Hi Dear Friend,
This week I’m thrilled to introduce you to Dr. Sara Gottfried (in case you didn’t already know about this women’s health champion!). Over the past year, Sara has become a friend and mentor of mine. Before I met Sara, I didn’t fully understand how much stress could throw off my hormone balance and affect my overall health. And I’m guessing that some of my readers are in the same boat. That’s why I filmed this interview for you. I hope our conversation empowers and helps you as much as it’s helped me.
Watch my interview with Dr. Sara Gottfried above or download it here and listen on the go. Note: To download the mp3 file right click (or Ctrl+Click on a Mac) on the link and “Save Link As” to save it to your computer.
Why am I blown away by Sara’s work?
For starters, she’s a Harvard-educated physician, board certified gynecologist, speaker, yoga teacher, wife, and mom of two daughters. She’s also the kind of doctor that makes me cheer—a practitioner who’s getting to the root causes of health issues impacting millions of women. And she’s not throwing pills at her patients’ problems. Instead, Sara is teaching us how to address these challenges with an integrative approach. You know, all the stuff we love at KrisCarr.com—diet, lifestyle, holistic mental and emotional therapies and supplements.
I recently read Sara’s new best-selling book, The Hormone Cure: Reclaim Balance, Sleep, Sex Drive, and Vitality with The Gottfried Protocol and it really helped my daily wellness plan. With a couple tests and a few simple adjustments, I’m seeing major improvements in my energy levels, which had been less than ideal for a while. In this interview, Sara and I delve into a huge topic for most of us—stress!
Here’s a peek at the questions we covered:
- What’s runaway stress and how does it impact our hormones and health? Take Sara’s free quiz to begin exploring your hormonal health.
- What are some practical ways we can overcome runaway stress? Sara and I share our personal strategies (Sara loves the Inner Balance app).
- What’s the link between cortisol and challenges like depression, moodiness, chronic disease or gaining weight? Find out how Sara and I have measured and improved our cortisol levels.
- What’s public enemy #1 of our well-being? We all need to be aware of this priority and keep it in the forefront of our minds each day…
- What foods reduce stress in the body? You could easily start adding these foods to your diet today.
- How do carbohydrates impact our hormonal health and stress levels? Hint: they’re not your nemesis.
- For a green juice drinking yoga mama in our audience who’s rocking some of these tips already, what’s she NOT thinking about or addressing? You don’t want to miss Sara’s insider tips!
Watch the video above or download it here and listen later. For more information on Sara, her free resources, programs and books, visit her website. Note: To download the mp3 file right click (or Ctrl+Click on a Mac) on the link and “Save Link As” to save it to your computer.
Your turn: I really want to hear about what you’re struggling with when it comes to stress, hormones & your well-being. Comment below with your insights & tips.
Peace & happy hormones,
THANK YOU! People are so confused on this topic, and so many hormonal issues can be alleviated through lifestyle. We outlined that in our new blog post.
my daughter is 21 and started having anxiety attacks this year. she has always been wired very tightly since a little girl and her issues have only gotten worse. i would like to try a holistic route first before ssri’s which were recommended by her therapist. can you help
After years of struggling and doctor’s visits and all the time suspecting that food and hormones were connected and at the very least part of the solution – I am now so happy to hear this. Will dive deeper, finally know where to dive now 🙂
Must say that the part about ritualising is crucial to me, as I tend not to prioritise myself much (like lots of women, I know) – making it a ritual to look out for myself every day, and a habit to keep eating food that’s good for me, that will do the trick in many ways (against stress, for better mental and physical health). Thank you, ladies!
Thank you Kris for sharing yourself with the world. You are an inspiration. I am 41 with a very long and sordid past with blood clots. I also have seizures and the common denominator is stress. I am the proud founder and currently sole member of the PTSsD (Put the Shame in Stress Down) ☺️ I believe 10000% that my issues are a result of a massive shit ton of stress I’ve experienced in my life starting around age 5. I’ve spent my life searching for answers. Now I just accept and do the best with what I’ve got from where I am at any given moment. Besides I like to think of these health issues as great reminders of what a kick ass created I am! I just need to tack multiple times on my journey across the sea of life. So poetic right?! So what’s my beef? Well hormones kick my ass as you can imagine. I get plum whacko. I struggle with a lot of recommendations because of my blood clotting issues and the need for life long blood thinner. This is my 10th year of being on Coumadin and I could tell you a story or two about that one day that will make you pee yourself laughing-but I digress. I am looking for some great alternatives to those delicious greens that I do love so much. One day I’m going to write book for other women who want to live the good plant life but have to be mindful of blood clots but until then could you offer any recommendations? Keep the good stuff coming Kris! You are a light!
I had hyperthyroid and my thyroid was radiated. I am on 100mgs of synthroid. All my blood work comes out normal with a very slight increase in cholesterol but my good cholesterol is good. I take blood work every6months and it’s always the same,thyroid normal range. I can not loose weight and I work out 4 days a week at the gym doing aerobics for 30 min. And weights for another 30 min. I also have a lap band and had lost 115 pounds 5 yrs ago ,2years later I got Hyperthyroid which I took medication to try to regulate for a year but my numbers were just to high so I had thyroid radiated at my endocrinologist recommendation. Since its been radiated I can not loose weight and gained 40 pounds!!!! I’m at a lose and feel helpless on which direction to take? If you have anything to offer me I gladly would appreciate it.
I have also been in menopause now for 1 1/2 yrs. I will be 60 in a few months
Hi Kris,
My daughter is 22 and has iron number of 31 should be 80. She’s been losing hair- she touches it it’s in her hands in clump Her doc didn’t do any more blood tests instead said it was iron. Also, wasn’t getting period normally. Doc recently sent her for ovarian ultra sound because my daughter went back and guess what now PCOS diagnosed. She’s not sure if iron or PCOS causing hair issues or both but wants to put her on birth control. she said her LLH_FSH ratio was normal. My daughter has bipolar and not on meds even though she can go manic from triggers. She’s a bit low but now I’m thinking perhaps her hormones are out of whack which can impact mood as well. Don’t know why she wants to put her on birth control other than it’s a quick fix. I want her to have a full workup of blood and have an integrative approach to her health. Any suggestions on what bloodwork she should have done?
Hi….i have a question….i have high stress levels…worry allot….i take allot of vitimans…use esential oils…use progessence plus daily…but on occasion. …i get a little spotting. …and pms symptoms….we run our own business. ..and it is very stressful. …what can i do to balance my hormones…thank you gerri
I have Symptoms of fibromyalgia im 51 have put on 10kilos in the last 18mths. Have had alot of stress in my life.
I have been on sfm natural supplement for about three years from nutritional scientist naturapath , prior to that 3or 4 years oroxine 50mg daily.. Stress caused my thyroid to stop producing ts3 again recently & I’ve gained 6kg was 7 but after walking /swimming reducing food & giving up alcohol for last 36 days managed only 1 kg losscan u offer any HeLp please??
Educative information
WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi I have reading up on hormone and changes they can affect. I have been having off periods. Depression loss of sleep. I am under a lot of stress from finding a house and getting married. I have started having severe panic attacks. I’m overthinking all of my feelings and if they are right
Hi, this was exactly what I needed tonight! I am that person of awareness and mindfulness and listening to my body. I was speaking to my husband today and said that I was feeling out of balance . I said that “I am over hearing the kid’s voices as the raised them to each other” and then what do I do…….raise mine to them to tell them to stop it and shut up! Well I don’t condone speaking that way and felt really bad. I am going thru menopause at 54 and and having the sensitive breast thing again after thinking that I was thru it and done! Wrong…..and I am feeling out of balance. I was thinking of heading to my Chinese Herbalist for some acupuncture to see if that would help me out. I went on to say to my husband that I am at the point that I want to just “RUN AWAY!” Then I see the heading to this interview WOW! Thank you for this, couldn’t have found this at a better time, coincidence…… I think not! A meant to be!
I am concerned about my hormone levels causing issues with returning cancer. I am just finishing radiation treatments from an HPV related throat cancer, which by the way..is becoming more and more previlient in men and especially women. I read something about estrogen possibly causing this virus to no longer be dormant in a body especially during menopause. I am currently taking a compounded hormone and feel like I may be harming my body where cancer is concerned. I am so confused..can someone help me please? How do I choose the right doctor for helping me with these kind of issues? Thank you so much for any help
I have been suffering with chronic fatigue for almost four years. Have been to several doctors, spent lots of money on naturopath doctors and even been to an environmental doctor and no one seems to be able to help. I read your article in a magazine re too much copper in the system I would be so excited if this were the answer to my problems, What advice can you give me as I live in Toronto.
When will you ladies be talking about endocrine disruptors
Thank you very much for sharing this information.
Many women do not know why they are stressed let alone how to handle it.
This interview was a real treat since I adore both Kris and Sara!
I am a two time Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor, and I completed my second go round of treatments a year ago. I had a stem cell transplant and radiation. I’m 29 and my oncologist thinks that my body will not produce a period again on its own. I don’t want to be on birth control or hormone replacement therapy forever, because there are scary side effects from that. It is hard to find clinicians who are willing to merge the ideas of natural healing with western medicine practices so I was so relieved to learn about Dr. Gottfried and read her book with great hope. It can be scary trying to navigate your hormones naturally, but you both are a wonderful inspiration.
If there’s anyone out there who has had experience with early menopause or regulating hormones naturally after cancer treatments, I’d love to talk with you! I’m looking for all the help I can get so I can continue to live a happy and healthy life!
Nice interview. The advice is practical and important. Stress affects all of us, and working to improve our overall health definitely helps to improve hormonal imbalances. In addition to lifestyle changes, i.e. diet, sleep, exercise is the ability to also assess hormone balance, particularly adrenal hormones, which play a vital role in total body physiology. The adrenal hormones of cortisol and DHEA are linked to every organ system and the balance of cortisol throughout the day is critical for maintaining proper energy production and diminishing inflammatory stress. Salivary testing is a great way to assess for cortisol production throughout the day and determining the extent of adrenal fatigue/stress.
Thank you so much for sharing this interview! I kept this email with a link to this video for over two months in my inbox until today because I was too stressed and crazy busy to watch it until now. But just seeing the header back in May reminded me that this was the second time I heard about Dr. Gottfried’s name and book. Hearing you recommend her research and work finally pushed me to educate myself on curing my hormones! I bought her book as an audiobook last month and then got the hard copy to take with me to my doctor’s office today. She had never heard of this book so I shared a link to both of your websites. There are not any functional/integrative health professionals within 6 hours so I have finally decided that if I can’t get the care I need, I will demand more of the care that IS available. Both of your books and your work related to health (nutrition and lifestyle) is life changing! I cannot thank you enough!