Perimenopause is not just about hormones, it’s a metabolic transition that affects insulin sensitivity, gut health, stress tolerance, and long-term disease risk.
In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow, board-certified nurse practitioner and functional medicine expert, explains how women’s metabolism changes in midlife and why insulin resistance, poor stress resilience, and gut dysfunction often appear years before menopause.
She breaks down how perimenopause can begin earlier than most women expect, why symptoms vary so widely, and how lifestyle factors like fasting, exercise intensity, sleep, alcohol, and chronic stress interact with hormones during this transition.
Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women.https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member
This conversation explores:
Why insulin resistance often emerges in perimenopause
How stress and trauma shape metabolic and hormonal health
The role of gut health in PMS, mood, and estrogen balance
When fasting helps women and when it makes things worse
Why “doing everything right” can still lead to symptoms
How to individualize nutrition, training, and recovery in midlife
Through cultural theory and personal experience, passive influencer @sighswoon (Gabi Abrao) and active influencer @veryharryhill (Harry Hill) discuss the illusions of influencer culture. We share the story of the “very LA” way we met, we talk dating, ad money, Club Penguin, Neopets, early Facebook, Tumblr, Molly Soda, Coketalk / The Coquette, blue checks, power structures, …
Today I am chatting with my dear friend, Rowena Gates from Eng3Corp. The Nanovi is one of my favorite pieces of biology upgrading/biohacking tech on the market. Learn more about the Nanovi and consider one for yourself here: https://eng3corp.com/kaylabarnes/ Thank you to our show sponsor, InsideTracker. Save on all tests here: insidetracker.com/kaylabarnes
Emma Zeck is one of my favorite artists and one of my best friends. A poet turned songwriter, Emma recently released her debut music EP. In this episode, recorded live at Emma's farmhouse in Wimberly, Texas, we discuss topics ranging from Emma's writing practice, her spiritual practices, the downside of psychedelics, and how to transmute …
Today we welcome back my friend, Dr. Kyle Gillett. Today we are diving into all things longevity medicine and exogenous molecules that we can use to improve longevity. We discuss: HRT (hormone replacement therapy), Peptides, Metformin, Rapamycin, underrated supplements and so much more. Kyle Gillett, MD, a dual board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity …
Brain Biohacking with Kayla Barnes — Cynthia Thurlow, NP: Perimenopause, Insulin Resistance and Midlife Metabolism
Perimenopause is not just about hormones, it’s a metabolic transition that affects insulin sensitivity, gut health, stress tolerance, and long-term disease risk.
In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow, board-certified nurse practitioner and functional medicine expert, explains how women’s metabolism changes in midlife and why insulin resistance, poor stress resilience, and gut dysfunction often appear years before menopause.
She breaks down how perimenopause can begin earlier than most women expect, why symptoms vary so widely, and how lifestyle factors like fasting, exercise intensity, sleep, alcohol, and chronic stress interact with hormones during this transition.
Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women.https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member
This conversation explores:
Why insulin resistance often emerges in perimenopause
How stress and trauma shape metabolic and hormonal health
The role of gut health in PMS, mood, and estrogen balance
When fasting helps women and when it makes things worse
Why “doing everything right” can still lead to symptoms
How to individualize nutrition, training, and recovery in midlife
Connect with Kayla:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevity
Twitter:https://x.com/femalelongevity
Website:https://www.kaylabarnes.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@KaylaBarnesLentz
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…Website:https://www.protocol.kaylabarnes.com
Learn more about Cynthia Thurlow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cynthiathurlow
Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/
Pre-order her upcoming book: The Menopause Gut (28th of April 2026):https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777129/the-menopause-gut-by-cynthia-thurlow-np/?mcp…
ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) questionnaire:https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf
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