Key Topics & Time Stamps
0:00 – Introduction: Meeting Dr. Margaret Christensen
5:00 – Dr. Christensen’s Journey from OB-GYN to Functional Medicine
14:00 – Mold Toxicity, Environmental Toxins, and Hormonal Disruption
20:00 – Chronic Stress, the Limbic System, and Neurodivergence
28:00 – The Rise of Complex Illness after COVID
35:00 – Root Cause Solutions: Detox, Foundations, and Energy Medicine
41:00 – Sacred Sexuality, Relationships, and Oxytocin
48:00 – The Power of Post-Menopausal Wisdom
54:00 – Hormone Replacement Therapy: When, Why, and How
1:02:00 – Spiritual Maturity, Forgiveness, and Self-Compassion
1:08:00 – Alternatives to GLP-1 Medications and Weight Loss**
1:13:00 – Final Thoughts & Invitation to Listen
From Toxicity to Vitality—What Real Healing Looks Like
Today’s episode is a true masterclass in root cause healing, featuring my friend, mentor, and colleague—Dr. Margaret Christensen.
Dr. Christensen is a pioneer in integrative and functional medicine. She made the bold move from traditional OB-GYN to root cause detective—helping women heal from the inside out, especially when it comes to the complex, chronic, and often “mysterious” symptoms that can disrupt our hormones, brains, and lives.
In this conversation, we don’t shy away from the hard stuff. We go deep into the real—sometimes controversial—topics: toxic mold, environmental disruptors, the fallout of chronic stress, what’s changed for women’s health after the pandemic, and why true healing always goes beyond a prescription.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed by mainstream medicine, if you’re struggling with fatigue, brain fog, hormonal chaos, or you just know there’s more to your healing journey than what you’ve been told, this episode is for you.
Dr. Margaret Christensen: From OB-GYN to Root Cause Healer
Dr. Margaret’s story is one I know intimately—not just because we work together at Carpathia Health in Dallas, but because her journey echoes so many of our own. She was a successful OB-GYN, prescribing pills and performing procedures, until her own health (and her family’s) began to unravel.
She experienced severe chronic fatigue, pain, gut issues, and a cascade of neurologic and hormonal symptoms. The answers from conventional medicine? Antidepressants, pain meds, “just get more rest.” But nothing worked—until she discovered the hidden world of toxic mold and environmental illness.
It took eight years, but that struggle transformed her into a leading expert on functional and integrative medicine. Margaret learned, as so many of us do, that our health isn’t about treating symptoms—it’s about finding and healing the root cause.
Mold, Toxins, and Hormonal Disruption: The Hidden Epidemic
One of the most powerful lessons from Dr. Christensen is this: Mold and environmental toxins are silent saboteurs, quietly disrupting not just our hormones, but our minds, immune systems, and families.
These toxins can masquerade as menopause, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autoimmune disease, and more. They throw off our hormonal symphony—causing everything from period problems to infertility, from brain fog to chronic pain.
Margaret’s journey showed her (and so many of her patients) that the answer isn’t just in changing your diet or taking the right supplement. It’s about detoxifying your body, your home, and your life. Clean air, clean water, clean food, and a clear mind are the foundations of healing.
If you suspect mold or environmental toxins are affecting your health:
Get your home (and workplace) tested for hidden mold.
Prioritize air and water filtration.
Focus on whole, unprocessed foods and support your body’s natural detox pathways.
Chronic Stress, The Limbic System, and the Mind-Body Connection
Another core theme in our discussion is how chronic stress and trauma disrupt the limbic system—the part of your brain that controls stress, hormones, immunity, and so much more.
Dr. Christensen explains “limbic system dysfunction” as the brain getting stuck in fight-or-flight. This leads not just to anxiety and insomnia, but to real, physical illnesses: autoimmunity, digestive troubles, hormone imbalances, and even increased vulnerability to environmental toxins.
The good news? Through mind-body practices—like mindfulness, movement, and healthy relationships—we can help rewire the limbic system, reduce stress hormones, and support deep healing. This is where modern science and ancient healing traditions beautifully meet.
The Post-Pandemic Spike in Complex Illness
As clinicians, we are seeing more women (and men) struggling with conditions we rarely saw before:
Aggressive cancers at younger ages
Autoimmune diagnoses skyrocketing
Neuropsychiatric issues (anxiety, depression, brain fog) affecting even kids and teens
Infertility and pregnancy complications
Dr. Christensen connects these trends to a perfect storm: the direct effects of COVID and its treatments, environmental toxicity, chronic stress, and a medical system that often focuses on managing symptoms instead of addressing root causes.
This is why functional medicine is more vital than ever. It’s not “woo.” It’s about seeing the whole picture—body, mind, spirit, and environment.
Root Cause Healing: Detox, Foundations, and the Power of Energy
So, what can you do right now to move from toxicity to vitality?
Dr. Christensen’s foundations for healing are simple but profound:
Drink clean, filtered water.
Get plenty of natural sunlight and support vitamin D levels.
Eat nutrient-dense, whole foods that nourish your cells.
Prioritize sleep, regular elimination, and healthy movement.
Minimize EMF and blue light exposure.
Cultivate healthy relationships and prioritize joy and play.
And don’t forget: We are energetic beings. The future of medicine is understanding how light, frequency, and energy impact our health—areas that ancient traditions have known for centuries.
Sacred Sexuality, Relationships, and the Power of Oxytocin
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was diving into “sacred sexuality”—a topic Margaret and I are both passionate about. In our culture, sexuality is often either shamed or hypersexualized. But at its core, sexual energy is a source of creativity, connection, and healing at every stage of life.
Post-menopause, our bodies may change, but intimacy can deepen. There’s no age limit to pleasure or connection. Simple acts like touch, eye contact, and nurturing relationships increase oxytocin—the “bonding hormone”—which supports everything from immune health to mood and resilience.
Margaret’s own story of finding love and renewed intimacy after years of caregiving and loss is a beautiful testament to the power of self-love, visualization, and calling in the partnership you desire.
The Wisdom Years: Menopause, Power, and Spiritual Growth
Menopause isn’t just a “lack of hormones”—it’s a profound transition into our wisdom years. Margaret and I both believe these are the “magic years,” where women can truly step into their power, intuition, and legacy.
This is a time for self-compassion, forgiveness, and spiritual maturity. The challenges we face aren’t just physical—they’re emotional and spiritual, too. True healing means honoring all parts of our story, and allowing ourselves to grow, laugh, and love—no matter our age.
Hormone Therapy: When, Why, and How
A question we often hear: “Is it ever too late to start hormone therapy?” Margaret’s answer is wise and nuanced. It’s never just about hormones. Before considering replacement, she evaluates adrenal health, detox pathways, thyroid, nutrition, and stress.
For some women, gentle, bioidentical hormone support—especially topically or as low-dose DHEA—can support skin comfort and well-being, especially for external vaginal tissues. But it’s always about the individual, their goals, and the foundation of whole-body health.
It Takes More Than Hormones to Fix Our Hormones
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that “it takes more than hormones to fix our hormones.” We must address stress, toxins, nutrition, gut health, movement, and our emotional and spiritual selves. Quick fixes rarely lead to lasting transformation.
Alternatives to GLP-1 Medications and Sustainable Weight Loss
We wrapped our podcast with a discussion about the craze for GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and similar drugs) for weight loss. While these drugs can help, they don’t address underlying causes—like toxins, stress, or emotional eating.
Dr. Christensen and Dr. Gail Clayton are hosting a webinar on herbal and functional alternatives—find details at dranna.com/GLPherbal .
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The world has changed. Women’s health—especially in midlife and beyond—faces more challenges and more opportunity for profound healing than ever before. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, dismissed, or like your story doesn’t fit the “standard” script, know this:
You are not alone. There is hope. Root cause healing is possible.
Listen to the Full Episode
If this conversation resonated with you, I encourage you to listen to the full podcast for even more insights, stories, and practical tips from Dr. Margaret Christensen.
Key Q&A
Q: What is limbic system dysfunction, and why does it matter?
A: Limbic system dysfunction is when your brain gets stuck in chronic stress mode, affecting hormones, immunity, and overall health. Healing often requires mind-body practices, detoxification, and addressing trauma.
Q: Can mold and environmental toxins really cause hormone problems?
A: Absolutely. Toxins can mimic or block hormones, disrupt signaling, and contribute to symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and even infertility.
Q: Is there an age limit for starting hormone therapy?
A: It’s individual—what matters most is assessing adrenal health, detox pathways, and overall well-being before starting any therapy.
Q: What’s one thing I can do today to start healing?
A: Begin with the basics: clean water, clean food, quality sleep, movement, and nurturing healthy relationships.
Ready to Go Deeper?
You are not alone in your journey from toxicity to vitality. Listen to the full episode for the stories, science, and hope you deserve.
🎧 Listen to “Toxicity to Vitality: Root Cause Healing with Dr. Margaret Christensen”
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Dr. Margaret Christensen:
Instagram & Instagram Carpathia Health
