EP 30. Hormonal Paper in Bacterial Overgrowth.

In this episode, we speak with Sandra Gómez, a physiotherapist specializing in pelvic floor and sexology, about the importance of caring for a part of the body that is rarely discussed. We talk about urine leakage, pain during intimacy, physical exercise, hormonal contraceptives, menstrual pain, and other symptoms that are often normalized when they shouldn't be. Additionally, we debunk common myths and explain why the pelvic floor is also important for men's health. A practical episode to understand that living with discomfort is not normal and that there are solutions.

Eyes don't work in isolation: they can reveal a lot about overall health. In this episode, ophthalmologist Sara Mora explains how diseases like diabetes or hypertension can be detected through vision and what signs should alert us. We also cover topics such as dry eye, eye strain, contact lens use, and factors like pregnancy or menopause. A reminder that taking care of eye health is key and that seeing well doesn't always mean being well.

Hellooo :)In this latest episode of the season, we discuss one of the most frequent (and misunderstood) topics in medical consultations: the chronic use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, as well as H2 blockers like famotidine, often for gastrointestinal issues such as dyspepsia or reflux. But first, I'll explain which cells produce acid, why we need it, and what can happen when we block it for too long. I'll also cover the causes behind symptoms like reflux, dyspepsia, or heavy digestion, and when it makes sense to use PPIs on a short-term or longer-term basis.Additionally, I'll try to review the diagnostic algorithm for different clinical cases (reflux, esophagitis, functional dyspepsia, eosinophilic esophagitis) with you, and we'll discuss situations where dietary supplements or lifestyle adjustments might be helpful.Everything with a clear goal: neither to demonize nor idealize these medications, but to understand well how and when to use them.I hope you enjoy it and, above all, find it very useful :)For more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content My TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dfdxLBcvfztBvRAKZSXGQAnd the supplements formulated by me https://ivbwellness.comFor more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content My TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel YouTube ChannelAnd the supplements formulated by me on my website My Website

Hello :)In today's episode, I try to explain why chronic stress (both mental and physical) can directly affect our reproductive axis and, at the same time, indirectly affect other hormonal axes like the thyroid axis and prolactin, contributing to the worsening of stress-related reproductive symptoms by perpetuating the stress cycle --> lack of adequate GnRH synthesis --> FSH and LH --> regular menstruation, ovulation, testosterone production...I also talk about several supplements that ALWAYS follow lifestyle measures and do not replace them, which are:Stress: magnesium, omega 3, glycine, theanine, reishi, rhodiola, schisandra, ashwagandha, B vitamins like B12, B6, B9...Thyroid function: myo-inositol, CoQ10, selenium, iodine, vitamins B1 and B3..Prolactin: vitex agnus (chasteberry) and magnesiumI hope it's helpful :) a kissFor more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily contentMy TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dfdxLBcvfztBvRAKZSXGQAnd the supplements formulated by me https://ivbwellness.comFor more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily contentMy TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel YouTube ChannelAnd the supplements formulated by me on my website My Website

Lipoprotein(a): What It Is, Values, and How to Reduce Your Cardiovascular Risk Hello, I am Dr. Isabel Viña Bas, a physician and Scientific Director of IVB Wellness Lab. When we talk about cardiovascular health, almost everyone stops at two words: cholesterol and triglycerides. We focus on LDL, celebrate if HDL is good, and think that's the end of the story. But there is a particle that may have been circulating in your blood for years without anyone ever asking for it in a blood test: Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). And this is one of those cases where knowing more doesn't mean living with more fear, but rather making better decisions. Lipoprotein(a) has a huge genetic component, affects approximately 1 in 5 people, and can raise your cardiovascular risk even when the rest of your lipid profile is fine. You don't choose the genes you are born with, but you can certainly get to know them. What is Lipoprotein(a) and why isn't it just "another bad cholesterol"? Lipoprotein(a) is a particle that transports lipids through the blood. At first glance, it looks like other cholesterol-related particles, but it has a plus: in addition to transporting fats, it behaves as an inflammatory and oxidizing agent in its own right. With traditional cholesterol, we talk mostly about diet, exercise, body composition, or metabolism. With Lipoprotein(a), the weight of genetics is much greater: more than 90% of its levels are genetically determined. And this avoids two very common mistakes. The first: thinking "if it came back high, it's because I'm doing something wrong." Not necessarily. The second, falling into the opposite extreme: "since it's genetic, I can't do anything." Also not true: you can work on everything surrounding it. The marble and gum analogy: why Lipoprotein(a) sticks so easily To explain its structure, I'm going to use a very simple mental image. Imagine a traditional cholesterol particle as a smooth marble circulating in the blood. Lipoprotein(a) is that same marble, but with a piece of "gum" stuck on top. That gum is apolipoprotein(a). It makes the particle different and gives it a greater capacity to adhere and participate in inflammatory and oxidative processes on the vascular wall. Counterintuitively, the smaller that apolipoprotein(a) is, the greater the associated risk can be; larger forms usually carry less risk. I like this metaphor because it makes one idea clear: we are not simply talking about "having more cholesterol." We are talking about a particle with its own characteristics that deserves to be evaluated specifically. Why should you measure Lipoprotein(a) at least once in your life? Precisely because it is so conditioned by genetics, you don't need to chase it in every blood test as we do with other markers that change with lifestyle. The 2022 consensus of the European Atherosclerosis Society recommends measuring Lipoprotein(a) at least once in your life for the general population. The logic is simple. If the value comes back low, you now know one more piece of your cardiovascular risk puzzle, and since it depends so much on genetics, there is no need to repeat it continuously. If it comes back high, you have discovered a predisposition that allows you to act sooner. Ideally, this information should be known from young adulthood. Not to medicalize a healthy person, but because a genetic exposure that acts over decades is much better prevented over time than it is discovered after a cardiovascular event. What are the normal values for Lipoprotein(a) and when do they indicate risk? One of the points that causes the most confusion is that laboratories express Lipoprotein(a) in different units. I work with two references: Low values: below 30 mg/dL or 75 nmol/L. In this range, Lp(a) does not add that genetic risk component we talked about. High values: above 50 mg/dL or 125 nmol/L. From here on, we are talking about a cardiovascular risk factor that must be integrated into your overall assessment. And here is the keyword: overall. An isolated value does not decide whether you are going to have a heart attack. It serves to build a much more complete risk map. What risks does high Lipoprotein(a) have for your heart? Elevated Lipoprotein(a) functions as an independent risk factor: it can add risk even if the rest of your cholesterol is fine. It is related to events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. It also has an interesting relationship with the aortic valve, because it promotes calcification that can end up narrowing it and causing aortic stenosis. That is why I don't like to reduce all cardiovascular prevention to "having good or bad cholesterol." The heart does not get sick from a single figure: lipid particles, blood pressure, glucose and insulin, smoking, inflammation, the state of the arteries, and, in some people, a genetic predisposition like Lp(a) all come into play. My Lipoprotein(a) came back high: what do I do now? The first thing is not to panic or try to lower the number with randomly chosen food supplements. If Lipoprotein(a) is elevated, I recommend that the assessment continue with cardiology. One of the tests that can be used is the echocardiogram, which allows you to see the heart valves and check if the aortic valve shows narrowing or calcification. Another tool is the coronary Angio-CT and the assessment of arterial calcium using the calcium score. I use a guiding scale: a score of 0 is the ideal scenario; between 1 and 99 there is some calcification; above 100 the risk gains relevance, and above 300 we are talking about a very high calcium load. These tests are not something you should order on your own because you read an article. They serve for a specialist to integrate your Lp(a) with your complete clinical situation. Statins and Lipoprotein(a): the paradox that shouldn't make you abandon treatment Here appears one of the doubts that scares people the most when they research on their own on the internet. There are reviews in thousands of patients where statins can raise Lipoprotein(a) between 10% and 20%. Does that mean you should stop a statin if Lp(a) is high? No. And this is extremely important: never stop a statin on your own for that reason. The cardiovascular benefit it provides far outweighs that small increase in Lp(a). If your cardiologist considers that the treatment should change, there are other pharmacological strategies for cholesterol (such as bempedoic acid, ezetimibe, or PCSK9 inhibitors) that are assessed individually. It is not about choosing a molecule by reading a list, but about treating the complete risk. Today there is no approved drug whose specific indication is to lower Lipoprotein(a), although there are therapies in advanced stages of research. Some treatments used for other lipid alterations, such as PCSK9 inhibitors or lomitapide, can reduce it indirectly. If genetics don't change, change the rest of the cards in the cardiovascular "bingo" This is probably the most important idea in the entire article. Having high Lipoprotein(a) is not equivalent to having a written destiny. Cardiovascular disease is like a brownie: it doesn't appear because of a single ingredient. If you already know you have that genetic predisposition, your goal is not to add avoidable risk factors. That means being demanding with smoking, alcohol, blood pressure, excess sugar, insulin resistance, body composition, and a sedentary lifestyle. Strength training has a very interesting role here, because building muscle improves the metabolic environment and helps manage glucose and insulin better. You don't train to "lower Lp(a)" directly; you train to reduce the metabolic and inflammatory terrain. Sugar, insulin, and arterial wall: why protecting the vessel matters as much as watching cholesterol Another comparison I use a lot: when Coca-Cola falls on a surface, it remains sticky. A sustained excess of blood sugar damages the structural proteins of the vascular wall and worsens endothelial health. If the arterial wall is deteriorated and, at the same time, a particle with great inflammatory and adhesive capacity is circulating, you are adding ingredients you don't want to combine. That is why controlling glucose and insulin is part of the same problem. I also often talk about microplastics, whose presence within arteriosclerosis plaques has been linked to greater instability of those plaques. Modern cardiovascular risk is built by accumulation of exposures. Fiber, microbiota, and antioxidants: how to support your cardiovascular terrain through nutrition When genetics cannot be modified, nutrition ceases to be a tool to "correct the gene" and becomes a way to improve the scenario in which that gene is expressed. Fiber is one of the pieces that interests me the most. Fibers like partially hydrolyzed guar gum, xylooligosaccharides, baobab, inulin, or fructooligosaccharides help the gut and can also support the metabolism of glucose and lipids. That is why Fiber Total fits so well into this approach when the diet does not cover fiber needs. It combines Sunfiber® (partially hydrolyzed guar gum), PreticX® (xylooligosaccharides), and Inavea® (baobab and acacia gum), three types of fiber that work on the microbiota from different pathways. Not just any probiotic works for any goal. For the lipid profile, I specifically use Lactobacillus reuteri LRC, originally known as NCIMB 30242, in an amount of 2.5 × 10⁹ CFU: specific strains studied for specific functions. Berberine, silymarin, and antioxidants: how to reduce the risk you can modify Another strategy I use is to work on glucose and lipid metabolism with tools like berberine and silymarin, especially when there is insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, or metabolic alterations that add cardiovascular risk. With that logic, we formulated Metabolic-Max: it combines berberine in phytosome form Berbevis®, silymarin, Gymnema sylvestre, and chromium. It is not intended to "cure" a genetic Lipoprotein(a), but to act on modifiable metabolic factors. The second front is oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E, astaxanthin, lutein, quercetin, glycine, NAC, and lycopene are antioxidant support tools. Anti-OX Global brings together several of those compounds within a strategy aimed at cellular protection. The idea is not to build a tower of food supplements. It is to identify which risk factors you actually have and prioritize. If your Lp(a) is high but the rest of your profile is controlled, the approach will be very different from that of someone who also smokes and has hypertension. High Lipoprotein(a): a signal to better understand your risk, not to live in fear Lipoprotein(a) summarizes very well how I understand preventive medicine. There are things we don't choose: genes, family history, certain predispositions. But knowing them allows us to stop playing blind. Asking for it at least once, interpreting its values well, and, if it is elevated, assessing the real state of your cardiovascular system transforms a scary piece of data into useful information. Then comes the important part: protecting the arterial wall, controlling the rest of the cholesterol, not smoking, training muscle, and taking care of fiber. You cannot peel the genetic "gum" off the marble, but you can certainly make the path it travels along much better protected. Transforming your health is a matter of applying science with consistency, day by day. You have in your hands the necessary knowledge to better understand your cardiovascular risk and make decisions with criteria, without alarmism and without ignoring important signals. I hope you like it :) For more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content My TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@isabelvinaAnd the supplements formulated by me https://ivbwellness.com

Hola, en el episodio de hoy os cuénto:-Myoinositol: qué funciones tiene esta pseudovitamina en la adecuada función tiroidea, metabolismo de la insulina, fertilidad, acné, sueño y estado de animo.-Lipdema: qué es esta enfermedad de tejido contjuntivo laxo, por qué no tiene nada que ver con el exceso de grasa o celulitis y cómo podemos manejarla para mejorar la calidad de vida.Entre los suples que hablo del lipedema estánManejo del dolor e inflamación-PEA: Zerodol -Omega 3-Curcuma-BoswelliaManejo de liquido intersticial y permeabilidad vascular:-Trebol de olor amarillo (melilotus officinalis)-Extracto de semillas de uva ( vitis vinifera)-Diosmina y hesperidina-Cataño de indias-Diente de león-Cola de caballo-Extracto de uva ursi -PerejilPara mas información ya sabéis que me tenéis en mi instagram @isabelvina dónde te comparto contenido diario Mi TikTok @isabelvinabas En mi canal de YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dfdxLBcvfztBvRAKZSXGQY los suplementos formulados por mi https://ivbwellness.comPara mas información ya sabéis que me tenéis en mi instagram @isabelvina dónde te comparto contenido diario Mi TikTok @isabelvinabasEn mi canal de YouTube Canal YoutubeY los suplementos formulados por mi en mi web Mi web

Helloooo :)Today's episode is a very special one because I'm lucky enough to have the wisdom of my father, the doctor and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, Juan Viña, join me again to discuss brain metabolism in detail. He will tell us (among other things):How does brain metabolism differ from the metabolism of the rest of the body?Can fatty acids be used in the brain as an energy source?How do amino acids reach the brain and which are the most important?Why taking carbohydrates with proteins can optimize our melatonin and serotonin production.Why glycine is a key amino acid for brain health.What choline is and why it's key for memory and learning.Cholesterol and the brain: what is the relationship between them.I hope you like it!!For more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content.My TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dfdxLBcvfztBvRAKZSXGQAnd the supplements formulated by me https://ivbwellness.comFor more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content.My TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel YouTube ChannelAnd the supplements formulated by me on my website My website

Toxin-Free Pans, Creatine, and Alopecia: Debunking Myths from the Kitchen to Your Hair Hello, I am Dr. Isabel Viña Bas, a physician and Scientific Director of IVB Wellness Lab. This week, I want to resolve two questions that you ask me constantly, both in consultations and on social media: what is going on with the pans you use daily and whether creatine can really make you lose your hair. Let's get to the important part: how to choose a pan that won't interfere with your hormones and why you can take creatine with peace of mind. What are endocrine disruptors and why should you keep an eye on your pans? Before talking about pans, we must name the enemy: endocrine disruptors. These are synthetic chemical substances capable of mimicking your natural hormones, fitting into their receptors, and sending signals that shouldn't be there. They are found in pesticides, fire retardants, plastics, and, massively, in the coating of classic non-stick pans, almost always based on perfluorinated compounds (PFAS). That gray coating we love so much because food doesn't stick is, in many cases, the entry point for PFAS into your body. The triad that triggers the release of toxins: heat, fat, and acid The pan brings together exactly the three conditions that maximize the transfer of these toxins from the utensil to your plate. Extreme heat destabilizes the material and releases microparticles. Fats, necessary for cooking, dissolve these fat-soluble compounds and carry them directly into your food. And if you add something acidic, like tomato, lemon, or vinegar, the erosion accelerates even further. That is why the pan holds a permanent spot on my priority list for reducing toxins at home, along with not heating food in plastic containers or avoiding thermal receipts. Is the "PFOA-free" label useful? Don't trust easy marketing. When PFOA was banned due to its proven toxicity, a large part of the industry replaced it with other perfluorinated compounds from the same family, such as GenX or PFOS, with an equally harmful effect on your metabolic, thyroid, and reproductive health. My recommendation is direct: if the packaging boasts "synthetic non-stick," that pan is not entering your kitchen. Toxin-free pans: the map of materials you can actually use The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives for cooking without hormonal residue. Here is my analysis of the materials I do recommend, with their advantages and their fine print.None of them force you to choose between health and convenience in the kitchen. Mineral iron or carbon steel, the pan that lasts a lifetime It is a combination of iron with a small percentage of carbon. It has no enamel or Teflon, so it is toxin-free by design, and it also releases minimal traces of iron into food, which is interesting if you have low iron or ferritin reserves. The downside is the weight and maintenance: it is not dishwasher safe and needs seasoning before its first use. Before using it for the first time, wash it only with hot water, dry it well, add a thin layer of olive oil, and heat it until it smokes. Remove the excess with a paper towel and let it cool; this forms a natural non-stick film. In your day-to-day, wash it with hot water, without metal scrubbers, dry it immediately so it doesn't rust, and finish with a drop of oil before storing it.That two-minute ritual is what keeps it indestructible for years. Enameled cast iron, my favorite pan for daily use It combines the best of iron (spectacular heat distribution and zero toxins) with a layer of vitrified ceramic enamel that acts as a protective barrier. It doesn't need seasoning, it doesn't rust, and you can put it in the dishwasher without fear. Its only drawback is the price.For me, it is the most practical option of the three, without any pretense. What do the numbers 18/10 or 18/0 on your stainless steel pan mean? Stainless steel is clean and hygienic, but it is worth checking its "last name." Those numbers engraved on the back (18/10, 18/8, or 18/0) indicate the proportion of chromium and nickel in the alloy. Chromium, at 18%, prevents corrosion; nickel provides resistance to acids and high temperatures. If you have multiple chemical sensitivity or a nickel allergy, avoid the 18/10 and 18/8 versions and look for an 18/0 pan, which is nickel-free, or a titanium steel one.That detail, which almost no one looks at, may be exactly what you need if you have reactive skin. The marble trick so nothing sticks Many people hate stainless steel because eggs stick to it, and it is almost always because they cook on a cold surface. Place the empty pan over medium heat, wait about three minutes, and splash a few drops of water with your fingers. If they evaporate instantly, it is still cold. If, on the other hand, they form little balls that skate across the surface (the Leidenfrost effect), it is the exact moment to add the oil and the food. With that level of heat, absolutely nothing will stick, even in a pan without Teflon. Changing the subject, from the kitchen to the scalp. If there is one ingredient that carries rumors in the gym, it is creatine, one of the most studied performance food supplements that exist, and also one of the ones that causes the most fear for no reason.That fear has a name: baldness. Does creatine cause baldness or hair loss? The fear of going bald is, by far, what holds women and men back the most when it comes to taking creatine. And the short answer is no.Creatine does not cause baldness or accelerate hair loss, and science backs this up quite strongly. Where the myth comes from: the 2009 study that should never have gone viral Everything is based on a single 2009 study with a small group of rugby players in South Africa who took very high loading doses, 25 grams per day. It was observed that their DHT levels rose by 56% in the blood, and that set off the alarm. The problem is that this study never measured the actual baldness of the subjects, did not evaluate free testosterone, started from baseline DHT values that were already disparate among the participants, and has never been able to be replicated. You can delve deeper into the real benefits of creatine beyond the myth. Since then, more than 600 clinical trials have tried to repeat the finding, and none have found either an increase in DHT or hair loss. A placebo-controlled trial from April 2025, by Lak and his team, went even further: it analyzed the scalp of athletes with direct trichoscopy at the follicular level and found no differences in hair density, miniaturization, or loss between those who took creatine and those who took a placebo.A single poorly designed study, published in 2009, remains the source of almost all the fear that exists today around creatine. Creatinine and the kidney: why you shouldn't be scared by your blood test The other classic concern is the blood test. When taking creatine, creatinine, a waste product of muscle metabolism, can appear slightly elevated, and there are quite a few primary care physicians who get scared and ask you to stop taking it immediately. It is a fairly common error of interpretation. Think of creatinine as household trash: if you put in more creatine, there is more metabolic activity and more trash is generated, but that does not mean that the kidney, the garbage collector, is broken; it just has more work to do. If you have doubts, ask for a cystatin C test, which is not altered by creatine or meat consumption, or stop taking creatine two weeks before the blood test to see how the values return to normal.High creatinine from taking creatine is not synonymous with kidney damage; it is basic metabolism math. Creavitalis®, the creatine we formulate at IVB Wellness Lab At IVB, we formulate our creatine exclusively with the Creavitalis® patent, micronized and ultra-filtered creatine monohydrate, with 99.9% purity and a particle size designed for impeccable absorption and digestive tolerance, without the diarrhea or water retention caused by cheap gym products.It is the formula I recommend myself when someone asks me which one to take. Take care of your pan material to protect your hormonal balance and take your creatine without fear, knowing that science backs its safety for both your hair and your kidneys. Author: Dr. Isabel Viña Bas  I hope you like it :)For more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content My TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel YouTube ChannelAnd the supplements formulated by me on my website My website

Hello!In today's episode, I break down the mineral calcium in detail, specifically covering:How we absorb calcium from foodWhat nutritional factors influence how much calcium we absorbWhat medications interfere with its absorption and can predispose us to calcium loss despite adequate intakeWhat hormones control the calcium we absorb and which ones keep blood calcium levels tightly regulated: introducing the hormones PTH and calcitonin.What functions calcium performs in our body: beyond bone, its key role in the synthesis of enzymes like phosphodiesterase, NO synthase, phospholipase A2...What foods are richest in calcium per servingIn which cases taking calcium supplements may be justified; with calcium citrate being the ideal in these casesWhy vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is key in calcium managementI hope you enjoy it :)For more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily contentMy TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dfdxLBcvfztBvRAKZSXGQAnd the supplements formulated by me https://ivbwellness.comFor more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily contentMy TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel YouTube ChannelAnd the supplements formulated by me on my website My website

Hello another day!!Today I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about our key metabolic and detox organ: the liver.In the podcast, I'll talk about the liver's key role in filtering blood, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.How our liver processes bilirubinHow our liver detoxifies hormones, drugs, or any external toxins that enter our bodyWhat supplements can help, so that along with a lifestyle where we omit alcohol, our liver has an "easier time" optimizing its functions: among them, I'll talk aboutNAC (n-acetylcysteine), lycopene, turmeric, SAME, B vitamins (especially methylcobalamin (methylB12), methylated folic acid (methyltetrahydrofolate), vitamins C, E, and A, Milk thistle extract, soy isoflavones, DIM, calcium d-glucarate, soluble and insoluble fiber, or even certain probiotic strains like L.acidophilus NCFM...I hope you like it and it sheds light on this fundamental organ, and encourages you to take even better care of yourselves to care for your liver and yourselves For more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily contentMy TikTok @isabelvinabas On my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dfdxLBcvfztBvRAKZSXGQAnd the supplements formulated by me https://ivbwellness.comFor more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content My TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel YouTube ChannelAnd the supplements formulated by me on my website My Website