The School of Doza Podcast

Nurse Doza doesn’t always eat lunch — but he never skips protein and animal fat. In this episode, he breaks down why he reaches for clean, 100% grass-fed beef jerky as his go-to midday snack, how the ingredients in Lineage Provisions meat sticks — grass-fed beef, organic apple cider vinegar, and salt — actively support blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and help with weight management. Because what you snack on matters more than you think.

Featured Partner: Lineage Provisions
Lineage Provisions delivers exactly what Nurse Doza looks for in a snack: 100% grass-fed beef made with just three clean ingredients — grass-fed beef, organic apple cider vinegar, and salt. No fillers, no seed oils, no inflammatory junk that undoes the work you’re already putting into your health. Their grass-fed beef jerky and liver meat sticks are the snack Nurse Doza trusts when he skips lunch and still needs to keep his blood sugar stable, energy up, and inflammation down. If you vote with your dollar, vote for ingredients that actually work for your body.
👉 Get your bag here — use code NURSEDOZA at: lineageprovisions.com

 

5 Key Takeaways
Your snack is either working for you or against you. Most processed snacks — even the ones marketed as “protein” options — are loaded with inflammatory seed oils, fillers, and additives that spike blood sugar and undermine your health goals. Ingredients matter more than marketing.
Grass-fed beef is fundamentally different from conventional beef. 100% grass-fed beef contains a significantly more favorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and greater antioxidant content than grain-fed alternatives — all of which support reduced inflammation in the body.
Protein and animal fat stabilize blood sugar. Skipping carbohydrate-heavy snacks and replacing them with high-protein, animal-fat-rich foods helps blunt postprandial glucose spikes, increases satiety, and supports healthy weight management — all without the energy crash.
Apple cider vinegar is a legitimate blood sugar tool. Organic apple cider vinegar has been shown in clinical research to significantly reduce fasting blood sugar and improve glycemic control — which is one reason it’s a key ingredient in Lineage Provisions grass-fed beef jerky.
You vote with your dollar. Choosing clean, simple-ingredient foods like Lineage Provisions — just beef, organic ACV, and salt — is a direct investment in your long-term health. Better energy, better skin, better digestion. That’s what happens when your snack actually earns its place in your diet.

Resources
1. Fatty Acid Composition of Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Beef — PMC
Peer-reviewed review published in PMC examining how grass-fed beef contains higher levels of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs, including EPA, DPA, and DHA, a more favorable n-6:n-3 ratio, and greater concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid compared to grain-fed beef — all of which offer protective effects against inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8728510/
2. Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar on Glycemic Control — Frontiers in Nutrition / PMC (2025)
2025 GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 controlled clinical trials (463 participants) demonstrating that apple cider vinegar significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, supporting its role as a functional food for blood sugar management.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11821484/
3. Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of High-Protein Diet-Induced Weight Loss — PMC
PMC review examining how high-protein diets promote weight loss through elevated satiety hormones (GLP-1, CCK, PYY), increased diet-induced thermogenesis, and preservation of fat-free mass — directly supporting why protein-forward snacking supports healthy body composition and blood sugar stability.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7539343/
4. Apple Cider Vinegar as a Functional Food on Blood Glucose — Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes & Healthcare / PMC (2023)
Randomized controlled clinical trial published in PMC evaluating the effects of prolonged ACV consumption on blood glucose indices and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in glycemic control and supporting ACV as a functional food tool.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10679383/
5. Grass-Fed Beef Fatty Acid Profiles and Antioxidant Content —
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2846864/

Connect with Nurse Doza
🔗 JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA
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Learn how to increase testosterone naturally with five proven strategies that actually work. This episode covers liver detoxification, fasting, brown fat activation, omega-3 fish oil, and targeted supplements like vitamin D, carnitine, and ashwagandha. Discover the connection between fatty liver, metabolic syndrome, and low testosterone—and why supporting your body naturally may be the key before considering TRT injections. (478 characters)

FEATURED PRODUCT
Zen – Adrenal Support by MSW Nutrition
One of the most overlooked influences on testosterone is chronic stress. When cortisol stays elevated, testosterone production declines. Zen is designed to support nervous system balance and stress resilience with bovine adrenal gland extract, helping manage the cortisol-testosterone connection discussed throughout this episode. If you're working on increasing testosterone naturally, supporting your stress response is a foundational step—and Zen was built for exactly that.
👉 Get Zen here: https://mswnutrition.com/products/zen

JOIN THE SCHOOL
👉 Start your free trial: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Liver health is the foundation of testosterone production. 

Fasting can significantly increase testosterone in men. 

Brown fat activation supports metabolic and hormonal health. 

Omega-3 fish oil is a seriously underrated testosterone booster. 

A targeted supplement stack can support natural testosterone production at multiple levels. 

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 START – Welcome and episode introduction
02:05 – Detoxify the liver: the connection between fatty liver and low testosterone
03:53 – Real-world examples: testosterone levels in men who prioritize health
06:15 – How excess estrogen from fat cells suppresses testosterone
08:00 – Liver Boost supplement and estrogen regulation for men
08:36 – Fasting and testosterone: study breakdown and personal results
10:50 – Support brown fat: metabolic syndrome, white fat, and cold exposure
13:05 – Why most men's low testosterone is tied to pre-diabetes and lifestyle
15:25 – The natural vs. injection conversation with clients
17:47 – Cold exposure, browning fat, and practical tips for busy men
19:00 – Eat more fish: omega-3 DHA and testosterone studies
21:55 – Supplement stack for testosterone: vitamin D, carnitine, quercetin, NAC, and more
26:00 – Cortisol, Zen, and the stress-testosterone connection
28:30 – Recap: the five strategies and final thoughts

RESOURCES

"Testosterone and the Liver" – Overview of testosterone metabolism and liver function.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/andr.12452
"Testosterone and Cirrhosis" – Serum testosterone reduction in men with advancing liver disease.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25087838/
"Low Testosterone and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" – Independent association between low testosterone and NAFLD, including inflammation markers.
https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-230X-12-69
"Caloric Restriction and Testosterone in Obese Men" – How fasting improves testicular function and reduces testosterone-to-estrogen conversion.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34613412/
"Endocrinology of Steroid Hormones" – How all human steroid hormones derive from cholesterol, including testosterone production pathways.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278929/
"Estrogen, Adipose Tissue, and Testosterone" – The role of aromatase in fat tissue converting testosterone to estrogen.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8078866/
"DHA-Enriched Fish Oil Increases Testosterone" – 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33221700/
"Fish Intake and Serum Testosterone in Older Males" –
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10997911/
"Vitamin D Supplementation and Testosterone" –
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22731648/
"L-Carnitine and Testosterone/LH Improvement" –
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/18/5796
"Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and Male Reproductive Health" –
https://www.academia.edu/83268660/Ameliorative_Impact_of_Silymarin_on_the_Male_Reproductive_System_An_Updated_Systematic_Review
"NAC and Hormonal Profile Improvement" –
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12958-019-0468-9
"Flavonoids, Quercetin, and Testosterone Production" –
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7139932/
"Fenugreek and Ashwagandha for Testosterone" – 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8166567/
"Stress Hormone Blocks Testosterone's Effects" – 
https://news.utexas.edu/2010/09/27/stress-hormone-blocks-testosterones-effects-study-shows/

🔗 Connect with Nurse Doza:
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

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