use of coconut oil. Tune in to learn how to support a healthy gut while still meeting your protein needs.

In this episode: 

• Why getting enough protein is non-negotiable, especially as you age.
• How overconsumption of fats can mess with your microbiome, and why swinging the food pendulum isn't the best idea.
• The truth about those nasty metabolites, like hydrogen sulfide, and what they mean for your health.
• Why your gut craves diversity and how to give it just that.
• Simple switches you can make to your diet today to improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast - a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.

Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years - plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.

I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.

So tune in, make sure you’re subscribed, leave a review, and get ready to learn important health information that isn’t readily available …. everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

Cortisol plays a critical role in how your body handles stress, energy, and metabolism—but in perimenopause, it can easily become imbalanced, leading to fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. In this episode, Tara unpacks everything you need to know about cortisol, including why adrenal testing often isn’t necessary and what really works to regulate stress hormones.

If you’ve ever been told your cortisol is “too high” or “too low” and left wondering what to do about it, this episode will bring clarity. Tara shares practical, effective strategies to support your adrenals and feel more balanced—without wasting money on unnecessary tests or expensive supplements.

In this episode: 

• What cortisol actually does in the body—why it’s not “bad” and is essential for survival
• How perimenopause makes you more stress-sensitive and why that leads to symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and weight gain
• The truth about adrenal testing—why it often gives misleading results and doesn’t change the approach to healing
• The biggest contributors to cortisol dysregulation—including diet, lifestyle, and nervous system health
• Practical, effective ways to support your adrenals without relying on gimmicks or unnecessary supplements
• Why blood sugar balance is crucial for cortisol regulation and how to stabilize it throughout the day
• The role of minerals in adrenal function and how to replenish what stress depletes
• The connection between cortisol and sleep issues—how to improve rest without relying on melatonin or sleeping pills
• What women in perimenopause should prioritize first before considering any form of cortisol testing

MARCH 2025 LIVE TRAINING!

THE PERIMENOPAUSE RESET: From rollercoaster hormones to feeling better in midlife than you did in your 20s.

Welcome to this episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast where I answer some of the most commonly asked questions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

I know many women have concerns about HRT, and I hope to provide some clarity on this topic via this episode.

Also, please go back and listen to episodes #40 and #41 to gain greater clarity around HRT and why it’s not only safe when done right, but also an important consideration for women if they wish to mitigate their peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms as well as reduce risk for multiple different diseases.

Some of the questions I answered on this episode include weight gain and HRT, spotting or bleeding when starting HRT, whether it’s ever appropriate to take estrogen without progesterone, dosages of HRT, and more.

I hope you enjoy this episode and please - share it with all your female friends who need this information.

To find out more about The Hormone Balance Solution 6 month program, (where we educate about healthy HRT and so much more) click HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Grab your PaleoValley goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE 

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode I spoke with Wes Pfiffner from Joovv all about red light therapy.

We spoke about what red light therapy actually is, the benefits, how to use red light devices, the emerging science of red light therapy, how safe red light therapy is and so much more.

I LOVE my Joovv red light and I try to use it consistently - so I loved speaking with Wes as he answered a lot of questions I had personally about red light therapy.

I hope you enjoy this episode and make sure you check Joovv out HERE

If you want to purchase a Joovv device please use my code to save $50 off: tarajoovv

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

And if you do write a 5 star review, please send a screenshot of it to @tarathornehealth and we'll send you my 6-week Happy Hormones course, completely free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this week's podcast episode, I had a fascinating conversation with fitness and nutrition coach, Chris DeHollander. Chris, a midlife fitness expert with over 26 years of experience, shared her wisdom on maintaining balance during perimenopause and menopause.

Don't miss our chat about the impact of undereating on metabolism and weight loss.

We dove deep into the topic of undereating and its impact on metabolism and weight loss. It turns out that consuming too few calories can actually slow down your metabolism resulting in weight gain. Crazy, right? We discussed the importance of tracking macros and calories to identify any undereating patterns.

For those who think their metabolism may already be sluggish, Chris also touched on the concept of reverse dieting, which involves gradually increasing your calorie intake to rev up your metabolism. Chris spoke on how intermittent fasting is a beneficial stressor, but with a reminder that longer fasts may not be suitable for everyone, especially if you're already stressed. And she emphasized the need to fuel the body with enough NUTRIENTS during fasting periods.

Further sharing her expertise, Chris dove into how strength training and adequate protein intake as key strategies to combat the (what seems to be inevitable) midlife weight gain. Chris explained how declining hormones during perimenopause and menopause can cause fatigue, low energy, and increased stress reactivity (which includes how we fuel and move our body).

If you are in your 40s and don't already know of Chris DeHollander, I highly suggest you check her out on Instagram @functionalhealthcoachchris2.0. 

Grab Chris' FREE Midlife Metabolism Guide HERE

Connect with Chris on Instagram @functionalhealthcoachchris2.0

Are you experiencing symptoms and wondering how to know if you've entered of perimenopause?

In the latest episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast, we take a look at the signs and symptoms of perimenopause. From hormonal fluctuations to lifestyle adjustments, this stage of midlife can be managed with the right knowledge and support.

Low Progesterone and Estrogen

Symptoms of low progesterone and low estrogen are telltale signs of perimenopause. Recognizing changes such as mood swings, irregular cycles, hot flashes, and more can indicate that you've entered this transition.

The Transition Period

Perimenopause can last for 12-15 years, and it's crucial to support your body through this transition. Multifactorial approaches including hormone replacement therapy, inflammation reduction, and blood sugar balance are essential for managing symptoms and setting the stage for long-term health.

Beyond Perimenopause

It's not just about managing perimenopause, but also setting yourself up for a healthy future. By addressing diet, lifestyle, functional testing, and custom supplementation alongside hormone therapy, you can support your body through perimenopause and beyond.

Explore the full podcast episode for a deeper understanding of perimenopause and discover how to navigate this stage with grace and empowerment.

Share this with the women in your life who can benefit from this important information, and stay tuned for more insightful episodes.

Don't miss out on valuable insights - subscribe to The Hormone Balance Solution podcast today!

Mentioned in this episode:

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't. 

This episode carries on from last week’s episode, so if you’ve not yet listened to that, definitely go back and have a listen HERE.

In this episode we discuss how to tell when the time is right for you to try hormone replacement therapy.

I touch on what indicates the time may be right to try HRT, which hormones we often start with, and how to find your optimal dose.

Grab a warm beverage and let’s dive in! And please make sure you share this with your female family and friends who would benefit.

Hormone replacement therapy not only reduces - sometimes eliminates - symptoms, but it can also save lives.

To find out more about The Hormone Balance Solution 6 month program, (where we educate about healthy HRT and so much more) click HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein – Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off your first order

Grab your PaleoValley goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE 

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Balanced blood sugar is foundational to hormonal balance and also to your overall health in general.

Balanced blood sugar is foundational to hormonal balance and also to your overall health in general. It’s one of the foundational things we must do first, before we can even hope to overcome our symptoms and improve our health.

Not only is balancing our blood sugar a hormone supportive foundation, but having imbalanced blood sugar is also extremely dangerous - especially as we enter into our 40’s and beyond. And the thing is, your blood sugar is probably imbalanced.

Consistant, balanced blood sugar takes some effort.

You see, it does take some effort to consistently balance blood sugar, but this is such an important thing you need to do if you don’t want to feel like crap or set yourself up for disease states later in life like dementia, weight gain, Type 2 Diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, (strokes and heart attacks etc).

In this episode I talk about:

• the symptoms of imbalanced blood sugar
• how to test your blood sugar at home and why you should
• what numbers you want to hit when testing your blood sugar,
• continuous glucose monitors vs. finger prick tests, and
• what you must consider doing in order to balance your blood sugar

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Listen to Episode 22 HERE: All about cholesterol, (& how it doesn't cause heart disease).
Listen to Episode 4 HERE: The Critical Role Minerals Play In Hormone Balance

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

In this episode, you'll discover:

1. The seven key steps of the Perimenopause Success Formula

2.The significance of expert interpretation to identify nuances in blood work.

3. Diet Optimization and the importance of assessing current eating habits.

4. The importance of optimizing gut health and nutrient status. 

5. Assessing bowel health and transit time to better support detox pathways. 

Mentioned in this episode:

You might also enjoy these episodes:

EPISODE 83: Why doing menopause "naturally" is not a good idea & will increase your risk of disease states.

EPISODE 74: Why I don't recommend or use food sensitivity testing

In this episode I spoke with my right hand gal in The HBS; Michelle Robinson, and wow! What an amazing conversation we had. We spoke about the importance of nervous system work and - before you turn away!

This episode is a must-listen for you if: 

• you feel like you’re constantly anxious 
• you don't sleep well
• you speak really fast all the time, perhaps you interrupt people
• you never feel like you have enough time in your day - you’re always “busy” 
• you continuously struggle with your health no matter what you do or how many tests you run / practitioners you work with 
• you can’t relax or find it hard to slow down or do “nothing"
• you feel like you’re constantly in “fight or flight” 
• you’re often sad 
• you have trouble with relationships 
• you’re a perfectionist or over-analyse things 

Michelle was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and premature ovarian failure in her mid 30s. This kicked her out of her global corporate career and made her reassess her life. It was a functional medicine approach that gave her the answers she was seeking and got her back on her feet again. Over the past 10 years, Michelle has undertaken extensive training in the principals of functional medicine, advanced functional testing, and the complex web of infections. She has a deep passion for healing and is fully trained in advanced healing techniques that help to release emotional trauma, uncover old limiting beliefs as well as self sabotaging behaviour. She found that calming her dysregulated nervous system was a big piece of her health puzzle and she now guides her clients in these healing modalities as well. 

We spoke about WHY nervous system or “emotional” work is so important in a healing journey, and Michelle explained some of the modalities she teaches which she’s seen produce huge shifts in her clients. 

We spoke about how it’s a flexible mind that equals resilience and why being resilient is important in life, especially as we go through hormonal changes such as we do in our peri-menopausal years. And we spoke about how nervous system work supports this resiliency. We also spoke about the 9 saboteurs that impact us all and why becoming aware of these saboteurs is instrumental in improving mental health and the functioning of the nervous system. 

Please do not ignore this episode. Healing your nervous system is one of the most important parts of healing your body, so you cannot overlook it. Grab a tea, dive in, and enjoy! 

Where you can find Michelle:

On Instagram HERE 
On her website www.chasingvitality.com
Check out her Nervous System SOS program HERE
Apply to work with Michelle and I in The Hormone Balance Solution HERE

Mentioned in this episode:

Equip prime protein - Click HERE to grab yours and use my code: TARA20 to get 20% off

MegaSporeBiotic - Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode of The Hormone Balance Solution podcast, we discuss the pervasive misconception that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is dangerous.

This is a thought-provoking exploration of the disconnect between outdated medical knowledge and the evolving understanding of hormone health.

Tara encourages listeners to seek doctors who are knowledgeable, open-minded, and humble, and emphasizes the essential role of modern medicine while advocating for a balanced approach to healthcare.

Here's and overview: 

1. The reasons behind misconceptions: Discover why some doctors warn against HRT without truly understanding its benefits.
2. The importance of finding an open-minded doctor: Learn why finding a doctor willing to learn and stay up-to-date is crucial for your hormone health.
3. The impact of outdated medical knowledge: Understand how old studies can perpetuate false beliefs about HRT.
4. The role of nutrients and diet in healthcare: Explore the connection between diet, nutrients, and overall health.
5. The necessity of remaining open-minded about modern medicine: Uncover the importance of acknowledging the value of allopathic medicine while also being critical of misinformation.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pique Tea – These are some of Tara’s favourite teas! They’re crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They’re made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE to visit the shop.

Paleovalley – Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

Even though we've been conditioned that in most cases 'natural is better', taking this approach with perimenopause and hormone decline may not be the best choice. 

🎧 Tune into this insightful discussion on the uninformed decision of forgoing hormone replacement therapy and why it's crucial to stay informed about the benefits of HRT.

Here's what to expect: 

1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Can Safeguard Your Health: Embracing HRT is essential for safeguarding against diseases like osteoporosis, cardiovascular issues, and dementia, especially as our hormone levels decline with age.

2. Comprehensive Support for Holistic Well-being: While HRT is an important aspect of maintaining hormonal balance, it's crucial to remember that overall wellness is comprehensive. Alongside HRT, focus on weightlifting, proper nutrition, blood sugar balance, and nervous system support to ensure long-term health and vitality.

3. Long-Term Health and Independence: Tara emphasizes the importance of maintaining hormone replacement therapy for life to benefit from its health-promoting and protective effects. By doing so, women can potentially experience reduced symptoms, improved health, and enhanced independence as they age.

4. HRT Made Simple Course: If you're seeking to advocate for yourself and better understand the significance of hormone replacement therapy, check out the "HRT Made Simple" course, designed to empower women with the knowledge they need to advocate for their health.

Educating yourself about HRT is a powerful step towards a healthier, more vibrant life during perimenopause and beyond. 

Click here to check out HRT Made Simple™

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC and women's health and hormone expert. After serving hundreds of women in my signature program, The Hormone Balance Solution, I bring to you, the HBS Podcast.

This podcast is all about educating women, and giving them actionable strategies for supporting hormonal harmony. It's my passion to empower women to take back their health and their happiness. We'll cover gut health, mineral balancing, nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, nervous system health, functional testing, and so much more. No Fluff. No BS. Just everything you need to know and nothing you don't. 

In her words: "I'm not tired all the time, grumpy or look 6 months pregnant. It brings tears to my eyes. I didn't think it was possible. Everyone else has noticed, but more importantly; I have noticed."

Struggling with panic, anxiety, and fatigue, April felt like she was at the end of her rope before joining the Hormone Balance Solution program. In this episode, Tara speaks with April about her journey and the challenges she faced prior to finding support through the Hormone Balance Solution.

April opens up about her experiences with stomach issues, bloating, and the overwhelming impact of anxiety on her daily life. After finding Tara on Instagram, April decided to join the program, drawn by her intuitive sense that Tara would provide the deep, compassionate listening and personalized support she needed.

Throughout their conversation, April shares how the program has transformed her life, helping her live without anxiety and offering tools to manage any anxious moments that arise. Tara and April discuss the importance of doing the hard work, asking for help, and the profound changes April has experienced, not only in physical symptoms but also in her overall well-being and outlook on life.

Episode Highlights:

• From Anxiety at a 20 to Serenity: April vividly recounts how she felt at the end of her rope, battling panic attacks and debilitating anxiety. Discover how she went from feeling overwhelmed to living a life free from anxiety.

• Personalized Healing Path: Learn about April’s experience working closely with Tara and Michelle. She emphasizes the importance of feeling heard and receiving tailored guidance that goes beyond surface-level solutions.

• Transformative Support: April details the compassionate support she received through our Facebook group and direct communication, which played a crucial role in her healing journey.

• Practical Advice for Listeners: April shares her top advice for those struggling with their health, emphasizing the importance of taking the leap and doing the work to see real change.

In today's episode, Tara is joined by Deanna Minich, a distinguished expert with a scientific background, to unravel the wonders of melatonin and its significance in healthcare.

Deanna shares insights from her role as Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, shedding light on their innovative plant-based nutraceuticals and the remarkable benefits of Herbatonin, a high-quality form of melatonin.

The conversation dissects the importance of melatonin in healthy aging, its impact on detoxification, and its potential to regulate circadian rhythms. From varying dosages to the influence of liver health, the episode provides a comprehensive understanding of melatonin's multifaceted role in supporting overall well-being.

Whether you're curious about melatonin for children's sleep patterns or it's potential role in healthy aging, this episode has all the answers. 

Here's some of what is discussed: 

Understanding Melatonin:

Dr. Minich provides valuable insights into the unique properties of Herbatonin, a high-quality plant-derived form of melatonin that exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Melatonin for Children:

The debate surrounding the use of melatonin supplements for children, especially amidst the challenges of the pandemic, is explored in-depth, considering both the benefits and potential risks.

Individualized Approaches:

Dr. Minich emphasizes the importance of personalized dosage and the quality of melatonin supplements, advocating for a comprehensive understanding of individual responses and needs.

Melatonin and Healthy Aging:

The episode uncovers the benefits of melatonin for healthy aging, with a focus on the optimal dosage for different age groups and specific conditions.

ABOUT DR. MINICH

Deanna Minich, PhD, is a nutrition scientist, educator, and author, with over twenty years of experience in academia and in the natural product industries, currently serving as Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health.

She has been active as a functional medicine clinician in clinical trials and in her own practice (Food & Spirit™). She is the author of six consumer books on wellness topics, four book chapters, and over fifty scientific publications.

Through her talks, workshops, groups, and in-person retreats, she helps people to transform their lives practically and artfully through nutrition and lifestyle.

Visit her at: www.deannaminich.com

Visit https://www.phytomelatonin.org to learn more about Herbatonin, the science behind melatonin and melatonin's many applications in the body.

If you are interested in Symphony Natural Health's products and have more questions, reach out to the team by emailing medical.team@symphonynaturalhealth.com

Clinicians, please visit https://symphonynaturalhealthpro.com to learn more about Symphony Natural Health's professional line of products.

Mentioned in this episode:

This was a spur of the moment episode recorded whilst away on vacation because I felt compelled to explain what “mindset work” really means.

Don’t skip over this episode because your mindset may be the very thing holding you back in your healing.

It doesn’t always feel fantastic to admit when we have work to do here, but we ALL have work to do when it comes to our mindset.

That’s what makes us human, and that’s part of our ever-evolving journey. 

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

And if you do write a 5 star review, please send a screenshot of it to @tarathornehealth and we'll send you my 6-week Happy Hormones course, completely free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

Hormone replacement therapy isn't just about relieving symptoms; it's also about supporting overall health.

In this episode, we explore the differences among synthetic, bioidentical, and compounded hormones to guide listeners in choosing the right type for their therapy. Tara emphasizes the added health benefits of bioidentical hormones, like brain, breast, and bone protection, while warning about the potential drawbacks of synthetic options.

Additionally, we take a look at the regulatory landscape of compounded hormones, dispelling myths about their safety and highlighting their customization advantages. With valuable insights and expert guidance, this episode equips women with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about hormone health.

In this episode: 

1. The Differences in Hormones: Understand the crucial distinctions between synthetic, bioidentical, and compounded hormones. Know why it truly matters!
2. Synthetic Hormones Explained: Unravel what synthetic hormones contain and why they might need a little extra work from your body. Spoiler: We're not fans!
3. Bioidentical Bliss: Learn how bioidentical hormones seamlessly integrate with your body's receptors and why they're our recommended choice.
4. Compounded Hormones Unveiled: Debunk the myths and embrace the flexibility and cleanliness offered by compounded hormones.
5. Progesterone vs. Progestins: Welcome relief! Grasp how bioidentical progesterone supports your health, unlike its synthetic counterpart.

You might also enjoy these episodes:

EPISODE 87: Your HRT questions answered!

EPISODE 86: You can't HRT your way out of a crappy diet or poor lifestyle habits.

Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast - a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.

Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years - plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.

I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.

So tune in, make sure you’re subscribed, leave a review, and get ready to learn important health information that isn’t readily available …. everything you need to know and nothing you don't.

In this episode, Tara Thorne dives into the topic of irregular bleeding in perimenopause, explaining what’s normal, what’s cause for concern, and the key hormonal shifts driving these changes.

She breaks down the role of estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid function in midlife bleeding patterns while also discussing when to seek further evaluation. Whether you’re dealing with heavy periods, spotting, or unpredictable cycles, this episode will help you understand what’s happening and what steps you can take to feel more in control.

In this epsiode: 

• Why perimenopause can last up to 10+ years and how that impacts your cycle.
• The role of estrogen and progesterone in irregular bleeding—why hormonal imbalance is a major driver.
• How low estrogen can also contribute to irregular bleeding, leading to fragile uterine lining and spotting.
• The importance of progesterone as a natural treatment for heavy bleeding and how it buffers estrogen’s effects.
• Why fluctuating FSH and LH levels can cause unpredictable cycles and stop-start bleeding.
• The value of having a trusted medical provider and why building a health team is essential in midlife.

MARCH 2025 LIVE TRAINING!

THE PERIMENOPAUSE RESET: From rollercoaster hormones to feeling better in midlife than you did in your 20s.

Joined by Dr. Sarah, who shares her expertise and personal journey, this episode unpacks the myths and misconceptions surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for younger women and emphasizes the often-overlooked importance of hormone optimization beyond menopause.

Dr. Sarah advocates for a personalized approach to hormone care, championing the use of bioidentical hormones and challenging outdated views tied to traditional lab reference ranges. She explains the delicate interplay between estrogen and progesterone, highlighting their critical roles in supporting vitality and preventing disease, while addressing the persistent fears around estrogen that stem from flawed past studies.

This episode offers a refreshing, symptom-focused approach to hormone health, encouraging women to prioritize how they feel over strictly adhering to lab numbers. Dr. Sarah also shares practical insights on innovative hormone delivery methods and her groundbreaking work at Inner Balance. With a focus on empowering women, this conversation inspires listeners to take charge of their hormonal well-being with confidence and clarity.

We discussed: 

1. Young and Hormone-Healthy: Discover why hormone health isn’t just for those in menopause and how younger women can benefit from optimized hormone levels.
2. The Truth About Testing: We break down why symptom relief should lead the way in HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), rather than strict lab values that might not tell the whole story.
3. Environmental Influence: Learn how environmental factors and lifestyle shifts could be impacting your hormone levels, regardless of your age.
4. Progesterone Potential: Uncover the critical role progesterone plays in thyroid health and its surprising impact on autoimmune disorders.
5. Tackling Misconceptions: We chat about the myths surrounding estrogen dominance and why both estrogen and progesterone are essential for your well-being.

I work with many women who struggle with headaches and migraines.

They are debilitating.

Not only are they debilitating but often these women have to take some pretty heavy duty meds to combat the pain. And they have no choice - especially when they have kids and jobs they have to attend to.

The good news is, often we can significantly reduce the amount and frequency of this pain in these women. It’s all about getting to the root cause of what’s driving the pain for them, and that’s what this episode is all about.

I talk about all the various root causes for migraines and headaches and what some of the strategies we use with our ladies are to combat this horrible affliction. I hope the nuggets of information in this episode can help you or one of your loved ones overcome their pain.

Here are the links & discount codes to the brands I mentioned on this episode:

Sole water by Symphony Health: Use code Tara15 to save 15%

Bumbleroot powder: Use code TARA15 for 15% off your first order & then use code taraten for 10% off subsequent orders

Fish oil by Microbiome Labs: use my practitioner code: TaraMegaSpore

Herbatonin 0.3mg by Symphony Health: Use code Tara15 to save 15%

Aspirin protocol: https://www.ajmc.com/view/aspirin-effective-in-treating-acute-migraine-preventing-recurrent-migraine-review-finds

Thank you for joining me. If you enjoyed this episode I would be deeply grateful if you'd leave me a 5 star review, hit subscribe, and share this podcast with any friends or family you think would benefit. It's so important we share this information far and wide to help as many women as we can.

And if you do write a 5 star review, please send a screenshot of it to @tarathornehealth and we'll send you my 6-week Happy Hormones course, completely free!

Please feel free to tag me & connect with me on these social platforms:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook Group

Make sure you’re on my email list! Click HERE.

If you're interested in finding out more about my women's hormone health restoring program, The Hormone Balance Solution, please click HERE.

In this episode, Tara tackles a concern that many women face, especially in midlife—hair loss. Drawing from her own experience and deep research, she breaks down the hormonal shifts, metabolic changes, and health factors (like COVID-19) that can contribute to hair thinning and shedding.

It's essential to understand the root causes behind hair loss, which can range from inflammation and stress to nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. Tara dives into how these factors play a role and how to address them effectively.

Tara shares an overview of her new course, Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™, which is designed to provide clear, actionable steps to manage and improve hair health. From adopting a nutrient-dense diet to managing stress, this course offers practical solutions that can lead to positive changes. And most importantly, she encourages early intervention—because with the right strategies, regrowth is possible. There’s hope and a path forward!

In this episode we cover: 

• The connection between hormonal shifts, inflammation, and hair loss in midlife.
• The importance of nutrients and how deficiencies can impact your hair health.
• How stress and gut health play pivotal roles in hair loss and what you can do about it.
• Sneak peek into my new course: "Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple," a well-rounded resource offering deeper insights and actionable strategies.

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Hi, I'm Tara Thorne, FDN-P, RHN, FNC, CMRCP. Basically? I’m a women's health and hormone expert. After serving thousands of women in my 10+ years of clinical experience, I bring you The Hormone Balance Solution podcast - a podcast aimed to educate and empower midlife women.

Midlife can be a confronting time but it doesn’t have to be a bumpy ride. No matter where you’re at, or where you’ve come from we can get you feeling better in midlife than you have in years - plus set yourself up for healthier decades to come.

I’ll be bringing you weekly doses of inspiration, education and conversations with amazing people to give you real, actionable strategies for supporting your health now and in the future.

So tune in, make sure you’re subscribed, leave a review, and get ready to learn important health information that isn’t readily available …. everything you need to know and nothing you don't.