43: How Beliefs About Aging Affect Midlife Health and Longevity with Andrea Nakayama

Turns out, those ‘I’m past my prime’ thoughts aren’t harmless—they can literally change your hormones, heart, and health. 😱

Functional nutritionist and narrative-medicine practitioner (yes, we will cover what that means) Andrea Nakayama explains how age beliefs influence inflammation, cortisol, heart health, memory, recovery, and even longevity.

If you’re a midlife woman trying to feel your best during this wacky season of life and want some practical midlife advice for how to evolve into one badass “old” lady, this one’s for you.

We cover:

✔️The 7.5-year advantage: how positive aging beliefs can extend your life

✔️Why negative beliefs can affect cardiovascular health, memory, and recovery

✔️How mindset and culture influence midlife women’s health

✔️Andrea’s thoughts on Menopause Hormone Therapy

✔️Sleep, elimination, and blood sugar—the three pillars of midlife health

Why midlife women should listen:

This episode blends science, mindset, nutrition and lifestyle for women navigating hormonal changes, perimenopause, and the mental side of midlife. Andrea and Jessica unpack what every midlife woman needs to know about how her beliefs, not just her biology, can change her health trajectory.

Guest:

Andrea Nakayama—Functional Medicine Nutritionist, educator, host of 15-Minute Matrix, founder & former CEO of Functional Nutrition Alliance

andreanakayama.com | fxnutrition.com | @andreanakayama

Resources mentioned:

•Becca Levy, PhD — Breaking the Age Code (age beliefs & longevity)

•Ellen Langer, PhD — The Mindful Body (mindset & health)

•Daniel Levitin, PhD — Successful Aging (how memory changes with age)

CHAPTERS:

02:31 What is Narrative Medicine?

06:48 How Your Perceptions About Aging Affect Longevity

08:34 How Our Beliefs Impact Our Physical Health

10:31 What We Can Do About Society's Negative View of Aging

15:56 How To Improve Our Views of Aging

19:32 Andrea's Thoughts on Menopause Hormone Therapy

24:37 3 Pillars of Midlife Nutrition

27:09 Is There a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy About Aging?

36:56 How to Shift Your Negative Beliefs

39:30 Our Memories Are Changing, Not Declining

41:52 Key Takeaways

⭐️ If this episode gave you new insight into midlife women’s health or helped you reframe your thoughts on getting older, please leave a quick rating and review on Apple or Spotify. Your positive reviews are the best way to help me book expert guests to share actionable midlife advice with those of us who need it most.

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