The Integrative Health Podcast with Dr. Jen
The Integrative Health Podcast is hosted by Dr. Jen Pfleghaar. Dr. Jen is a double board certified physician (Emergency Medicine and Integrative Medicine). This podcast is meant to educate and empower about important health topics. Dr.Jen's passion is to get to the root cause of disease and prevent illness. Dr. Jen will feature guests who are experts in their fields and experiences in all things related to Integrative Medicine. From Hashimoto's to Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Jen and her guests will cover it all!
Dr. Jen's special interests include thyroid, hashimotos, PCOS, hormones, estrogen dominance, gut health, peptides, supplements, mold illness, CIRS, Lyme disease, and all Invisible illnesses.
Dr. Jen Pfleghaar is a double board certified physician in Integrative Medicine and Emergency Medicine. She attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then went on to residency at St Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center for Emergency Medicine and spent one year flying with Life Flight as a flight physician. Dr. Jen now works at local emergency rooms in the community and virtually practicing Integrative Medicine. She is a graduate from The University of Arizona: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine's fellowship program. Dr. Jen loves speaking and lectures to physicians at conferences including the AOA (American Osteopathic Association). She hosts the podcast The Integrative Health Podcast with Dr. Jen. Her own health history of Hashimoto’s (which is now in remission) sparked her interest in Integrative Medicine. She is very passionate about helping patients with chronic disease and teaching them now to let the body heal itself. She is a published author of the book- Eat. Sleep. Move. Breathe: A Beginner's Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle. She is a board member for IDA- Invisible Disabilities Association. Her hobbies include spending time with her husband and four children, being in nature, weightlifting, caring for her chickens on her minifarm in Tennessee and reading the Bible.
For more information on Dr. Jen please visit: www.healthybydrjen.com
The Integrative Health Podcast with Dr. Jen
Why Weight Loss, Low Estrogen, and ‘Healthy Aging’ Are Failing Women
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In this episode of the Integrative Health Podcast, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. Sundeep Dugar—renowned medicinal chemist, co-inventor of the drug Zetia, and industry pioneer with over 40 years of experience—to explore the foundational role of mitochondrial health in aging, hormones, and energy.
Dr. Dugar shares why he transitioned from Big Pharma into the nutraceutical space, explaining that while pharmaceutical drugs often target isolated diseases, mitochondria are central to nearly every aspect of human health. Because mitochondrial dysfunction underlies conditions ranging from fatigue to muscle loss, brain fog, and chronic disease, supporting mitochondria offers broad, system-wide benefits.
The conversation dives deeply into why mitochondrial health is especially critical for women. Dr. Jen and Dr. Dugar explain how mitochondria are inherited exclusively from the mother and play a central role in hormone production, including estrogen. During perimenopause, declining estrogen levels impair mitochondrial biogenesis, creating a “bioenergetic deficit” that drives hallmark aging symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive decline, and muscle loss.
Dr. Dugar introduces epicatechin—a specific flavonol derived from green tea and cacao—and explains how it acts as an “exercise mimetic,” signaling the body to create new mitochondria. He clarifies how epicatechin differs from common green tea extracts like EGCG, outlines proper dosing, and discusses why more is not better.
They also cover the broader implications of mitochondrial health for bone density, muscle preservation, organ failure, sleep quality, and the risks associated with rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications.
Dr. Jen speaks with medicinal chemist Dr. Sundeep Dugar about mitochondrial health, estrogen decline, epicatechin from green tea, perimenopause, muscle loss, and healthy aging.
Dr. Sundeep Dugar is a renowned medicinal chemist with over 40 years of experience in drug discovery and development. He is the co-inventor of Zetia and has worked extensively in cardiovascular, metabolic, and mitochondrial research. Dr. Dugar now focuses on translating cutting-edge science into safe, effective nutraceuticals that support foundational cellular health.
Website: https://www.thrombio.com.au/leadership/sundeep-dugar
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundeepdugar/
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DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only. For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.