Real Foodology Podcast Summary
Episode: Fertility After 30 - Tips For Boosting Fertility, Reducing Biological Age | Dr. Z
Host: Courtney Swan
Guest: Dr. Z (Dr. Zagoni)
Release Date: November 5, 2024
1. Introduction and Episode Overview
In this enlightening episode of the Real Foodology podcast, host Courtney Swan welcomes back Dr. Zagoni (Dr. Z) to discuss fertility, particularly focusing on boosting fertility and reducing biological age for individuals over 30. Building on their previous conversation about fertility challenges and misconceptions surrounding "geriatric" pregnancies, Courtney aims to provide listeners with actionable insights through a detailed review of her own fertility test results.
Courtney Swan [00:24]: "Now if you remember, I did an interview with her earlier this year all about fertility... there is a lot that we can do about our fertility."
2. Guest Introduction and Personal Insights
Courtney shares her excitement about having Dr. Z back on the show, highlighting Dr. Z’s recent pregnancy and the couple's engagement. Dr. Z opens up about her own fertility journey, emphasizing the importance of preparation and intentional living in successfully conceiving at an older age.
Dr. Z [07:11]: "I'm 37. My husband's 46... we did conceive very easily on the first try... we set the intention, and we were very grateful that this little one has come in."
3. Understanding the Clockwise Fertility Test
The core of the episode revolves around Courtney’s results from the Clockwise Fertility Wise Test, with Dr. Z guiding her through the findings.
a. Biological Age vs. Chronological Age
- Chronological Age: Courtney is 39 years old.
- Biological Age: Revealed as 42.25 years, indicating her cells and DNA perceive her to be older than her actual age.
Dr. Z [14:25]: "Your chronological age at the time of taking this test was 39. And your biological age, the age of your cells, came back at 42.25."
Courtney expresses surprise, noting a previous test with Function Health showed her biological age at 24, highlighting differences in testing methodologies.
Courtney Swan [14:25]: "I was really shocked by... I was like, wait, what?"
b. Dunedin Pace Marker (Aging Speedometer)
- Dunedin Pace Marker: Courtney’s score is 0.7 (range 0.6 to 1.4), indicating she is aging slower than the average rate.
Dr. Z [28:21]: "You're aging slower than time pretty considerably... you're hopefully spending a lot less money and almost doing as well as [Brian] Johnson."
This metric reflects current lifestyle habits and can rapidly change with adjustments.
c. Toxin Exposure Results
- Parabens and BPA/BPF: Courtney tested negative for parabens and BPA but positive for BPF.
- Phthalates: Presence of MBZP and MEHP, indicating exposure to certain plastics and fragrances.
Courtney Swan [34:30]: "I was actually shocked by BPF... I'm wondering if I'm getting this from canned sparkling waters."
4. Lifestyle Factors Impacting Biological Age
a. Diet and Fasting
Courtney practices intuitive intermittent fasting, adjusting her eating windows based on her menstrual cycle. She emphasizes the importance of listening to her body’s hunger cues.
Courtney Swan [16:58]: "I practice something that I call intuitive intermittent fasting... depending on how my body feels when I wake up."
b. Fitness and Exercise
A balanced fitness routine includes strength training, Pilates, walking, and hiking, supporting overall health and fertility.
Dr. Z [17:50]: "You're hitting frequency, you're hitting the different types. That's all super supportive for rewinding the clock."
c. Stress and Self-Talk
Stress is identified as a significant factor accelerating biological age. Courtney shares her struggles with internal self-talk, oscillating between gratitude and self-criticism.
Courtney Swan [19:10]: "I'm very hard on myself. I'm not doing enough. I should be doing more."
Dr. Z suggests mindfulness and compassionate self-talk as essential tools for reducing stress.
Dr. Z [20:04]: "The most powerful mantra on the planet is I am who I am. And that is enough."
d. Sleep and Light Exposure
Improving sleep hygiene by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and minimizing exposure to blue light at night has positively influenced Courtney’s biological age.
Courtney Swan [22:26]: "I use all amber lights in my house... it feels like everything is candlelit."
5. Managing Toxin Exposure
a. Identified Toxins
- BPF (Bisphenol F): Often a substitute for BPA in plastics.
- Phthalates (MBZP and MEHP): Found in vinyl flooring, car care products, and certain cosmetics.
Dr. Z [34:39]: "BPA free doesn't mean not replaced with BPF."
b. Sources of Exposure
Common sources include:
- Canned Foods and Beverages: Even those labeled BPA-free may contain BPF.
- Plastic Containers and Wrappings: Especially when heated.
- Personal Care Products: Certain cosmetics and vinyl flooring.
Courtney Swan [35:02]: "All these aluminum cans... have plastic liners in them."
c. Mitigation Strategies
- Avoidance: Opt for glass or stainless steel containers, use beeswax wraps instead of plastic.
- Supporting Detoxification: Encourage practices like regular sweating (saunas), proper hydration, and liver-supporting nutrients.
- Mindful Consumption: Reduce reliance on takeout and opt for fresh, minimally packaged foods.
Dr. Z [50:34]: "Avoidance is number one. Then, drainage, opening the routes of elimination."
6. Impact of Trauma on Biological Age
Courtney shares her personal history of significant trauma, having lost siblings at a young age, and discusses how grief can accelerate biological aging.
Dr. Z [25:03]: "A study just came out... grief specifically with the loss of two or more close family members in childhood showed an accelerated biological age via DNA methylation."
This underscores the profound impact of emotional health on physical aging.
7. Recommendations and Takeaways
a. Stress Reduction and Positive Self-Talk
Focus on reducing overall stress and cultivating positive internal dialogue to lower biological age.
Dr. Z [57:43]: "The biggest areas for reversal are going to be in the self talk... decrease overall stress as much as you can."
b. Comprehensive Health Monitoring
Encourages thorough testing beyond standard fertility assessments, including toxin panels and biological age evaluations.
Dr. Z [41:43]: "It's important... to get everybody involved and tested."
c. Lifestyle Adjustments
Maintain balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and mindful habits to support fertility and reduce biological age.
Courtney Swan [56:30]: "I've been adjusting my sleep and light exposure, and it's helped me."
d. Holistic Approach to Health
Integrate both conventional and functional medicine practices to address multifaceted fertility challenges.
Dr. Z [42:05]: "Working with a functional medicine practitioner in combination with a conventional fertility clinic can be beneficial."
8. Conclusion: Empowerment and Hope
Courtney emphasizes that while the modern environment presents numerous challenges to fertility and biological aging, informed choices and proactive health management can make a significant difference. Dr. Z reinforces the message of hope, encouraging listeners to take control of their health without succumbing to fear.
Courtney Swan [55:22]: "It's about being mindful... doing the habits consistently that really impact you in the long term."
Dr. Z [60:12]: "You're doing a lot of things right... enjoy the journey and focus on what you want to feel like."
The episode wraps up with actionable advice and heartfelt encouragement, empowering listeners to take charge of their fertility and overall health through informed, sustainable lifestyle changes.
Resources Mentioned:
- Clockwise Fertility Wise Test: [clockwise.com]
- Clockwise Fertility on Instagram: [@ClockwiseFertility]
- Dr. Z's Instagram: [@DrZigoni]
Note: This summary omits all advertisement segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the informative and educational discussions relevant to fertility and biological age.