The Strength in Hormones Podcast

Lauren Papanos
  • 5.0 (71)
  • NUTRITION
  • UPDATED DAILY

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. NOV 5

    Episode 123: Your Guide to Correcting Insulin Resistance

    Your Guide to Correcting Insulin Resistance If you're struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or irregular cycles, insulin resistance could be at the root. Insulin Resistance affects far more than just blood sugar. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to identify, understand, and correct insulin resistance.   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 How to spot insulin resistance and confirm it with the right labs Common symptoms you might be overlooking The connection between insulin resistance, PCOS, thyroid health, and fertility Why the “just cut carbs and exercise more” approach doesn’t work Nutrient deficiencies that can worsen insulin resistance How mitochondrial health impacts energy, metabolism, and blood sugar Hormone shifts in perimenopause and menopause and their effect on insulin sensitivity Practical strategies for using carbs, fats, and exercise to improve insulin function Which labs to track and the optimal ranges for monitoring your progress   Important show links 👇👇👇 Find out if you're experiencing insulin resistance with our Blood Sugar Hormone Testing Package Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    35 min

  2. OCT 22

    Episode 122: Case Study: How She Resolved Her Acne, Chronic Bloating & Got Pregnant with Ease

    Case Study: How She Resolved Her Acne, Chronic Bloating & Got Pregnant with Ease In this episode, I share a powerful case study of a client struggling with bloating, acne, low cortisol, and low progesterone — symptoms that had left her feeling hopeless after working with multiple practitioners. We take a deep dive into what was actually going on behind the scenes, including: Brain-to-ovary communication imbalances Gut microbiome and digestive juice issues Mold, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors Elevated blood sugar response from “healthy” meals Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress Adrenal and nervous system dysregulation Vitamin and mineral deficiencies I walk you through how we addressed each of these root causes to help her finally feel balanced, energized, and — most importantly — get pregnant with ease. Whether you’ve been struggling with persistent gut or hormone issues, or just want to understand the power of root-cause healing, this episode breaks down the exact systems we targeted and why a surface-level approach isn’t enough. Important show links 👇👇👇 Get your hormones tested- learn more about our hormone testing packages Work with us 1:1 for root cause healing - $300 off through 10/25/25 Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    18 min

  3. OCT 8

    Episode 121: Behind the Scenes of My Career Path: Your Questions Answered

    Behind the Scenes of My Career Path: Your Questions Answered This is a long overdue podcast episode that you have been asking for, for YEARS! In this episode, I answer the questions I get most often about my career journey, how I built my practice, and the trainings that shaped my approach. You can also find more specifics on this over at functionalfueling.com/about. I hope this episode helps guide you on your career path! A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 • How a functional nutrition undergrad & grad school program gave me a systems-first lens that guides my work today • Lessons from working as a sports dietitian in sports medicine and athlete performance, including interpreting labs, supporting menstrual health, and integrating sports medicine into nutrition practice • How my passion in functional nutrition shifted 5 years in and why I made the transition from sports to internal medicine and how this shaped my philosophy and helped me spot advanced hormone patterns in chronic disease populations • How I use performance data—exercise information, nervous system function, and other sports medicine lab metrics—to identify what truly moves the needle for women of all activity levels • The story behind building Functional Fueling®, some of the advanced trainings I’ve completed, and simple advice for starting a private practice • How I apply systems biology in practice, connecting hormones with other body systems and sequencing care for effective results   Important show links 👇👇👇 Join my 3 Part Hormone Testing Workshop Series (Clinicians Only) to learn how to spot advanced hormone patterns, analyzing labs and functional nutrition and supplement support: Register Here Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    30 min

  4. SEP 24

    Episode 120: How I Started Solids and What Feeding Looks Like Now

    How I Started Solids and What Feeding Looks Like Now A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 How I introduced solids and open-cup drinking: what I prioritized and what I skipped Green juices for babies: safe bases & what I avoid The baby products & pantry staples I reach for on repeat & brands we actually use The key nutrients babies need from 6–24 months & simple ways we cover them How I prevent constant snacking and build balanced plates Allergen and grain strategy: why I’m cautious with early grains and how I’m lowering future allergy risk Low-tox swaps for babies: how I’m cutting down microplastics & endocrine disruptors Important show links 👇👇👇  Paleo Jerky discount code  Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    46 min

  5. SEP 10

    Episode 119: [The LOdown] Why You Can't Stay Asleep, What Your Hormones Have to do with it (And How to Fix It)

    [The LOdown] Why You Can't Stay Asleep, What Your Hormones Have to do with it (And How to Fix It)   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇   Important show links 👇👇👇 Listen to mentioned episode: The Vagus Nerve Solution to Inflammation with Dr. Habib Get your hormones tested with our DUTCH test, learn more about our hormone testing packages  Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    26 min

  6. AUG 27

    Episode 118: [The LOdown] How to Control Inflammation Around Workouts

    [The LOdown] How to Control Inflammation Around Workouts Inflammation isn’t always the enemy. In fact, it’s exactly what your body needs after a workout to repair muscles, stimulate growth, and get fitter. But when exercise-driven inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to hormonal chaos. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 ✅ The difference between acute (helpful) and chronic (harmful) inflammation ✅ Why short-term oxidative stress from exercise is actually a signal for repair and hypertrophy ✅ Signs your workouts are creating more harm than good ✅ The types of training that create the most oxidative stress vs. lower-stress options ✅ Nutrient timing strategies to better control inflammation and support recovery ✅ How mitochondrial dysfunction, low thyroid, toxins, and nutrient gaps can turn a healthy workout response into damaging chronic inflammation By the end, you’ll understand how to train in a way that maximizes the benefits of inflammation—without tipping your body into overtraining, poor recovery, or systemic stress. If you’ve been wondering whether your workouts are helping your hormones—or secretly working against them—this episode is for you. Important show links 👇👇👇 Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial for our Strength in Hormones program  Listen to mentioned episodes  Fueling For Your Workouts  Mitochondria: Fatigue, Fertility, Thyroid  Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    26 min

  7. AUG 20

    Episode 117: [The LOdown] Minerals for PCOS

    [The LOdown] Minerals for PCOS PCOS is often talked about in terms of hormones, blood sugar, and fertility—but minerals are one of the most overlooked tools for managing symptoms and restoring balance. In this episode of the Strength in Hormones podcast, we explore how specific minerals like magnesium, chromium, zinc, selenium, and electrolytes can directly impact insulin resistance, thyroid health, adrenal function, and hormone balance. You’ll also learn about the double-edged role of iron in PCOS, why testing matters, and how to individualize your mineral needs for better energy, cycles, and metabolism. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been navigating PCOS for years, this conversation will give you practical, science-backed insight into how minerals can be the missing link in your hormone health journey.   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why minerals matter for PCOS Understanding PCOS Diagnosis and Treatment The Role of Magnesium in PCOS Chromium and Insulin Resistance Zinc’s Impact on Androgenic Hormones Selenium and Thyroid Health and How This Impacts PCOS Electrolytes and Adrenal PCOS Iron: The Double-Edged Sword Testing and Individualizing Mineral Needs   Important show links 👇👇👇 Doors are open to our program Functional Thyroid Foundations now through 8/24. Learn more and enroll here: functionalfueling.com/functional-thyroid-foundations Listen to mentioned episodes: [The LOdown] Minerals for Hypothyroidism [The LOdown] The Period Issue – Is it PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea? Order Mineral Magic at  functionalfueling.com/mineral-magic use code:podcast15 Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    27 min

  8. AUG 13

    Episode 116: [The LOdown] The Root Causes of Women's Hair Loss

    [The LOdown] The Root Causes of Women's Hair Loss If your hair is thinning, shedding faster than it’s growing, or just won’t regain its fullness, the problem may go deeper than shampoo or supplements. In this episode, we uncover how key mineral imbalances—especially zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and iodine—can make or break your hair health.   A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why low zinc or iron can shorten your hair’s growth phase and trigger excess shedding How high copper or iron drive oxidative stress and immune dysfunction The role of the immune system in hair follicle health—and how autoimmunity (like alopecia areata or Hashimoto’s) plays a role Environmental triggers such as mold, infections, and toxins that sabotage hair growth How thyroid health (especially low T3, reverse T3 dominance, or Hashimoto’s antibodies) impacts the hair cycle—and why thyroid hormone medication alone may not be enough The androgen connection: DHT, testosterone, PCOS, insulin resistance, and how stress can ramp up androgen output Top food sources and supplementation for essential minerals and nutrients that support healthy, strong hair We’ll also cover lab testing strategies to restore your hair’s natural growth cycle. If you’ve been told your hair loss is “just aging” or “just genetics,” this episode will give you a deeper, root-cause lens—so you can finally see lasting improvement from the inside out.    Important show links 👇👇👇 Learn more about our hormone testing packages  Save 15% on my Mineral Magic supplement this month only on with code 'podcast15' atlink: functionalfueling.com/mineral-magic Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

    24 min
See All (136)

5
out of 5
71 Ratings

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.

Information

You Might Also Like