EP 59. Collagen Supplementation: Does It Work?

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

High Ferritin: Understanding the Link to Fatty Liver and Insulin Resistance Hello, I am Dr. Isabel Viña Bas, a physician and Scientific Director of IVB Wellness Lab. In my clinical practice, high ferritin is one of the findings that causes the most uncertainty. My mission is to help you "know more to fear less and choose better," and that starts with understanding that ferritin, in addition to storing iron, is a messenger of your metabolic state. Frequently, elevated ferritin levels are an acute-phase reactant: a distress signal emitted by the body in the face of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, rather than a reflection of the iron you consume in your diet. This protein is a direct window into the health of your liver and the efficiency of your metabolism. What does it really mean to have High Ferritin? Medically, ferritin is an intracellular protein that stores iron safely. However, when there is cellular damage or a systemic inflammatory response, ferritin "leaks" into the bloodstream and raises its levels in blood tests. Having high ferritin is a "red flag" that forces us to look beyond the blood. It indicates that there is a process of metabolic pressure, focused primarily on the liver and glucose management. It is a symptom that the redox balance (the scale between oxidation and anti-oxidation) has tipped dangerously toward cellular damage. The Metabolic Triad: Ferritin, Fatty Liver, and Insulin Resistance To address the root of the problem, we must understand how these three pillars interact beneath the surface. The liver under pressure and cellular inflammation The current lifestyle, marked by stress and caloric overload, generates an accumulation of fat in the liver. This hepatic tissue, when saturated, activates chronic inflammatory responses mediated by the NF-κB pathway, a molecular switch that triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines. This state of "liver under pressure" damages hepatocytes, alters the extracellular matrix, and releases ferritin in response to tissue damage. Insulin Resistance: The "distracted" liver Insulin resistance makes this inflammation chronic. A critical factor here is the consumption of alcohol and sugars. Alcohol is a potent hypoglycemic agent, but the most dangerous thing is that it "distracts" the liver. While the liver is focused exclusively on detoxifying us from alcohol, it becomes unable to respond to hormones like glucagon, and this prevents the proper release of glucose into the blood. This constant metabolic stress exhausts cellular reserves and perpetuates the inflammation signal that raises ferritin. Direct relationship The increase in ferritin is, ultimately, the body's response mechanism to lipotoxicity (excess fat) and glucotoxicity. It is the smoke that warns us of an ongoing metabolic fire. Lifestyle Strategies to Reduce Hepatic Inflammation Recovering liver health is a matter of applying science to daily habits: Run from "miracle diets": be wary of claims of losing 3 kg in 24 hours. Glycogen (the way we store carbohydrates in muscle and liver) retains 3 times its weight in water, while salt retains 4 times its weight in water. Diets that drastically eliminate these elements only cause the loss of "intracellular water," not fat, and this stresses the liver even more. Hydroelectrolytic Balance: prioritize foods rich in potassium (avocado, spinach, tomatoes) to naturally balance fluid levels and reduce inflammation. Whole Carbohydrates: are necessary as a source of fiber to improve insulin sensitivity and modulate the inflammatory profile. Physical Activity and Markers: exercise is vital, but it must be modulated. An excess of load without recovery can falsely elevate markers such as CK (creatine kinase), LDH, and, especially, AST (the most abundant transaminase in muscle), which can be confused with liver damage in blood tests. Advanced Approach: Science-Based Supplementation When we seek real recovery, we need active ingredients with high bioavailability that reach where others cannot. Metabolic-Max and Insulin Sensitivity The key to this supplement is the phytosomal Berberine Berbevis®. Unlike traditional berberine, which often "breaks" and becomes inactive in the intestine or liver and causes gastric discomfort, the phytosome system guarantees 10 times higher bioavailability. Effect: improves fat utilization and blood sugar control. It optimizes mitochondrial efficiency and attacks insulin resistance at the root. Anti-OX Global and Hepatic Cellular Protection Anti-OX Global works as a comprehensive strategy against inflammaging: it acts on several fronts at once. Tomato Lycopene: unlike fungal versions, our tomato-derived lycopene contains 11 conjugated double bonds, one of the most potent protectors against fatty liver and LDL oxidation. Astaxanthin (Astabead®): extracted with supercritical CO₂ from microalgae (H. pluvialis) grown in pure Icelandic waters (with very low heavy metal profiles). It integrates into the cell membrane, protects the lipid bilayer, and modulates the NF-κB pathway. NordicCherry®: this tart cherry extract is fundamental for reducing damage markers such as AST, CK, and LDH, so the body recovers without suppressing the positive adaptations of exercise. Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg): optimizes hepatic mitochondrial energy and regenerates vitamins C and E. Recommended Synergy: combining both products makes sense: while Metabolic-Max optimizes glucose metabolism, Anti-OX Global protects the cellular environment and the liver's extracellular matrix and reduces the inflammatory signal that keeps ferritin elevated. Dosage and Safety Guidelines For solid metabolic results, continuous use of at least 3 months is recommended. Product Recommended Dosage Key Instructions Metabolic-Max 1 capsule before main meals Avoids intestinal inactivation; maximum metabolic efficiency. Anti-OX Global 2 capsules daily Take together with a fat-rich meal. Do not open the capsules (to avoid acidity or gastric inactivation). Important Warnings Contraindications: not suitable during pregnancy. Interactions: do not use if you are under treatment with anticoagulants such as acenocoumarol (Sintrom) or warfarin (Aldocumar). High ferritin is an opportunity to pay attention to your metabolic health; there is no need to be alarmed. Optimizing your liver and your insulin sensitivity requires evidence-based tools and consistency, not luck or quick fixes. Transforming your health is a matter of applying science with consistency, day by day. You have in your hands the knowledge necessary to balance your metabolism and regain your vitality. 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

Hola :)En el podcast de hoy os explico qué hay detras de las menstruaciones abundantes.Empezaremos por definir qué es una regla abundante ( pista, si crees que tus menstruaciones son abundantes, probablemente lo sean)Cuales son las principales causas de reglas abundantes: miomas, polipos, endometriosis, problemas tiroideos, cáncer, enfermedades autoinmunes..Cómo saber qué es lo que a ti te causa esas reglas abundantesQué tratamientos disponibles hay ( fármacologicos, complementos alimenticios y procedimientos quirurgicos)Espero que os guste :)Para 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

Hello :) In today's episode, and thanks to your loyalty, we are celebrating episode number 100 after more than two years together!!How time has flown... a thousand thanks to everyone who has been with me for however long you've been sharing moments and letting me show you everything I believe can add value to your lives within the complex world of health and medicine.In this special episode, we once again have the presence of Doctor Juan Viña, Doctor and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Valencia, and above all: my father.In today's episode, we answer the questions:What are essential amino acids and why are they called "essential"?What role do ghrelin and leptin play as appetite control hormones?What is choline and why is it a key nutrient during pregnancy and breastfeeding?What is S-AMe and what is its key role in metabolism?How has medicine advanced in the last 50 years and the role of artificial intelligence in current medicine? I hope you enjoy it very much :) Let us know :)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

Hola :) Thank you so much for being here another day :)In today's episode, I'll talk to you about What lipoprotein(a) is and why it's not the same as traditional cholesterol. How having elevated levels affects your risk of heart attack, heart failure, aortic valve stenosis, or stroke, even if your cholesterol is "perfect." Why it has a strong genetic component and how it's inherited. Why everyone should have their lipoprotein levels measured in their blood at least once in their lifetime. What good levels are (125 nmol/L / 50 mg/dL). What extra tests should be done if your levels are high, in case you have silent repercussions on your health. What can be done if you have high Lp(a) in your daily life, including diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements that can address different pathways involved in cardiovascular risk and that, by controlling it, will mitigate the genetic risk of high Lp(a). 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'll tell you why osteoporosis is a disease that begins to develop in childhood and goes unnoticed until it manifests with a fracture. That, in Spain, osteoporosis is responsible for 33 fragility fractures every hour and why everyone should know the importance of maintaining bone mass so that prevention becomes a reality.I also tell you which medications and diseases are associated with osteoporosis and therefore require special attention, emphasizing lifestyle measures such as strength and impact physical exercise, adequate nutrition, and cessation of toxic habits.How osteoporosis is diagnosed, even allowing you to assess your risk with the free and universal online tool FRAX (for each country)What supplementation measures can help usWhat medications are currently available, their pros and cons :)I hope you like it and, above all, learn something : )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

NAD, NMN, or NR Supplements for Longevity: Real Science or Luxury Marketing? Hello, I am Dr. Isabel Viña Bas, a physician and scientific director at IVB Wellness Lab. I have been following the current obsession with the elixir of eternal youth with fascination, and quite a bit of skepticism, for some time. The latest trend on social media, pushed by luxury clinics and biohacking gurus, revolves around three acronyms: NAD, NMN, and NR. They are presented to us as the formula capable of stopping the biological clock,, giving us back the energy of our twenties, and repairing cells from within. My job is to help you know more so you can fear less and choose better, so today it is time to take a close look at what real biochemistry says and the evidence in humans regarding these food supplements. Is it worth spending hundreds of euros a month on them, or is it just another wellness industry scam? NAD, NMN, or NR: How do they differ and which one is worth it? The three acronyms sound the same, but they are not. NAD is the active molecule your cell needs, while NMN and NR are precursors that, in theory, should convert into NAD inside the body. The real difference lies in whether the body can actually absorb and utilize them, and that is where most of the marketing falls apart. Oral NAD does not reach the cell intact; it breaks down before being absorbed. NMN is a large molecule that needs to be converted into NR first to enter, so you are paying for efficiency that has already been lost along the way. NR is the only one of the three with serious clinical studies in humans, and even then, the results are modest: none of the three has proven to be clearly superior, except for the specific role of NR in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Criteria NAD NMN NR Oral absorption Not absorbed intact Large molecule, limited entry Is absorbed and raises blood NAD+ Pathway to NAD+ Direct, but does not reach the cell Needs to be converted to NR first Most direct and best-studied pathway Clinical evidence in humans Practically non-existent Limited and with mixed results The most consistent of the three, though modest Cost at effective dose Not applicable: does not work orally High due to conversion inefficiency Between 300 and 400 euros per month at effective doses Result in general population Not recommended Does not justify the cost Modest role; only one with evidence in ALS What is NAD+ and why can't your mitochondria live without it? NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in each and every one of your cells. Without NAD+ life is not possible: it is the molecule that allows your mitochondria to produce energy and your DNA to repair itself daily. When you eat carbohydrates, fats, or proteins, your body cannot use them directly as fuel. Everything must be transformed into ATP, the universal energy currency of the cell. That process occurs in the mitochondria, through the electron transport chain, and NAD is what starts Complex I of that chain. Without enough NAD, Complex I does not start, the mitochondria do not breathe, and the cell runs out of energy. Furthermore, NAD is the sole fuel for PARP polymerases, the enzymes that monitor and repair your DNA every day. If your NAD levels drop, the PARPs run out of batteries, DNA accumulates uncorrected mutations, and cellular aging accelerates. The aging paradox: NAD versus NADH It is true that intracellular NAD drops with age, and the industry uses that data to sell you the idea that at fifty you have half the NAD you had at twenty, so you just need to take a capsule to rejuvenate. But there is a nuance they don't usually tell you. What really happens is not that NAD simply disappears, but that the mitochondria lose the ability to maintain the balance between NAD and its reduced form, NADH. NAD drops and NADH rises because the damaged mitochondria no longer recycle it well. That imbalance reflects that the mitochondrial factory is broken, and that is not fixed by saturating the system with external NAD. Why don't NAD and NMN pills work the way you're told? Before buying any food supplement, ask yourself if your body can actually absorb it. In the case of NAD and NMN, physiology is quite stubborn. Oral NAD is not absorbed. It is a molecule that is too large, with no transporters in the intestine, so as soon as you swallow it, it breaks down into nicotinamide (vitamin B3) and AMP. It does not reach your cells intact, no matter how much the bottle costs over ninety euros. The NMN is not the magic solution either: it is also a molecule that is too large to enter the cell directly. First, it has to be converted into NR, cross the membrane, and transform again inside. It is a biochemical detour that makes the product more expensive without the efficacy to justify it. The harsh reality of NR (nicotinamide riboside) in humans Since NAD is not absorbed and NMN is inefficient, the industry pinned its hopes on nicotinamide riboside, or NR. In mice, the results seemed spectacular, almost like rejuvenation. The problem is that a mouse lives for two or three years and has a metabolism that is nothing like ours. When these supplements are taken to real clinical trials with people, the promise deflates. To achieve a moderate increase in cellular NAD, two to four grams per day are needed, which means between three hundred and four hundred euros per month. And the results in humans are, to be generous, disappointing: it does not improve fat loss, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, or physical performance. The only exception with some evidence is a modest role in slowing down amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The salvage pathway: how we optimize NAD+ at IVB Wellness Lab So, how do you really raise NAD without going broke? The answer lies in the body's own wisdom: the salvage pathway. Ninety-nine percent of your cellular NAD is generated by recycling nicotinamide (vitamin B3), a small molecule that is one hundred percent absorbed and converts into NAD without detours. That is why at IVB Wellness Lab we do not sell exogenous NAD, which we already know does not work. We incorporate pure nicotinamide in precision doses, from fifteen to thirty milligrams, in formulas like TyroEnergy and Energy UP. It is a safe and effective way to recharge the mitochondrial Complex I without the flushing or itching caused by nicotinic acid. Taking care of the entire mitochondrion requires more than just NAD. To protect Complexes II, III, and IV, we combine Coenzyme Q10 with pure Creavitalis® creatine, which recharges cellular ATP without depleting your methyl group reserves. If you are interested in the topic, I already wrote about why I consider creatine key to longevity. And to repair DNA, one of the allies is Methyl-B12, which supports the methylation cycle together with active folate. The true elixirs of youth: muscle and fiber If someone sells you a hundred-euro bottle as the ultimate secret to longevity, be suspicious. Real longevity is largely lifestyle, and only a small part is strategic supplementation. Strength training is the most powerful biological stimulus that exists to create new mitochondria, far above any fast or capsule. Muscle is the organ of longevity, and no one at eighty would want to arrive without it. Fiber also does its part: every ten percent more fiber in your diet is associated with more years and better quality of life. It feeds your microbiota, which produces short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, and that reduces liver inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity throughout the body. Supplementation is a habit enhancer, not a substitute: move, eat colorful fiber, and take care of your mitochondria with real science. Frequently asked questions about NAD+, NMN, and NR What is NAD+ and what is it used for in the body? NAD+ is a coenzyme present in all cells. It allows mitochondria to produce ATP (energy) and PARP enzymes to repair damaged DNA. Without sufficient levels, cellular energy production and DNA repair are compromised. Is NAD in capsules actually absorbed? No. NAD is a molecule that is too large to pass through the intestine intact: it breaks down into nicotinamide and AMP before reaching the cell. Taking it orally does not raise intracellular NAD. Is it worth taking NMN or NR for longevity? With current evidence in humans, it is not clear. Clinical trials with NR do not show improvements in fat loss, insulin sensitivity, or physical performance, and effective doses are very expensive. There is only limited evidence in the context of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. How can NAD+ be increased naturally? Through the salvage pathway: by providing nicotinamide (vitamin B3), which the body converts into NAD efficiently, and combining it with habits that stimulate the mitochondria, such as strength training and a fiber-rich diet. Which is better, NAD, NMN, or NR? None stands out clearly for the general population: oral NAD is not absorbed, NMN is inefficient and expensive, and NR is the only one with studies in humans, although with modest results except in the context of ALS. The combination of nicotinamide, strength training, and fiber remains the strategy with the most support. 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'm sharing the most important highlights on joint health. In the episode, I cover:What are the most frequent possible causes of joint pain and inflammationHow we can prevent the onset of wear and tear, pain, and joint discomfortThe role of diet and exercise in prevention, and then, once joint issues are present, how we can try to improve and recoverWhat role certain compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, manganese, and type II collagen play in joint health. Differences between them and which, in my opinion, are the best compounds to optimize the synthesis of key components that make up joint cavitiesHow to reduce joint inflammation that leads, among other things, to joint pain and wear and tear with Boswellia Serrata (standardized for AKBA), turmeric, boron, saffron extract (standardized for crocins), Pycnogenol...Other components with indirect benefits such as omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin C...As always, this does not substitute the advice of your personal doctor :) I hope this episode adds value, teaches you, and, why not, entertains you.For more information, you know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily content.On my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dfdxLBcvfztBvRAKZSXGQAnd the supplements formulated by me at https://ivbwellness.comA big kiss and see you next Saturday :)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

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.