The Strength in Hormones Podcast

Lauren Papanos
  • 5.0 (72)
  • NUTRITION
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The Strength in Hormones Podcast is hosted by expert Functional Registered Dietitian and hormone specialist, Lauren Papanos. Join us every Wednesday for a brand new LOdown with Lo solo episode or expert guest interview. Host Lauren Papanos asks and answers the questions around how to live a vibrant life through harnessing the power of natural hormonal balance and medicinal foods. Inquire to work with Lauren’s practice at www.functionalfueling.com. Follow her on Instagram at @functional.fueling.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 136: [The LOdown] My Mold Remediation Story: Everything I Did, Used and How I Recovered

    [The LOdown] My Mold Remediation Story: Everything I Did, Used and How I Recovered In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my personal mold remediation experience (for the second time). I'm sharing signs that indicated mold, how I organized remediation to protect my family, how I'm recovering and all the tools and resources I used along the way. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Early signs mold may be affecting your health How my mold experiences shaped my personal and clinical perspective The exact remediation steps I required to ensure proper mycotoxin containment Air filtration, dehumidification, and ventilation strategies I implemented What I discarded, cleaned, or replaced to prevent re-exposure How and when I retested my home environment What supported my recovery during and after remediation   Important show links 👇👇👇 Order your at home mold test and get a discount with GotMold? Use code: laurenpapanos10 Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    23 min

  2. FEB 25

    Episode 135: Understanding MTHFR & Methylation for Fertility & Chronic Illness with Dr. Sam Shay

    Understanding MTHFR & Methylation for Fertility & Chronic Illness with Dr. Sam Shay MTHFR is one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—genes in the functional medicine world. But what does it actually mean to have an MTHFR mutation? How does methylation influence fertility, thyroid health, homocysteine levels, detox pathways, and chronic illness? And when is genetic testing truly helpful versus fear-driven? In this episode, I’m joined by functional medicine expert Dr. Sam Shay to break down the science of methylation in a practical, clinically grounded way. We discuss how MTHFR variants impact folate metabolism, vitamin B12 utilization, homocysteine regulation, and oxidative stress—and why these pathways matter deeply for women navigating infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, Hashimoto’s, PCOS, autoimmunity, and complex inflammatory conditions. We also unpack common myths about MTHFR, including when high-dose methylated supplements may backfire. If you’ve ever been told you have an MTHFR mutation and felt confused about what to do next—or if you’re struggling with unexplained fertility challenges, thyroid antibodies, chronic fatigue, or inflammatory symptoms despite “normal labs”—this episode will help you understand the bigger biochemical picture and how to approach methylation support in a personalized, root-cause way. This conversation is especially important for active women who are trying to conceive, managing autoimmune thyroid disease, or navigating chronic illness through a functional medicine lens.   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 What MTHFR actually does, and why it is often misunderstood How methylation works, and why inflammation drives the process Why slow methylation may have been protective evolutionarily, but problematic today How methylation affects estrogen detoxification and hormone balance What homocysteine reveals about methylation efficiency and cardiovascular risk The three pathways the body uses to clear homocysteine Which genetic variants matter most for fertility, autoimmunity, and chronic illness How vitamin D receptor genes influence immune regulation and inflammation   Important show links 👇👇👇 Learn more about Dr. Sam Shay at www.DrSamShay.com Apply to work with us 1:1 for fertility support Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    57 min

  3. FEB 18

    Episode 134: AMA: Low Luteal BBT, Mold Exposure, Thyroid Antibodies & Thyroid Inflammation—What It All Really Means

    AMA: Low Luteal BBT, Mold Exposure, Thyroid Antibodies & Thyroid Inflammation—What It All Really Means In this AMA episode, I answer some of your frequently asked questions you submitted over on Instagram. We discuss the causes of low luteal phase basal body temperatures (BBT), progesterone dysfunction, mold-related inflammation, thyroid antibodies, and thyroid swelling. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 What low luteal phase BBT can signal about ovulation and progesterone How progesterone drives body temperature and luteal phase health What delayed or weak temperature rises suggest about follicle development When low luteal temps indicate ovulation issues or luteal phase defects How low progesterone contributes to PMS heavy periods and histamine symptoms How low T3 and thyroid function impact the luteal phase How immune stress inflammation and mold exposure affect cycles and fertility What elevated thyroid antibodies or thyroid swelling may indicate   Important show links 👇👇👇 Take our FREE Low T3 Quiz to find out if low t3 is driving your symptoms Receive a discount with GotMold? Home testing Kit use code Use code: laurenpapanos10 Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    15 min

  4. FEB 11

    Episode 133: Fertility Over 35: The Prenatal Supplement Roadmap for Women + Men with WeNatal Co-Founder

    Fertility Over 35: The Prenatal Supplement Roadmap for Women + Men with WeNatal Co-Founder Trying to conceive after 35 requires more than just “taking a prenatal.” In this episode, we break down how to choose the right prenatal supplement for both women and men, and why fertility optimization starts months before conception. We discuss why the number of capsules per serving actually matters, how iron and calcium should be dosed and timed, and how modern food systems contribute to widespread nutrient depletion. You’ll learn why sperm health plays a critical role in fertility and pregnancy outcomes, how lifestyle toxins and oxidative stress damage egg and sperm quality, and why mitochondrial health becomes increasingly important with age. We also cover the key nutrients that support mitochondrial function, hormone balance, and reproductive health—and explain why the three months before conception are a critical window for both egg and sperm development.   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why the number of capsules per serving of your prenatal matters Why iron and calcium are separated and how iron needs change in pregnancy How modern food systems contribute to nutrient depletion What role sperm health plays in fertility and pregnancy outcomes How lifestyle toxins and oxidative stress impact egg and sperm quality Why mitochondrial health matters for fertility as women age Key nutrients that support mitochondrial and reproductive health Why the three months before conception are critical for egg and sperm development Important show links 👇👇👇 Visit WeNatal for supplements and receive a free magnesium bottle  Apply to work with us 1:1 for fertility support Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    40 min

  5. FEB 4

    Episode 132: [The LODown] Overtraining Syndrome: When Your Body Stops Adapting and Starts Protecting Itself

    Overtraining Syndrome: When Your Body Stops Adapting and Starts Protecting Itself Overtraining Syndrome isn’t just about doing too much—it’s what happens when your body stops adapting to exercise and shifts into a protective, survival state. In this episode, we break down what overtraining syndrome actually is, why it affects both recreational exercisers and competitive athletes, and how it’s often driven by inadequate recovery and fueling rather than training volume alone. We explore early warning signs that the body is no longer responding positively to exercise, the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and how chronic training stress disrupts thyroid function, cortisol, androgens, progesterone, metabolism, and ovulation. You’ll also learn how to strategically reduce training load, restore energy availability, and reintroduce exercise in a way that supports hormone balance, metabolic health, and long-term performance.   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 What overtraining syndrome is and why it affects both recreational exercisers and competitive athletes Why overtraining is often a recovery and fueling issue, not just a training issue Common training patterns that push the body into overtraining Early signs the body is no longer adapting positively to exercise How overtraining affects thyroid function, androgens, cortisol, and progesterone Why oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction drive overtraining syndrome How overtraining disrupts ovulation, cycles, and metabolic regulation How to reduce training load, restore fueling, and reintroduce exercise to support hormone balance   Important show links 👇👇👇 Learn more about our Strength in Hormones Workout Program – join with a 7 day free trial Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    21 min

  6. JAN 28

    Episode 131: [The LODown] How to Support Androgens: Navigating Both Low and High Testosterone and DHEA-S in Women

    How to Support Androgens: Navigating Both Low and High Testosterone and DHEA-S in Women In this episode, we explore how to support androgens in women by understanding both low and high testosterone and DHEA-S, and what these patterns reveal about thyroid function, insulin signaling, adrenal health, inflammation, and stress. Androgens are essential for female energy, mood, muscle tone, libido, and fertility, and when they are either too low or too high, they signal deeper metabolic and immune imbalances rather than isolated hormone problems. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why women need androgens like testosterone, DHEA, and DHT for energy, mood, and fertility The difference between ovarian and adrenal sources of androgens Why both low and high testosterone can cause symptoms How LH, insulin, thyroid function, and stress shape androgen levels Why PCOS is not an ovary-first condition Common signs of high & low androgens How insulin resistance, inflammation, and immune stress drive androgen imbalance Which labs actually matter for understanding androgen patterns   Important show links 👇👇👇 Apply to work with us 1:1 for androgen support Listen to Adrenal Hormones episode with Dr. Kelly Ruef  Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    33 min

  7. JAN 21

    Episode 130: Chinese Medicine for Kiddos w/ Dr. David Allen

    Chinese Medicine for Kiddos w/ Dr. David Allen In this episode of Strength in Hormones, we explore how Chinese Medicine approaches children’s health differently than Western medicine and why understanding these differences can transform the way you support your child’s digestion, sleep, emotions, and immune system. Chinese Medicine views children as physiologically and energetically developing, with immature digestive systems, sensitive nervous systems, and rapidly evolving emotional regulation, which means symptoms are often signals of deeper imbalances rather than isolated problems. We discuss common pediatric concerns such as asthma, ADHD, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, and behavioral challenges, and how patterns like night waking, nightmares, bedwetting, irritability, and frequent illness can reflect underlying imbalances in the gut, nervous system, and immune function. You’ll learn why digestive health is often the foundation for emotional regulation, focus, sleep quality, and overall development in children.   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 • How Chinese medicine views children differently than Western medicine • Why kids’ digestion, nervous systems, and emotions are still developing • Common patterns behind issues like asthma, ADHD, sleep problems, and digestive concerns • What symptoms like night waking, nightmares, bedwetting, and irritability can signal • Why digestive health is often the foundation for behavior and development • How food temperature, simplicity, and meal timing matter for kids • When and how herbs may be used safely in children • How parents can support nervous system regulation and emotional resilience • Why addressing root imbalances early can prevent long-term issues   Important show links 👇👇👇 We do work with kids clinically! Inquire here for more information Learn more about Dr. David Allen's Healthy Kids Acupuncture & Herbs practice at www.davidallenlac.com Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    50 min

  8. JAN 14

    Episode 129: [The LODown] How Inflammation & The Immune System Pushes You Into Low T3 and High Reverse T3

    How Inflammation & The Immune System Pushes You Into Low T3 and High Reverse T3 Low T3 is one of the most misunderstood thyroid patterns, and it’s rarely a problem that starts in the thyroid itself. In this episode, we explore how the immune system, inflammation, and metabolic stress drive changes in T3 and reverse T3, often long before the thyroid gland becomes the primary issue. You’ll learn what T3 actually controls in the body, why normal TSH and T4 levels do not guarantee healthy thyroid function, and how mitochondrial health determines whether thyroid hormone can truly do its job. We break down the difference between low T3 and elevated reverse T3, explain why the body shifts into energy conservation mode under chronic stress, and cover the critical role of deiodinase enzymes (D1, D2, and D3) in thyroid hormone conversion. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why low T3 is not a thyroid-first problem The link between inflammation, immune activation & thyroid suppression What T3 actually controls Why you can have normal TSH and T4 but still feel exhausted The difference between low T3 vs. high RT3 How mitochondrial health dictates thyroid hormone effectiveness Why the body enters energy conservation mode under chronic stress The role of deiodinase enzymes (D1, D2, D3) in thyroid conversion How chronic infections, gut dysfunction, and toxins impact T3 Why thyroid medication alone often fails to resolve symptoms Important show links 👇👇👇 Take Free Quiz - Do You Have Low T3 Levels? Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    31 min
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About

The Strength in Hormones Podcast is hosted by expert Functional Registered Dietitian and hormone specialist, Lauren Papanos. Join us every Wednesday for a brand new LOdown with Lo solo episode or expert guest interview. Host Lauren Papanos asks and answers the questions around how to live a vibrant life through harnessing the power of natural hormonal balance and medicinal foods. Inquire to work with Lauren’s practice at www.functionalfueling.com. Follow her on Instagram at @functional.fueling.

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