“Is it really just hormones… or is your gut driving the symptoms?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Cynthia Thurlow to unpack the powerful connection between gut health and hormones in midlife. Many women are told their bloating, weight gain, fatigue, and mood shifts are “just hormones.” But Cynthia explains that the gut microbiome plays a central role in how these symptoms show up—and how they can be improved. Together, they break down how gut health influences hormones, inflammation, metabolism, and brain function, while also highlighting the foundational habits that matter most in this season. If you’ve been feeling off and unsure where to focus, this episode will give you clarity and a smarter path forward. Be sure to tune in! CYNTHIA THURLOW Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, intermittent fasting expert, and leading voice in metabolic health for women in midlife. With a background in cardiology, she now focuses on helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through personalized nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle strategies. She is the author of The Menopause Gut and a passionate advocate for empowering women to take control of their health during this pivotal transition. IN THIS EPISODE Why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies in midlife How the gut microbiome influences hormones, inflammation, and metabolism The “Three Ps” shaping gut health: puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause The link between leaky gut, food sensitivities, mood, and inflammation Why protein, fiber, sleep, and stress support become nonnegotiable How alcohol and sugar disrupt gut health, sleep, and resilience Why midlife is a critical window to build long-term health—not just manage symptoms QUOTES“Midlife isn’t just a hormonal shift—it’s a metabolic and microbial shift happening beneath the surface.” “When you support your gut, you’re not just improving digestion—you’re impacting your hormones, your brain, and your long-term resilience.” “This phase of life is an invitation to set boundaries, prioritize your needs, and finally major in what matters most.” RESOURCES MENTIONED 👉🏻 Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE! ⛓️‍💥 https://peri-revolution.com/ 👉🏻 Order Cynthia’s book: The Menopause Gut ⛓️‍💥 https://amzn.to/4eoEIsX 👉🏻 Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your Troscription Order ⛓️‍💥 http://troscriptions.com/ENERGIZED Cynthia Thurlow’s Website Cynthia Thurlow on Instagram RELATED EPISODES  717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause 728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It 701: The Gut–Hormone Connection: Why Your Symptoms Aren’t Just Hormones 689: Blood Sugar, Inflammation, and the Midlife Metabolism Shift