104. Hormones, Anxiety, and the Art of Mindful Eating: A Functional Approach to Well-Being

Hey everyone, welcome back to The AnxietyRX Podcast! In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Megan Lyons, a functional medicine expert who specializes in endocrine health and nutrition. Dr. Lyons opens up about her own journey with anxiety and hormonal imbalances, which were heavily tied to her high-achieving lifestyle. We dive into how our childhood experiences can shape the way we show up as adults, and explore the complex link between hormones and mental health. We also talk about why taking a personalized approach to nutrition and lifestyle changes is so important for long-term healing. Dr. Lyons makes a powerful case for looking at the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—when it comes to achieving real wellness. It’s a great conversation, and I think you’ll find it really insightful. Tune in! Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions. PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX If you liked this conversation with Dr. Lyons, you can take a short quiz and receive a file with a useful guide, by clicking the link below: https://form.typeform.com/to/DrqW4qlv?typeform-source=www.thelyonsshare.org ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 00:33 - Dr. Lyons' Work 01:24 - Personal Journey into Functional Medicine 06:22 - Understanding Anxiety and Its Roots 07:50 - Patient Assessment Process 10:40 - Adrenal Burnout Discussion 12:34 - Hormonal Changes and Anxiety 14:22 - Impact of Antidepressants 16:31 - Supporting Patients on Medications 17:05 - Recommended Supplements for Anxiety 18:28 - Ideal Patient Profile 20:05 - Importance of Connection in Healing 21:26 - Initial Steps with New Clients 22:51 - Insulin Resistance and Surprising Health Markers 23:32 - Intermittent Fasting Insights 24:56 - Importance of Real Nutrition 26:36 - B Vitamins and MTHFR 27:50 - Top Supplements for Perimenopausal Women 29:48 - Cod Liver Oil and Omega Supplements 31:33 - Adaptogens for Anxiety 33:08 - Nutrition and Anxiety Connection 37:03 - Hydration and Food Colorings 39:11 - Blood Sugar Balancing 41:00 - Empowering Nutrition Awareness 42:14 - Celebrating Small Wins in Nutrition