DUTCH Podcast: Season three
Episode 45
Published September 19, 2023
Slow, sluggish mornings followed by sleepless nights should not be the norm—yet for many patients, this is their experience.
In this episode of the DUTCH Podcast, host Jaclyn Smeaton, ND, and guest Deb Matthew, MD, talk about the profound impact that stress and cortisol have on overall wellness. They discuss how dysfunction precedes disease and why it’s crucial to nip HPA axis dysfunction in the bud before it causes long-term, chronic health problems.
They share all about the nitty-gritty of the HPA axis, circadian rhythm, and how sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones are all interconnected. Plus, Dr. Matthew reveals some of her go-to recommendations for stress management.
Episode 46
Published September 26, 2023
This episode will challenge your understanding of thyroid reference ranges, revealing that these ranges aren't always reliable indicators of dysfunction and she gives practical lifestyle recommendations to help treat thyroid dysfunction before disease sets in. Dr. Trindade advocates for a colorful diet rich in phytonutrients, soluble fiber, and essential minerals like selenium and zinc. Hydration, movement, restful sleep, and joy-inducing hobbies all play key roles in maintaining a harmonious hormonal symphony.
Join us for an eye-opening conversation that will empower you to take charge of your thyroid health and fine-tune the intricate balance of your body's hormonal orchestra. Dr. Trindade's insights are sure to leave you with a deeper understanding of thyroid dysfunction and a renewed commitment to holistic well-being.
Episode 47
Published October 3, 2023
In this episode of the DUTCH Podcast, Dr. Tara Scott, MD, joins us for an enlightening discussion about the changing landscape of breast cancer screening, estrogen metabolism, and hormone testing. As a classically trained OB/GYN, Dr. Scott explains how the allopathic medical community isn’t given the tools to monitor hormone levels or cycle fluctuations for female patients. She wants to change this and has started Revitalize Academy to teach providers how monitoring hormone metabolism can help them find breast cancer risk factors early on and create treatment plans to optimize estrogen detoxification.
Episode 48
Published October 10, 2023
Breast health is a topic often overlooked in conventional medicine. In this new episode of the DUTCH Podcast, we don’t shy away from tackling this vital aspect of women's health. Join us as we explore breast health from an integrative perspective with Dr. Lauren Young, ND, a passionate advocate for empowering patients to take control of their health.
Join us for this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Lauren Young, ND, as we take a holistic and integrative approach to understanding and improving breast health!
Episode 49
Published October 17, 2023
Estrogen might make some providers nervous, but estrogen refers to a group of hormones that are fundamentally important to health and well-being. Every cell in the body has estrogen receptors, and understanding how estrogen is secreted and metabolized gives providers a lot of information about their patients’ health.
With host Jaclyn Smeaton, Dr. Allison Smith introduces us to the different forms of estrogen and sheds light on how understanding estrogen metabolism can offer valuable insights into how our tissues utilize this vital hormone. Dr. Smith explains why estrogen sometimes gets a bad rap and examines the factors contributing to this perception, including the role of environmental pollutants that mimic estrogen in the body. We learn about the importance of screening for and eliminating these xenoestrogens from our lives to promote better hormonal health.
Episode 50
Published October 24, 2023
In this episode of the DUTCH Podcast, Dr. Andrew Rostenberg shares his perspective on the risks that can arise when environmental estrogens disrupt our natural estrogen balance. When out of balance, estrogen can impact our physique, how we age, and our overall health. As Dr. Rostenberg explains, due to the inundation of environmental estrogenic influences from sources like heavy metals, mold toxins, and cosmetics, many patients are grappling with endocrine disruptions that affect other systems throughout the body.
Tune in to hear insights into the symptoms of estrogen imbalance in both men and women, and the pivotal role the gallbladder plays in metabolizing estrogen in our bodies. Dr. Rostenberg also emphasizes that our genes don't dictate our fate, and we have plenty of tools available to reduce our environmental exposures and combat the effects of estrogen excess.
Episode 51
Published October 31, 2023
“Menopause is mandatory, but suffering is optional”. In this thought-provoking episode of the DUTCH Podcast, Dr. Anna Cabeca, DO, provides an uplifting perspective on the transformative journey of menopause. Along with our host, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, they explore the many hormones involved in menopausal symptoms and how patients should feel empowered to control they’re health and wellbeing through this “Second Spring” phase of life.
Learn how progesterone, DHEA, cortisol, and oxytocin all play a role in the common symptoms of menopause including fatigue, weight gain, and hot flashes. You'll also learn about the vital role of insulin resistance and diet in shaping menopausal experiences across different cultures. Dr. Cabeca emphasizes the importance of hormone monitoring and holistic approaches to patient care including hormone “replenishment” therapy. Tune in to think differently about menopause and see if from a brighter perspective.
Episode 52
Published October 31, 2023
In this bonus episode of the DUTCH podcast, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton continues her talk with Dr. Anna Cabeca to tackle the often-overlooked subject of hormone replenishment during menopause. Their conversation centers around comprehensive testing and the management of postmenopausal patients, with a particular focus on optimizing the HPA axis. Dr. Cabeca shares insights into the precise procedures for testing women before initiating hormone replacement therapy, emphasizing the significance of consistency in test timing.
This episode provides a valuable exploration of the important considerations for healthcare professionals and patients alike in the realm of hormone replenishment during menopause. We discuss the importance of optimizing the HPA axis and provide insights into accurate testing procedures while debunking common misconceptions about hormone therapies.
Episode 53
Published November 7, 2023
Join us as Dr. Kara Fitzgerald bridges the gap between epigenetics and functional medicine with her fascinating research on diet and lifestyle interventions that can slow the rate of aging. Discover how the foods we eat and how we live our lives can directly impact epigenetics and DNA methylation, leading to changes in the biological clock. Dr. Fitzgerald details her groundbreaking study from her new book “Younger You” that challenges long-standing beliefs about aging and reveals that even though living forever isn’t possible, living well for longer is within reach.
Episode 54
Published November 14, 2023
Did you know the HPA axis manages all body systems and functions like an emergency response vehicle when stressors occur? Or that early life stressors can have permanent effects on the HPA axis? Hear this and more on today’s episode of the DUTCH Podcast.
In this episode, host Jaclyn Smeaton, ND, and guest Tom Guilliams, PhD, sit down for some thought-provoking dialogue on all things stress. They discuss the misrepresentation of adrenal fatigue and how it erroneously gained traction due to poor salivary cortisol testing. And they talk about trusted resources providers can turn to when they want to learn more about the body’s complex stress response system.
Episode 55
Published November 28, 2023
Dr. Stefani Hayes is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist who specializes in helping fertility patients. In this week’s episode, she joins Dr. Smeaton to dive into a very mysterious aspect of infertility called Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). POI is becoming an increasingly frequent problem in women and, unfortunately, it’s typically identified very late when it’s already progressed through the disease process. We don’t know for sure why it happens, but we do know that POI has impacts on a patient’s overall hormone health, so we need to understand it.
You'll hear why infertility is a lot like the canary in the coal mine that can help providers get a clearer picture of the trajectory of their patients' health. Plus, you’ll learn what to look for when assessing POI, why this could be happening, and what you can do about it.
Episode 56
Published December 5, 2023
How to best monitor hormone replacement therapy is hotly debated in the integrative medicine community, and unfortunately, common practice is not always supported by research. This week, the president and founder of Precision Analytical, Mark Newman, MS, joins Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to help you understand the best approach to monitoring hormone replacement therapies. You’ll learn why you should monitor, which tests are effective, and they’ll dive into the research about monitoring with serum, saliva, and urine.
Newly published research in the journal Menopause is the first peer-reviewed study to compare FDA approved patches and gels to compounded estrogen creams, and highlights the accuracy of urine metabolite testing for monitoring of estrogen replacement therapies. Listen in to understand the implications of this new study so you can feel more confident when caring for patients facing menopausal hormone decline.
Episode 57
Published December 12, 2023
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects between 10-20% of reproductive-aged women. While this can be a very difficult diagnosis for women these days, there are evolutionary benefits that may have led to its proliferation.
Host Jaclyn Smeaton, ND, unpacks the physiology and human history of PCOS with guest Dr. Felice Gersh, MD, in this groundbreaking episode of the DUTCH Podcast. They dive into the possible causes of PCOS and the various “types” of PCOS that are affecting female patients today. In fact, there is so much to uncover about PCOS that we had to split it into two episodes! Check back next week to hear part two of this interview.
Episode 58
Published December 19, 2023
The DUTCH Podcast is back for part two of this fascinating conversation about PCOS with expert practitioner Dr. Felice Gersh, MD! In the second installment of this interview, Dr. Gersh and DUTCH Podcast host Jaclyn Smeaton, ND, dive into the lifestyle interventions that can support women with PCOS. From strategic eating windows to stress-reduction techniques and other diet recommendations, this episode is full of suggestions to help patients with PCOS thrive.
Episode 59
Published January 9, 2024
In this week's episode, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton and Mark Newman, MS reflect on the DUTCH team’s advancements in hormone education and research in 2023, plus they give insights for what’s to come in the year ahead. Listen in to hear more about the Mastering Functional Hormone Testing course and DUTCH Interpretive Guide that became available to DUTCH providers in 2023. They also explain the significance of two groundbreaking research studies including the first peer-reviewed study comparing FDA-approved estrogen patches, gels, and creams published in the journal Menopause. This pivotal research underscores the clinical validity and utility of urine metabolite testing in transdermal estrogen replacement therapy.
Episode 60
Published January 16, 2024
This enlightening episode of the DUTCH Podcast takes listeners on a journey to understand how to manage stress and rejuvenate the body featuring our special guest, Dr. Carrie Jones, ND. Dr. Jones wants to shift the mindset of the high-energy “boss babe era” to help listeners embrace more rest-based lifestyles. She discusses how omnipresent stressors can be in our lives and how the brain is constantly evaluating threats in the world. This “always on” mentality can pose significant impacts on the body’s resources. She also sheds light on the effects of norepinephrine, noting that running on this stress hormone hinders the body's ability to heal and repair at the cellular level.
Episode 61
Published January 23, 2024
Dive deeper into the complexities of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in this episode. Dr. Krystal Richardson, ND, joins us to discuss the difficult and confusing journey providers must take in order to reach a PCOS diagnosis. She highlights the inadequacies in conventional medical approaches and offers a holistic perspective on the condition. You'll learn more about the importance of considering co-morbidities and personal experiences when evaluating PCOS symptoms, and you’ll hear her challenge the notion that the ovaries are the primary issue in PCOS and why you should instead focus on broader endocrine disruptions.
Episode 62
Published January 30, 2024
Discover the secrets to mastering your body's natural rhythms in this enlightening episode of the DUTCH Podcast. Join Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, Senior Doctor at Parsley Health, to understand the intricacies of the circadian rhythm, HPA axis, and sleep hygiene. Dr. Tolentino joined Dr. Smeaton to explain why sleep is so important for our overall wellness. She explains the profound impact of natural light on our bodies and the surprising dangers of artificial light at night, deemed a carcinogen by the WHI.
Episode 63
Published February 6, 2024
In this episode, Dr. Alan Bauman, an expert physician in the field of hair restoration, joins Dr. Smeaton to explore the complicated world of hair loss and the options that are available to treat it. Hair loss can be caused by genetic, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Even if patients aren’t experiencing symptoms now, they may still be concerned about what’s to come.
