Most women have had bloodwork done. What most women haven't had is the right bloodwork.
In this episode, Dr. Poonam Desai, double board certified in lifestyle and emergency medicine, NAM certified in menopause care, and founder of Longevity Place and Her Longevity, breaks down the five labs she runs on every female patient, the optimal values most physicians aren't targeting, and why the standard panel tells you almost nothing about long-term cardiovascular risk, metabolic health, or inflammation. This is one of the most practical longevity conversations I've had for women who want to know where they actually stand.
We also go deep on the three female life phases medicine consistently underserves, how women's cardiac symptoms are still being dismissed in clinical settings, and what a real foundational protocol looks like before any advanced intervention enters the picture. The perimenopause section is worth your full attention, what is shifting hormonally and metabolically, why those symptoms should not be pushed through, and why the window for acting is earlier than most women are told.
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.
If you’re already paying attention to food, sleep, and overall health, cleaning products are another place where exposure adds up quickly. Branch Basics is a simple way to clean your home with fewer unnecessary ingredients and less clutter under the sink.
Brigid Titgemeier, a functional medicine dietitian and founder of Being Brigid Nutrition, has seen countless women walk into her clinic exhausted, bloated, and frustrated despite eating all the right foods. She knows that feeling firsthand, too. Instead of blaming willpower or cutting out everything you love, Brigid discovered how simple, personalized nutrition changes could completely …
CW: Death, drowning, tragic story, bystander effect. After witnessing a tragic freak accident drowning death on a popular Maui beach, Gabi shares the experience. Perplexed by the inaction of individuals on the heavily populated beach, we discuss the spooky psychological phenomenon known as the bystander effect. We then travel into conversations on “self-branding”, the concept …
Diego Perez, better known by his writing alias, Yung Pueblo, is one of the most popular writers on social media. His short, concise reflections of mental health, relationship, spirituality, and healing are enjoyed and shared daily by his over 2 million followers. In this episode we dive deep into Yung Pueblo’s creative and spiritual journey. …
Brain Biohacking with Kayla Barnes — Dr. Poonam Desai: The 5 Labs Women Need, Heart Disease Risk, Microplastics, and Perimenopause
Most women have had bloodwork done. What most women haven't had is the right bloodwork.
In this episode, Dr. Poonam Desai, double board certified in lifestyle and emergency medicine, NAM certified in menopause care, and founder of Longevity Place and Her Longevity, breaks down the five labs she runs on every female patient, the optimal values most physicians aren't targeting, and why the standard panel tells you almost nothing about long-term cardiovascular risk, metabolic health, or inflammation. This is one of the most practical longevity conversations I've had for women who want to know where they actually stand.
We also go deep on the three female life phases medicine consistently underserves, how women's cardiac symptoms are still being dismissed in clinical settings, and what a real foundational protocol looks like before any advanced intervention enters the picture. The perimenopause section is worth your full attention, what is shifting hormonally and metabolically, why those symptoms should not be pushed through, and why the window for acting is earlier than most women are told.
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
If you’re already paying attention to food, sleep, and overall health, cleaning products are another place where exposure adds up quickly. Branch Basics is a simple way to clean your home with fewer unnecessary ingredients and less clutter under the sink.
https://branchbasics.com/KAYLA15
Code: KAYLA15
In This Conversation:
-Why women need a different longevity lens than men
-The cardiovascular markers Dr. Desai wants women tracking early
-Why blood pressure, resting heart rate, HRV, and snoring matter more than people think-
How to use bowel movements as a simple gut-health signal
-Why she starts with fiber before protein
-The overlooked role of toxins, plastics, and hormone disruptors
-What women should not ignore in perimenopause
-Why knowing your numbers early changes everything
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/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4OLWWn22RGB0argbRPvAaQ?si=8e91b3c9e0ce4054
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/longevity-optimization-with-kayla-barnes-lentz/id1591130227
Follow Her Female Protocol: https://www.protocol.kaylabarnes.com
Learn more about Dr. Poonam Desai:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpoonamdesai/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-poonam-desai/
Website: https://www.drpoonamdesai.com/
Her Substack: https://drpoonamdesai.substack.com/
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