Quick recap
This transcript captures a podcast interview between Marcia and Donna Figueroa, founder of Midlife Midwife Functional Health, discussing functional medicine and hormone optimization. Donna shared her personal journey through perimenopause and how she developed a passion for functional medicine after traditional medical practitioners offered no solutions for her severe symptoms. She explained how her approach differs from traditional hormone replacement therapy by focusing on hormone optimization, testing individual levels, and ensuring proper balance rather than using one-size-fits-all solutions. Donna described her practice as providing root cause healing through functional medicine, creating a community support system, and offering personalized care that addresses the whole person rather than just managing symptoms. The conversation also covered Donna's success stories, her use of stem cell therapy for joint issues, and her efforts to educate the community about alternative healthcare options through free monthly events.
Functional Medicine for Menopause Health
Donna Figueroa introduced her company, Midlife Midwife Functional Health, which focuses on functional medicine and root cause healing for perimenopausal and menopausal women. She shared her personal journey of overcoming severe health issues through alternative medicine and lifestyle changes, including avoiding hip surgery through stem cell treatment. Donna explained that her approach helps clients address underlying issues like heavy metal toxicity, nutrient deficiencies, and food sensitivities, leading to sustainable health improvements.
Functional Medicine Approach Overview
Donna explained the limitations of traditional medicine and described her approach to functional medicine, which focuses on healing rather than just managing symptoms. She shared positive feedback from clients who have experienced significant improvements in their health, including weight loss, skin clearance, and reduced joint pain. Donna also described her unique community-based approach, which includes an online forum, patient portal, and weekly coaching calls to support clients on their wellness journey.
Alternative Healing Practices Education
Donna explained that alternative healing practices have been around for decades but are not widely known because they are not covered by insurance and don't align with traditional healthcare systems' financial interests. She described her approach to educating the community through monthly free events at her Body Birth and Baby Center location in Leesburg, Virginia, and noted that she can treat patients in Virginia and Maryland both in-person and via telehealth. When asked about finding practitioners outside Northern Virginia, Donna mentioned the Institute for Functional Medicine's provider data bank as a resource and offered to help connect people with practitioners nationwide through her network.
Hormone Optimization vs HRT
Donna explained the difference between hormone replacement therapy and hormone optimization, noting that traditional HRT often provides a one-size-fits-all solution while true hormone optimization involves personalized testing and balancing of multiple hormones to address broader health needs beyond just treating symptoms. Donna described how hormone optimization can protect the heart, brain, and bones by dissolving plaque and improving bone density, rather than just treating specific menopausal symptoms. Donna concluded by emphasizing that she helps anyone seeking guidance and wants people to understand their health to advocate for themselves.
Men's Primary Care Engagement Challenges
Donna and Marcia discussed challenges in getting men to prioritize primary care and follow health advice. Donna shared her experience convincing her husband to see Dr. Jaligam and follow dietary recommendations, noting how a doctor's guidance was more effective than her own repeated advice. They also discussed potential health concerns, including the importance of testosterone levels for Alzheimer's prevention, and Marcia mentioned her husband's family history of Alzheimer's disease.
Functional Medicine vs Traditional Healthcare
Donna and Marcia discussed the limitations of the current healthcare system, which they characterized as "sick care" rather than wellness-driven. Donna explained that lab reference ranges used by insurance are set by lab companies rather than medical boards and represent averages of sick or elderly populations, not optimal health levels. They agreed that functional medicine aims to achieve optimal health beyond these average ranges.
LeadShare Community Update Meeting
Marcia shared her positive experience with LeadShare, explaining how she found the group through a referral and has been benefiting from the community's resources. Both participants emphasized the value of the LeadShare group and discussed how members should support each other's services through personal experience and referrals.
Blue Zone Community Development Discussion
Donna and Marcia discussed creating a health-minded community in Northern Virginia similar to a Blue Zone, with Donna explaining this was one of her founding motivations when establishing her health and wellness community. They explored the possibility of making Northern Virginia into a Blue Zone community and considered it as a potential lead share project. Donna mentioned that becoming a Blue Zone involves more than healthcare, requiring government involvement, green space, healthy activities, and environmental improvements.
Stem Cell Treatment Experience
Donna shared her experience with stem cell treatment, explaining how she underwent a procedure involving unassigned stem cells from cord blood mixed with platelet-rich plasma to treat hip pain. She described the healing process taking 2-3 months for significant improvement and up to 6 months for peak effectiveness. Donna expressed satisfaction with the results, noting she could walk again after being unable to do so previously, and criticized the healthcare system for favoring surgical interventions over regenerative treatments due to financial interests.
Prioritizing Health and Preventative Care
Donna and Marcia discussed the importance of prioritizing health and preventative care to avoid the negative effects of aging on medications and joint replacement. Donna emphasized the benefits of bioidentical hormones and recommended Dr. Jaligam for Marcia's wellness journey. They also talked about the importance of staying active and building strong friendships, particularly with other women, as they age.
