Advertise on podcast: Treated with Dr. Sara Szal

Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired, it’s a biological signal your body has been trying to send. In this solo episode of Treated, Dr. Sara unpacks the 7 key biomarkers every woman should track to understand and prevent burnout. From heart rate variability and cortisol patterns to thyroid function, progesterone, and sleep quality, she reveals why the usual metrics– steps, calories, and bathroom scales– miss the bigger picture of what’s really happening inside your body. Dr. Sara explains how subtle shifts in hormones, sleep, and blood sugar often appear long before fatigue, brain fog, or mood changes set in. She breaks down how to measure these “burnout biomarkers” in ways that give you actionable data, helping you move from overwhelm to resilience. If you’ve ever felt like exhaustion was “all in your head,” this episode offers a science-backed framework to decode your body’s signals and create a path to true recovery.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Women’s health expert Cynthia Thurlow returns to Treated to unpack one of the most misunderstood wellness trends: intermittent fasting. Together, Dr. Sara and Cynthia explore why fasting can stop working—or even backfire—for women over 35. From blood sugar crashes and burnout to the loss of lean muscle, they reveal how stress, hormones, and timing shape a woman’s fasting success. Cynthia shares how her own approach evolved through perimenopause, why she swapped strict fasting for “digestive rest,” and how she rebuilt strength and energy by eating more protein, lifting heavy, and embracing carbohydrates. The conversation goes into the science of metabolic health, hormones, and sensitivity—connecting fasting, cortisol, estrogen, and emotional resilience in midlife. Dr. Sara and Cynthia discuss how highly sensitive women and those navigating perimenopause need tailored approaches to stress and nutrition, not one-size-fits-all biohacks. They also touch on the promise and pitfalls of peptides and GLP-1 medications, the importance of sleep and social connection, and why strength is the ultimate marker of longevity. It’s a grounded, science-backed guide to thriving—not just surviving—through hormonal change. // LEARN MORE FROM CYNTHIA THURLOW //  Visit Cynthia Thurlow’s website, cynthiathurlow.com  Follow her on Instagram, @cynthia_thurlow_ Listen to her podcast, Everyday Medicine.    // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, Dr. Sara sits down with Biet Simkin for an unflinching and soulful conversation about trauma, transformation, and the pursuit of true sovereignty. Known for blending spirituality with art, music, and radical honesty, Biet opens up about losing her mother at six, the compounding grief that shaped her early life, and how she transmuted that pain into a spiritual practice. Together, they explore what it means to live not in spite of what breaks us, but because of it—and how awakening can coexist with mess, humor, and humanity. As their conversation unfolds, Biet shares the evolution of her path from addiction and loss to creating a modern spiritual framework that bridges humility and power, faith and agency. She challenges listeners to examine whether they’re living at 80% of their potential—and what it would take to move toward 100%. From the psychology of trust and the biology of regulation to the sacred art of self-responsibility, this episode is a masterclass in transforming suffering into service and living a fully expressed life. // LEARN MORE FROM BIET SIMKIN //  Visit her website, bietsimkin.com  Follow her on Instagram, @guidedbybiet.   // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today Dr. Sara explores one of the most misunderstood symptoms in women’s health: brain fog. She unpacks why the mental haze so many women experience isn’t “just stress” or “getting older,” but often a biological signal of deeper dysfunction—spanning hormones, mitochondria, inflammation, and metabolism. From postpartum to perimenopause to menopause, Dr. Sara traces how shifting estrogen, nutrient depletion, and chronic stress can dim the brain’s energy output—and how to reverse it. She offers a step-by-step roadmap to restore mental clarity, reboot energy, and reclaim focus at every stage of womanhood. // REFERENCES //  Dr. Sara’s Perimenopause Survival Guide  Dr. Sara Book: Women, Food, and Hormones  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy St. Louis is a former NFL tight end for the Tennessee Titans and USA Rower – but he joins Treated today to discuss his life mission: to help people live better through healthcare innovation. He’s the CEO of Agentis Longevity, a clinically focused provider of comprehensive longevity care. Jimmy shares how his discipline as a professional athlete shaped his values and how those values guide his work in building accessible, patient-centered longevity care. From his years at the Laser Spine Institute to founding Regenerative Medicine Solutions, Jimmy has been driven by one mission: to solve unmet needs in healthcare and help people live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Together, Dr. Sara and Jimmy dive into the power of daily routines, the science of longevity, and the future of healthcare innovation. They discuss practical strategies for optimizing performance – from tracking biomarkers to rethinking recovery, and how Jimmy is working to democratize longevity services. // REFERENCES //   Dr. Sara’s Guides: How To Track Your Blood Sugar and Lab Reference Ranges in Healthy Adults.  // LEARN MORE FROM JIMMY ST. LOUIS //  Check out Agentis Longevity, agentislongevity.com Learn about their services by clicking here.  Follow Jimmy St. Lous on LinkedIn.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your midlife wasn’t a breakdown, but a biochemical initiation? Today on Treated, Dr. Sara dives into the truth about perimenopause by dispelling the myths, breaking down the science, and reframing this transition as a powerful initiation rather than a decline. She explains what’s really happening with your hormones and how to navigate symptoms like mood swings, insomnia, and heavy cycles with compassion and strategy. From practical tools like cycle tracking, nutrients, botanicals, and bioidentical hormones to her “soft landing plan” for midlife, Dr. Sara offers both medical expertise and soulful perspective. This is an invitation to see perimenopause not as the beginning of the end, but as the beginning of a deeper, wiser chapter. // REFERENCES // Dr. Sara's Perimenopause Survival Guide  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your symptoms like fatigue and burnout aren’t just about stress or overwork, but your hormones waving a white flag? In this episode of Treated, Dr. Sara sits down with nurse practitioner and nutritionist expert Cynthia Thurlow to unpack the hidden drivers of midlife burnout, fatigue, and brain fog. Cynthia shares her own journey from practicing traditional cardiology medicine to navigating a full burnout in her early 40s – a turning point that reshaped not only her personal health but also her entire career. Together, they explore why so many women feel dismissed by conventional lab work, the role of hormones like progesterone and cortisol, and why biomarkers such as fasting insulin, HRV, and thyroid function can reveal what’s really going on beneath the surface. Cynthia and Dr. Sara highlight the science of metabolic flexibility, cardiovascular risk markers like lipoprotein(a), and the connection between stress, trauma, and hormones. They also touch on the importance of alignment, meaning, and boundaries in preventing burnout – reminding us that midlife can be a time of initiation and transformation rather than decline. If you’ve ever wondered whether your fatigue is “just stress” or something deeper, this episode offers the tools and insights to measure what truly matters. // REFERENCES //  Dr. Sara’s Lab References Ranges in Healthy Adults Cynthia Thurlow's TEDx Talk: On intermittent fasting. Christina Maslach Burnout Inventory: Mentioned as a tool for assessing burnout. World Health Organization (WHO): Mentioned for their classification of burnout in ICD-11. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study: A 2002 study that led a generation of women to be taken off their hormone replacement therapy. – Rossouw, Jacques E.,et al. “Risks and Benefits of Estrogen Plus Progestin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: Principal Results from the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Trial.” JAMA 288, no. 3 (July 17, 2002): 321–33. doi:10.1001/jama.288.3.321.  Oral vs. Transdermal Estradiol Study: A paper suggesting that oral estradiol is superior to transdermal estradiol for lowering Lp(a) levels.--- Hemelaar, Marjolein, et al. “Oral, More than Transdermal, Estrogen Therapy Improves Lipids and Lipoprotein(a) in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Menopause 10, no. 6 (November-December 2003): 550–58. doi:10.1097/01.GME.0000064866.58809.E5. // LEARN MORE FROM CYNTHIA THURLOW //  Visit Cynthia Thurlow’s website, cynthiathurlow.com  Follow her on Instagram, @cynthia_thurlow_ Listen to her podcast, Everyday Medicine.    // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most people assume “normal” lab results mean they’re in the clear but normal isn’t always optimal. In this episode, Dr. Sara breaks down why standard blood work often misses early warning signs of disease and what that means for your long-term health. She shares the story of a patient whose labs came back “fine” but were already showing signs of pre-diabetes, and explains how the difference between surviving and thriving often lies in catching subtle markers before they become a diagnosis. Dr. Sara walks through nine essential tests that go beyond the basics, from vitamin D and ferritin to thyroid, sex hormones, inflammatory markers, and genetic risks like lipoprotein (a). These underused but powerful tools reveal whether your fatigue, brain fog, or mood issues are rooted in overlooked deficiencies or brewing imbalances. With decades of experience in longevity medicine, Dr. Sara shows how the right labs can transform your understanding of health and help you take action now because prevention is power. // RESOURCES //  Dr. Sara’s Lab Reference Ranges Dr. Sara’s Book: The Hormone Reset Diet  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the real medicine isn’t about conquering death, but about learning how to live fully in its presence? In this conversation, Dr. Sara sits down with two close friends and colleagues, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, a trailblazer in epigenetics and author of Younger You, and Dr. Patrick Hanaway, a physician and wisdom teacher whose own journey with cancer reshaped his perspective on life. Together, they challenge the cultural obsession with “not dying” and the reductionist biohacking narrative, offering instead a counter-narrative: don’t miss it. They explore the fears we carry about aging and how embracing impermanence can actually deepen our vitality. With stories of their families, patients, and personal journeys, this is a heartfelt, thought-provoking dialogue that challenges the more common “don’t die” narrative in longevity.  This is only part of their conversation. Listen to the full conversation for free by attending the virtual “Functional Medicine is Longevity Medicine: A Masterclass for Clinicians” September 17-19, 2025.  Reserve your spot today by heading to this link.  // LEARN MORE FROM DR. KARA FITZGERRALD AND DR. PATRICK HANAWAY //  Visit Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s website, drkarafitzgerald.com  Follow her on Instagram, drkarafitzgerald.   Listen to her podcast, FX Medicine.  Visit Dr. Patrick Hanway’s website here.   // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Even though we all operate under the same medical system in The United States, not all of us receive the same quality of care. Why do racial and economic disparities still dictate who gets access to life-saving medications? Dr. Utibe Essien joins Treated to explore what true equity in medicine looks like and how we can build a system where everyone has the chance to thrive.  Dr. Essien is a board-certified internal medicine physician, Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCLA, and a nationally recognized health disparities researcher. He coined the term pharmaco-equity–the principle that every patient, regardless of race, income, or background, deserves equal access to effective medications. In this conversation, he shares his story of being born into health disparities, what inspired him to become a physician, and his groundbreaking research on racial inequities in prescribing practices. Dr. Sara and Dr. Essien unpack the roots of health inequity, the ripple effects of systemic racism in medicine, and how landmark moments like the murder of George Floyd reshaped the medical community’s response to equity. To conclude, they discuss the power of mentorship, the future of precision equity, and how research can move beyond data to real interventions that save lives.  // RESOURCES //  ACE Quiz The landmark 2021 article on pharmacoequity in the Journal of the American Medical Association. : Essien, Utibe R., Stacie B. Dusetzina, and Walid F. Gellad. "A Policy Prescription for Reducing Health Disparities—Achieving Pharmacoequity." JAMA 326, no. 18 (2021): 1793–1794. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.17764. Pharmacoequity Article: https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/28/pharmacoequity-new-goal-ending-disparities-us-health-care/ The Sum of Us by Heather McGee // LEARN MORE FROM DR. UTIBE ESSIEN //  Visit his website uessien.com.  Follow him on Instagram, @uressienmd.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Perimenopause and menopause can feel like a hormonal rollercoaster without a roadmap. In this episode of Treated, Dr. Sara unpacks what’s really happening behind the hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, and more than 100 other symptoms women may face during this transition. With insights from cutting-edge research by Dr. Lisa Mosconi, she explains how shifting estrogen, cortisol, and FSH levels affect not just your body– but also your brain, memory, and long-term health. From practical lifestyle interventions like resistance training and nutrition strategies, to nuanced conversations about bioidentical hormones, Dr. Sara offers a new user manual for navigating this stage of life.  // REFERENCES //  Dr. Sara’s Optimal Lab References.  The Hormone Reset Diet: Dr. Sara Szal's book.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Visit her website saraszalmd.com. Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Treated, we’re diving headfirst into the dating pool with Sabrina Zohar– a relationship coach and host of The Sabrina Zohar Show– to explore the intersections of love and biology. Known for her direct, no-fluff advice and grounded wisdom, Sabrina blends neuroscience with dating insight to help people heal from their past, regulate their nervous system, and create clarity while they search for their person.  In this episode, Sabrina joins Dr. Sara to talk about what it actually means to be emotionally available, how trauma shows up in dating, and why so many of us feel most attracted to people who aren’t good for us. Sabrina opens up about her past marriage and the work it took to heal her anxious attachment– which led to her finding her now husband. They break down the difference between anxiety and intuition, how to use your body as a tool for discernment, and why regulating your nervous system is the key to building a real connection. Whether you’re in a single or relationship– this episode is filled with insights about modern dating and how to strengthen connections in your life.  // LEARN MORE FROM SABRINA ZOHAR //  Visit her website sabrinazohar.com  Follow her on Instagram @sabrinazohar and @thesabrinazoharshow. Check out her podcast, The Sabrina Zohar Show, on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.   // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is the third episode in Treated’s ongoing hormone series, and it’s a must-listen if you’ve ever been told “you’re fine” when you know something’s off. Dr. Sara uncovers the four most commonly misdiagnosed hormone conditions in women—PCOS, endometriosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and perimenopause—and breaks down why symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, irregular periods, and weight changes are so often dismissed as stress. She explains how traditional lab panels often miss early signs, how to track patterns your doctor might overlook,  and how to advocate for the right diagnostic tests and care. At the end, Dr. Sara answers a listener voicemail from a woman recovering from a hysterectomy and offers guidance for navigating surgical perimenopause. If you've ever felt misdiagnosed, dismissed, or gaslit—this episode is your permission slip to dig deeper and take back control of your hormonal health. // REFERENCES //  Listen to the first episode in Treated’s Hormone Series, Hormones 101, and the second episode with Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, which explores endometriosis, PCOS, and breast cancer.  Read, The Hormone Cure, by Dr. Sara.  Check out Dr. Sara’s website, How to Track Your Blood Sugar and Lab Reference Ranges for Healthy Adults. Period Tracking Apps: Flo or Clue  Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): Now available over-the-counter. Abbott—Libre Rio and Lingo are both over the counter, no prescription needed. https://www.hellolingo.com/. Libre Rio is designed for people ages 18 years and older with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin. Lingo is designed for healthy people who want to improve glucose control and energy.Dexcom—you can now purchase Stelo over-the-counter https://www.stelo.com/ Zondervan, K. T., C. M. Becker, and S. A. Missmer. "Endometriosis." New England Journal of Medicine 382, no. 13 (2020): 1244–1256. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1810764.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you’re struggling with your health in the traditional medical system, it can feel like there’s no real solution. Pill after pill masks the symptoms but never seems to solve the problem. Dr. Darshan Shah is health and wellness specialist, board-certified surgeon, and the founder of Next Health, the world’s first and largest longevity clinic. Today at the age of 52, his biological age is 29. But Dr. Shah’s health wasn’t always like this. At 42, he was suffering from diabetes, auto-immune disease, and hypertension. When his son was born, he realized that with all these conditions, he might not live long enough to see him graduate from college or get married. That’s when he decided to turn his health around. It took some research, but within eight months, he completely transformed his health. In this conversation, Dr. Shah and Dr. Sara discuss the importance of healthspan over lifespan and care that prioritizes root-cause healing and prevention. They discuss practical tools like wearables, mobility tests you can do at home, fasting, and stress reduction. Then Dr. Shah explains his four-part model for optimal health: lifestyle, functional, preventative, and longevity medicine. Together, they offer a new blueprint for taking control of your health—and creating a future where feeling your best is the new normal. // LEARN MORE FROM DR. DARSHAN SHAH //  Check out, Next Health, his health optimization and longevity center.   Download his free Biomarkers guides here (mentioned in the episode).  Visit his website drshah.com  Listen to his podcast, EXTEND.  Follow him on Instagram, darshanshahmd.  // REFERENCES //  Dr. Sara mentioned Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s research on biological age reversal through nutrition:   Fitzgerald, K. N., T. Campbell, S. Makarem, and R. Hodges. "Potential Reversal of Biological Age in Women Following an 8-Week Methylation-Supportive Diet and Lifestyle Program: A Case Series." Aging (Albany NY) 15, no. 6 (March 22, 2023): 1833–1839. doi:10.18632/aging.204602.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Microplastics are everywhere– but what are they doing to our bodies and what can we do about it? Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters long. Recently, they have moved from being an environmental concern to a potential human health crisis. Dr. Sara has been tracking them for over 20 years and today, she breaks down what they are, how you're exposed, and who’s most at risk. Right now, we don’t have large-scale human studies to fully understand the clinical implications. While we wait for the science to catch-up, Dr. Sara shares the signs and symptoms of microplastic buildup and actions you can take today to limit your exposure.  Microplastics are small but their impact is big and growing. To learn more about them, check out the resources below and make sure to read Dr. Sara’s articles on them (Part One and Part Two).  // RESOURCES //  Dr. Sara’s Articles on Microplastics: Part One and Part Two.  News Reports:  Barron’s – More Microplastics In Glass Bottles Than Plastic: Study CNN – ​​Microplastics shed by food packaging are contaminating our food and drink, study finds Other Articles:  French Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157525005344 Chaïb, Iseline, et al. “Microplastic Contaminations in a Set of Beverages Sold in France.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 144 (August 2025): 107719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.107719. Bocker, R., and E. K. Silva. “Microplastics in Our Diet: A Growing Concern for Human Health.” Science of the Total Environment 968 (2025): 178882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178882.  Li, Y., et al. “Microplastics in the Human Body: A Comprehensive Review of Exposure, Distribution, Migration Mechanisms, and Toxicity.” Science of the Total Environment 946 (2024): 174215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174215.  Luo, Q., et al. “Microplastics as an Emerging Threat to Human Health: An Overview of Potential Health Impacts.” Journal of Environmental Management 387 (2025): 125915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125915.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA // If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated  Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsara Watch Treated on YouTube  Produced by Dear Media.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.