Are you aging well as a woman over 40? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all things wellness -- losing weight, reducing stress, finding time to exercise, feeding yourself and your family healthy meals -- it goes on and on! Join us as we use lifestyle and functional medicine solutions, so we can age STRONG!
Connect with your hosts Kristin Brucker and Raquel B. Cartagena on Instagram and YouTube @functionalmomspodcast
*Always consult with a healthcare professional when making any healthy lifestyle changes. This podcast is for informational purposes only.
Cholesterol Rising After 40? Watch This Before Taking a Statin | Dr. Stephen Hussey (ep 119)
Is your cholesterol rising in perimenopause or menopause, and your doctor is now talking about a statin?
In this episode, Dr. Stephen Hussey explains why cholesterol often goes up for women over 40, what a standard cholesterol test may be missing, and what to consider before starting cholesterol medication.
The American Heart Association identifies the menopause transition as a period of increasing cardiovascular risk, which makes understanding your heart health in this season so important.
Dr. Stephen Hussey is a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner. After suffering a heart attack at just 34, he went on to heal his own heart disease, and his story has become an inspiration to many. On his popular Instagram account, he shares educational content on heart health, metabolism, circadian biology, and nutrition.
In this episode, we learn:
Dr. Hussey's personal story of a heart attack at 34
How inflammation and lifestyle affect heart health
The role of infrared light and structured water
The limitations of traditional cholesterol testing
Why environment and circadian rhythm matter for your heart
Advanced testing that goes beyond a simple cholesterol panel
Lifestyle strategies to improve heart health beyond your labs
Testing service mentioned:
https://ownyourlabs.com/ (https://ownyourlabs.com/)
Documentary mentioned:
The Cholesterol Code: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GS8ZFCYN (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GS8ZFCYN)
Connect with Dr. Hussey:
https://www.instagram.com/drstephenhussey/ (https://www.instagram.com/drstephenhussey/)
https://resourceyourhealth.com/ (https://resourceyourhealth.com/)
Shop the Functional Moms Podcast Supplement Store, 25 PERCENT OFF top-quality brands:
https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/functional-moms (https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/functional-moms)
Connect with the Functional Moms:
https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast/ (https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast/)
https://www.tiktok.com/@functionalmomspodcast (https://www.tiktok.com/@functionalmomspodcast)
SUBSCRIBE on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast/ (https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast/)
DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not start or stop any medication, including statins, without talking to your healthcare provider. We do not prescribe supplements or provide personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you take prescription medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a medical condition.
#cholesterol #menopause #hearthealth #perimenopause
13 Oct 2026
Weight Loss Resistance: Why It's SO HARD (And What Actually Works) | Dr. Katie DiNello (ENCORE)
This episode is for you if you struggle with weight loss and have tried everything. We learn how taking a root cause approach may be the answer.
Our guest today is Dr. Katie DiNello, a naturopathic doctor who graduated from Bastyr University in Washington and completed her residency at Vida Integrated Health and the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Dr. DiNello specializes in integrative approaches for weight loss, metabolic disorders and balancing hormones.
We learn:
Common patterns in weight loss resistance including hormonal changes, burnout and blood sugar dysregulation
Why perimenopause and menopause symptoms seem to be getting worse for women
How tracking food intake can reveal hidden overeating patterns
Healthy foods can still contribute to weight gain
The role of functional medicine and how it allows for personalized treatment plans
Understanding cortisol pattern is crucial for effective treatments
The roles of stress, sleep and medications in weight loss
Protein consumption and gut health
Exercise strategies to help support weight loss
How added sugars can compromise results
Dr. Katie DiNello's Added Sugar Detox Guide (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1trql1J54n95fmWjshltHAFOJW6t3ob4l/view?usp=drive_link)
Connect with Dr. DiNello:
https://www.instagram.com/katie.dinello (https://www.instagram.com/katie.dinello/)
https://www.wholehealthllc.com/ (https://www.wholehealthllc.com/)
Thank you for listening to our show. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a review and subscribe. It will allow us to continue to bring more episodes your way!
Kristin and Raquel
info@functionalmoms.com (mailto:info@functionalmoms.com)
https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast (https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast)
https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast)
6 Oct 2026
Dry Eyes & Blurry Vision in Menopause: What’s Really Going On? | Dr. Neda Gioia (ENCORE)
Are your eyes feeling dry or blurry during perimenopause or menopause? You’re not alone—and this episode is for YOU.
In this episode of Functional Moms Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Neda Gioia, a nationally board-certified optometrist in both nutrition and functional medicine, to explore how hormonal changes impact women’s eye health during midlife.
Learn how to protect your eyes naturally—through food, lifestyle, and proactive care.
We learn:
Hormonal changes during menopause can lead to increased eye health issues
Women are at higher risk for dry eye disease due to hormonal fluctuations
Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness, especially in women
Routine eye exams are crucial for early detection of eye disease
Proactive management of eye health can prevent worsening conditions
Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining eye health
Dry eye symptoms can include blurry vision and tearing
Lifestyle factors significantly influence the risk of developing eye disease
Understanding the connection between hormones and eye health is essential for women
Dietary changes, such as increasing omega-3 intake, can support eye health. Patients should prepare for eye exams by reflecting on symptoms.
Nutrition plays a crucial role in eye health and disease prevention
Key nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin are vital for vision
Vitamin D is essential for ocular health and disease management
Cataracts are a natural part of aging influenced by lifestyle factors
Excessive sun exposure can damage the eyes and accelerate aging
Red light therapy shows promise for improving eye health
There is a lack of regulation in blue light blocking products making it difficult to know if they are actually working
A Mediterranean diet supports overall eye health
About Our Guest:
Dr. Neda Gioia is the founder of Integrative Vision, a cutting-edge optometry practice blending clinical eye care with functional medicine. She’s also the immediate past president of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society.
Connect with Dr. Neda Gioia
https://www.drnedagioia.com/ (https://www.drnedagioia.com/)
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drnedagioia/ (https://www.instagram.com/drnedagioia/)
Website:
https://integrativevision.com (https://integrativevision.com/)
https://functionalmoms.com (https://functionalmoms.com/)
#Menopause #EyeHealth #FunctionalMedicine #WomenOver40 #DryEyes #BlurryVision #VisionHealth #HormonesAndHealth #HealthyAging #FunctionalOptometry #NutritionForVision #PodcastForWomen #NotAnAd
Who has been a guest on Functional Moms
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Dr Jeff Gross
Elizabeth Stryker
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Monique Class
Cortney Santos
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18 ratings
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