Are your eyes feeling dry or blurry during perimenopause or menopause? You’re not alone—and this episode is for YOU.

In this Episode of Functional Moms Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Neda Gioia, a nationally board-certified optometrist in both nutrition and functional medicine, to explore how hormonal changes impact women’s eye health during midlife.

Dr. Neda shares game-changing insights on:

--Why dry eyes, blurry vision, and macular degeneration become more common in women over 40

--How menopause hormones influence eye tissue and tear production

--The best nutrients and dietary strategies to support your vision

--Which eye symptoms shouldn't be ignored—and when to see an eye doctor

--How to prep for your next eye exam for better outcomes

--Whether blue light glasses really work

--Why sun exposure, diet, and lifestyle directly impact your long-term eye health

Learn how to protect your eyes naturally—through food, lifestyle, and proactive care.

RECOMMENDED EYE HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS (as mentioned in the episode, always check with your doctor first before adding supplements!):

1- blink NutriTears by Bausch and Lomb for dry eye support

2- Nordic Naturals- Pro-Omega 2000-Great for dry eye, macular support and overall eye health

3-Metagenics: PhytoMulti Multivitamin - with or without iron. Great multivitamin that includes specific carotenoids called Lutein and Zeaxanthin which are foundational for eye health!

4-Vitamin D/K- dosing dependent on needs-Helps reduce systemic inflammation which is linked to ocular inflammation!

5-AREDS 2 formula for macular degeneration support- various brands- this includes the foundational evidence based formula (lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, copper, vitamin C, and vitamin E)About Our Guest:

Dr. Neda Gioia is the founder of Integrative Vision, a cutting-edge optometry practice blending clinical eye care with functional medicine. She’s also the immediate past president of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

--Hormones affect your eyes more than you think

--Dry eye symptoms: not just dryness—think tearing and blurriness too

--Nutrients like omega-3s, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin D are crucial for eye health

--Cataracts, glaucoma, and AMD can be slowed with lifestyle strategies

--Red light therapy is emerging as a promising tool for vision care

--Mediterranean-style eating supports healthy aging and eye protection

Connect with Dr. Neda Gioia:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drnedagioia/⁠

Website:https://integrativevision.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast

This episode is for you if you’re having surgery or if you have a loved one undergoing surgery soon. We are going to learn how to optimize health prior to surgery for better recovery and better outcomes! Approximately 15 million Americans undergo some type of surgery each year, according to the American College of Surgeons.

Rebecca Knackstedt is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in implant-based and microsurgical breast reconstruction. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at Duke University.

Rebecca completed her MD/PhD at Medical University of South Carolina where her PhD thesis focused on Vitamin D and inflammation. She pursued an integrated plastic surgery residency and microsurgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic during which she also became certified in Functional Medicine. Her research interests are prehabilitation for breast cancer, particularly for women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

We learn:

• Prehabilitation is essential for optimizing health before surgery

• Surgeons often lack training in nutrition and pre-surgical care

• Nutrition plays a crucial role in recovery and healing post-surgery

• Alcohol consumption can negatively impact surgical outcomes

• Protein intake is vital for healing after surgery

• Patients should be proactive in preparing for their surgical consultations

• Vitamin D levels are often overlooked but should be monitored carefully

• Muscle strength is predictive of surgical recovery outcomes

• Avoid Boost as a nutrition supplement post-surgery

• Sleep hygiene is important for overall health and recovery

Connect with Dr. Knackstedt:

https://www.instagram.com/surgical_recovery/

https://www.youtube.com/@Surgical_Recovery⁠

#surgeryrecovery #recovery #surgerylife #health #surgicalaftercare #rehabilitation #physiotherapy #physicaltherapy

This episode is for you if you want simple ways to improve your bone health. This may come as a shocker but half of all adults over age 50 are at risk of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis. Dr. Tracey Clissold and her team have created a Women’s Bone Health Phone App called OSTEO-GAINS. It’s been well received in New Zealand and worldwide. Dr. Stacy Sims mentioned this app in her interview with Functional Moms Podcast and we had overwhelming interest from our audience! Tracey has over 30 years of academic experience as a lecturer and researcher in Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition. She is currently a lecturer at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in New Zealand, and is a Nutrition consultant for national and international athletes and coaches. She is a mom of two and has previously represented New Zealand in distance running, winning several national and international marathon titles.We learn:--How osteoporosis is a silent disease which impacts women more than men--Insights into the Osteogains phone app and how it helps women improve bone density in just minutes per day--Why walking isn’t enough to protect bone health--How women need to lift heavier to protect bones and muscles--Nutritional advice for supporting bone health, including calcium and vitamin D intake--The significance of protein in maintaining bone and muscle integrity as we ageConnect with Tracey:https://www.instagram.com/osteogains/Keywords:Bone health osteoporosis women’s health exercise science bone density osteogains app nutrition calcium vitamin D protein intake aging strong exercise intensity silent disease bone mineral density dr stacy sims#bonehealth #osteoporosisprevention #womenover50 #healthyaging #OsteoGains