Unlocking Vibrant Health After 50: Dr. Malaika Woods on Functional Medicine, Hormone Optimization, and Preventative Wellness

Are you struggling to feel your best as you navigate life beyond 50? If so, you’re not alone. For many women, this stage brings hormonal shifts, metabolic changes, and unexpected health challenges. But according to Dr. Malaika Woods, MD, MPH, these changes don’t have to define your future. In her conversation with Christina Daves, Dr. Woods shared invaluable insights into functional medicine, hormone optimization, and proactive wellness strategies that empower women to thrive, not just survive. Ready to transform your health? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Functional Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Healing

Dr. Woods emphasizes the power of functional medicine, a discipline that shifts the focus from disease management to root-cause resolution. Unlike traditional medicine, which often silos health concerns into specialized categories, functional medicine treats the body as a whole.

“Your body is divinely designed and capable of healing itself when given the right tools,” Dr. Woods says. She integrates mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being into her approach, ensuring patients receive care that addresses all facets of their health.

The Hormone Optimization Stack: Your Key to Vitality

Hormonal balance plays a crucial role in energy levels, mood, and metabolism. Dr. Woods breaks down her “hormone optimization stack,” focusing on key players like thyroid hormones, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol.

“Normal is not optimal, but optimal is best,” she explains, advocating for individualized testing to ensure these hormones are functioning at their peak. For women over 50, optimizing hormones can make a world of difference in maintaining energy, focus, and overall wellness.

As women age, the risk of insulin resistance increases, often paving the way for pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Dr. Woods highlights the importance of dietary changes to combat this trend. Her go-to recommendation? A paleo-style diet that minimizes carbs and prioritizes nutrient-dense whole foods.

“Our bodies can’t handle the same calorie or carb load as they once could,” she says. Pairing this dietary shift with regular physical activity, particularly strength training, helps keep blood sugar levels in check and metabolism humming.

The Power of Strength Training: Muscle Mass as the Currency of Aging

Both Dr. Woods and Christina Daves agree: strength training is non-negotiable for women over 50.

“Muscle mass is the currency of aging,” Dr. Woods shares, encouraging women to prioritize resistance exercises alongside cardio. Christina offers a relatable alternative for those who don’t love the gym: walking with weights. She recounts how incorporating this simple practice transformed her strength and energy levels.

“It’s easy, effective, and perfect for anyone who prefers working out at home,” Christina says. Whether it’s walking with dumbbells or finding a dance class like Zumba, the key is finding an activity that’s enjoyable and sustainable.

Gut Health: The Foundation of Overall Wellness

Dr. Woods underscores the importance of gut health, which often gets overlooked in traditional medicine. She recommends functional stool testing to identify potential imbalances such as bacterial overgrowth, parasites, or yeast. These hidden culprits can trigger systemic inflammation and disrupt overall health.

“Addressing gut health is foundational,” she says. Functional stool studies and personalized protocols can help restore balance, paving the way for improved digestion, immunity, and energy.

The Role of Cortisol in Stress and Energy Management

Another critical component of Dr. Woods’ approach is cortisol optimization. This stress hormone plays a pivotal role in energy regulation, and chronic imbalances can wreak havoc on the body. Instead of relying on single-point blood tests, Dr. Woods uses saliva testing to measure cortisol trends throughout the day, ensuring a more accurate picture of adrenal function.

Empowering Women to Be Their Own Health Advocates

A recurring theme in Dr. Woods’ conversation with Christina is empowerment. She encourages women to take an active role in their health, whether that means seeking a functional medicine practitioner or making small lifestyle changes.

“Your disease is not your destiny,” she asserts. By cleaning up nutrition, prioritizing sleep, and staying physically active, women can dramatically shift their health trajectories.

For those unsure where to start, Dr. Woods suggests finding a functional medicine provider through resources like the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM.org). She also shares her free Facebook group, The Natural Hormone Fix, as a community for education and support.

The Investment in Yourself

Dr. Woods acknowledges that functional medicine often requires an out-of-pocket investment.

“Think of it like car insurance,” she explains. “Insurance covers emergencies, but it doesn’t pay for gas or tune-ups. Investing in your health is like maintaining your car—it keeps you running smoothly.”

She urges women to view this investment as an act of self-worth, one that pays dividends in vitality and longevity.
Looking ahead, Dr. Woods is optimistic about the future of functional medicine. She envisions a world where patients lead the charge in their healthcare, equipped with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions.

“The patient is the doctor of the future,” she says, hoping for systemic changes that make preventative care more accessible to all.

Final Takeaways: Small Steps, Big Changes

As the conversation wraps up, Dr. Woods offers two key takeaways:

Mindset Matters: Believe that your body can change and heal. Start with simple, impactful habits like cleaning up your diet, exercising regularly, and prioritizing sleep.
Be Proactive: Advocate for yourself and explore options outside of traditional medicine. Resources like IFM.org and supportive communities can guide you toward a functional medicine journey.

Ready to take the next step? Join Dr. Woods’ free Facebook group, The Natural Hormone Fix, or visit her website at DrWoodsWellness.com. You can also follow her on Instagram at @MalaikaWoodsMD for ongoing tips and inspiration.

Transforming your health after 50 isn’t just possible, it’s within your reach. With Dr. Woods’ guidance, you can embrace this chapter with confidence, energy, and vitality.

Watch her episode here: