Longevity Optimization with Kayla Barnes-Lentz

Blood sugar stability may be one of the most important levers for long term health, yet most people never look at it.In this episode, I am joined by Jessie Inchauspé, widely known as the Glucose Goddess, to examine what glucose spikes are actually doing inside the body and why they matter even if you are not diabetic.We unpack how glucose spikes can influence your mood, focus, cravings, and energy levels, why blood sugar stability matters even if you are not diabetic, and how seeing your own patterns can completely change the way you approach food.Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women. https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member We also cover:- The biggest glucose mistakes most people make- Why “healthy” breakfasts often lead to energy crashes- How dinner timing impacts deep sleep- The connection between glucose spikes and skin aging through glycation- Simple strategies like food order and walking after meals- How a mother’s glucose levels can influence her baby’s long term metabolic riskUnderstanding your glucose patterns gives you leverage, and small, strategic shifts can compound into measurable long term health improvements.

Women are told to fast, cut carbs, eat high protein, avoid seed oils, and track macros, but most of that advice ignores female physiology. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Deanna Minich, PhD, certified functional medicine practitioner and nutrition scientist. We walk through the Female Longevity Nutrition Protocol she created, including circadian timing, macro ranges by life stage, and how to stop getting whiplash from internet nutrition trends. Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women. Deanna Minich: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaminich/ Website: https://deannaminich.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@foodandspirit

Cold exposure is not a badge of toughness. It’s a stressor. And if you do it wrong, you can absolutely overdo it. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Susanna Søberg, PhD, scientist and educator specializing in metabolism, cold and heat exposure, and longevity. We break down what cold exposure is actually doing in the body, why brown fat matters for metabolic health, and how women should think about timing cold exposure around PMS, luteal phase, and menstruation. Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women.

Pelvic floor problems are not a “just do more kegels” issue.For a lot of women, kegels are either not specific enough, or they make symptoms worse. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Riley Hahn, pelvic floor physical therapist and founder of Longevity and Pilates, breaks down what pelvic floor dysfunction actually is, how to tell weakness from tightness, and why pressure management and breathing mechanics often matter more than squeezing harder. Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women.

Longevity isn’t just workouts, supplements, and recovery tools, it starts with nervous system health. In this episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian explains what trauma actually is (not a label, but a measurable physiological response), how the body shifts from stress into overwhelm, and why “pushing through” often turns into years of avoidance, numbing, and hidden internal strain. She breaks down the biology behind the trauma response, including the role of adrenaline, cortisol timing, and how mitochondrial capacity influences resilience. You’ll also learn her practical, body-based approach to creating “safe enough” in real time, plus the three phases of healing: safety, support, and expansion, so you don’t stay stuck avoiding triggers forever. In this conversation: Stress vs trauma response (and what changes physiologically) Why adrenaline drives the response and cortisol arrives later How the body stores trauma as patterns, not just memories The 3 nervous system states and the thoughts they generate A simple somatic exercise to build safety in the body Why devices/meds can be bridges, not the destination Using biomarkers + wearables without fooling yourself Why modern media can create vicarious trauma Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women. Aimie Apigian, MD: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAimieApigian Website: https://www.biologyoftrauma.com/ Order her Book “The Biology of Trauma”: https://www.biologyoftrauma.com/book

For the first time in history, ovarian biological age can be measured, and I became the first woman in the world to take the test. Until now, women have had no real way to understand how their ovaries are aging beyond rough estimates like AMH. But this new machine-learning algorithm, trained on over 40,000 real women across different life stages, analyzes hormone biomarkers, body composition, and reproductive history to estimate ovarian age relative to chronological age. This is a massive step forward in female longevity science. In this episode, I walk through what the test measures, how the algorithm works, and what becoming the first data point actually means, not just for me, but for women collectively. We also explore what may be driving ovarian aging in the first place. I also share how I’m now testing specific interventions in isolation, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, to determine whether we can meaningfully influence ovarian aging over time. Ovarian lifespan is significantly shorter than overall lifespan and once we can measure it, we can begin to understand it. This is only the first step in redefining female longevity. Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women. Chris Masterjohn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3quYW_pCDU 00:10:48 Study About Ovarian Stiffness Increase https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7681059/#acel13259-sec-0002 00:16:22 Study For Increased PFAS https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41620147/ 00:17:56 Red Light Therapy Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1011134424001842?via=ihub

Perimenopause is not just about hormones, it’s a metabolic transition that affects insulin sensitivity, gut health, stress tolerance, and long-term disease risk. In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow, board-certified nurse practitioner and functional medicine expert, explains how women’s metabolism changes in midlife and why insulin resistance, poor stress resilience, and gut dysfunction often appear years before menopause. She breaks down how perimenopause can begin earlier than most women expect, why symptoms vary so widely, and how lifestyle factors like fasting, exercise intensity, sleep, alcohol, and chronic stress interact with hormones during this transition. Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan.

When cellular energy production is impaired, no diet, supplement, or health protocol can work as intended. In this episode, Dr. Chris Masterjohn, nutrition scientist and expert in micronutrients and metabolism, explains why mitochondrial function is the limiting factor behind stalled progress, persistent fatigue, and supplements that stop working over time. He breaks down why vitamin D supplementation often creates new problems when it is taken without proper nutrient balance, how high doses can disrupt other systems in the body, and why sunlight has biological effects that vitamin D pills alone cannot replicate. Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan.

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Shepard, board-certified OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer of Hers, shares that the FDA just removed the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy after 23 years. We discuss what actually happened with the WHI study that created all the fear around estrogen and breast cancer, and why the research never actually supported that narrative. Dr. Shepard explains why you shouldn't wait until menopause to start the HRT conversation and how starting in your perimenopausal years can make all the difference for long-term health. Dr. Shepard shares the essential labs she runs on patients including ApoB, HbA1c, and thyroid optimization, plus the longevity metrics women should be tracking. We also get into supplement recommendations including why she recommends 10 grams of creatine daily, the role of inflammation in aging, and how estrogen is naturally anti-inflammatory which is why women see increased cardiovascular risk and metabolic dysfunction after menopause. Jessica Shepherd's social + website: Website: https://www.jessicashepherdmd.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicashepherdmd/ Transform Your Health: https://eudemonia.net/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=kayla-podcast&utm_campaign=jessica-shepherd

What if your blood is what’s making you sick and the key to reversing it is removing it? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Khanh Nguyen, a regenerative and anti-aging physician, to explore therapeutic plasma exchange and the rising use of young plasma. We talk detox, autoimmune disease, aging, peptides, and why your blood might be holding you back. Join the most comprehensive *female-specific community for health and longevity optimization.* After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women. Khanh's social + website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regenwithdrnguyen/ Website: Austin Regenerative Therapy

Is your environment silently sabotaging your fertility? Dr. Ann Shippy joins the show to reveal how hidden toxins, mold, and overlooked cellular damage may be accelerating ovarian aging and how to reclaim your fertility before it’s too late. From infertility misdiagnoses to rising autism rates, we dive deep into the tests most doctors never run, and the real impact your body’s toxic load has on future generations. Ann Shippy social + website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annshippymd/ Website: https://annshippymd.com/

Ashley Koff is a registered dietitian and author who spent 20 years discovering that weight and health aren't separate issues, they're connected through "weight health hormones." After her own struggles with restrictive eating despite doing everything "right," a functional medicine doctor helped her understand what was actually broken, and that was, her body's natural hormone function. In this episode, Ashley explains why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic work, who actually needs them, and the critical foundational work required to avoid devastating rebounds. She reveals why current dietary guidelines fail women, shares her free weight health hormone assessment, cuts through the seed oil controversy, and offers practical strategies for eating healthy on any budget. If you're confused about nutrition, frustrated that eating healthy isn't working, or curious about GLP-1 medications, this conversation provides the clarity you've been missing.

In this video, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz shares his transformation from an overweight, depressed gastroenterologist to a gut health expert after meeting his now-wife changed his entire approach to food. He reveals why 95% of Americans are fiber deficient and how this single nutrient could be the key to longevity. Dr. B breaks down the science of the gut microbiome, explains why hyperpalatable foods force us to overeat 500 extra calories per day, and shares actionable strategies for rebuilding your gut health in as little as 3-5 days.

Women don’t fail January — January fails women. Nearly 80% of New Year health goals are abandoned within weeks, not because of discipline, but because most plans ignore female biology. That’s why I created the 30-Day Female Longevity Challenge — a physiology-first way to prepare calmly and build health that actually lasts. Save $50 with code 2026. https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/female-longevity-challenge-2026?coupon_code=2026 When you join, you also get one full year access to my female membership for on-going accountability, my monthly AMAs, a female support community, access to my 20 other courses and more!

In this conversation, Kayla sits down with Dr. Sarah E. Hill, PhD to talk about the science behind PMS, cycle syncing, and why most health advice completely fails women. Dr. Hill explains the three main causes of PMS symptoms, natural hormonal shifts, one-size-fits-all protocols designed for men, and lack of cellular resilience. Join the most comprehensive female-specific community for health and longevity optimization. After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women.

For years, functional medicine has focused on lab results and supplement protocols. Dr. Deanna Minich knows there's a deeper layer most practitioners miss. As a nutrition scientist who worked under Dr. Jeffrey Bland and educated for the Institute for Functional Medicine, she's witnessed how artificial light at night disrupts women's hormones more than almost any other factor, yet it's completely ignored. In this episode, Dr. Minich reveals why 85% of people are Omega-3 deficient despite supplementing, how eating a rainbow of 30+ plant species weekly rebuilds your microbiome diversity, and why your skin's "photo-metabolome" produces healing compounds from sunlight that Vitamin D pills can never provide. She explains the Goldilocks principle of sun exposure, why most women only get 11-15 grams of fiber daily when they need triple that, and how stress functions as a toxin that triggers leaky gut and impairs detoxification. Dr. Minich also shares why women's heightened sensitivity isn't a weakness but a powerful gift for intuition and healing. If you're tired of functional medicine that stops at labs and supplements, this conversation offers a comprehensive framework integrating circadian optimization, creative expression, gut diversity, and the spiritual aspects of women's health that determine true longevity.Guest’s socials + website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaminich/ Website: https://deannaminich.com/ Kayla's social + website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevity Twitter: https://x.com/femalelongevity Website: https://www.kaylabarnes.com/ Follow Her Female Protocol: https://www.protocol.kaylabarnes.com/ Become a Member of Kayla's Female Longevity Membership: https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member

Everyday “healthy” choices might be silently rewiring your immune system—from canned soup and tap water to perfume, makeup, and even your couch—while autoimmune diseases quietly explode, especially in women. In this gripping conversation, Dr. Aly Cohen reveals how under-regulated chemicals, hidden toxins, and epigenetic changes may be driving the autoimmune epidemic, but also how strategic swaps, smarter water, food, air, and a 4-A framework can actually change the destiny of your health. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can truly detox, reverse flares, and protect future generations, this episode turns overwhelming science into a suspenseful, empowering roadmap. Join the most comprehensive female-specific community for health and longevity optimization. After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan.

In this episode, Kayla sits down with Dr. Karan Rajan, who is one of the most followed medical professionals on social media, and he breaks down the gut microbiome like you've never heard before. If you've ever felt bloated after eating fiber, tried keto and felt amazing temporarily, or wondered why your "clean" diet isn't delivering results, this episode is for you. They talk about why fiber is non-negotiable fuel for your gut bacteria, how to gradually increase intake from 10g to 50g+ daily, and the specific prebiotic fibers that matter most. Dr. Rajan shares his daily eating protocol, explains why prebiotics trump probiotics, and reveals the critical differences between male and female microbiomes. You'll also learn his exact protocols for recovering from antibiotics, healing leaky gut and why fasting activates your gut's self-cleaning system. Guest’s socials + website Instagram: @drkaranrajan Website: https://www.drkaranrajan.com/ Kayla's social + website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevity Twitter: https://x.com/femalelongevity Website: https://www.kaylabarnes.com/ Follow Her Female Protocol: https://www.protocol.kaylabarnes.com/ Become a Member of Kayla's Female Longevity Membership: https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member

Your home could be triggering your allergies and nobody's checking. Dr. Tania Elliott sees patients struggling with reactions that disappear before they can get to the doctor's office. That's why she started doing virtual home tours to find what's really causing the problem.In this episode, Dr. Elliott explains why that new couch smell is actually toxic, how synthetic candles mess with your hormones, and why our obsession with being too clean backfired into an allergy epidemic. She digs into Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, shares why peanut allergies in kids went through the roof after we delayed introducing peanuts, and gives you simple steps to clean up your indoor air. If you're dealing with mystery symptoms or just want to make your home healthier, this conversation is full of practical changes that actually work.Join the most comprehensive female-specific community for health and longevity optimization. After over a decade dedicated to human performance and women’s health, I created this space to share everything you need to know to optimize health and lifespan. Inside, you’ll get access to exclusive protocols, live Q&As, the latest female longevity science, and a private, supportive community of like-minded women. https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member Guest’s website + socials Website: https://www.taniaelliottmd.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtaniaelliott/ Kayla's social + website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevity Twitter: https://x.com/femalelongevity YouTube: www.youtube.com/@KaylaBarnesLentz Website: https://www.kaylabarnes.com/ Follow Her Female Protocol: https://www.protocol.kaylabarnes.com/ Become a Member of Kayla's Female Longevity Membership: https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member

Are you planning to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or postpartum? This conversation with dietitian Lily Nichols will change how you think about nutrition during these critical life stages.Lily reveals that over 90% of women have nutrient deficiencies that directly impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and postpartum recovery. Most women have no idea they're lacking essential nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, B12, choline, and vitamin A until it's already affecting their hormones and ability to conceive. She explains why you need 7 to 8 months of preconception nutrition to build up nutrient stores before getting pregnant, the Goldilocks body fat percentage for optimal hormone production and fertility and why protein should always be your first priority at every meal plus how much you actually need. She also reveals how nutrient needs skyrocket in the second and third trimester plus postpartum and why vegan diets during pregnancy require serious supplementation and careful planningIf you're in your preconception phase, currently growing a baby, or recovering postpartum, this episode is packed with actionable nutrition advice you can start using today. Guest’s website + socials Website: https://lilynicholsrdn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilynicholsrdn/ Kayla's social + website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevity T witter: https://x.com/femalelongevity Website: https://www.kaylabarnes.com/ Follow Her Female Protocol: https://www.protocol.kaylabarnes.com/ Become a Member of Kayla's Female Longevity Membership: https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-member