Cellular Healing Strategies for Thyroid, Hormones and Metabolism with Dr Josh Axe
When a woman presents with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's, the root issue is rarely the thyroid itself—but rather dysfunction in the gut, adrenals, liver, or mitochondria. Dr. Josh Axe, a two-time New York Times bestselling author and functional medicine pioneer, argues that fixing cellular health through targeted nutrition, lifestyle, and advanced therapies can reverse hormone imbalances—often without medication. He cites a clinical study showing 75% of women reduced or eliminated thyroid medication after just 10 minutes of daily red light therapy on the thyroid. The episode dives into the critical role of mitochondrial health, with powerful tools like pomegranate-derived urolithin A, CoQ10, PQQ, and adaptogenic herbs. For menopause and perimenopause, Axe emphasizes balancing cortisol and insulin through rest, sunlight, and a diet rich in yin-producing foods like flax, sweet potatoes, and fermented dairy. He warns against over-reliance on HRT without addressing root causes like seed oil toxicity and gut health. A striking revelation: long-term birth control use increases hypothyroidism risk by 287% due to depletion of selenium, zinc, and B vitamins. The conversation culminates in a vision of personalized, cellular-level medicine—where advanced diagnostics, red light beds, hyperbaric oxygen, and targeted supplements create a holistic path to longevity and hormonal resilience.
75% of women with hypothyroidism reduced or eliminated medication after 10 minutes of daily red light therapy on the thyroid.
The active thyroid hormone T3 is produced primarily in the liver (80%) and gut (20%), not the thyroid itself.
Pomegranate and raspberries produce urolithin A, a mitochondrial fuel—but only 40-60% of people can convert them without specific gut bacteria.
Seed oils like canola and soybean oil generate six times more free radicals when heated and are linked to mitochondrial damage and hormone disruption.
Birth control use increases hypothyroidism risk by 287% due to depletion of selenium, zinc, and B vitamins critical for thyroid function.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Myth of the Failing Thyroid
“When a woman goes in with a hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's, it's almost never the thyroid. It's almost always another issue.”
Root Cause Medicine: Fixing the Cell
Axe explains that conventional medicine treats symptoms with T4 drugs, but functional medicine focuses on cellular healing—especially mitochondrial function, which underpins thyroid and hormone health.
Red Light Therapy: A Game-Changer for Thyroid Health
“Nearly 75% of those women were able to reduce or get off of their thyroid medication.”
Mitochondrial Medicine: Fueling Cellular Energy
Axe details how mitochondria are the body’s energy engines and how nutrients like CoQ10, PQQ, and urolithin A from pomegranates can revitalize them.
The Hidden Role of Gut Health in Hormone Balance
Gut microbiome health determines whether pomegranates convert to urolithin A. Axe recommends soil-based organisms and bifidobacterium to improve this conversion.
“When a woman goes in with a hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's, it's almost never the thyroid. It's almost always another issue.”
“And nearly 75 of those women were able to reduce or get off of their thyroid medication.”
“I mean, I would say the biggest symptom I see in men is just this lack of motivation, to your point, lack of drive.”
Host
Guest
Dr. Josh Axe
person
Dr. Jockers
person
seed oils
other
birth control
other
urolithin A
other
Paleo Valley
brand
Kettle and Fire
brand
Longevity Clinic
organization
Health Institute
organization
Bifidobacterium
other
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