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

Struggling with weight loss even though you eat clean, track macros, and lift weights? You’re not alone.

In this episode, we dive deep with Kayla Neal Johnson, a fitness leader with 30+ years of experience, to uncover why traditional methods often fail for women over 40 — and how microdosing GLP-1 peptides may change the game.

Kayla shares her personal journey through perimenopause, where even as a fitness professional, she faced stubborn weight gain. Together, we explore the latest science, overlooked factors like insulin resistance, and new approaches that help women finally see results.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why eating clean and lifting weights may not be enough after 40

✅ How GLP-1 microdosing supports weight loss with fewer side effects

✅ Why insulin resistance keeps weight stuck, even with perfect macros

✅ The truth about hormone replacement therapy and body composition

✅ Why “eat less, move more” doesn’t work in midlife

✅ How peptides reduce inflammation and boost energy

✅ Why NAD might be the next big thing for women’s health
✅ The metabolic shifts of menopause and how to adapt
✅ The role of protein, nutrition, and strength training in long-term success

✅ How to advocate for yourself in a system that overlooks women over 40

About Kayla Neal Johnson:

Kayla is the co-founder of Starcycle Santa Barbara, part of an award-winning national franchise, and a two-time Lululemon Athletica ambassador recognized for her leadership in fitness. She creates evolving, sustainable programs that help women not just lose weight, but regain energy and confidence.

⭐️ If you’ve ever wondered why your body doesn’t respond the way it used to — this conversation is for you.

Connect with Kayla:

https://www.instagram.com/kaylajohnsonfitness/⁠

⁠https://www.kaylajohnsonfitness.com/⁠

Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a REVIEW. It is the number one way we can continue to grow our podcast and keep bringing new episodes your way.

🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️ Kristin & Raquel

This episode is for you if you want to age better than your parents and live healthier at any age! Our guest is Dr. Anand Patel, a Chicago-based longevity physician, entrepreneur, and founder of Lv8 Health (pronounced Elevate Health). Lv8 is an innovative clinic that prioritizes proactive, personalized, and preventative care, helping patients extend healthspan and optimize long-term wellness.

Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Patel became frustrated with a system that focused on “sick-care” instead of true wellness. After witnessing burnout among colleagues and the limitations of traditional healthcare, he founded Lv8 Health to provide patients with a longevity-focused approach to living stronger, longer.

We learn:

• --Why today’s healthcare system prioritizes sick care over true wellness

  --How advanced testing provides deeper insights into heart health
  --The role of statins in preventing heart disease and why understanding cholesterol is key
  --Why metabolic health is especially important for women over 40
  --How personalized nutrition plans can significantly impact long-term health outcomes

  --The power of wearables and health metrics for smarter health decisions
  --Innovative new cancer detection methods on the horizon
  --Why balance exercises are crucial as we age

• Connect with Dr. Patel:

  https://elev8.health/online-programs/

  https://www.instagram.com/dranandpat84/

  
  

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

  
  

  info@functionalmoms.com

  
  

  
  https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast/
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

This episode is for you if you’re a menopausal woman and want to know what is important when it comes to heart and cardiovascular health to AGE STRONG! Menopausal women are at a higher risk of developing heart disease compared to men. This is primarily due to the decline in estrogen levels that occurs during menopause.

Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj is an Interventional Cardiologist and Certified Practitioner of the Institute for Functional Medicine. We were lucky enough to interview him at the 2025 Annual International Conference in San Diego, California.

Dr. Bhojraj also known as “the curious cardiologist” has a passion for integrating cutting-edge research with holistic health approaches. He helps patients achieve optimal well-being by addressing the root cause of disease! He is founder of Well12, a transformative 12-week wellness program that empowers individuals to reclaim their health through lifestyle changes.

We learn:

• Why women often experience poor cardiovascular health as they age and how menopause plays a role

• Why you may need an advanced cholesterol panel to determine whether you’re at risk for heart attack and stroke

• How to know if you’re a candidate for statins

• How cardiovascular disease has evolved over the years to be more metabolically driven

• How toxic chemicals in our environment weaken cardiometabolic health

• How direct-to-consumer lab testing like Function Health can help you determine your risks

Connect with Dr. Sanjay:

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

https://www.instagram.com/doctorsanjaymd/

https://www.sanjaybhojraj.us/Home

This episode is for you if you’d like to learn how trackers like Apple Watches, Oura Rings, Fitbits, Whoops, the Lumen and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can support your behavioral choices & help you lose weight, sleep better, eat better and exercise more consistently.

Dr. Lara Zakaria is a pharmacist and nutritionist with a focus on implementing solutions for functional medicine and personalized nutrition. Dr. Zakaria works one-on-one with patients helping them with behavioral change.

We learn:

• How trackers like Oura ring, Apple Watch, Whoop, FitBit, Lumen and continuous glucose monitors help you change body composition

• How body composition scales can help track muscle and bone density

• Many people say they thrive under stress and get caught up in constant “fight or flight”

• High cortisol levels can eventually lead to burnout and a lack of cortisol

• How to check in with your body while using trackers

• Muscle building is key in midlife; lifting heavy is necessary

• The better you can maintain your muscle, the longer you can maintain your heart, your brain and your bone

• If you wake up at 3 am to pee, it could be your blood sugar crashing; using a continuous glucose monitor could track this

• If you’re not going to use the data from trackers to make changes, maybe you don’t need one

• How Lumen tells you if you’re burning fat or glucose helping you become more metabolically flexible

  *This episode was recorded at the 2025 Institute for Functional Medicine annual international conference (AIC) in San Diego, California.*

Connect with Dr. Zakaria:

https://www.instagram.com/foodiefarmacist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-zakaria/

https://www.tiktok.com/@foodiefarmacist/

https://www.facebook.com/foodiefarmacist/

https://larazakaria.com/

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

info@functionalmoms.com

This episode is for you if you’re a woman over 40 looking to prevent and treat osteoporosis and arthritis. We learn how perimenopause and menopause impact our bones and joints.

Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein is an orthopedic surgeon specialized in sports medicine and associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Duke University School of Medicine.

Dr. Wittstein is co-investigator with Dr. Anne Ford of Duke Women’s Health for the Duke Musculoskeletal Systems of Menopause Registry. She is president of the Forum: Women in Sports Medicine, co-author of The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan and a mom of 5! Her husband is also an orthopaedic surgeon.

We learn:

• How perimenopause and menopause impact bone and joint health

• Menopause leads to a decline in estrogen, impacting bone density

• Women lose bone density at an accelerated rate post-menopause

• Resistance training is crucial for maintaining bone health

• Hormone therapy can help reduce joint pain and improve bone density

• Frozen shoulder is more common in women during menopause

• Nutrition plays a significant role in bone health; limit red meat

• Supplements like vitamin D and magnesium can support bone health

• GLP-1 agonists may have protective effects on bones and joints

• It’s never too late to strength train for bone health

• A DEXA scan can provide valuable information about bone density

Connect with Dr. Wittstein:

https://www.instagram.com/jocelyn_wittstein_md/

The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Bone-Joint-Health-Plan/dp/1682689417

https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast/

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