The Tara Thorne Wellness Podcast

In Part 2 of Tara's conversation with Dr. Lindsey Berkson, they continue the discussion by looking at the different forms and delivery methods of HRT, including Bi-Est, estradiol, estriol and progesterone. They discuss why the way a hormone is delivered can matter, why vaginal progesterone may work differently from oral or topical progesterone, and why individual response matters when choosing a delivery method.
The conversation then moves into testosterone and breast health, including the role of hormone metabolites and estrogen receptors. Dr. Berkson also shares her thoughts on mammograms and breast cancer screening, including her own experience of finding breast cancer shortly after receiving a negative mammogram.
This episode ultimately comes back to one of the biggest themes of the entire conversation: don't blindly follow a protocol simply because it's considered standard. Understand the evidence, understand the limitations, and make informed decisions with appropriate medical support.
 
In Part 2:
Why Tara switched to an estradiol patch
Dr. Berkson's history developing menopause supplements
Progesterone, puberty and menstrual health
Why hormone education is missing from conventional medical training
Why Bi-Est? Bringing estradiol and estriol back into the conversation
Testosterone, muscle, brain health and breast health
Why progesterone delivery needs to be individualised
Oral vs vaginal vs topical progesterone
How Dr. Berkson approaches mammograms, ultrasound and other screening methods
The breast cancer Dr. Berkson discovered after a negative mammogram
Why Dr. Berkson created Everything Breast Cancer and her personal mission to help women navigate breast cancer



Dr. Lindsey Berkson
Lindsey Berkson, MA, DC, CNS, DACBN was a Distinguished Hormone Scholar at the Center for Bioenvironmental Research (CBR: Tulane/Xavier Universities). She is a leading figure in integrative medicine, renowned for her expertise in hormones, nutrition, digestion, and environmental science. With a background as a clinician, professor, bestselling author, and radio show host, she brings a wealth of experience to her work. At the CBR, she collaborated with pioneers in estrogen and sex-steroid receptor research. Dr. Berkson is also a respected educator, teaching MDs and pharmacists in advanced certification courses. She has developed innovative nutraceuticals, holds patents in bioidentical hormone therapy, and has contributed to groundbreaking research on dialysis/pharmaceutical medications and nutrition. Dr. Berkson consults internationally, focusing on medical nutrition for breast cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, renal problems, and complex health issues.


Dr. B's Links:
Email - admin@drlindseyberkson.com
Webpage - www.drlindseyberkson.com
Memberships - www.drlindseyberkson.com/membership
Agile Thinking Substack - https://drlindseyberkson.substack.com/
Biotics Products - https://drlindseyberkson.com/bioticsproducts/
Hormones: Vilified to Vindicated (Course) - https://drlindseyberkson.com/v2v/
Oxytocin Medicine - https://drlindseyberkson.com/oxytocinmedicine/



**Get $100 off Dr. Berkson's Everything Breast Cancer and/or Everything Hormones Courses by using the code: PC100TARA
https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythingbreastcancer/
https://drlindseyberkson.com/everything-breast-cancer-nonprofessional/
https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythinghormones/
Estradiol vs. Bi-Est Debate, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-p82VW1weA&t=2508s
Watch Tara's Instagram Live with Dr. Berkson here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN6ieQRE0PI/
 



































Fix Your Gut Masterclass
Stop Blaming the Food! The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems and How to Fix Your Gut for Good.
In this free, live masterclass Tara will walk you through the real reason your gut symptoms keep coming back, no matter what you've tried, and what actually needs to happen to fix them properly, at the root, for good.
[Save your spot HERE]

Does estrogen really cause breast cancer? It's one of the biggest fears women have when considering HRT, and in this conversation, Dr. Lindsey Berkson takes Tara back to where much of that fear began. They unpack the history of the Women's Health Initiative, how the original messaging around hormones shaped medical practice, and what later analyses of the research have shown.
Dr. Berkson explains why she believes estrogen has been misunderstood, including the difference between estrogen's effects on different receptors and why "estrogen-positive" breast cancer does not necessarily mean estrogen caused the cancer. They also discuss research involving women with ER-positive breast cancer who received estrogen and what those studies reported.
Dr. Berkson then shares her own breast cancer story and why it ultimately led her to spend decades researching hormones. This is a fascinating conversation about how medical messaging evolves, why women need to understand the details behind the studies, and why Tara believes these are conversations women deserve to have.

In Part 1: 
The history of the Women's Health Initiative and why it was created
What the early research was actually showing about estrogen and breast cancer
The controversial press release that changed the conversation around HRT
What 20 years of reanalysis of the Women's Health Initiative revealed
Oral vs topical vs vaginal estrogen: why delivery method matters
Tara's experience with vaginal progesterone and sleep/anxiety
The controversy surrounding oral progesterone
The debate around estriol
What "estrogen-positive" breast cancer actually means
The theory behind estrogen and progesterone fueling breast tumors
 
Dr. Lindsey Berkson
Lindsey Berkson, MA, DC, CNS, DACBN was a Distinguished Hormone Scholar at the Center for Bioenvironmental Research (CBR: Tulane/Xavier Universities). She is a leading figure in integrative medicine, renowned for her expertise in hormones, nutrition, digestion, and environmental science. With a background as a clinician, professor, bestselling author, and radio show host, she brings a wealth of experience to her work. At the CBR, she collaborated with pioneers in estrogen and sex-steroid receptor research. Dr. Berkson is also a respected educator, teaching MDs and pharmacists in advanced certification courses. She has developed innovative nutraceuticals, holds patents in bioidentical hormone therapy, and has contributed to groundbreaking research on dialysis/pharmaceutical medications and nutrition. Dr. Berkson consults internationally, focusing on medical nutrition for breast cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, renal problems, and complex health issues.


Dr. B's Links:
Email - admin@drlindseyberkson.com
Webpage - www.drlindseyberkson.com
Memberships - www.drlindseyberkson.com/membership
Agile Thinking Substack - https://drlindseyberkson.substack.com/
Biotics Products - https://drlindseyberkson.com/bioticsproducts/
Hormones: Vilified to Vindicated (Course) - https://drlindseyberkson.com/v2v/
Oxytocin Medicine - https://drlindseyberkson.com/oxytocinmedicine/



**Get $100 off Dr. Berkson's Everything Breast Cancer and/or Everything Hormones Courses by using the code: PC100TARA
https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythingbreastcancer/
https://drlindseyberkson.com/everything-breast-cancer-nonprofessional/
https://drlindseyberkson.com/everythinghormones/
Estradiol vs. Bi-Est Debate, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-p82VW1weA&t=2508s
Watch Tara's Instagram Live with Dr. Berkson here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN6ieQRE0PI/
 



































Fix Your Gut Masterclass
Stop Blaming the Food! The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems and How to Fix Your Gut for Good.
In this free, live masterclass Tara will walk you through the real reason your gut symptoms keep coming back, no matter what you've tried, and what actually needs to happen to fix them properly, at the root, for good.
[Save your spot HERE]

Think your gut is healthy because you don't have bloating, constipation or indigestion? Think again. In this episode, Tara explains why you can have significant gut dysbiosis without a single digestive symptom—and why that matters if you're taking HRT.
Your gut plays a critical role in how your body metabolises and eliminates estrogen. Tara unpacks the connection between the microbiome, liver detoxification, the estrobolome, and beta-glucuronidase, and explains why simply taking supplements like DIM or calcium D-glucarate isn't addressing the root cause.
Whether you're on HRT or supporting your hormones naturally, this episode will help you understand why a healthy gut is essential for healthy hormone metabolism—and why optimising your gut may be one of the most important steps you can take, even if your digestion feels perfectly normal.

In this episode: 
How hormones are metabolised through the liver and gut
Why you can have significant gut dysfunction without digestive symptoms
Why Tara no longer recommends DIM (and rarely uses milk thistle)
The estrobolome explained: your gut's role in estrogen metabolism
Why calcium D-glucarate isn't the answer
The real cause of elevated beta-glucuronidase
Why adjusting your HRT dose may not solve the real problem

Mentioned in this episode:
PIQUE TEA - These are some of Tara's favourite teas! They're crystal form, which makes them super unique and easy to transport in your purse, (they come in single use satchels!) and higher in polyphenols. They're made from high quality ingredients with triple toxin screening, (super important when it comes to your tea). Click HERE to visit the shop.


You may also enjoy the following episodes: 
EPS 84: The Invisible Benefits of HRT (HRT is important even if you have NO symptoms!).
EPS 86: You can't HRT your way out of a crappy diet or poor lifestyle habits. 
EPS 139: Not "everything" is solved with HRT. It's not a magic bullet.
EPS 112: Gold Nuggets About HRT with Sarah Daccarett, MD



 



































Gut Relief Package Promotion
What's Included: 
2 deep-dive private 1:1 consultations with me personally.
Functional testing: I'll guide you on which tests are right for YOUR body so you're not wasting money on tests you don't need
I interpret all your results and create fully personalised, custom protocols built around your body and your life.
Video reviews of your test results so you understand exactly what we're seeing and why
A results review call where we'll go through everything together
A fully customised health plan including professional supplements - all tailored to you, your body, and your test results
3 months of unlimited private messaging support with me; this is HUGE. I am by your side, holding your hand, available at any time. This is the key piece of the plan that gets you results. Pivoting and adjusting as your body responds is critical, because healing isn't linear.
Options to continue working together and retest after your 3 months - I won't leave you high and dry.
Grab your Gut Relief Package HERE.

Leaky gut has become one of the most talked about topics in the wellness world, but how much of what you've heard is actually true?
In this episode, Tara separates the science from the social media myths surrounding intestinal permeability (commonly called "leaky gut"). She explains why having some intestinal permeability is completely normal, who is actually at risk of developing excessive permeability, and why telling everyone they have a leaky gut can lead to unnecessary fear, supplements, and expense.
You'll also learn what really damages the gut lining, why common tests like zonulin may not be giving you reliable answers, the gold-standard test used in research, and the evidence-based strategies that genuinely help support and repair the gut barrier.
If you've ever been told you have leaky gut—or you've wondered whether you do—this episode will help you understand what the research actually says.
In this episode:
What "leaky gut" really is (and why everyone has some intestinal permeability)
Why not everyone has leaky gut—even with autoimmune disease
The biggest myths circulating online
The lifestyle, medications and gut conditions that genuinely increase intestinal permeability
Why zonulin testing isn't as reliable as many practitioners believe
The gold-standard test for assessing intestinal permeability
Evidence-based supplements that actually support the gut lining
Why hormones, especially progesterone, play a bigger role than most people realise
 
 




































Gut Relief Package Promotion
What's Included: 
2 deep-dive private 1:1 consultations with me personally.
Functional testing: I'll guide you on which tests are right for YOUR body so you're not wasting money on tests you don't need
I interpret all your results and create fully personalised, custom protocols built around your body and your life.
Video reviews of your test results so you understand exactly what we're seeing and why
A results review call where we'll go through everything together
A fully customised health plan including professional supplements - all tailored to you, your body, and your test results
3 months of unlimited private messaging support with me; this is HUGE. I am by your side, holding your hand, available at any time. This is the key piece of the plan that gets you results. Pivoting and adjusting as your body responds is critical, because healing isn't linear.
Options to continue working together and retest after your 3 months - I won't leave you high and dry.

Grab A Gut Relief Package HERE.

Walk into any health food store or spend five minutes on social media and you'll be told you "need" a long list of supplements for your gut.
Bitters.
Berberine.
Greens powders.
Probiotics.
TUDCA.
Ox bile.
But are they actually helping your microbiome... or could they be making things worse?
In this episode, Tara shares her honest, research-backed opinion on the gut supplements she believes are worth considering, which ones are overhyped, which should only ever be used with the right testing, and the supplements she believes most people should avoid altogether.
Drawing on more than a decade of clinical experience and her training as a Certified Microbiome Analyst, Tara explains why the right supplement depends entirely on what's happening inside your gut, and why guessing can sometimes do more harm than good.
If you've ever wondered which supplements are actually worth your money, this episode is for you.

Covered in this episode: 
The supplements I genuinely recommend and why
Which ones are mostly hype
Why strain matters when it comes to probiotics
Why prebiotics are one of the most underused tools in gut health
The supplements I only use with proper testing
Why I no longer use berberine or oil of oregano in my clinical practice
The biggest mistake I see women making when buying supplements online
 
Mentioned in this episode: 
HERBATONIN - Save 10% when you use Tara's code: Tara10
 







July *LIVE* Gut Fix Hangout
Stop Blaming the Food. The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems, and How to Fix Your Gut for Good.
Join us on July 16th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST which is 10am AEST on July 17th. Save your spot HERE.