72. Menopause, Hormones, and Gut Health: Why Digestion Changes in Midlife

Welcome to Episode 72 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Salome Masghati, a Board-certified gynecologic surgeon who left mainstream medicine to focus on holistic women's health. Dr. Salome has dedicated her career to understanding and improving women's health, particularly during midlife. Dr. Masghati shares her fascinating journey from her medical education in Austria and the United States, where she specialized in OBGYN and surgery, to her current focus on holistic and functional medicine. Prompted by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she began exploring the deeper connections between gut health, detoxification, nutrient deficiencies, and overall wellness. Dr. Salome emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to women's health. She discusses how understanding and addressing root causes can often prevent the need for invasive surgeries, highlighting the critical role of personalized care in achieving optimal health outcomes.  A significant portion of our discussion focuses on hormone therapy, where Dr. Masghati provides nuanced insights into how hormones like estrogen and thyroid interact with the gut and liver. She explains the importance of titrating hormone levels to meet individual needs and shares the various benefits that hormone replacement therapy can offer, including improvements in brain health, bone density, cardiovascular health, and more. Dr. Salome also stresses the essential role that lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and stress management, play in managing midlife health. She offers practical advice on maintaining muscle mass, supporting liver function, and balancing the gut microbiome to ensure optimal hormone health.  Beyond the physical aspects, she delves into the emotional and mental well-being of women, underscoring the importance of self-love, inner connection, and faith—whether spiritual or in the broader sense of believing in the good of the universe. Dr. Salome encourages women to trust their instincts, listen to their bodies, and not shy away from exploring hormone therapy if it could be beneficial. This episode is a rich resource for any woman navigating the challenges of perimenopause, menopause, or midlife health, offering invaluable insights from a leading expert in the field. Highlights: Dr. Salome's Medical Background and Training (0:07) Her Holistic Approach to Medicine (2:57) Challenges and Misconceptions in Medicine (3:46) Hormone Replacement Therapy and Its Benefits (7:43) Gut Health and Hormone Metabolism (10:35) Impact of Diet and Lifestyle on Hormones (21:33) Addressing Hormonal Imbalances (22:24) Importance of Self-Love and Connection (28:02) Navigating Health Challenges (28:19) Environmental Factors and Health (35:30) Connect with Dr. Salome Masghati on IG:  @drsalomemasghatimd   Note:  The information in this podcast is not to replace working with your doctor, other medical practitioner or mental health practitioner.  This podcast is to provide conversation, information and entertainment. My favorite evening drink (or dessert) is Organifi Gold Chocolate.  It is like a "healthy dark hot chocolate".  With reishi mushrooms and lemon balm extract for calming and relaxing, it's perfect in the afternoon or evening.  Gold  also has superfoods like tumeric and ginger.  It's nonGMO, vegan and organic. You can check out all of Organifi's healthy products at https://www.organifishop.com/  and make sure to use the code:  KIMH   for 20% off.