Hormones & Hope with Dr. Chhaya

Could five simple foods help improve your blood sugar, gut health, hormones, and even how you age? In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija shares the five everyday foods she recommends to nearly every patient for better metabolic health. These affordable, science-backed staples can help support blood sugar regulation, nourish your gut microbiome, reduce inflammation, and promote...

In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija welcomes pulmonologist Dr. Vijay Balasubramanian for an in-depth discussion about respiratory health, environmental exposures, and the everyday habits that shape our lung function over a lifetime. We often focus on improving our heart health, lowering cholesterol, managing blood sugar, or losing weight, but healthy lungs are just as essent...

In this episode of Hormones & Hope , Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with Dr. Melissa Mondala, Family & Integrative Medicine Specialist , for a powerful conversation about the connection between lifestyle, gut health, and emotional well-being. Drawing from both personal experience and years of clinical practice, Dr. Mondala explains how the gut and brain work together, why nutrition and exerc...

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with preventive cardiologist Dr. Sourbha S. Dani to discuss how we can identify and prevent heart disease before it becomes a life-changing event. Together, they break down the screening tests, lab markers, and imaging studies that can help uncover cardiovascular risk years before symptoms develop. From ApoB and Lipoprotein(a) t...

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with preventive cardiologist Dr. Sourbha Dani to discuss the growing epidemic of premature heart disease in South Asian communities around the world. Dr. Dani explains why many South Asians develop diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease at younger ages, why BMI can be misleading, and why being "healthy on paper" do...

In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija breaks down one of the most rapidly evolving areas of modern medicine: GLP-1 receptor agonists. With new medications, expanding FDA approvals, and growing conversations about weight loss, diabetes, longevity, and metabolic health, it can be difficult to separate evidence-based science from social media hype. Dr. Makhija explains the differen...

Starting a GLP-1 medication can feel overwhelming, especially with so much misinformation online about dosing, side effects, and “maximum” doses. In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija explains how GLP-1 dose titration actually works and why more medication is not always better. From semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to tirzepatide options like Mounjaro and Zepbound, she shares how she...

In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with physical therapist and Onero-certified specialist Dr. Robert Pauline to discuss one of the most common concerns among women and aging adults: low bone density. From osteopenia and osteoporosis to muscle loss, falls, fractures, and strength training, this episode dives deep into how evidence-based resistance training can help i...

In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija reflects on an energizing week in San Francisco and the Bay Area, where she spoke at the Live Long Women’s Health Summit and participated in a Women’s Wellness Lab.  Surrounded by experts in bone health, hormones, and nutrition, she also spent meaningful time connecting with respected colleagues and caring for patients, making it a deeply impactful experience bo...

What if you could experience the powerful benefits of GLP-1 medications—without needles, injections, or weekly shots? In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija takes you through one of the most exciting developments in metabolic health and weight management: oral GLP-1 medications.  She walks you through two key options: Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) and Foundayo, a newer non-peptide GLP-1. These new p...

What does it actually take to turn around 12 years of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes? Not a new medication. Not a dramatic diet overhaul. Not willpower alone. In this powerful solo episode of Hormones & Hope , Dr. Makhija shares the real story of a patient who was doing everything by the book and still suffering and walks us through the five shifts that finally changed everything for him. When t...

What if eating disorders don’t look the way you think they do? In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija interviews adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Lauren Hartman to explore the rising prevalence and complexity of eating disorders in pediatric and adolescent populations. With eating disorders presenting at younger ages and across diverse populations, this conversation highlights...

What if living longer wasn’t about genetics or luck, but about the choices you make every single day? In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya sits down with Dr. Ali Zaidi, a longevity expert, to explore what truly drives not just lifespan, but healthspan. Drawing from both clinical experience and evidence-based science, Dr. Ali shares why he shifted his focus from treating disease at late...

In this powerful episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with quadruple board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Micah Yu to explore a topic many patients are curious (and confused) about: Can autoimmune diseases be managed beyond medications? This conversation bridges the gap between conventional medicine and integrative approaches, offering a realistic, evidence-based look at supple...

In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with Surgeon and Foregut Surgeon Dr. Tejal Pandya to discuss one of the most common yet misunderstood conditions—GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). While many people associate reflux with occasional heartburn, this conversation reveals how GERD can present in multiple ways, including chest pain, throat irritation, chronic coug...

In part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Chhaya Makhija continues her discussion with urologist and men’s health expert Dr. Justin Dubin, shifting the focus from diagnosing low testosterone to what treatment actually looks like. Dr. Dubin walks through how physicians approach testosterone therapy and what factors matter when deciding if it’s the right option. The conversation also touches on common mis...

In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with Dr. Justin Dubin, a urologist and men's health specialist based in South Florida, to unpack one of the most widely misunderstood topics in men’s health: low testosterone (hypogonadism).  From symptoms like low libido and fatigue to the role of metabolic health and fertility preservation, this conversation explores how t...

In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija welcomes Physician and Marathon Coach Dr. Michelle Quirk, who shares how running became her anchor during a season of burnout, grief, and life transitions. Starting with a simple jog around the block, she gradually built endurance, confidence, and eventually a coaching practice helping beginners and experienced runners nationwide. The conversation dives into rea...

We often think of dental care as something we deal with only when there’s pain, but what if your mouth was quietly influencing your overall health every single day? In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by Dr. Abhi Thakkar, dentist, educator, and advocate for preventive care, for a powerful conversation on how oral health and metabolic health are deeply interconnected. Dr. Thakkar shares h...

In Part 2 of this conversation on men’s health and erectile dysfunction, Dr. Chhaya Makhija continues her discussion with sexual medicine specialist Dr. Katherine Klos, shifting the focus from causes to treatment. While erectile dysfunction is commonly associated with low testosterone, this episode highlights why treatment requires a broader perspective. Hormones are only one component of a comple...

In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija begins a two-part series on men’s health and erectile dysfunction with urologist and sexual medicine specialist Dr. Katherine Klos. Key Takeaways: ✅ What are the medical causes of erectile dysfunction? ✅ Can erectile dysfunction happen even if testosterone is normal? ✅ Is erectile dysfunction linked to diabetes or insulin resistance? ✅ W...

In this deeply personal and empowering episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by a very special guest—Dr. Cynthia, a retired dentist and longtime patient at Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care. ✅ What is osteoporosis? ✅ Why do so many women delay osteoporosis treatment? ✅ Are osteoporosis medications really necessary? ✅ What happens if osteoporosis is left untreated? ✅...

Is your thyroid the reason you’re hesitating to start a GLP-1 medication? GLP-1 medications have changed the way we treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. But for anyone with a thyroid condition, they’ve also created a lot of anxiety, especially when headlines mention thyroid cancer, nodules, or hormone disruption. In this episode of Hormones & Hope, endocrinologist Dr. Chhaya Makhija breaks down...

In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija addresses the most commonly searched and most misunderstood questions about GLP-1 medications and weight loss.  Dr. Makhija explains why weight loss is never just about fat, why muscle matters far more than we realize, and how GLP-1 medications can support — not replace — foundational lifestyle changes like strength training, nutrition, sl...

In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by Dr. Susan Zink, a board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Elemental Integrative Psychiatry, for a practical conversation on women’s mental health during hormonal transitions. From PMDD and menstrual-related mood changes to postpartum depression and anxiety, Dr. Zink breaks down what’s normal, what’s not, and when symptoms de...