DR. AUSTIN LAKE: TRANSFORMING WOMEN'S HEALTH

Through Functional Medicine

COURTNEY MCGEE

2025

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Dr. Austin Lake is redefining women’s healthcare by challenging conventional medicine’s approach to hormonal issues, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic dysfunction. A board-certified functional medicine practitioner, Dr. Lake focuses on root-cause healing rather than temporary symptom relief. Dr. Lake sat down with TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli, Editors-in-Chief of longevity and wellness platform Biohack Yourself, for an interview for the influential upcoming women’s health documentary, “sHEALed,” to share his journey into women’s health, why functional medicine is critical, and how women can reclaim control over their well-being.

The sHEALed Documentary is the sister documentary to Biohack Yourself, which became a massive success after exploding on the scene in December 2024 and ignited a firestorm of interest in information focused on health and longevity. Biohack Yourself features 114 prominent and respected high-profile politicians, doctors, bestselling authors, Ph.D.s, M.D.s, scientists, chemists, inventors, biotech investors, and world-renowned academics. Stemming from the success of Biohack Yourself, TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli have grown Biohack Yourself Media to become the number one resource for health news, publishing over 500 articles ranging from breaking news to peer reviewed content.

A Calling to Women’s Health

Unlike most specialists in women's health, Dr. Lake took an unconventional path to his profession. "People ask me all the time why I, as a 35-year-old man, focus on women’s health. The truth is, I didn’t choose this field—it chose me," he said.

His doctorate in physiotherapy led him to explore alternative approaches to healing, but it was the overwhelming number of female patients struggling with undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction, hormone imbalances, and autoimmune diseases that made him realize the gap in healthcare. "Women were coming to me after years of misdiagnoses, prescription medications, and little to no relief. I knew there had to be a better way."

Why Traditional Medicine Fails Women

Dr. Lake believes conventional medicine often overlooks the complexity of women’s hormonal and metabolic health. "Too many women are dismissed, told their labs are ‘normal,’ or prescribed a pill without addressing the root issue," he explained.

A prime example is thyroid disease. "Most doctors only test TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and, at best, T4. But we need to look at Free T3, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies to get the full picture. Many women are suffering from thyroid dysfunction, but their doctors tell them they’re fine because their TSH is within range."

Another critical issue is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). "HRT has been demonized for years due to flawed studies. When done correctly, with bioidentical hormones, it can be a game-changer for women dealing with menopause, perimenopause, and even fertility challenges."

Magnesium Deficiency: The Silent Epidemic

One of the most overlooked deficiencies in women’s health is magnesium. "Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body, yet most women are deficient," Dr. Lake noted.

The reasons are twofold:

Nutrient-depleted food: "Our soil no longer contains the minerals it used to. Even if you eat a healthy diet, you're likely not getting enough magnesium."
Chronic stress: "When cortisol is high—whether from mental, emotional, or even physiological stress—magnesium gets depleted. Women who over-exercise or have high anxiety levels are especially vulnerable."

Dr. Lake recommends targeted supplementation based on symptoms:

Magnesium L-Threonate for brain fog and cognitive health
Magnesium Glycinate for anxiety and sleep
Magnesium Malate for energy and muscle recovery

"Most blood tests only check serum magnesium, which doesn’t reflect true levels. Instead, women should request an RBC magnesium test to assess their actual cellular magnesium levels."

The Dangers of Glyphosate in Women’s Health

Dr. Lake is particularly outspoken about the impact of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, on women’s health. "Glyphosate strips crops of minerals, which means even organic foods can lack key nutrients. More alarmingly, glyphosate disrupts gut health, affects hormone balance, and contributes to autoimmune conditions."

He points out that many women, believing they are eating clean, unknowingly consume glyphosate-laden greens. "Women eat more vegetables than men, which means they are exposed to higher glyphosate levels. Choosing organic, non-GMO produce is crucial, but you should also wash vegetables with baking soda and apple cider vinegar to remove residues."

Living a Clean Lifestyle Without Sacrificing Modern Life

Dr. Lake and his family live on a farm in Oklahoma, an intentional move to create a toxin-free environment for his wife and four children. "We don’t raise our own animals, but we source food from trusted local farmers. We prioritize clean air, low EMF exposure, and organic living without cutting ourselves off from society."

For families who feel overwhelmed by the idea of a full lifestyle overhaul, he offers simple, high-impact changes:

Filter Your Water: "Tap water contains fluoride, chlorine, and even pharmaceutical residues. Get a high-quality filtration system."
Minimize EMF Exposure: "Limit Bluetooth and Wi-Fi use at night. EMFs disrupt sleep and hormonal function."
Choose Grass-Fed and Pasture-Raised Foods: "Factory-farmed meat is full of inflammatory omega-6s. Opt for grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, and wild-caught fish."
Be Mindful of Seed Oils: "Avoid vegetable oils like canola, soybean, and corn oil. They drive inflammation and metabolic dysfunction."
Prioritize Sleep Hygiene: "Get off screens an hour before bed. Sleep is the ultimate hormone regulator."

Reversing a Tonsillectomy Diagnosis with Functional Medicine

One of Dr. Lake’s proudest cases is his own daughter. "At four years old, my daughter had severely enlarged tonsils and adenoids. A specialist said surgery was the only option. Instead, we changed her diet—eliminating grains, dairy, eggs, and nightshades—and within months, her tonsils returned to normal size."

This experience solidified his belief in food as medicine. "So many childhood health issues—ear infections, eczema, asthma—can be resolved by addressing diet and gut health. Parents need to question invasive procedures when there are natural alternatives."

The Attack on Women’s Health

Dr. Lake believes modern women are under constant attack—nutritionally, hormonally, and culturally. "Birth control, glyphosate, ultra-processed food, chronic stress—it’s all adding up to an epidemic of infertility, autoimmune disease, and metabolic dysfunction."

He challenges the societal narrative that devalues motherhood and traditional female roles. "We’ve been sold the lie that career is everything and that being a nurturer isn’t valuable. But true empowerment is about choice—women should feel free to embrace health, family, and well-being without guilt."

A Message of Hope for Women

Despite these challenges, Dr. Lake remains optimistic. "Women don’t have to suffer. They don’t have to accept weight gain, chronic fatigue, or hormonal imbalances as normal. When you fix your health, you change your life."

His top three takeaways for women:

Be Your Own Advocate: "If a doctor dismisses your symptoms, find another. You know your body better than anyone."
Prioritize Detoxification: "Before focusing on weight loss, support your liver, gut, and cellular health. If you detox first, fat loss and hormone balance become much easier."
Start Small, Stay Consistent: "True health transformation isn’t about overnight perfection. It’s about small, sustainable changes that lead to lasting results."

Functional Medicine as the Future of Healthcare

Dr. Austin Lake envisions a future where functional medicine replaces reactive, symptom-based care. "The future of medicine isn’t more prescriptions—it’s personalized, preventative healthcare that empowers people to heal."

Through his telehealth practice, he’s bringing this vision to life, helping women around the world break free from chronic illness and reclaim vibrant health.

Check here for information about the upcoming spring 2025 edition Biohack Yourself Magazine, where the team at Biohack Yourself Media dives deeper into their insights on biohacking, longevity and cutting-edge wellness strategies. Biohack Yourself Magazine is the first peer-reviewed longevity publication with international distribution across the U.S. and Canada, bringing science-backed health optimization, functional medicine and performance-driven breakthroughs to a broader audience. Pick up a copy at major retailers, including Barber & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger, Indigo/Chapters, and select fitness gyms and pharmacies.