Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes back Dr. Siobhan Mitchell, Chief Scientific Officer of MitoQ and an expert in nutritional neuroscience, for a conversation that digs deeper into the metabolic shifts women experience at midlife. Dr. Mitchell explains how declining estrogen directly impacts mitochondrial health, which in turn affects everything from energy levels and muscle strength to where the body stores fat. Listeners will learn why the same diet and exercise routines may stop working during perimenopause, and why that stubborn belly fat is not a personal failure but a biological response to changing hormones. Dr. Mitchell discusses the protective role of estrogen, the emerging understanding of the estrobolome, and practical options for support including HRT, phytoestrogens from sources like soy, and the lesser-known compound S-equol. She also shares what she wishes she had known earlier about stress and risk-taking, offering a personal insight that may resonate with many listeners navigating midlife changes.

Episode Highlights:

How declining estrogen leads to reduced mitochondrial function, affecting energy, muscle strength, and inflammation throughout the body
Why women gain visceral belly fat during perimenopause even when diet and exercise have not changed
How the estrobolome, or gut bacteria responsible for recycling estrogen, can be supported to improve metabolic outcomes
The role of phytoestrogens and S-equol, including why only about twenty percent of Western women can produce this beneficial compound naturally
How HRT, phytoestrogens, and targeted supplements can work together or separately to support women through the menopausal transition

This episode offers a clear roadmap for women who want to understand what is happening inside their bodies and take informed steps toward maintaining their health through the menopausal transition.

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:

The transition through midlife often brings a frustrating trio of shifts: the stubborn bloating, those unpredictable energy swings, and changes to the midsection that feel completely outside of your control. Harnessing the power of S-Equol, B. breve, and chromium, this formula is uniquely designed to support healthy estrogen signaling and metabolic function. It's about more than just numbers; it's about stabilizing blood sugar, restoring gut comfort, and supporting a healthy body composition so you can feel like yourself again. Go to www.mitoq.com and use code LOVELY10 for 10% off your first order!

If night sweats and restless sleep are disrupting your rest, Cozy Earth's bamboo sheets and pajama sets are temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking — designed to sleep several degrees cooler than cotton. Because supporting your body through menopause starts with how you sleep. Visit cozyearth.com and use code LOVELY for 20% off.

Dr. Fiona Lovely is a longevity, health and wellness expert with specialties in menopause medicine, functional neurology and functional medicine. She is speaking to the topics of women's health around perimenopause and menopause.

How to work with Dr. Lovely:

We get many requests for this info, so here it is! First off, thank you for listening to the NYMM podcast. It's because of your support, we can continue to dispense this information.❤️

Follow Dr. Lovely on IG and TikTok: @drfionalovely

Follow the podcast on Facebook: www.facebook.com/@notyourmothersmenopausepodcast

Please sign up for our newsletter - Fiona's Friday Favourites! This is where we make the first announcements, share course offerings, drop new episodes, blog posts and the coveted 'Fiona's Favourites' column, etc. drlovely.com You can also find some great resources there!

Finally, a humble request:

If you love the podcast, please leave us a review! It helps more people find useful info for a challenging time: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/not-your-mothers-menopause-with-dr-fiona-lovely/id1097326296 Please scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a review. Thank you! 💕🤗

Partnerships by Category3 Media Group