Your Genes by Design

Your genes explain tendencies, not destiny.
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Your Genes by Design: practical genetics for women 45+. Weekly 5–10 minute episodes that turn complex science into everyday insight — with articles and helpful freebies to support your journey. 

Episodes

  1. How Your Body Clears Hormones, Stress Metabolites, and Everyday Toxins After 45

    DEC 17

    How Your Body Clears Hormones, Stress Metabolites, and Everyday Toxins After 45

    If you’ve noticed that caffeine, alcohol, supplements, stress, or even fragrances affect you differently than they used to, this episode will help explain why. In this episode, Lauri explores how detox and methylation pathways work behind the scenes — and why these systems can feel more noticeable after 45 as hormones and genetics interact differently than before. You’ll learn how: Detox and methylation function as daily biological systems, not cleanses Estrogen changes increase the importance of detox pathways in midlife Stress chemistry places added demand on clearance pathways Key genes like COMT, GSTM1, MTHFD1, and NAT2 shape tolerance and recovery Simple, consistent habits support detox without extremesThis episode is especially helpful if you’ve experienced increased sensitivity to caffeine or alcohol, stress that lingers longer, stronger reactions to supplements, or changes in sleep quality after 45. Resources Mentioned: View the Midlife Genomics Series — a six-part article series explaining what genomics is and how to understand your own results. Visit my website at inspiredlivingforwomen.com to learn more about me and my work. Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    8 min
  2. How Your Genes Impact Overnight Glucose Regulation and Sleep Patterns After 45

    DEC 3

    How Your Genes Impact Overnight Glucose Regulation and Sleep Patterns After 45

    If your morning glucose feels higher than expected — or your energy shifts dramatically depending on how well you slept — this episode will help connect the dots. In the final episode of the Glucose & Insulin by Design series, Lauri breaks down how sleep, cortisol, and genetics work together to shape your overnight glucose rhythm. You’ll learn how: Nighttime cortisol affects your morning glucoseSleep stages influence insulin sensitivity and recoveryMidlife hormone changes reshape your stress rhythmKey genes like COMT, IL6, SOD2, and PPARGC1A impact overnight repair and energySimple shifts can support a steadier morning pattern This episode is especially helpful if you’ve noticed the “wired at night, sluggish in the morning” cycle, early-morning glucose spikes, or changes in how your body responds to stress and sleep after 45. View the first article in "The Midlife Genomics" series, Genetics vs. Genomics: The Difference — and Why It Matters After 45 Visit my website at inspiredlivingforwomen.com to find out more about me and what I do. Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    7 min
  3. Your Stress-Clearing Gene — How COMT Shapes Cortisol, Glucose, and Energy After 45

    NOV 19

    Your Stress-Clearing Gene — How COMT Shapes Cortisol, Glucose, and Energy After 45

    If your energy feels unpredictable — steady one day, wired or restless the next — stress chemistry could be the reason. In this episode of Your Genes by Design, we look at how cortisol responds to everyday pressure, why that response changes after 45, and how your COMT type shapes the way your body clears stress signals and resets. You’ll discover how: • Cortisol frees up glucose any time your brain senses pressure • Slow or prolonged stress chemistry can keep glucose elevated • Estrogen fluctuations after 45 make stress responses feel less predictable • COMT influences how quickly you recover after stress • Daily patterns — like 3 a.m. wakeups, evening alertness, or carb cravings — reflect your stress-glucose rhythm You’ll also learn practical, gene-informed ways to support your natural rhythm based on your COMT variant — whether your system needs more transitions, more structure, or more intentional reset moments throughout the day. If you don’t yet know which gene variants you have or how to find out, I’ll be publishing a three- to four-part series in my Your Genes by Design newsletter on Substack that explains how these genes work, what they influence, and how to start exploring your own results. I’ll link to it in the show notes. If you’ve been wondering why stress, sleep, or energy feel different after 45, this episode connects the dots between cortisol, COMT, hormones, and glucose balance — helping you work with your biology, not against it. Follow Your Genes by Design for short, science-based insights made practical for real life after 45.  And if it resonates, please share it with another woman who might benefit. Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    6 min
  4. The Cortisol Curve — How Stress & Genetics Shape Glucose and Energy After 45

    NOV 12

    The Cortisol Curve — How Stress & Genetics Shape Glucose and Energy After 45

    If your energy feels unpredictable — steady one day, scattered the next — cortisol could be the reason. In this episode of Your Genes by Design, we explore how cortisol sets your body’s daily rhythm, why that rhythm often shifts after 45, and how your genetic makeup influences recovery, metabolism, and glucose control. You’ll discover how: • Cortisol acts as the body’s natural rhythm regulator • Chronic stress can flatten the daily energy curve • Midlife hormone shifts amplify spikes and crashes • Genes like COMT, IL6, SOD2, and PPARGC1A affect stress recovery, inflammation, and fuel balance • Everyday signals reveal when your cortisol rhythm is drifting off track You’ll also learn practical, gene-informed ways to steady mornings, calm evenings, and restore a more natural flow to your day. If you don’t yet know which gene variants you have or how to find out, I’ll be publishing a three- to four-part series  in my Your Genes by Design newsletter on Substack that explains how these genes work, what they influence, and how to start exploring your own results.  If you’ve been wondering why stress feels different after 45, this episode connects the dots between cortisol, genetics, hormones, and glucose balance — helping you work with your biology, not against it. Follow Your Genes by Design for short, science-based insights made practical for real life after 45. And if it resonates, please share it with another woman who might benefit. Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    7 min
  5. Metabolic Flexibility: How Your Body Balances Glucose and Fat After 45

    NOV 5

    Metabolic Flexibility: How Your Body Balances Glucose and Fat After 45

    Energy isn’t just about what you eat — it’s about how easily your body switches between glucose and fat for fuel. In this episode, we explore metabolic flexibility — the ability to shift between fuel sources — and why that flexibility becomes more important after 45. You’ll hear how genes like PPARGC1A, FADS1, FADS2, and ADIPOQ shape insulin sensitivity, energy stability, and how efficiently your cells use the fuel you already have. If you’ve noticed more hunger between meals, afternoon dips, or less steady energy than before, this short episode helps you understand why those changes happen — and what they reveal about your unique design. Please share this episode with other women 45+ if you think they'd benefit from it. 🎧 Explore the free resource mentioned in this episode — The Oxygen Connection — for practical ways to support your energy system and balance glucose naturally. Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    6 min
  6. Oxygenation: The Missing Link Between Energy, Glucose, and Genes

    OCT 29

    Oxygenation: The Missing Link Between Energy, Glucose, and Genes

    Feeling steady energy isn’t luck — it’s the result of how efficiently your cells use oxygen to turn fuel into power.  In this episode, we trace the path from breath to mitochondria to blood sugar, showing how oxygenation influences glucose and insulin balance after 45. You’ll hear how genes like PPARGC1A, SOD2, and NOS3 shape mitochondrial function, antioxidant defense, and blood flow — and why those factors can make the difference between clean, steady energy and afternoon crashes. If you’ve noticed slower recovery, more fatigue, or brain fog that coffee doesn’t fix, this short episode helps you understand what’s happening at a cellular level — and how small shifts in movement, breathing, and sleep can help your energy stay steady. Please share this episode with other women 45 + if you think they'd benefit from it. Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    7 min
  7. Unraveling Glucose and Insulin: Easy-to-Understand Insights

    OCT 22

    Unraveling Glucose and Insulin: Easy-to-Understand Insights

    Glucose and insulin come up often in health conversations, but many of us were never really taught how they work together. Once you understand that connection, things like mid-afternoon crashes and sudden cravings start to make a lot more sense. In this episode, we look at the glucose–insulin relationship in simple, practical terms — and how genes like TCF7L2, FADS1, and PPARGC1A can influence how your body handles carbs, fats, and energy after 45. You’ll hear why two people can eat the same meal and feel completely different, and what those differences reveal about your own metabolism. If you’ve ever felt your energy crash a few hours after eating, this short episode helps you see what’s really happening — and how small, everyday shifts can bring your system back into balance. Know someone 45+ who’d benefit? Share this. After 45, energy balance depends on more than blood sugar — it depends on oxygen use inside your cells. The Oxygen Connection expands on this link and helps you see how small shifts in oxygen delivery improve glucose control and daily energy.  Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    7 min
  8. Stronger Cravings After 45? Here’s What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

    OCT 15

    Stronger Cravings After 45? Here’s What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

    Cravings after 45 aren’t about willpower — they’re signals. As estrogen and cortisol shift, your body’s glucose and reward systems shift with them, making familiar habits feel harder to break. In this first episode, we look at what’s really driving those cravings and how genes like FTO, MC4R, DRD2 / DRD4, and COMT influence hunger, fullness, and reward. You’ll also hear simple ways to interrupt the craving loop and respond to what your body actually needs. If you’ve noticed stronger cravings, quicker energy dips, or that “why can’t I stop?” feeling, this short episode helps you see what your body is truly asking for — fuel, calm, or comfort — and how to respond with more awareness. Know a woman 45+ who’d benefit? Share this episode. If you’re starting to connect how food, energy, and glucose fit together, you’ll love The Oxygen Connection — a free resource that expands on how oxygen use influences metabolism and steady energy after 45. Get your free guide, The Oxygen Connection, to see how oxygen use, genetics, and glucose metabolism work together to shape steady energy after 45.

    6 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Your Genes by Design: practical genetics for women 45+. Weekly 5–10 minute episodes that turn complex science into everyday insight — with articles and helpful freebies to support your journey. 

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  • Creator
    Your genes explain tendencies, not destiny.
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Your Genes by Design
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    Your Genes by Design