PCOS, Prayer, & Practical Healing w/ Brennan Straka & Casey Kuhn

In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John are joined by return guest, certified nurse midwife Brennan Straka, & Dr. Michael's own wife, Casey, to discuss the complexities of women's health, with a particular focus on PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). They explore fasting, dietary changes, & the importance of faith in navigating health challenges. Casey shares her personal journey with PCOS, highlighting the emotional & physical struggles that she faced. Brennan delves into various aspects of women's health, particularly hormonal health, & the impact of nutrition & lifestyle choices.They discuss the importance of understanding labwork, the role of vitamins & genetic mutations, & the significance of herbal remedies. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of infertility & the importance of faith in navigating these challenges.TakeawaysFasting can be a gift, but challenging for the body.PCOS is often diagnosed when women start trying to conceive.Dietary changes & supplements can significantly impact PCOS symptoms.Faith plays a crucial role in dealing with health challenges.Understanding the hormonal effects of birth control is essential.Nourishment should be viewed as a blessing, not a restriction.Finding balance in fasting & nutrition is key to health.Women often face unique health challenges that require tailored approaches.Hope & faith are vital in the journey of fertility and health.Community support is important in navigating health issues.Lipid panels can be misunderstood in conventional medicine.MTHFR mutations can affect folate metabolism.Folic acid supplementation has historical significance.Herbal remedies like spearmint tea can help with PCOS.Gentle exercise is crucial for managing PCOS symptoms.Dietary choices impact hormonal health significantly.Healing involves addressing the whole person, not just symptoms.Sound bytes“It’s gut-wrenching. You’ve set your heart on a family… & then the ‘maybe a year’ talk.” - Casey“Diagnosis means excess androgens & ovulatory dysfunction... many women won’t show cysts at all.” - Brennan“Under stress, precursors get diverted to cortisol... & progesterone gets over-used downstream.” - Dr. Mike“Chronically undereating resets your basal rate... your thyroid is the thermostat for that system.” - Dr. MikeChapters00:00 Opener01:30 Introduction to Women's Health & PCOS Awareness03:36 Casey's Orthodox Journey07:12 Casey's PCOS Journey11:02 On Wanting to Provide Your Husband with a Large Family13:15 What Really Helped Casey's PCOS the Most?15:36 Balancing Hope & Faith During PCOS Struggles21:39 Brennan Enters the Chat - What Is PCOS?25:19 PCOS, Progesterone, & the HPA Axis26:38 Birth Control Pill Use & Estrogen Issues31:27 ADHD Medication & Hashimoto's Thyroiditis32:53 The Stress of Over- & Undereating 38:54 Good Night to Casey39:56 Orthodox Health Fasting Promo40:35 The Dangers of Chronic Caloric Restriction42:45 On Balancing Pride & Asceticism45:34 Reframing "Diets" as Nourishment46:25 Examining PCOS Labwork50:01 MTHFR Gene Mutations in PCOS54:09 Brennan's Own MTHFR Struggles56:29 John's PCOS 101 Seminar58:39 Herbs & Tea Time with Brennan59:57 Brennan's Top Supplements for PCOS01:02:42 Top Lifestyle Habits for PCOS01:04:59 On the Benefits of Sugary Coffee for Hypothyroid01:07:32 What About PCOS Without Hypothyroid01:10:23 On the Taboo of Dietary Sugar01:14:24 Brennan's Advice for Those Struggling with Fertility01:18:52 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead01:20:47 OutroSupport the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.comPre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the FutureIntro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album hereOrthodox Health InstagramOrthodox Health Telegram