Health Hacks

Want to get a good night's sleep.  Check out this podcast for some simple tips and tricks you can use!

Dr. Jeni Talks about Folic acid and why it can be a problem for 30-50% of the population and what you can do about it. 

Dr. Jeni discusses 2 things women are doing to wreck their gut health and what they can do about it. 

Such a huge nutrient and yet 40% of the population is deficient. Learn more in this episode

In this episode, Dr. Jeni talks about the health benefits of a workout buddy. 

In this episode, Dr. Jeni talks gives practical tips to eating healthy on a budget

Dr. Jeni talks about strategies you can use to make it through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas with your health intact!

Syndrome X, Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance.  All names for the same phenomenon that not only makes it hard to lose weight, but also contributes to many other chronic health problems.  Let's dive in and take a look at what it is and how you can fix it!

Today we look at Hypothyroidism, specifically Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: What it is, and what you can do about it. 

In this episode, Dr. Jeni talks about the best types of exercise for maximum results with weight loss, improved health and more energy. 

In this episode, Dr. Jeni talks about ways to boost your immune system naturally to stay healthy.  

Podcast intro to Dr. Jeni's podcast, "Health Hacks with Dr. Jeni"  Air date 9/17/19

In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni and Tara share a powerful patient transformation story: 60 pounds lost, A1c reduced from 7.9 to 5.4, liver enzymes normalized, cholesterol improved, and inflammation markers cut nearly in half.More importantly, he shares how he feels — confident, energized, and back in control of his health, despite being a busy business owner and running a political campaign. If you’ve ever wondered whether real metabolic change is possible even in the middle of busy- this episode is for you.

Insulin resistance isn’t just about sugar—and it’s not just about weight.In this episode of Health Hacks, Tara Peterson and Dr. Jeni explain why resistance training is one of the most effective tools for improving insulin sensitivity and protecting metabolic health.Using current research and clinical insight, they break down how insulin works, why muscle is the body’s largest glucose sink, and how strength training improves blood sugar control, reduces visceral fat, lowers inflammation, and slows metabolic aging—even after the workout is over.You’ll also learn why up to 93% of U.S. adults are metabolically unhealthy, why muscle loss accelerates insulin resistance after age 30, and how just 2–3 strength training sessions per week can make a meaningful difference.If you’re struggling with blood sugar swings, fatigue, inflammation, or stubborn weight gain—this episode is for you.💚 Interested in a personalized plan?Schedule a FREE Health Consultation with Thrive Functional Health to address your metabolic health from the inside out.www.thrivecfh.comIn This Episode, We Cover:What insulin does and how insulin resistance developsWhy insulin resistance can exist even at a normal weightNHANES data showing 93% of U.S. adults are metabolically unhealthyThe role of skeletal muscle as the body’s largest glucose sinkHow excess blood sugar is stored as fat—especially visceral fatWhy visceral fat worsens inflammation and insulin resistanceHow resistance training improves insulin sensitivity for 24–48 hours post-workoutThe connection between muscle mass, mitochondria, and metabolic agingWhy adults lose 3–8% of muscle mass per decade after age 30How strength training protects against metabolic decline and chronic diseasePractical guidance on how often to strength train for metabolic healthResistance training isn’t just about strength—it’s about blood sugar control, inflammation reduction, hormone balance, and long-term metabolic resilience.NHANES Metabolic Health DataEstimates indicate that ~93% of U.S. adults meet criteria for poor metabolic health, defined by abnormalities in blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, or waist circumference.Wildman RP et al.The metabolic syndrome in normal-weight individuals: the importance of visceral adiposity.Arch Intern Med. 2008.DeFronzo RA, Tripathy D.Skeletal muscle insulin resistance is the primary defect in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2009.Strasser B, et al.Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.Sports Medicine. 2010.Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine (2024)Resistance training as a key intervention for insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function, and metabolic aging.👉 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11994356/Phillips SM, et al.Sarcopenia and the role of resistance training in aging.Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016.

Hormones, Breast Health, Menopause & Smarter ScreeningHormones don’t stop mattering after menopause — and estrogen is not the enemy many women have been led to believe.In this episode of Health Hacks, Tara Peterson and Dr. Jeni dive into a powerful, fear-reducing conversation around hormones, breast health, menopause, and breast cancer screening. Inspired by insights from the DUTCH Podcast and integrative oncologist Dr. Jenn Simmons, this episode challenges outdated beliefs and helps women understand what the science actually says.We discuss the role of estrogen and progesterone in breast health, why synthetic progestins — not estrogen — are linked to increased risk, and how smarter, individualized screening fits into a proactive, functional medicine approach. You’ll also learn how DUTCH hormone testing helps us personalize care by looking at hormone metabolism, stress, and detox pathways — not just hormone levels.If you’ve ever felt confused or fearful about hormones, menopause, or breast cancer screening, this episode will leave you informed, empowered, and confident in advocating for your health.https://www.thrivecfh.com00:00 – 03:00 | IntroductionWhy this conversation around hormones, breast health, and screening is long overdue03:00 – 07:00 | What Is DUTCH Hormone Testing?• What DUTCH testing measures• Why hormone metabolism matters• How stress, cortisol, and detox pathways impact breast health07:00 – 12:00 | Estrogen & Breast Cancer: Separating Myth from Fact• Why estrogen is not the primary driver of breast cancer• What research actually shows about estrogen and risk• Health consequences of estrogen deficiency12:00 – 16:00 | Progesterone vs. Progestins• The critical difference between bioidentical progesterone and synthetic progestins• Why progestins — not progesterone — are linked to increased risk• How progesterone supports sleep, mood, and brain health16:00 – 22:00 | Smarter Breast Cancer Screening• Screening vs. prevention — why they are not the same• Limitations of mammograms• Breast ultrasound, MRI, and thermography as adjunct tools• Why tissue health, inflammation, and metabolism matter22:00 – 25:00 | Birth Control vs. Menopausal Hormone Therapy• Why birth control is often misused in perimenopause• Hormone suppression vs. hormone restoration• How personalized hormone therapy differs from conventional care25:00 – 28:00 | Hormones After Breast Cancer• What studies show about hormone therapy after breast cancer• Quality of life, timing, and individualized care• Moving beyond fear-based medicine28:00 – 30:00 | Why We Use DUTCH Testing & Final Takeaways• Personalized hormone care• Proactive breast health• Education over fearDUTCH Hormone TestingDUTCH Podcast featuring Dr. Jenn SimmonsFunctional medicine approach to hormone and breast healthIf you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, hormone symptoms, or breast health concerns, we offer free functional health consultations to help you understand your hormones and explore personalized options. Listen, learn, and advocate for your health.https://www.thrivecfh.com

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans mark a major shift in how nutrition is finally being discussed — moving away from decades of low-fat, carb-heavy advice and toward real food, protein prioritization, and metabolic health.In this episode of Health Hacks, hosts Tara Peterson and Dr. Jeni break down what’s changed, why it matters, and how these updates align with a functional medicine approach to nutrition. We discuss the excitement around this reset, the unintended consequences of previous guidelines, and how outdated advice contributed to the growing epidemics of pre-diabetes, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction.You’ll also learn why general guidelines are helpful for the masses — but customized nutrition is essential for reaching your personal health goals — and hear a real client story showing how individualized nutrition can dramatically improve metabolic markers.If you’ve ever felt confused by nutrition advice or frustrated that “healthy eating” didn’t improve your labs or energy, this episode is for you.Ready to Go Deeper?If you’re navigating weight gain, fatigue, blood sugar issues, or confusion around nutrition, we offer free functional health consultations to help you understand your metabolism and create a personalized plan.www.thrivecfh.comWhat We Cover in This Episode:00:00 – 02:00 | IntroductionWhy the 2025 Dietary Guidelines matter and why this update feels different02:00 – 07:00 | What Changed in the 2025 Guidelines• Shift toward whole, minimally processed foods• Protein prioritized as a foundation, not an afterthought• Less emphasis on low-fat diets and refined carbohydrates• Recognition of the metabolic health crisis07:00 – 12:00 | The Metabolic Health Crisis• How past dietary guidelines contributed to insulin resistance• The rise of pre-diabetes, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome• Why “calories in, calories out” failed the population12:00 – 17:00 | What the New Guidelines Get Right• Protein for blood sugar balance, muscle, and metabolism• Real fats and whole foods are making a comeback• Reducing ultra-processed foods and added sugars• Alignment with functional medicine principles17:00 – 22:00 | Where the Guidelines Still Fall Short• One-size-fits-all nutrition limitations• Individual differences in carb, fat, and dairy tolerance• The missing role of gut health, hormones, and inflammation22:00 – 25:00 | Functional Medicine & Personalized Nutrition• Why labs, symptoms, and lifestyle matter• How functional medicine tailors nutrition to your biology• Moving from population guidelines to precision care25:00 – 28:00 | Client Story: Improving Metabolic Markers• Reversing pre-diabetes with personalized nutrition• Improvements in blood sugar, A1C, inflammation, and energy• Why sustainable change beats restrictive dieting28:00 – 30:00 | Key Takeaways & Next Steps• Why the guideline reset is encouraging• Why personalization is still essential• How to take the next step toward metabolic health

Today, we are talking about something we see all the time in women over 50- hip pain in our office. We will unveil common root causes and solutions. Connect with us: https://www.thrivecfh.com/Love this episode? Like, love, and share it with a friend!

Today, we are talking about something affecting almost every American, even if they've never been diagnosed. 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes, and most do not even know it! We would love to connect with you! Find us at thrivecfh.com or schedule a free health consultation: https://l.bttr.to/l8rjhLove this episode? Subscribe, Like, and Share it!

Today, we’re diving into a topic that impacts every woman over 35: bone loss, hormones, and how they connect to your long-term health and vitality.To connect with us: www.thrivecfh.com or call 417-545-3635

This episode is all about why protein becomes a total superhero after age 35- especially for weight loss, energy, hormones and yes - menopause!If you would like to connect with us , check out more content or schedule a Free Health Consultation, find us at www.thrivecfh.com .If you loved this episode, like love and share-!