EP 131. Sexologist Speaks Clearly About the Pelvic Floor: Myths, Pain, and Premature Ejaculation - Sandra Gómez
The pelvic floor remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of women's health, yet it accompanies us throughout life and is involved in crucial functions such as supporting pelvic organs, controlling sphincters, sexual pleasure, and childbirth.
In this episode, we speak with Sandra Gómez, a physiotherapist specializing in the pelvic floor, sexologist, and communicator, about what the pelvic floor truly is, what symptoms we shouldn't normalize, and why urine leakage, pain during sexual intercourse, a feeling of heaviness, pelvic pain, or discomfort during exercise can be signs that something isn't functioning correctly.
We also discuss hormonal contraceptives, dryness, libido, vestibulodynia, menstrual pain, endometriosis, physical exercise, running, CrossFit, abdominopelvic breathing, body awareness exercises, constipation, alcohol, smoking, abdominal fat, and pelvic floor health.
Furthermore, Sandra explains that the pelvic floor also exists in men and can be related to issues such as chronic pelvic pain or premature ejaculation.
Finally, we debunk some common myths: whether vaginal childbirth is the sole cause of pelvic floor problems, if frequent sexual intercourse damages it, if tampons or sex toys weaken it, if drinking little water helps prevent leaks, or if lower back pain can be related to the pelvic floor.
A very practical episode to understand that what is common is not always normal and that we shouldn't resign ourselves to living with pain, urine leaks, or discomfort that can be resolved.
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EP 133. Gluten and Celiac Disease: What You Need to Know About Symptoms and Diagnosis - Laura Crespo
Celiac disease is an autoimmune and systemic condition that goes far beyond simply eliminating gluten from your diet. In this episode, joined by Dr. Laura Crespo, we take a deep dive into what actually happens when a person with celiac disease consumes gluten, how the disease is correctly diagnosed, and why it is essential not to remove gluten before undergoing testing. Furthermore, we address common and lesser-known symptoms, the differences between celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and we answer questions about cross-contamination and everyday foods and products that may inadvertently contain gluten. An essential episode for understanding celiac disease through scientific evidence and debunking common myths. -
EP 132. Eggs, yogurts, mold, bacteria, and expiration dates: common food mistakes - Mario Sánchez
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:f5ab3494-dec0-4957-94da-f1b4fdb59e4e-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:f5ab3494-dec0-4957-94da-f1b4fdb59e4e-0" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="assistant"> Did you know that a food can look perfect and still cause food poisoning? In this episode, we talk with Mario Sánchez, a food technologist and food safety expert, about the most common mistakes we make at home when handling, cooking, and storing food. From salmonella or listeria to bagged salads, cooked rice, refrigerator organization, or reusing oil, we debunk myths and review practical tips to reduce risks in daily life. An essential episode to understand that eating safely depends not only on what we eat, but also on how we handle it. -
EP 119. How to Take Care of Your Kidneys: Protein, Salt, and Warning Signs with Dr. Górriz
Understand in a simple and practical way how our kidneys really work , why they get sick without us realizing it, and what we can do from today to protect them . -
EP 118. Breast Cancer: Everything You Need to Know with Dr. Ana Lluch
One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. In this episode, we discuss what breast cancer really is, how it's diagnosed, how it's treated, and what we can do to detect it early and better support those affected . -
EP 140. Endometriosis: When period pain is not normal.
Endometriosis: symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Hello, I am Dr. Isabel Viña Bas, a physician and Scientific Director of IVB Wellness Lab. Do you have periods that leave you unable to get out of bed? Do you need to take ibuprofen every few hours to lead a normal life? Do you experience pain during intercourse, digestive issues, or difficulty getting pregnant? Pain that stops your life is not normal. Endometriosis affects approximately one in ten women of childbearing age, and yet, its diagnosis can take years. Many women go through various consultations before finding an explanation for symptoms that have long been normalized. In this episode of Your Friends the Hormones we talk about what endometriosis really is, why it can cause so much pain, which symptoms should make us suspicious, how it is currently diagnosed, and what we can do to improve its management. Because understanding what is happening is also a way to start taking care of ourselves. What exactly is endometriosis? The endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. During each menstrual cycle, it grows, and if pregnancy does not occur, it sheds, resulting in menstruation. In endometriosis, tissue similar to the endometrium appears outside its usual location. It can be found in the ovaries, on the peritoneum, and in different areas of the abdominal cavity. It can also affect the intestine, the bladder, and, less frequently, more distant locations such as the lung or the diaphragm. That tissue responds to hormonal changes and can generate inflammation and pain. That is why endometriosis is not simply a period that hurts a lot. It is a hormonal and inflammatory disease that can affect different parts of the body. Why can endometriosis hurt so much? Endometriosis implants have characteristics that allow them to survive outside the uterus. Among them is increased aromatase activity, an enzyme that participates in estrogen production. In addition, these tissues exhibit resistance to the action of progesterone. To this is added inflammation. The implants produce inflammatory substances, such as prostaglandins, which contribute to pain and maintain that inflammatory environment. This creates a cycle in which estrogens, inflammation, and progesterone resistance favor the activity of the disease. This also explains why an anti-inflammatory can help relieve pain, but does not treat endometriosis on its own. What symptoms might suggest endometriosis? The best-known symptom is intense menstrual pain, but endometriosis can manifest in many other ways. It can cause chronic pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, pain when urinating or defecating, especially during menstruation. Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal distension, or a very marked feeling of bloating may also appear. In some women, it can also be related to difficulties in achieving pregnancy. And there are lesser-known symptoms. When implants affect the diaphragm, for example, they can cause referred pain in the right shoulder during menstruation. In lung locations, respiratory symptoms that coincide with the period may appear. That is why it is not always easy to recognize. Endometriosis can disguise itself as many different problems. When should menstrual pain worry us? A period can be bothersome. But if every month you have to miss work or class, get into bed, take painkillers to function, or stop doing activities that are part of your life, it is worth consulting a doctor. Also if the pain has been increasing over the years or appears even outside of menstruation. Almost nine out of ten women with endometriosis have chronic pelvic pain, but the intensity and the way it manifests can vary greatly. Therefore, you should not measure severity solely by how much the period hurts. You have to observe which symptoms appear and how much they interfere with your daily life. And this is especially important in adolescents. Symptoms can begin at this stage, so a debilitating period should not be normalized simply because "it's just your period." Why can endometriosis pain persist even outside of the period? In endometriosis, different pain mechanisms can be combined. On one hand, there is the pain produced by the lesion itself and the inflammation. On the other, the irritation of the nerves found around it. And, when the nervous system has been receiving pain signals for a long time, its sensitivity can increase. It is like an alarm that has been ringing for so long that it ends up reacting to increasingly smaller stimuli. That is why nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain. can coexist. Understanding this helps to understand why some women continue to have significant pain even outside the time of menstruation. What is the relationship between endometriosis and fertility? Endometriosis can also affect fertility. Implants can appear in the ovaries or around the fallopian tubes and create an inflammatory environment that hinders fertilization and implantation. In some women, in fact, the difficulty in getting pregnant can be one of the reasons why the disease is finally discovered. This does not mean that having endometriosis necessarily implies infertility. But when there are fertility problems along with painful periods, pelvic pain, or other compatible symptoms, endometriosis should be one of the possibilities to consider. Why does endometriosis appear? There is no single cause. Genetics seems to play an important role. Having a mother or sister with endometriosis can increase the risk, but it does not mean that the disease will necessarily appear. There is also a relationship with the functioning of the immune system. One hypothesis is that part of the menstrual tissue can move retrogradely toward the abdominal cavity and that, in certain women, the body does not manage to eliminate it correctly. To this can be added other factors related to inflammation and the hormonal environment. That is why it is important not to fall into the idea that endometriosis appears because a woman does not take enough care of herself. There are factors that we cannot control and that are part of our individual predisposition. What is the relationship between endometriosis and microbiota? The microbiota is another area being studied in relation to endometriosis. Differences have been observed in the intestinal, vaginal, and uterine microbiota of women with this disease, and some research has found a greater presence of certain bacteria. But these results must be interpreted with caution. We cannot claim that an alteration of the microbiota is the cause of endometriosis. The relationship seems to be more complex: the disease itself and its inflammation can modify the microbiota and, at the same time, certain changes in the intestinal environment could contribute to maintaining that inflammatory state. That is why taking care of intestinal health can be part of the approach, but we should not reduce such a complex disease to "everything comes from the microbiota." How is endometriosis currently diagnosed? For years, it was considered necessary to undergo surgery to diagnose endometriosis. Today that is no longer the case. The first tool remains something as simple as listening to the patient. The medical history, symptoms, and physical examination allow for establishing a suspicion and guiding subsequent tests. From there, the most common imaging test is the transvaginal ultrasound, especially when performed by a professional with experience in endometriosis. If the ultrasound does not show lesions but the symptoms remain compatible, a magnetic resonance imaging with a specific protocol for endometriosis. can be performed. It is not a conventional MRI: it must be prepared to look for lesions that can go unnoticed. Is there a blood test to detect endometriosis? CA-125 is a marker that can appear elevated in some women with endometriosis, but it does not allow confirming or ruling out the disease on its own. In recent years, new diagnostic tools have also appeared. One of them is Endotest, a saliva test that analyzes small fragments of RNA related to the disease. The results collected in the episode are promising and point to a high capacity to detect endometriosis. However, it remains a complementary tool and does not replace medical assessment. The goal of these new techniques is to achieve something fundamental: reduce the years that many women spend waiting for a diagnosis. What treatments exist for endometriosis? Currently, endometriosis has no definitive cure, but there are treatments that allow for controlling symptoms and improving quality of life. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories can help control pain, although they act mainly on inflammation. Hormonal treatments can also be used, such as combined contraceptives or progestogen-based treatments, in addition to hormonal devices. Their goal is to reduce the hormonal activity that favors the symptoms. When these treatments do not work or are not tolerated, there are other pharmacological options that act on the hormonal signal between the brain and the ovaries. And in certain cases, it may be necessary to resort to surgery, especially when there is extensive disease or when medical treatment fails to adequately control the symptoms. There is no single treatment for all women. What can you do through diet? Diet does not replace medical treatment, but it can be part of daily care. The goal can be summarized in two ideas: less inflammation and better intestinal health. To do this, it is advisable to prioritize foods rich in fiber, such as vegetables, whole fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. Fiber also helps feed the beneficial bacteria of the microbiota and participates in estrogen metabolism. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be part of this strategy. Among their sources are small oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel, or anchovies. It is also recommended to limit alcohol and tobacco, as well as to reduce the regular consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugars, and refined flours. Can exercise help? Yes, always adapted to each woman's situation. When the muscle works, it produces myokines, molecules that participate in different processes of the body and that have anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which can contribute to pain control. But if a woman is going through an episode of intense pain, simply telling her to exercise is not enough. First, you have to get her to be able to move. Once the pain is controlled, exercise can become part of that positive circle: more movement, better physical condition, and more tools to take care of health. Physical therapy specialized in the pelvic floor can also be useful when there is tension or contracture of the musculature in this area. What role can supplementation have? Supplementation can be a complementary tool within the approach, but it does not replace medical treatment or habits. Among the compounds mentioned in the episode are omega-3, N-acetylcysteine, turmeric, vitamin C, vitex agnus-castus, and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). PEA is especially interesting for its possible role in the different mechanisms involved in pain. The use of fiber can also be considered when it is difficult to meet needs through diet or when seeking to improve digestive tolerance. But it is not about taking many supplements. It is about identifying what each woman needs and using the tools that really make sense in her case. Endometriosis is not a period that hurts a lot Endometriosis can affect different organs, produce very different symptoms, and have a significant impact on quality of life. Therefore, the first step is to stop normalizing what should not be normalized. A period can be bothersome. But pain that prevents you from living your life is not normal. Today we know that it is not always necessary to go through surgery to start studying and treating the disease. We have the medical history, the examination, imaging tests, and new diagnostic tools that can help reduce the delay in diagnosis. And we also have different tools to address it: medical treatment, diet, exercise, physical therapy, and, when it makes sense, supplementation. There is no single solution for endometriosis. There is a toolbox, and you have to know which one to use for each woman. If you have been in pain for years, you are not exaggerating. You deserve to be heard, to have what is happening to you studied, and to find with them the strategy that best adapts to your needs. Know more to fear less and choose better. I hope you like it :)For more information, you already know you can find me on my Instagram @isabelvina where I share daily contentMy TikTok @isabelvinabasOn my YouTube channel And the supplements formulated by me https://ivbwellness.com -
EP 113. PCOS, Endometriosis and Perimenopause with Dr. Rocío Belda
In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Rocío Belda, a gynecologist and obstetrician specializing in women's hormonal health, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis. We discuss everything that often goes unspoken: How to recognize the first symptoms of perimenopause. Why menopause is not just about hot flashes but also includes symptoms such as brain fog, lack of hydration of mucous membranes, and even recurrent urinary tract infections , and how to address it. Why the stages of perimenopause and menopause are key times to take care of our cardiovascular health more than ever. The reasons why PCOS and endometriosis are so variable among women. The real role that nutrition, exercise, and supplementation play at each stage. A conversation filled with science, humanity, and clinical experience, designed to help you understand your body and better support you through each phase. If you're going through any of these stages, or want to better support a woman who is, this episode is for you. Instagram Dr. Isabel Viña: @isabelvina TikTok @isabelvinabas Information from Dr. Rocío Belda: Web: https://www.doctorabelda.com/ Email for inquiries: beldaginecologia@gmail.com Instagram Dr. Rocío Belda -
EP 129. Your eyes can warn you before anyone else: ophthalmologist gives the keys - Dr. Sara Mora
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. -
EP 109. Reflux, indigestion, and omeprazole: what you need to know.
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 -
EP 106: No Period and No Libido: The Hormonal Cost of Chronic Stress.
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 -
EP 99. Lipoprotein(a): The Forgotten Factor in Cardiovascular Health.
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