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.

Takeaways

• Fasting 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. Mike

Chapters

00:00 Opener

01:30 Introduction to Women's Health & PCOS Awareness

03:36 Casey's Orthodox Journey

07:12 Casey's PCOS Journey

11:02 On Wanting to Provide Your Husband with a Large Family

13:15 What Really Helped Casey's PCOS the Most?

15:36 Balancing Hope & Faith During PCOS Struggles

21:39 Brennan Enters the Chat - What Is PCOS?

25:19 PCOS, Progesterone, & the HPA Axis

26:38 Birth Control Pill Use & Estrogen Issues

31:27 ADHD Medication & Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

32:53 The Stress of Over- & Undereating

38:54 Good Night to Casey

39:56 Orthodox Health Fasting Promo

40:35 The Dangers of Chronic Caloric Restriction

42:45 On Balancing Pride & Asceticism

45:34 Reframing "Diets" as Nourishment

46:25 Examining PCOS Labwork

50:01 MTHFR Gene Mutations in PCOS

54:09 Brennan's Own MTHFR Struggles

56:29 John's PCOS 101 Seminar

58:39 Herbs & Tea Time with Brennan

59:57 Brennan's Top Supplements for PCOS

01:02:42 Top Lifestyle Habits for PCOS

01:04:59 On the Benefits of Sugary Coffee for Hypothyroid

01:07:32 What About PCOS Without Hypothyroid

01:10:23 On the Taboo of Dietary Sugar

01:14:24 Brennan's Advice for Those Struggling with Fertility

01:18:52 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead

01:20:47 Outro

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