Made for Health

Transforming Trauma Into Hope

Cynthia Thurlow’s Journey to Empower Women’s Health

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Dr. Aaron Hartman

November 6, 2024

Transforming Trauma
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    Cynthia Thurlow’s path to becoming a wellness advocate wasn’t a career choice; it was a calling...rooted in trauma. Her own battle health battles forced her to question conventional methods and find answers that traditional medicine couldn’t provide.

    I recently had the pleasure of talking with Cynthia about her story.

    A severe bout of food poisoning left Cynthia dealing with chronic health issues. Facing unresolved symptoms and limited answers from conventional treatments, she was forced to look beyond the traditional medical system. But her journey wasn’t simply about finding relief:

    “I realized that my health journey was about more than just fixing symptoms; it was about understanding the root causes” —Cynthia Thurlow

    Her chronic health issues became the catalyst for a mission dedicated to helping women uncover their own wellness paths, inspiring them to take charge of their health and redefine it on their own terms.

    Cynthia’s journey is a testament to resilience and transformation, and it’s a reminder that personal challenges often ignite a greater purpose. Cynthia’s story, at its core, is about uncovering wellness from within and empowering women to reclaim their health on their own terms.

    Intermittent Fasting: More Than a Trend

    Redefining Fasting for Women

    One of the most powerful tools Cynthia discovered was intermittent fasting—but not in the way it’s often marketed. For her, fasting wasn’t about restriction; it was about empowering the body to heal naturally.

    “Fasting gave my body the time it needed to repair, rather than constantly digesting,”Cynthia notes.

    “It was less about skipping meals and more about giving myself a break from constant eating.”

    Her perspective on fasting shifts the focus from weight loss to metabolic health, emphasizing:
    • Cellular repair: Giving the body time to focus on regeneration.
    • Mental clarity: Reducing the brain fog associated with frequent eating.
    • Improved insulin sensitivity: Vital for women, especially those in perimenopause and beyond.
    Takeaway: Cynthia’s approach to fasting for women recognizes the importance of metabolic health and respects the body’s natural rhythms.

    Beyond Calories: The Hormonal Key to Lasting Wellness

    Why Calories Aren’t Enough for Women’s Health

    Health goes far beyond calories in and out. Cynthia insists that wellness for women is about understanding and honoring hormonal needs. Hormones are the unseen drivers of health, especially for women navigating life changes like perimenopause and menopause.

    “Our bodies deserve respect for their natural cycles and needs,”she says.

    “Women’s health is too often generalized, ignoring the unique complexities of our hormones.”

    Cynthia’s approach aligns wellness routines with hormonal shifts, recognizing that:
    1. Diet, sleep, and stress impact hormones directly.
    2. Flexible routines work better than rigid diets or workouts.
    3. Listening to the body’s cues can guide healthier, more sustainable habits.
    Implication: Tuning into these hormonal cues creates an adaptable wellness routine that supports women’s bodies as they change through life’s phases.

    The Power of Fasting for Women

    Adapting Fasting to Work with Women’s Bodies

    Women respond to fasting differently than men, and Cynthia emphasizes the importance of a tailored approach. Women benefit from fasting most when they’re in tune with their hormonal rhythms. Cynthia’s advice for women interested in fasting is simple: make it adaptable.

    “The goal is to work with your body, not against it,”Cynthia explains.

    “Fasting is a powerful tool, but only if it’s done mindfully.”

    • Avoid intense fasting during the luteal phase, when women are often more fatigued.
    • Try shorter fasts and gentler protocols that align with energy levels.
    Key Insight: Fasting for women is a flexible, mindful practice that respects hormonal fluctuations, offering benefits without the risks of burnout.

    Gut Health: The Foundation of Immunity & Balance

    “The gut isn’t just a digestive organ—it’s our second brain, critical to immunity and hormone health.” — Cynthia Thurlow

    Cynthia views gut health as the bedrock of overall wellness, particularly for women. A healthy gut influences immunity, hormone balance, and even mental health.
    What Cynthia Recommends for Gut Health:
    • Prioritize whole, fiber-rich foods to nourish gut bacteria.
    • Incorporate prebiotics and probiotics for a balanced microbiome.
    • Manage stress, which is essential for a healthy gut-brain connection.

    As a practitioner, I’ve seen this approach work wonders for patients. Cynthia’s commitment to gut health as a core of wellness is an essential takeaway for anyone serious about health.

    Final Takeaway: Gut health is foundational for women’s wellness, supporting everything from immunity to emotional balance.

    Our Evolving Wellness Needs

    Women’s Health Across the Ages

    For Cynthia, optimal health requires tailoring strategies across each life stage. In their 20s and 30s, women need nutrient-dense foods to support fertility, energy, and hormonal health. Moving into the 40s, priorities shift towards insulin sensitivity and managing stress.

    “Every decade brings new priorities, and our wellness approach should evolve too,” Cynthia notes.

    Health Priorities by Age:
    • 20s–30s: Focus on nutrient density, iron-rich foods, and lean proteins.
    • 40s: Adjust for hormonal shifts, prioritizing insulin sensitivity.
    • 50s and beyond: Support bone density, heart health, and muscular strength.

    This life-stage approach empowers women to thrive in every phase, ensuring that wellness isn’t a static goal but an evolving journey.

    Concluding Thought: Cynthia’s approach highlights that women’s health is dynamic, and embracing change is key to long-term vitality.

    A Final Word: Embracing Personal Health as a Journey

    Cynthia’s work is a powerful call to women everywhere: wellness isn’t about one-size-fits-all solutions; it’s about reconnecting with the body and aligning health practices with its natural rhythms. Her approach combines metabolic insights, hormone awareness, and a commitment to gut health—guiding principles I deeply resonate with as a physician and advocate for integrative health.

    “Wellness is a journey of self-connection,” Cynthia says, “when we align with our body’s rhythms, we find vibrant health.”

    In closing, Cynthia’s mission isn’t just to improve health outcomes; it’s to empower women to take charge of their wellness by understanding their unique physiology, thus creating a foundation for vibrant health that can adapt and grow with them.

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    We’ve Updated Our Popular Food Sourcing Guide

    • Food Sourcing Principles
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