452: I Asked a PhD Why Americans Are So Divided About Food with Dr. Jessica Knurick
Why are Americans so divided about the foods we eat? When I asked one simple question about food coloring on Instagram, people weren't just disagreeing with me—they were questioning my integrity, my intelligence, and even making assumptions about my political beliefs. All over food coloring. That's when I knew I needed to have a deeper conversation about why Americans have become so polarized about nutrition, and more importantly, what the actual science says about the foods dividing us. So I sat down with Dr. Jessica Knurick, a PhD nutrition scientist specializing in chronic disease prevention, and she's spent years researching the gap between what science shows and what people actually believe about food safety. In this episode, we dive into the complexities and misconceptions surrounding food and nutrition and discuss the dangers of echo chambers in the wellness community and how they can distort reality by reinforcing pre-existing beliefs. Jessica sheds light on dividing topics such as the real science behind food coloring, the controversies of seed oils, and the benefits and risks of raw milk. Through our conversation, we aim to uncover what's fact, what's hype, and what's genuinely in our best interest for health. Join us as we explore how to navigate the sea of nutrition information, separate evidence-based truth from sensationalistic noise, and make informed choices for better health. Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube Learn More About Dr. Jessica Knurick: https://www.instagram.com/drjessicaknurick Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen. Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.
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1:14:26
451:Sitting with Midlife Discomfort for 180 Degrees of Healing Glow Up with Sweaty AF
In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities that midlife brings, focusing on how setbacks like divorce, empty nesting, or career changes can be turned into periods of transformation and growth. When our guests Joey and Lucy (hosts of the popular podcast Sweaty AF, met in a small London sauna five years ago, they were both going through the darkest chapters of their lives. Divorce proceedings, sleepless nights, hormone chaos, and that crushing feeling that their bodies had completely betrayed them. What happened next in that tiny, three-person sauna changed everything. This is the raw, honest story of how two women discovered that healing happens when you're willing to sit with discomfort – literally and figuratively. From averaging just 2-3 hours of sleep per night to building thriving businesses, transforming their relationships with their ex-husbands, and creating a community that spans continents, Joey and Lucy prove that midlife isn't about decline – it's about renaissance. They delve into the benefits of hot and cold therapy, the importance of sleep, the value of walking and natural daylight, and how creating a supportive community can lead to an overall 'glow up'. If you're feeling stuck, isolated, or like your best years are behind you, this conversation will remind you that healing and friendship can happen anywhere – even in a sweaty box with strangers who become your closest confidants. Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube Learn More About Sweaty AF Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/sweatyafpodcast Want to get your own infrared sauna? Shop Sunlighten at https://midlifeconversations.com/sunlighten – book a consult and SAVE with code NATALIEJILL Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com Thank you to our show sponsors! LIVON: Save $56 (get a free B Complex) with purchase of the Midlife Bundle at http://livonlabs.com/nataliejill AEGIS: Go to https://Aegisformulas.com and use code NatalieJill to get 10% off your next order. Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen. Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.
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450: The Light Secret: Why Temperature Doesn't Matter in Optimal Infrared Therapy with Connie Zack
Is the sun actually the ultimate anti-aging medicine they’ve been trying to keep from us? While we've been scared away from sunlight for decades, groundbreaking research reveals that specific light wavelengths might be the key to reversing the hallmarks of aging at a cellular level. But that expensive red light device you bought might be nothing more than a colorful lamp with zero therapeutic benefits. With the explosion of light therapy products flooding the market, how can you tell which actually deliver cellular transformation? Natalie Jill welcomes back Sunlighten founder Connie Zack to cut through the misinformation around the red light therapy trend. You'll discover why most consumer devices completely miss the mark—including why visible red light alone is insufficient and how specific frequencies (660nm for red light and 880nm for near infrared) are essential for therapeutic effects. Connie explains the crucial difference between mere heat therapy and cellular light medicine, revealing how proper infrared creates a "vibrational molecular activation" that makes water molecules dance inside your cells. She dispels the common misconception that hotter is better, proving that temperature is completely irrelevant for results—the benefits start the moment you turn on an effective device. Learn how different light wavelengths affect your body – how far, mid, near infrared, and red light each target different biological systems. The conversation tackles how infrared therapy combats five major hallmarks of aging - addressing everything from zombie cells and inflammation to mitochondrial health and gut function. Whether you're dealing with hormone-related mood changes, energy dips, or skin concerns, this episode offers practical insights for incorporating light therapy into your wellness routine. Natalie shares her personal experience using infrared therapy to instantly transform her mood, energy, and recovery - calling it the one age-optimization tool she wouldn't live without. ☀️ Have questions? Want to get your own infrared sauna? Shop Sunlighten at https://midlifeconversations.com/sunlighten and save up to $1,700 + get free shipping through the end of May as part of their Memorial Day Sale using code NATALIEJILL Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube Learn More About Sunlighten: https://www.instagram.com/sunlightensauanas https://www.midlifeconversations.com/sunlighten Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com Thank you to our show sponsors! BIOPTIMIZERS: Get the Enzymes & Probiotics & Gut Support I use daily at https://bioptimizers.com/nataliejill Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen. Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.
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449: Breaking Vegan: A Physician's Health Journey from Vegan to Carnivore with Aimie Apigaian
What happens when a lifelong vegan doctor realizes her "healthy" diet might actually be undermining her health and identity? Dr. Aimie Apigian spent over 30 years believing veganism was the pinnacle of healthy eating—until her midlife body had other plans. She shares her dramatic transformation from being a devoted vegan to becoming a full carnivore, challenging everything we think we know about optimal nutrition for women over 40. Discover why this board-certified physician secretly ate her first fish on vacation, how a collarbone injury revealed decades of suppressed symptoms, and the surprising genetic factor that explained why her plant-based diet wasn't serving her body. Dr. Aimie breaks down the science behind protein absorption, methylation imbalances, and why quality matters more than food category when it comes to midlife nutrition. This isn't about promoting any single diet—it's about becoming your own health detective and learning to listen to what your body truly needs, even when it challenges your deepest beliefs about food and identity. Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube Learn More About Dr. Aimie Apigaian: https://www.instagram.com/draimie Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com Thank you to our show sponsors! KION: Level up your protein game. Visit https://getkion.com/nataliejill for 20% off your order JUST THRIVE: Visit https://justthrivehealth.com and save 20% on your first 90 day bottle of Just Thrive probiotic with promo code: NATALIEJILL Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen. Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.
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448: Stop Choking Down Protein - Your Protein Strategy Needs Essential Amino Acids with Angelo Keely
Choking down protein and still not seeing results? Your protein powder could actually be working AGAINST you after 40! What if everything you've been told about protein supplementation is completely wrong for midlife women? In this eye-opening episode, Natalie Jill interviews Angelo Keely, Co-Founder and CEO of Kion and renowned protein science expert, who reveals that after age 40, our bodies become increasingly resistant to the muscle-building effects of traditional protein. The shocking truth: essential amino acids (EAA) become 4-6 times more effective than protein powder as we age, yet most women are wasting money on supplements that don't work—or worse, could be accelerating muscle loss. Taking EAAs can be a total game-changer for those aiming to lose fat while maintaining muscle mass. Learn why maintaining muscle becomes nearly impossible during weight loss without the right amino acid strategy and the science behind why the timing of your protein matters dramatically more after midlife. If you're struggling with stubborn weight gain, muscle loss, or fatigue despite "eating more protein" this conversation uncovers the missing nutritional piece that could transform your midlife body. Visit getkion.com/nataliejill for 20% off your order! Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube Learn More About KION: https://www.instagram.com/kion http://getkion.com/nataliejill Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen. Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.
Welcome to Midlife Conversations. On this podcast Natalie Jill does what she does best - taking complicated information that is relevant to us (women entering Midlife) NOW, and breaking it down simply with actionable steps you can implement to level up your life in your BEST YEARS to come. I also regularly interview some of the most inspiring people living their best Midlife years. On this show, I cover topics about our shifting hormones, weight struggles, our mood and focus changes, raising teenagers, our relationships, career changes, beauty and more.
If you are new here, Natalie Jill encourage's you to go back and listen from episode one, when this podcast was previously called “Listen UP” for the full transformative experience!
Canada - english