33: Why Muscle Power Is Essential for Hormone Balance in Perimenopause with Dr. Christine Maren

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Dr. Christine Maren is a board-certified physician specializing in women's health, focusing on perimenopause, menopause and preconception care.

In this episode, you’ll learn why muscle is key to balancing hormones, improving body composition and enhancing longevity. Dr. Christine will lay out which metrics and lab markers help track health progress, including insulin levels and waist-to-hip ratio. She will explain how protein intake and strength training can significantly improve metabolism, especially during perimenopause, why estrogen loss impacts insulin sensitivity and increases midline fat. How using bioidentical hormones and other interventions can mitigate menopausal symptoms and support long-term health.

Dr. Christine Maren is a board-certified physician and the founder of a virtual functional medicine practice in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas. Her practice specializes in Women’s health and hormones, specifically perimenopause/menopause and preconception health. She is a compassionate clinician, speaker and wellness advocate.

Timestamps:

[09:44] Muscle as a tool for longevity and metabolic health.

[12:06] Importance of tracking body composition over weight.

[13:03] Using waist-to-hip ratio as a health indicator.

[17:06] How estrogen loss impacts insulin sensitivity.

[21:51] Different forms of estrogen and their uses in therapy.

[28:22] Using GLP-1s at low doses and monitoring side effects.

[47:13] Prioritizing protein and mindful eating habits.

Are household toxins messing with your hormones? Download Dr. Christine’s e-book, 12 Ways to Detox Your Home, to find out.

If you want to learn more from Dr. Christine, follow her on Instagram and visit her Website.

Resources Mentioned:

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