The School of Doza Podcast

Masa Chips are organic corn tortilla chips fried in 100% grass-fed beef tallow — not the refined seed oils hiding in most "better-for-you" snacks. That single ingredient swap matters enormously for anyone dealing with inflammation, gut sensitivity, or autoimmune conditions, which is exactly what this episode covers. Nurse Doza personally reaches for Masa Chips as his go-to healthy chips, and reports zero bloating, zero inflammation, and happy digestion every single time.

Flavors available: Original, Churro, Spicy Habanero, Lime, Blue Chip, Hatch Chili, and more.

👉 Get Masa Chips here: https://masachips.com
👉 Use code DOZA at checkout for a discount on your first order

5 Key Takeaways

The fat you fry in matters — a lot.
    Most commercial chips are cooked in refined seed oils high in omega-6 linoleic acid. Research shows excessive omega-6 intake creates a pro-inflammatory, pro-allergic state that can worsen autoimmune conditions. Grass-fed beef tallow flips that script entirely.

Grass-fed tallow is not the enemy.
    Beef tallow from grass-fed cows contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and a favorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio — nutrients that support immune function, hormone health, and metabolic balance.

Organic corn isn't just a marketing label.
    Organic corn means no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, and when processed via nixtamalization (the traditional lime-soaking method used in masa), it delivers enhanced nutrient bioavailability and improved digestibility — especially meaningful for those with gut sensitivity.

Autoimmune conditions demand cleaner ingredient standards.
    People managing autoimmune disorders can't afford inflammatory ingredients in their everyday snacks. Masa Chips repeatedly passes Nurse Doza's personal test: no bloating, no inflammation, no digestive disruption — even with an autoimmune condition.

Healthy chips are possible.
    You don't have to give up the crunch. You just have to choose your snacks more intentionally. Real ingredients, real fat, real salt — that's the Masa Chips formula, and it proves that "healthy chips" doesn't have to be an oxymoron.

Liver Boost from MSW Nutrition is designed to support phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways — the exact processes your liver uses to metabolize and clear estrogen. During perimenopause, when hormone levels fluctuate and detox pathways can become sluggish, supporting liver function is foundational. Liver Boost helps your body process hormones more efficiently, which can ease bloating, mood swings, skin changes, and stubborn weight fluctuations discussed throughout this episode.
👉 Get Liver Boost here: https://mswnutrition.com/products/liver-boost

Perimenopause can feel confusing and overwhelming as hormones shift, sleep gets disrupted, and weight starts behaving differently. In this episode, we break down 5 practical ways to support your body during perimenopause — from liver detoxification and gut repair to adrenal support, insulin management, and the lab work you should be asking for. Learn how estrogen metabolism actually works and what you can do today to feel better through the transition.

JOIN THE SCHOOL
If perimenopause has you feeling confused about what's happening with your hormones, your gut, your weight, or your energy — you don't have to figure it out alone. Inside the School of Doza, you'll join a community of people navigating the same hormonal shifts, with access to live classes that go deeper into metabolism, digestion, and real-world strategies you can apply immediately. 
👉 Start your free trial: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Your liver is the gatekeeper of estrogen balance. Estrogen is metabolized primarily in the liver through a two-stage detoxification process — hydroxylation followed by methylation and sulfation. If these pathways are sluggish, excess estrogen can recirculate and amplify perimenopause symptoms.
Gut health directly impacts estrogen levels. The estrobolome — a collection of gut bacteria genes — produces enzymes that deconjugate estrogen in the intestine. When gut health is compromised, the balance between estrogen reabsorption and excretion gets disrupted, potentially contributing to estrogen-driven conditions including breast cancer risk.
Your adrenal glands become a key estrogen source. As ovarian function declines during perimenopause, the adrenal glands and adipose tissue continue producing estrogen locally. Supporting adrenal health helps maintain more stable hormone output during the transition.
Insulin and estrogen are deeply connected. Research suggests that estrogen helps regulate plasma glucose and insulin levels. 
Lab work removes the guesswork. Testing E2, progesterone, LH, FSH, DHEA-s, total and free testosterone, along with liver and inflammation markers like GGT, hsCRP, fasting insulin, and homocysteine gives you a clear picture of where your body actually stands — not just where you think it is based on symptoms.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 START – Welcome and episode overview
02:15 – What perimenopause actually is and why it feels so unpredictable
05:30 – Way #1: Detox the liver and how estrogen metabolism works in two phases
09:45 – The link between menopause and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
13:00 – Xenoestrogens, BPA, DDT, and environmental hormone disruptors
17:20 – Phytoestrogens and pterostilbene as protective agents
20:00 – Phase 2 detoxification: sulfation, methylation, and COMT
24:10 – Way #2: Repair the gut and how the estrobolome regulates estrogen
28:30 – How gut microbial beta-glucuronidase connects to breast cancer risk
32:00 – Way #3: Support the adrenals as a secondary estrogen source
35:15 – Way #4: Lower insulin and the estrogen-glucose connection
38:40 – Way #5: Get your labs done — the complete panel you should request
42:00 – How Liver Boost supports perimenopause and closing thoughts

RESOURCES

"Menopause and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease":
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5763482/
"Estrogen Sulfotransferase and Steroid Sulfatase in Cancer" 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3586502/
"Gut Microbial Beta-Glucuronidase: A Vital Regulator in Female Estrogen Metabolism" 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10416750/
"Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens: 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34445499/
"Pterostilbene: Anticancer Effects Through Autophagy Induction":
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1323377/full
"Estrogen Circulation Pathways" 
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Estrogen-circulation-pathways-Estrogens-are-locally-produced-in-several-tissues-mainly_fig1_349967427

CONNECT
🔗 Connect with Nurse Doza:
JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursedoza/
Website: http://www.nursedoza.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mendoza-dc-aprn-np-c-0609a038/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursedoza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nursedoza

Nandaka by Pique - the Rolls-Royce of coffee alternative, and Nurse Doza personally drinks it every morning. This functional mushroom blend combines lion's mane for cognitive support, reishi for stress resilience and immune strength, fermented green and black tea extract for calm, focused energy, and cacao for gut health — delivering everything coffee promises without the downsides. It's the kind of morning ritual upgrade discussed in depth in this episode.
👉 Use my link for 20% off for life + free gifts: https://piquelife.com/nursedozanandaka

Tired of the jitters, crashes, and anxiety that come with coffee? In this episode, Nurse Doza breaks down why he made the switch to Nandaka by Pique — the ultimate coffee alternative packed with lion's mane, reishi, fermented green tea, and cacao for clean focus, immune strength, and gut support. No crash. No jitters. Just calm, sustained energy.

 

5 Key Takeaways
Coffee isn't your only option for energy. Functional mushroom blends like Nandaka deliver calm, sustained energy through fermented green tea, lion's mane, and reishi — without the jitters, anxiety, or afternoon crashes that come with high-caffeine coffee.
Lion's mane supports long-term brain health. Research shows lion's mane contains bioactive compounds — hericenones and erinacines — that promote nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, supporting healthy brain cells, cognitive function, and memory over time.
Reishi is nature's stress shield. Known for centuries as the "mushroom of immortality," reishi contains beta-glucans and triterpenoids that modulate the immune system, reduce fatigue, and help calibrate the body's stress response — making you more resilient, not just more stimulated.
Fermented green tea = calm focus without the spike. L-theanine in green tea works synergistically with its natural caffeine to sharpen attention, reduce mental noise, and promote a relaxed-yet-alert state — what researchers describe as a "relaxed, capable state of mind." Fermenting enhances bioavailability of these compounds.
Cacao adds gut support to your morning ritual. Nandaka's cacao component supports gut health through its prebiotic fiber content and polyphenols — meaning your morning coffee alternative is also working for your microbiome. One drink, multiple systems supported.

Resources
"The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults" — Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study from PMC/Northumbria University showing lion's mane may improve cognitive performance speed and reduce subjective stress in healthy young adults.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10675414/
"Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane Mushroom): A Neuroprotective Fungus" — 2025 narrative review from PMC documenting lion's mane's bioactive compounds (hericenones, erinacines) and their role in promoting nerve growth factor synthesis, neuroprotection, and cognitive support.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12030463/
"Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi)" — NIH/NCBI — Comprehensive NIH overview of reishi mushroom's documented health benefits, including immune modulation, blood glucose regulation, hepatoprotection, and stress response support.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
"Effect of Green Tea Phytochemicals on Mood and Cognition" — Review of 49 human intervention studies from PubMed demonstrating that L-theanine and caffeine in green tea provide reliable improvements in sustained attention, memory, and relaxation — producing a calm, focused mental state.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28056735/
"Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms" — PMC — PMC review examining how medicinal mushrooms including reishi modulate immune function through NK cell activation, cytokine regulation, and beta-glucan activity — supporting both immune strength and inflammatory balance.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4684115/

Connect with Nurse Doza
👉 JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursedoza/
Website: http://www.nursedoza.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mendoza-dc-aprn-np-c-0609a038/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursedoza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nursedoza

Your gallbladder isn't just an optional organ—it plays a critical role in digestion, fat metabolism, and liver support. Learn why you were born with one, what happens when it's removed, and science-backed strategies to keep it healthy through diet and lifestyle changes.

FEATURED PRODUCT
Liver Boost, featuring 16 targeted ingredients including NAC, alpha lipoic acid, and DIM, supports phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification pathways and bile production—essential for optimal gallbladder function and preventing gallstone formation as discussed in this episode.

Right now we have a BUY 2 LIVER BOOST BOTTLES GET 1 FREE
👉 Get Liver Boost here: https://mswnutrition.com/products/liver-boost

JOIN THE SCHOOL
Struggling with digestive issues, gallbladder pain, or wondering if you're at risk for gallstones? You're not alone. Join The School of Doza community where members share their journeys toward better digestive health and learn evidence-based strategies to support liver and gallbladder function. Every Wednesday, participate in live "Ask Me Anything" sessions that function like group consults—get your specific questions answered about gallbladder health, fatty liver reversal, and dietary strategies that actually work. Plus, access our complete 14-day liver detox course and weekly live classes focused on foundational health topics like sleep, digestion, and detoxification.
👉 Start your free trial: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Your gallbladder is a vital digestive organ that stores and releases bile to help digest fats—removing it doesn't solve the underlying metabolic problems that caused gallbladder issues in the first place.
After gallbladder removal, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine, which can increase digestive issues and potentially raise colon cancer risk due to excess bile acid exposure.
A fatty gallbladder indicates a fatty liver—addressing liver health through phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification is essential for preventing gallstone formation and gallbladder attacks.
The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce gallbladder surgery risk by 13-27% in women, emphasizing healthy fats from fish, olive oil, and avocados rather than inflammatory seed oils and processed foods.
Oral birth control and inflammatory dietary patterns (processed grains, seed oils, excess sugar) significantly increase gallstone risk, particularly in women, making dietary intervention crucial for prevention.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – START
01:09 – Upcoming sleep class at School of Doza
03:29 – Why medical websites say you don't need your gallbladder (and why that's wrong)
05:45 – How your diet increases bile production and creates gallstones
08:11 – The connection between fast food, bile production, and gallbladder attacks
10:36 – Where does bile go after gallbladder removal?
12:38 – Diet changes to save your gallbladder or support digestive health post-surgery
14:52 – The fatty liver and fatty gallbladder connection
17:02 – Mediterranean diet reduces gallbladder surgery risk by up to 27%
18:47 – What to take: Liver Boost for phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification
20:48 – Why your liver is like a refrigerator storing inflammatory foods
22:50 – Action steps: Diet changes, fasting, and liver support

RESOURCES

Cleveland Clinic - Gallbladder Overview: Discusses the gallbladder's role in storing and releasing bile for fat digestion
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21690-gallbladder
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus - Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Flow: Explains what happens to bile after gallbladder surgery
https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/surgery/divisions-centers-affiliates/gites/patient-care/cholecystectomy
NIH/PMC - Bile Acids and Colon Carcinogenesis: Research on bile acids' role in digestive health and cancer risk
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6429521/
Catholic Health New York - Gallbladder Diet Guidelines: Comprehensive diet recommendations for gallbladder health
https://www.chnnyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Gallbladder-Diet.pdf
CBC News - Mediterranean Diet and Gallbladder Surgery: Study showing 13-27% lower surgery risk with Mediterranean diet
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/mediterranean-diet-gallbladder-surgery-1.4237986

CONNECT
🔗 Connect with Nurse Doza:
JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursedoza/
Website: http://www.nursedoza.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mendoza-dc-aprn-np-c-0609a038/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursedoza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nursedoza

One in three women will have a hysterectomy by age 60, but what happens after is rarely discussed. This episode breaks down how a hysterectomy affects hormones, weight, and digestion — from early menopause and insulin resistance to the gut-estrogen connection most doctors miss. Learn why your digestive health is the key to recovery and long-term wellness after a hysterectomy.

FEATURED PRODUCT
The Good Poops Protocol is designed to support the exact systems most affected after a hysterectomy — your gut, your liver, and your hormone regulation. With Liver Boost to support estrogen metabolism and xenoestrogen clearance, Gut Powder with glutamine to support intestinal lining integrity, and Berberine to help manage blood sugar and promote a healthy microbiome, this protocol addresses the root causes of post-hysterectomy weight gain, bloating, and hormonal imbalance discussed in this episode.
👉 Get the Good Poops Protocol here: https://goodpoops.org

JOIN THE SCHOOL
If you've had a hysterectomy — or you're heading toward one — and you're not sure what to do about the hormone shifts, weight changes, and digestive issues that follow, you don't have to figure it out alone. Inside the School of Doza, you'll join a community of women navigating these exact challenges. Every Wednesday, the live Ask Me Anything sessions work like group consults where you can ask specific questions about your hormones, digestion, recovery, and get direct guidance. Your first 7 days are completely free — come attend an AMA and see if it's the right fit for you.
👉 Start your free trial: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Early menopause is almost inevitable after a hysterectomy — Studies show that even a partial hysterectomy (ovaries left intact) nearly doubles the risk of early ovarian failure, meaning menopause can arrive years or even decades ahead of schedule.

Estrogen regulates insulin, so losing it drives weight gain — Estrogen and insulin work like a teeter-totter. When estrogen drops after a hysterectomy, insulin rises, leading to insulin resistance, pre-diabetic metabolic patterns, and stubborn weight gain that becomes increasingly difficult to reverse.

Your gut microbiome directly regulates estrogen — Gut bacteria contain enzymes (beta-glucuronidase) that play a key role in estrogen metabolism. A disrupted microbiome from antibiotics, processed foods, or sugar doesn't just cause bloating — it impairs estrogen regulation throughout the entire body.

The liver is where estrogen gets cleared from the body — Estrogen metabolism happens primarily in the liver through methylation and conjugation pathways. A fatty liver — which affects roughly one in three people — compromises the body's ability to break down and eliminate inflammatory estrogen, increasing cancer and metabolic risk.

Inflammatory estrogen drives fibroids, cancer risk, and the need for hysterectomies in the first place — Xenoestrogens and poorly metabolized estrogen create a cycle of inflammation that can lead to fibroids, endometriosis, and eventually hysterectomy. Supporting gut and liver health is the foundational strategy to break that cycle before and after surgery.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 START – Welcome and episode introduction
04:31 – What is a hysterectomy and why it matters
09:28 – One in three women will have a hysterectomy by age 60
11:39 – Partial vs. total hysterectomy and early menopause risk
14:04 – Why menopause happens faster after a hysterectomy
16:03 – The weight gain connection: estrogen, insulin, and metabolism
18:23 – Estrogen receptors throughout the body and why estrogen is more than fertility
20:37 – How estrogen and insulin work like a teeter-totter
22:42 – Your digestive tract is a direct reflection of your hormones
25:07 – Estrogen receptors in the gut and the colon cancer connection
27:32 – How diet and inflammation lead to fibroids and hysterectomies
32:19 – Xenoestrogens, inflammatory estrogen, and cancer risk
36:06 – Your fat cells still make estrogen in menopause
38:24 – The liver's role in estrogen methylation and clearance
40:17 – Good poops, good estrogen: the take-home message