Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

50: Common Pitfalls of Thyroid-Friendly Eating and How to Avoid Them | Ginny Mahar the Hypothyroid Chef

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Ginny Mahar, also known as the Hypothyroid Chef, about the most common pitfalls people face when trying to follow a thyroid-friendly diet – and how to avoid them. Ginny shares her personal healing story and the foundational food and lifestyle principles that helped her turn her health around. Listeners will learn how to identify their own food sensitivities, overcome perfectionism and overwhelm, and adopt simple, sustainable habits that support thyroid healing… without the stress and burnout. The episode also touches on the importance of mindset, community, and looking beyond food to help you thrive and embrace a holistic approach to healing. Tune in to learn more about making your thyroid-friendly lifestyle joyful and practical! What you’ll learn in this episode: Why identifying your own food triggers is not only essential, but empowering. While common culprits like gluten, dairy, soy, grains, and nightshades can drive inflammation, Ginny emphasizes the importance of personal experimentation to uncover what truly works for your body – and what doesn’t. Using flexible frameworks like Paleo or AIP as a starting point, she encourages a “detective” mindset to find your ideal food roadmap. The perfectionism trap: why “all or nothing” can stall your healing. Many thyroid patients feel they must follow their diet flawlessly to succeed. But the stress of trying to “get it perfect” can backfire. Ginny shares how defining your non-negotiables (like gluten) while allowing for personal “wiggle room” can relieve pressure and make healing more sustainable. How to cut through the online noise. Carnivore, keto, oxalates, AIP… with so much conflicting advice, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Ginny shares how to tune out confusion, identify thyroid-savvy experts, and reconnect with what your body needs – not what’s trending. She encourages simplifying your inputs, trusting your intuition, and staying grounded in what actually works for you. Start simple and make healing sustainable. Instead of chasing complex protocols or recipes with 20 ingredients, Ginny recommends focusing on nutrient-dense staples like organic produce, clean proteins, and healthy fats. Her strategy: build a weekly foundation with batch-prepped basics like roasted veggies, shredded protein, and a go-to sauce for fast, nourishing meals. The power of mindset and community. Reframing your journey from deprivation to empowerment – focusing on what you can eat, celebrating small wins, and leaning on a supportive community – can radically shift your relationship with food, healing, and yourself. Ginny walks through mindset tools like “tiny celebrations” and the joy of finding thyroid-safe foods you love, plus the importance of not doing it alone. Why lifestyle habits matter as much as food. Thyroid healing isn’t just about what’s on your plate. Ginny explains the eight foundational rituals – from sleep and self-care to stress reduction and gut repair – that build energy, calm the immune system, and support long-term wellness. Her “8 Daily Rituals” framework offers a doable, whole-life approach to healing, one habit at a time. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

49: Hormones, Toxins, and Breast Health: Breaking the Myths and Building Solutions with Dr. Jenn Simmons

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Jenn Simmons, a breast cancer surgeon turned functional medicine leader. After overcoming her own health crisis, Dr. Jen now works to revolutionize how breast cancer is diagnosed, treated, and prevented. They discuss why mammograms aren’t saving lives, how modern imaging tools like QT ultrasounds offer a safer option, and why root causes like gut health, toxins, and dental infections must be addressed for true prevention. You’ll also hear practical steps every woman can take to build breast health and resilience, starting today. Tune in to learn more about: Why the “tumor is the problem” mindset misses the mark. In conventional medicine, breast cancer is treated by attacking the tumor, but Dr. Jen explains why the tumor is actually a symptom of deeper imbalances that must be addressed for true healing. She now uses functional medicine to identify what’s fueling the tumor in the first place, from immune dysfunction to hormone disruption. The surprising risk factors that aren’t discussed enough. Gut health, constipation, mold exposure, mercury amalgams, and hidden oral infections like root canals and cavitations can all create an environment that fuels breast cancer… yet they’re often overlooked. Dr. Jenn walks through how to test for each and why addressing them is critical to changing your internal terrain. Why conventional breast cancer screening isn’t saving lives. Decades of data show that mammograms aren’t reducing breast cancer deaths or saving breasts – and may even lead to overtreatment and harm. Dr. Jen breaks down the statistics and explains why self-awareness, targeted testing like the AURIA tears test, and safer imaging options offer a better path forward. The breast-friendly screening technology you need to know about. Learn about QT ultrasound, a breakthrough imaging tool that offers safe, painless, radiation-free breast screening – and how it compares to mammograms and MRI. Dr. Jenn has opened centers offering this advanced scan, and shares how it’s changing the way women approach screening with less fear and more clarity. How Dr. Jenn rebuilt her health after hitting rock bottom. From nearly dying during her own healing journey to emerging with a new understanding of breast cancer prevention, Dr. Jenn shares the most important lessons she learned along the way, and how you can apply them too. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/

48: Menopause is Mandatory, Suffering is Optional: Thriving in Your Second Spring with Dr. Anna Cabeca

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz speaks with hormone expert and bestselling author Dr. Anna Cabeca about how to thrive during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Anna, also known as The Girlfriend Doctor, shares her story of reversing early menopause and infertility, and explains how women can reclaim their energy, libido, and joy in midlife and beyond. Together, they explore simple and effective strategies for balancing hormones naturally, including keto-alkaline eating, urine pH testing, topical DHEA, and the underestimated power of oxytocin. This episode is filled with actionable insights to help women transition into their “second spring” with confidence, vitality, and pleasure. Tune in to learn more about: Menopause is natural, but suffering doesn’t have to be part of it. Many women are told to brace for hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain as inevitable. Dr. Anna explains why menopause is a transition, not a disease, and how targeted support for hormones, inflammation, and adrenal health can help you thrive in your “second spring.” The Keto-Green method balances metabolism and mood, especially during perimenopause. Traditional keto diets can worsen symptoms for some women due to increased acidity and stress. Dr. Anna’s approach combines a modified keto approach with alkalinizing foods, intermittent fasting, and hormone-friendly nutrients to support brain health, insulin sensitivity, and energy without the typical keto crash. Your urine pH and ketones tell the real story. Instead of guessing how your body is responding, Dr. Anna recommends simple at-home urine testing for pH and ketones. These biomarkers reveal how food, stress, sleep, and even emotions affect your physiology, and guide personalized adjustments for hormone and metabolic balance. Oxytocin is a missing piece in the hormone conversation. Often overlooked, this “connection hormone” helps regulate cortisol, improve mood, and restore vitality. Dr. Anna highlights how pleasure, laughter, and even playing with pets can naturally raise oxytocin, shifting the body out of burnout and into healing. Topical DHEA for v@ginal rejuvenation can be a game changer From discomfort and dryness to incontinence and low libido, vaginal atrophy can erode quality of life. Dr. Anna explains how products like JULVA®, along with DHEA and pelvic floor support, can restore comfort, sensation, and confidence, at any age. Yes, you can reverse premature ovarian failure. Dr Anna’s story proves it. After being told she was infertile and in early menopause, she reversed her symptoms, conceived naturally at 41, and now helps other women do the same.  Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/

47: Healing Depression Project: A New Model for Treating Depression with Silvia Covelli & Achina Stein

In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews integrative psychiatrist Dr. Achina Stein and patient advocate Silvia Covelli, co-founders of the Healing Depression Project, to explore a revolutionary new approach to treating depression. They reveal how depression often stems from underlying root causes like gut dysfunction, inflammation, trauma, and nutrient deficiencies. Listeners will gain valuable insights into why the conventional model falls short and how addressing biology and lifestyle can lead to real emotional transformation.   Listeners will learn about: Conventional psychiatry often misses root causesDepression is typically treated with a diagnosis and a prescription — often skipping deeper evaluation. Labs like B12, iron, vitamin D, and thyroid markers are rarely run, even though deficiencies can cause depression-like symptoms. Dr. Stein notes, “We used to do this routinely. Now it's fallen off the radar.” Inflammation is the true root — not a chemical imbalanceNeurotransmitter imbalances are a downstream effect of chronic inflammation. Dr. Stein emphasizes the need to investigate inflammatory triggers like poor gut health, nutrient deficiencies, mold toxicity, and hormonal imbalances — especially during perimenopause and postpartum. Mold toxicity is a hidden and devastating triggerOver half of the Healing Depression Project participants had elevated mold toxins — often without visible mold in their environment. Symptoms ranged from depression and anxiety to fatigue and skin rashes. Mold exposure requires immediate detox support, often with binders, before any other treatment can succeed. Therapeutic ketogenic diet led to remission in 50% of participantsIn just 26 days, half of the program’s participants — who had treatment-resistant depression for an average of 25 years — reached full remission using a gluten-free, dairy-free ketogenic diet paired with foundational lifestyle changes like sleep hygiene, movement, and meditation. Psychodrama therapy offered powerful trauma releaseTen days of immersive group-based psychodrama provided the equivalent of 50+ hours of traditional therapy. Participants processed and rewrote core traumatic experiences, contributing significantly to emotional breakthroughs. Sustainable recovery requires daily actionDepression healing isn’t passive — it requires intentional shifts in daily habits. Silvia Covelli emphasizes: “This isn’t a magic pill. It’s a system. But when you commit, it changes everything.” Supportive nutrients and testing are essentialTools like betaine HCl, bile salts, selenium, zinc, and testing for hormone imbalances, mold toxins, and gut dysbiosis were critical in individualizing care. The team emphasizes personalization and ongoing support after the in-person retreat. Tune in to learn more about how innovative approaches to depression can empower individuals on their journey to healing. Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/

46: How Gut Inflammation Sabotages Thyroid Function and What to Do About It with Dr. David Jockers

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. David Jockers, an expert in functional nutrition, gut health, and mitochondrial medicine. Together, they explore the intricate connection between gut inflammation and thyroid dysfunction, breaking down the gut-liver-thyroid axis and why mitochondrial health is often the missing piece in healing.  Dr. Jockers shares his insights into how the gut microbiome contributes to thyroid hormone activation and why common protocols like keto and intermittent fasting may not work for everyone, especially without foundational healing steps like improving sleep, digestion, and mitochondrial function. The discussion also dives into practical, research-backed strategies that support metabolic flexibility and reduce thyroid antibodies, including the use of postbiotics, immunoglobulins, and nutrient therapies.  What you’ll learn in this episode: Why your thyroid symptoms might be a gut problem in disguise. Even if you’re producing enough thyroid hormone, poor gut health can block the critical T4-to-T3 conversion needed for energy, mood, and metabolism. Dr. Jockers explains how gut inflammation and microbiome imbalances often go undetected and how supporting the gut can unlock better thyroid function. When your cells go into “wartime mode,” your thyroid pays the price. Chronic stress, infections, or environmental toxins can flip the mitochondria, your body’s energy producers, into a defensive, low-energy state. This cell danger response damages the gut lining, fuels autoimmunity, and halts healing unless reversed through targeted mitochondrial support. You could have leaky gut, even if your digestion seems fine. Many people with thyroid conditions have silent intestinal permeability, driving inflammation and autoimmunity. Dr. Wentz shares how symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, or infertility may actually stem from gut damage that began years before a Hashimoto’s diagnosis. Bone broth isn’t a gut cure-all; root causes matter. While nutrients like glutamine or collagen can soothe the gut lining, they won’t fix what’s breaking it down. Dr. Jockers highlights overlooked drivers like vagus nerve dysfunction, parasites, poor stomach acid, or EMFs, and why deep healing starts with identifying and removing those triggers. Mitochondrial nutrients can be a game-changer if you start them early. Supplements like butyrate, magnesium, carnitine, and immunoglobulins can help repair the gut lining, restore energy, and reduce thyroid antibodies. Supporting cellular energy is often the first step in getting out of burnout and finally feeling like yourself again. Keto and fasting can help, but only when your body’s ready. These popular strategies can backfire if you have adrenal fatigue, poor digestion, or constipation. Dr. Jockers and Dr. Wentz stress the importance of building metabolic flexibility gradually, starting with sleep, digestion, and blood sugar regulation before jumping into advanced protocols. Tune in to learn more about the root causes of thyroid dysfunction, the importance of gut and mitochondrial repair, and how to personalize healing strategies for lasting energy and resilience. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/