The Better Yoo Project: Optimizing Health, Hormones and Aesthetics.

Lexi Yoo NP
  • 4.8 (36)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Biweekly

The Better Yoo Project Podcast is a weekly series covering the topics of functional medicine, case studies from her practice, nutrition of all varieties (Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Pegan, Macros, Low Fod Map, Cardiometabolic) etc, the role of the nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, hormones optimization, injectables and aesthetics, fitness and recovery, nutragenomics and supplement use! The host is Lexi Yoo NP, wife -mom-small business owner- nurse practitioner, hormone balancer, gut guru, thyroid investigator, fitness fanatic, and health hacker out of the Hoosier State.

  1. 6d ago

    113. Tryptophan: The Missing Link Between Gut, Mood, and Post-COVID Recovery with Dr. Cynthia Keller

    Dr Cynthia Keller is a triple-boarded physician (Pediatrics, Integrative Medicine, and Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine), who owns and runs Centered in Wellness, a multidisciplinary wellness center in the Seattle region. She believes that the origins of disease and disability can be traced back to long before adulthood, and that her understanding of children’s health and normal development gives her a unique view for promoting health as we age. In this episode, we’re going deep into the biochemical tug of war happening inside all of us. We explore how tryptophan gets “stolen” during inflammation, especially for those who have suffered through COVID, and why that shift can leave us anxious, flat, or exhausted. Dr. Keller explains how the kynurenine pathway diverts resources away from serotonin and dopamine, how cofactors like B6 and folate quietly influence neurotransmitters, and why some patients feel worse before they feel better when undergoing treatment. Later, Dr. Keller shares clinical stories that connect cellular biochemistry to real-life struggles, offering a decision-making framework that challenges us to rethink depression, burnout, and recovery through a metabolic lens.   Topics discussed in this episode include: How inflammation harmfully redirects tryptophan away from serotonin production. What the kynurenine pathway does during infection and stress states. Why the liver’s demand for NAD increases tryptophan diversion. How immune activation upregulates IDO1 and alters brain chemistry. What quinolinic acid does to neurons and neuroinflammation levels. The limited transport of tryptophan across the blood brain barrier. How microglia amplify neurotransmitter depletion during chronic inflammation. Why tryptophan differs from 5-HTP in clinical applications. The importance of cofactors like P5P and folate in neurotransmitter synthesis. How repeated COVID exposures may create cumulative nutrient depletion. What subtle mood shifts can reveal about serotonin and dopamine balance. The connection between catecholamine depletion and unexplained weight gain. How leptin resistance can follow prolonged neurotransmitter imbalance. The role of antidiuretic hormone and zinc in urinary symptoms. How mast cell stability relates to catecholamine availability. Why some patients worsen immediately when tryptophan fuels inflammation. How restoring nutrients can reignite joy, motivation, and resilience.   Centered in Wellness: https://www.centeredinwellness.com    Dr. Keller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiakellermd    Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

  2. Jul 24

    112. The Future of Peptide Medicine: What the PCAC Vote Really Means with Dr. Greg Jones

    Dr. Greg Jones is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor and earned his degree in Naturopathic Medicine with honors from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe Arizona. Dr. Jones has received extensive training in regenerative injection therapy, IV nutritional therapy, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, and peptide therapy. Dr. Jones is here to unpack all the major movement around peptide regulation and what it could mean for your practice. We walk through the recent committee vote that recommends several well-known peptides be reconsidered for compounding, and Dr. Jones explains why this moment matters far beyond just a headline. He breaks down what happened when peptides were moved to a restricted category, how that shift fueled growth of the grey market, and why physician oversight and pharmacy quality control are central to patient safety. We also hear his take on BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, and MOTS-c, including where he has seen them used in practice and why certain delivery methods could return if approvals move forward. We also examine what this vote does not do, why the FDA still holds final authority, and how this step could open doors for more formal research in the future. Topics discussed in this episode include: Breaking news from the recent Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) meeting. A background on the 2023 FDA decision to move 19 peptides to Category 2. How that restriction abruptly limited compounding pharmacy access nationwide. The grey market expansion as patients seek alternative peptide sources. Why lack of published safety data fueled regulatory concern. Why the vote recommends reconsideration for pharmacy compounding pathways. What the recommendation means for 503A bulk substance consideration. The importance of physician oversight in peptide prescribing decisions. How quality control testing differs between compounding pharmacies and online suppliers. Why harm reduction will become central to the regulatory conversation. The potential return of multiple peptide delivery methods, including topical and oral forms. Why BPC-157 is such a versatile clinical tool, and the role of MOTS-c in mitochondrial and metabolic support strategies. Why over-the-counter injectable peptide access remains unrealistic under current law. Plans for future peptide reviews scheduled in upcoming regulatory sessions.   We are running a flash special for the YDH Training Academy. Buy peptide module, get the Scaling Your Practice with Peptide Therapy for Free! Use code YAYFDA   Dr. Jones on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorjones_doctorjones    Dr. Jones on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drgregjonesnmd    Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

  3. Jul 20

    111. Autoimmunity, Perimenopause & Tools to Take Back your Health with Dr. Amy Myers

    Dr. Amy Myers is a medical doctor, a two-time New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally acclaimed functional medicine physician who specializes in empowering those with autoimmune, thyroid, SIBO, Candida, and gut issues to reverse their conditions and take back their health. Dr. Myers spent more than two decades working as a physician, including founding her own clinic, before she launched Amy Myers MD®, an e-commerce wellness brand that reaches millions of people in more than 140 countries around the world with over 75 products she personally formulated and a variety of programs. In this conversation, we follow Dr. Amy Myers through the health crisis that changed how she thinks about autoimmune disease, thyroid care, and the work needed before symptoms become diagnoses. She brings us into the gap between being told something is “solved” and realizing the body may still be sending warnings. We hear why she looks beyond labels like Graves’ or Hashimoto’s and instead asks what pushed the immune system there in the first place. She explains why food, gut permeability, toxins, infections, stress, and trauma matter, and why removing gluten and dairy is not just a trend in her approach. We also get into the role of hormone shifts during perimenopause, the labs she considers, and tools that may support the gut, thyroid, and immune system. Topics discussed in this episode include: How Graves’ disease leads into a search for autoimmunity root causes.Why thyroid ablation becomes part of the guest’s health story.What the autoimmune spectrum means before diagnosis ever appears.The connection between antibodies, symptoms, and future autoimmune risk.How food, leaky gut, toxins, infections, stress, and trauma interact.Why gluten may trigger immune confusion around thyroid tissue.What molecular mimicry reveals about gluten, casein, oats, and corn.The reason grains, legumes, eggs, and nightshades leave protocol plans.How body feedback can outweigh food sensitivity testing results.The role hormone shifts play during childbirth, perimenopause, and menopause.How autoimmune symptoms can overlap with fatigue, brain fog, and hot flashes.What thyroid labs help separate Hashimoto’s patterns from Graves’ patterns.How children often notice symptom changes after abstinence of certain foods.What low dose naltrexone and thymosin alpha one add to the conversation.Why zonulin blockers raise questions about removing leaky gut triggers.    Get 15% off AMMD supplements and protocols using code THEBETTERYOO: https://www.amymyersmd.com/THEBETTERYOO    Dr. Myers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramymyers/    The Autoimmune Solution (book) on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Autoimmune-Solution-Spectrum-Inflammatory-Symptoms/dp/0062347489    Dr. Myers’ podcast, Take Back Your Health: https://www.amymyersmd.com/pages/podcast    Lexi on Dr. Isabella Wentz’ podcast “Reversing Hashimoto’s? The Unconventional Tools You Haven’t Tried Yet”: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/ep-60/    Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

  4. Jul 6

    110. The NeuroReset: Restoring Autonomic Balance at the Biological Root with Dr. Jonathann Kuo

    Dr. Jonathann Kuo, MD is a double board-certified physician in anesthesiology and pain management, and one of New York's most respected interventional specialists. While Dr. Kuo built his reputation as an elite pain management specialist, his research into the sympathetic nervous system opened an entirely new frontier. His work on the sympathetic nervous system helped pave the way for interventional mental health to gain widespread recognition as a highly effective approach for treatment-resistant conditions. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jonathann Kuo to explore how resetting the autonomic nervous system can change the way we experience stress, sleep, mood, and even chronic illness. He walks us through his journey from anesthesiology and interventional pain management into what he calls interventional longevity, where procedures are used to shift physiology at the root level. We dive into his NeuroReset protocol, including dual sympathetic nerve blocks, vagus nerve hydrodissection, and ketamine infusions, and he explains the mechanisms behind each step. He shares data on PTSD, anxiety, long COVID, POTS, and vasomotor symptoms, along with what he has seen in thousands of patients. We also hear about investigational approaches like liposomal anesthetics, pulsed radiofrequency, and even Botox to the sympathetic chain. Topics discussed in this episode include: What NeuroReset aims to change inside fight-or-flight physiology.How stress patterns can still appear despite normal labs and testing.Why PTSD patterns often involve sympathetic overdrive and emotional reactivity.How NeuroReset combines sympathetic calming with vagus nerve support.What ketamine may add for mood, plasticity, and deeper resetting.Why chronic stress can strengthen fear signaling inside the brain.How a stellate ganglion block may lower fear-center dominance.What vagus nerve hydrodissection can do for compression and function.Why dextrose, peptides, and exosomes have entered the nerve-repair conversation.How investigational add-ons raise questions about response, safety, and duration.Why Botox and pulsed radiofrequency are explored for lasting results.What patients may notice during treatment, including calm and grounding.How the best responses often show changes in sleep, HRV, and reactivity.How repeated sessions may support symptoms that return over time.Why nervous system care still requires sleep, movement, and recovery habits.What chronic stress may do to metabolism, immunity, aging, and mood.  Dr. Kuo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.kuo  Extension Health: https://extension.health  Extension Health on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extension.health  Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

  5. Jun 22

    109. Metabolism, Fasting, Perimenopause, and The Menopause Gut with Cynthia Thurlow

    Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, author and international speaker, with over 15 million views for her second TEDx talk (Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique). With over 25 years of experience in health and wellness, Cynthia is a globally recognized expert in perimenopause/menopause and intermittent fasting, and her mission is to help empower women to live their most optimal lives in perimenopause and beyond. In her new book, The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond (Avery, on sale April 28, 2026), Thurlow offers a roadmap to reclaim balance and immune resilience after menopause. We’re welcoming Cynthia in this episode to explore how women’s health shifts in midlife and why the gut may be the missing piece to massively better health. We hear why she emphasizes “digestive rest” over aggressive fasting, especially for women who struggle to build muscle or meet protein needs. She explains how perimenopause alters the microbiome, how the “microgenderome” evolves across puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, and why hormone replacement therapy can reshape the gut in meaningful ways. We also dig into hidden gut disruptors like alcohol, ultra-processed foods, antibiotics, and unresolved stress, along with the gut-brain connection, brain fog, and mitochondrial health. Cynthia challenges us to rethink restriction, prioritize muscle and sleep, and finally factor the gut into every hormone discussion.   Topics discussed in this episode include: Who Cynthia’s upcoming book is meant to help.Why digestive rest is replacing aggressive fasting strategies.The risk of sarcopenia during extended fasting windows.How inadequate protein intake limits muscle preservation.Why muscle mass plays a huge role in determining long term metabolic independence.The influence of insulin resistance on fasting recommendations.What follicular and luteal phases signal about stress tolerance.Why perimenopause represents hormonal volatility before menopause stability.The importance of aligning fasting with stress and sleep status.Why estradiol modulates immune resilience and inflammation.The role of antibiotics, alcohol, and other irritants of microbiome health.The connection between unresolved trauma and gut dysfunction.How vagus nerve signaling links gut and brain health.Why hydration and electrolyte balance support performance.The necessity of sleep rituals for nervous system regulation.A very common yet overlooked source of fatigue that can be fixed today.  Cynthia’s website (get The Menopause Gut here): https://www.cynthiathurlow.com    Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

  6. Jun 8

    108. Beyond MTHFR: When More Isn’t Better in Genetic Health with Rachel Deffendall

    Rachel Deffendall, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC is a board certified family nurse practitioner. In 2023 she founded and opened The Beaumont Med Spa, a specialty clinic with services focusing on bioidentical hormone replacement (BHRT), weight loss and management, IV hydration and vitamin replacement, peptide therapies, genetic testing, hair restoration, facial dermal fillers, botox and customized skin care. The Beaumont Med Spa was recently named Best Med Spa in Wilson County in 2025, Best Med Spa in Middle Tennessee in 2024 by Main Street Awards, and most recently received honorable mention in the Med Spa category for the Guide to Tennessee Best of Tennessee 2025.   Today, we unpack what methylation really means for our day-to-day health and long-term outcomes. We go beyond the buzz around MTHFR and get into how specific gene variants can shape everything from energy and anxiety to hormone metabolism, miscarriage risk, and cardiovascular disease. Rachel walks us through what happens when we can’t properly convert folate or B12, why homocysteine matters more than most of us realize, and how common interventions (like NAD or GLP-1s with synthetic B12) may backfire if we ignore methylation status. We also explore how genetic testing can guide decisions around estrogen detox, testosterone conversion, and even advanced therapies like ozone and EBOO.   Topics discussed in this episode include: What methylation means at a biochemical level inside cells.How MTHFR variants C677T and A1298C alter folate metabolism efficiency.Why heterozygous and homozygous mutations create different symptom severity patterns.The connection between folic acid fortification and miscarriage risk.How synthetic folic acid differs from active methylated folate forms.What homocysteine reveals about inflammation and cardiovascular risk.How elevated homocysteine links to early hypertension in younger patients.The role of COMT and CYP genes in estrogen metabolism pathways.Why poor estrogen clearance raises concern for carcinogenic metabolites.How SRD5A influences testosterone conversion into dihydrotestosterone.What genetic data reveals before DHT-related symptoms appear clinically.The risk of using NAD without correcting methylation pathways first.Why cyanocobalamin in GLP-1 formulations may worsen inflammation.The importance of methylated B12 forms for certain genetic profiles.How overmethylation presents with anxiety and mood-related symptoms.The role of EBOO therapy in detoxification and autoimmune support.  The Beaumont Med Spa: https://www.thebeaumontmedspa.com    Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/np_deffendall   The Beaumont Med Spa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeaumontmedspa    Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

  7. Jun 1

    107. The Glutathione Revolution: Rewriting the Rules of Detox, Aging & Methylation

    Dr. Nayan Patel is a sought after pharmacist, wellness expert, and thought leader in his industry. He has been working with physicians since 1997 to custom develop medication for their clients and design a patient specific drug and nutrition regimen. He has been the pharmacist of choice to celebrities, CEO’s and physicians themselves. He is globally regarded as the foremost go-to expert on absorbable forms of glutathione, and holds the only patent on transdermal glutathione. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Patel to unpacks the science and real-world impact of glutathione and why he believes it sits at the center of so many health challenges. He walks us through his shift from traditional pharmacy into compounding and research, and how that path led him to focus on the body’s own antioxidant systems rather than symptom management. We explore what glutathione actually does inside the cell, why production declines around age 30, and how that decline connects to toxin buildup, hormone imbalance, fatigue, and even perimenopausal symptoms. From detox pathways and methylation support to weight loss, we examine how restoring glutathione levels may change far more than we expect. Topics discussed in this episode include: Why symptom management fails to address root biochemical dysfunction.The discovery of glutathione as the body’s primary antioxidant molecule.What glutathione does to neutralize free radicals every second.The role of glutathione in liver conjugation pathways and toxin elimination.How aging reduces natural glutathione production after age thirty.What nutrients and cofactors are required for internal glutathione synthesis.The connection between mitochondrial ATP decline and antioxidant depletion.Why NAD functions as an electron transfer molecule.How toxin accumulation contributes to hormone imbalance and estrogen metabolism issues.The relationship between glutathione and methylation pathway support.The limitations of oral and intravenous glutathione delivery methods.What challenges prevent peptides from entering the cell membrane.The development of a transdermal dextrin-based glutathione delivery system.What dosage levels support daily detoxification without overload.The possibility of temporary detox reactions during toxin release.How glutathione supports patients undergoing rapid fat loss.The secondary skin brightening effects from lowering systemic stress.  Auro Wellness: https://aurowellness.com   Get Dr. Patel’s new book: https://aurowellness.com/products/glutathione-revolution    Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

  8. May 11

    106. Occlusion, Optimization, and Overload: BFR & Beyond with Joel Novak, PT

    Joel Novak is an orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. Joel holds a doctorate in physical therapy and is certified in strength and conditioning through the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Joel is a certified instructor in Blood Flow Restriction training. He also has advanced education in the diagnosis and treatment of movement and muscle imbalances with the Functional Movement Systems. Alongside Joel, we’re checking out blood flow restriction (BFR) training and how it fits into rehab and performance work. He explains how he first encountered the method, why he doubted it, and how research and clinical experience shifted his view. We look at how restricting blood flow changes oxygen availability, how that affects fatigue, and how this can support muscle activation during rehab, including cases like ACL recovery or early post-operative strength loss. Joel takes us through how pressure is measured, how limb size and cuff design affect decisions, and why some BFR devices need careful use. We also step into discussions about growth signals, nitric oxide, myostatin, and how these responses shape strength and recovery. Topics discussed in this episode include: What early athletic experiences reveal about exposure to injury and recovery demands.How comparisons between athlete groups highlight differences in tolerance and training behavior.How home routines influence the outcomes of strength and rehabilitation programs.Why Joel’s initial skepticism toward BFR shifted after reviewing extensive research literature.What blood flow restriction aims to achieve through controlled modulation of circulation.How reduced oxygen availability accelerates fatigue during simple resistance activities.What factors determine safe pressure settings based on limb size and cuff design.Why specific patient groups require caution due to circulation or tissue vulnerabilities.What hormonal and cellular responses appear after restriction-based training sessions.How BFR influences early quadriceps activation during postoperative knee rehabilitation.Why lighter training loads can still create significant fatigue and size adaptations.What common BFR errors produce adverse outcomes such as dizziness or local bruising.How consumer devices vary widely in function, safety systems, and pressure control.  My performance rehab: https://myperformancerehab.com    Joel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelnovakpt    Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

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4.8
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36 Ratings

About

The Better Yoo Project Podcast is a weekly series covering the topics of functional medicine, case studies from her practice, nutrition of all varieties (Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Pegan, Macros, Low Fod Map, Cardiometabolic) etc, the role of the nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, hormones optimization, injectables and aesthetics, fitness and recovery, nutragenomics and supplement use! The host is Lexi Yoo NP, wife -mom-small business owner- nurse practitioner, hormone balancer, gut guru, thyroid investigator, fitness fanatic, and health hacker out of the Hoosier State.

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