The Tara Thorne Wellness Podcast

Perimenopause brings a lot of changes but there is good news! You see, when you understand what's actually  happening  in your body, you can take back control.   In this week's episode of The Perimenopause Solution, I sit down with Jill Chmielewski, RN, BSN to unpack the critical metabolic and biological shifts that happen during perimenopause, and what you can do  right now  to support your body,...

We live in a world where convenience rules and quick fixes are everywhere-whether it's for pain, sleep, or anxiety. But when it comes to HRT, I urge you to slow down. The truth? Many women expect instant results from HRT, but that's rarely the case. The dosage might need tweaking. Your body might react unpredictably at first. And sometimes, what looks like a hormone issue is rooted elsewhere entir...

Many people assume that gut problems always show up as bloating, pain, or digestive distress — but that's far from the truth. In this episode, Tara explains why everyone who cares about their long-term health and longevity should be paying attention to their gut… even if they think their digestion is just fine. From fatigue and brain fog to anxiety, weight gain, autoimmune issues, and even fertili...

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by my friend and fellow practitioner Esther Blum;  integrative dietitian, best-selling author, and someone who knows what it actually takes to feel better in perimenopause.   We get real about all of it - from postpartum hormone shifts, to the mental weight of motherhood, navigating HRT, and why women are done with being dismissed.   Esther shares what helped h...

Despite common myths, soy and flax can be powerful allies for women's health - especially during perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, Tara sets the record straight on the hotly debated topics of soy and flax. If you've been hearing mixed messages online - especially about these foods being "estrogenic" or dangerous -it's time to clear the air with research-backed facts!   In this episode...

This week on the podcast, Tara shares a story that so many of you will relate to.   A woman in her early 50s came to me after spending hundreds of dollars on functional testing - the DUTCH hormone test and the GI MAP stool test - and you know what? They offered her no real answers.   She was still exhausted. Still bloated. Still not sleeping. And still stuck with zero direction on what to do next....

Is everyone really low in vitamin D? Or have we been sold a narrative that doesn't hold up under scrutiny? In this mind-blowing episode, Tara sits down with Regina and Kristin, the investigative duo behind the Normal Curves podcast, to explore the truth behind the so-called "vitamin D deficiency epidemic." Spoiler: it may have been manufactured by outdated, flawed science—and driven by people with...

In Part 2 of Tara's vitamin D series, we move beyond lab values and dig into the real-world consequences of high-dose vitamin D supplementation and what to do instead. Tara details how today's standard reference ranges may be misleading, why more is not always better, and how excessive vitamin D can lead to calcium loss, mitochondrial damage, mood symptoms, and even worsen autoimmune conditions. M...

Is your vitamin D "deficiency" actually a misdiagnosis? In this eye-opening episode, Tara dives into one of the most misunderstood nutrients in functional medicine: vitamin D. While most practitioners rush to prescribe high doses of vitamin D based on a single lab marker (25(OH)D), Tara challenges the status quo and breaks down why this approach can be both misleading and harmful, especially for w...

In this episode, Tara breaks down what estrogen metabolites are, why they matter, and whether it's necessary to invest in expensive hormone tests. She explains how the body metabolizes estrogen through the liver and gut, and which lifestyle and nutrition strategies support this process - regardless of what your test results may say. Tara also discusses the limitations of supplements like DIM and c...

Feeling wiped out no matter how many iron supplements you take? You're not alone—and you're not crazy. In this episode, Tara breaks down the often-misunderstood world of iron, ferritin, and fatigue, revealing why the typical "take more iron" approach doesn't always work (and can even make you feel worse). She explains the key roles of iron transport, inflammation, and cofactors like copper and cer...

Your thyroid is not just "another hormone"—it's the maestro that sets the tempo for your whole body, and it especially needs love as progesterone drops in perimenopause. But here's the problem: so many practitioners still miss the real story. If all you've had checked is your TSH and you were told "it's normal," you could still be sidelined by sluggish thyroid symptoms—because so much more is happ...

People assume that popular supplements can only help — but that's not always true. In this episode, Tara unpacks the risks of DIY-ing your own supplement routine, even with commonly recommended options like magnesium or vitamin D. She explains why personalized advice matters and how what works for one person may not work for another. Tara shares a powerful client story about gut health issues that...

Many women don't realize there's a big difference between synthetic progestins and natural bioidentical progesterone when it comes to hormone support. In this short episode, Tara breaks down the key distinctions between these two types of progesterone, explaining why bioidentical forms are the safest and most effective option for women in midlife. Tara highlights the potential harms of synthetic p...

In this episode, Tara breaks down why blood work is one of the most powerful tools for navigating your health — especially in perimenopause and midlife. She explains how conventional medicine often relies on lab ranges based on unhealthy population averages, which can leave many women feeling dismissed even when they don't feel well. Instead, Tara advocates for interpreting labs through a function...

In this episode, Tara Thorne breaks down why keto and carnivore diets are not ideal for women in perimenopause—especially when it comes to gut health. She explains that carbs aren't the enemy, and cutting them out can actually worsen gut imbalances, leading to long-term inflammation and poor health. Tara discusses how restrictive, low-fiber diets may offer short-term relief but ultimately harm the...

Many women in midlife are doing all the "right" things—eating well, taking supplements, and following protocols—yet they're still not feeling their best. Why? One of the biggest mistakes I see is  a lack of patience and persistence in the healing process. In this episode, I break down why true healing takes time and why constantly searching for a "quick fix" can keep you stuck.   What You'll Learn...

In this episode, Tara takes a deep dive into three of the most commonly recommended supplements—Vitamin D, Iron, and Selenium—and why they might not be as harmless as they seem. While these nutrients are essential for health, the one-size-fits-all approach to supplementation can do more harm than good, especially when practitioners prescribe them without proper testing. Tara breaks down the miscon...

In this episode, Tara Thorne dives into the topic of irregular bleeding in perimenopause, explaining what's normal, what's cause for concern, and the key hormonal shifts driving these changes. She breaks down the role of estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid function in midlife bleeding patterns while also discussing when to seek further evaluation. Whether you're dealing with heavy periods, spottin...

Cortisol plays a critical role in how your body handles stress, energy, and metabolism—but in perimenopause, it can easily become imbalanced, leading to fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. In this episode, Tara unpacks everything you need to know about cortisol, including why adrenal testing often isn't necessary and what really works to regulate stress hormones. If you've ever bee...

Tara sits down with one of her mentors, Dr. Daved Rosensweet, to have an important conversation about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and why so many women are left in the dark when it comes to their options. Dr. Rosensweet has been at the forefront of bioidentical hormone therapy for years, and in this episode, he shares his deep expertise on how to approach HRT safely and effectively. They bre...

One of the most valuable tests she recommends is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) , which provides a long-term look at nutrient levels, mineral imbalances, and heavy metal exposure. Since minerals are the foundation of optimal hormone function, ensuring they are in balance is key to feeling your best. Tara also highlights the importance of stool testing for gut health and explains why she consi...

In this episode, Tara discusses the vital importance of paying attention to thyroid health and its significant role in overall wellness. She shares a cautionary tale of a long-time friend who was unknowingly battling severe hypothyroidism, highlighting the common misconception that thyroid issues are only linked to weight problems when, in fact, they can affect various bodily functions and overall...

In this episode, Tara Thorne addresses the various health trends and myths that prevail in the wellness industry, focusing on why they're not the quick fixes they're often marketed to be. She criticizes popular ideas like parasite cleanses, colonics, keto diets, and supplements touted as magic solutions, stressing the importance of foundational health practices over such fads. With examples and cl...

Joined by Dr. Sarah, who shares her expertise and personal journey, this episode unpacks the myths and misconceptions surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for younger women and emphasizes the often-overlooked importance of hormone optimization beyond menopause. Dr. Sarah advocates for a personalized approach to hormone care, championing the use of bioidentical hormones and challenging out...