Name
What Works: Evidence-Based Nutrition & Fitness for Perimenopause and Beyond
Date & Time
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Dr. Suzanne Rutherford
Description

As physicians, we’re trained to recognize clinical patterns and follow the evidence—but when it
comes to our own bodies in midlife, it can be difficult to separate science from noise. This
session is for us—for clinicians in the thick of perimenopause and post menopause, navigating
the shifts in metabolism, energy, muscle mass, and body composition, while also fielding
questions from patients facing the same.

We’ll cut through common myths (“Your metabolism just tanks,” “Nothing works after 45,” “It’s
all about hormones”) and look closely at what the science actually says about nutrition and
fitness in midlife. We’ll cover how to preserve muscle, manage fat gain, support bone health, and
maintain metabolic resilience—without falling into diet culture traps or unsustainable trends.
Whether you're looking to better support your patients or understand what’s happening in your
own body, this talk blends the clinical and the personal with a focus on what’s practical, proven,
and doable.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:
1. Recognize the normal body composition changes of perimenopause and post menopause,
and how they influence metabolic and cardiovascular risk.
2. Interpret current evidence on optimal nutrition patterns—including protein intake, fiber,
and dietary fat—for midlife women.
3. Differentiate between myths and evidence regarding weight gain, fasting, and hormone-
related fat storage in midlife.
4. Integrate realistic, evidence-based nutrition and exercise strategies into both your
clinical recommendations and your personal routine.
5. Empower midlife patients (and yourself) with science-backed tools to stay strong,
healthy, and active in the decades ahead.

Session Type
Workshop