Tag Archives | blood sugar

770: The Heart Disease Risk Factor Most Women Aren’t Watching: What Your Blood Sugar and Insulin Can Reveal with Dr. Philip Ovadia

September 3, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

What if the cholesterol numbers you’ve been watching aren’t telling you the whole story about your heart?

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia to explore why he believes metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance deserve far more attention when assessing cardiovascular risk, especially for women entering perimenopause and menopause.

Dr. Ovadia shares what he’s learned after 25 years in heart surgery, including why he’s now routinely operating on patients in their 40s and even 30s. They break down the metabolic warning signs that can appear decades before advanced heart disease, from rising blood pressure and waist circumference to fasting insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and HDL.

You’ll also hear their discussion about cholesterol and advanced lipid testing, how changing hormones can affect women’s cardiometabolic health, and why resistance training, real food, muscle, sleep, and blood sugar stability matter.

Plus, Dr. Ovadia explains how continuous glucose monitors can provide real-time insight into your metabolic health and the heart imaging he recommends women discuss with their healthcare providers.

Listen now to discover the metabolic clues your body may be giving you today and how to start protecting your heart for decades to come.

DR. PHILIP OVADIA

Dr. Philip Ovadia is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, founder of Ovadia Heart Health Center, and author of Stay Off My Operating Table and Stay Off My Kitchen Table.

After performing thousands of heart surgeries, Dr. Ovadia shifted part of his work toward prevention, helping patients identify and address metabolic dysfunction before it progresses to advanced cardiovascular disease. His virtual practice focuses on improving metabolic health as a strategy for reducing heart disease risk.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why Dr. Ovadia believes insulin resistance deserves more attention in heart disease prevention
The five basic metabolic markers he wants women tracking
Why your personal blood pressure baseline matters in midlife
What fasting insulin can reveal before blood sugar becomes obviously abnormal
Why cholesterol alone may not give you the complete picture of cardiovascular risk
How muscle and resistance training support metabolic and heart health
What a continuous glucose monitor can teach you about food, energy, and blood sugar
When Dr. Ovadia recommends considering coronary artery calcium imaging

QUOTES

“It’s never too early to start thinking about this, but it’s also never too late.”

“Cholesterol is not the main thing driving heart disease.”

“Low-fat diets, they simply don’t work.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Stop surviving and start thriving, join Midlife on Fire Collective now

Stay Off My Operating Table by Dr. Philip Ovadia

RELATED EPISODES

769: Is It Perimenopause or Something Else? How to Finally Connect the Dots with Dr. Mariza

750: The Underlying Cellular Cause of Midlife Fatigue, Brain Fog & Low Motivation with Andrew Salzman

650: Unlock Your Health: The Ultimate Biomarker & Lab Blueprint to Thrive in Midlife and Beyond

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

759: Tired, Wired & Inflamed? The Sleep Fix Most Women Are Missing with Dr. Michael Breus

June 30, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

Why do so many women suddenly start waking up at 3:00 a.m. during perimenopause?

In this practical and science-backed conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with renowned sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus to unpack why sleep changes so dramatically during perimenopause and menopause, and what women can do to finally get restorative sleep again.

Dr. Breus explains how fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, melatonin, cortisol, body temperature, and blood sugar all collide during midlife, creating the perfect storm for middle-of-the-night awakenings. He shares why waking up at 3:00 a.m. is incredibly common, how modern habits often make it worse, and why women need a layered approach instead of relying on a single solution.

Together, they discuss everything from sleep apnea, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol, caffeine, blood sugar, and evening routines to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), breathwork, thermoregulation, and supplementation.

Most importantly, Dr. Breus offers practical strategies women can begin implementing immediately to improve sleep quality, reduce nighttime wakeups, and build a foundation for better health through every stage of menopause.

If you’ve been lying awake at 3:00 a.m. wondering what’s happening to your body, this episode is packed with answers and actionable solutions.

DR. MICHAEL BREUS

Dr. Michael Breus is a board-certified clinical psychologist, clinical sleep specialist, bestselling author, and founder of The Sleep Doctor. For more than two decades, he has helped millions of people improve their sleep through science-backed strategies focused on circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, behavioral sleep medicine, and overall wellness. He is the author of multiple bestselling books, including Sleep, Drink, Breathe.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why women commonly wake up around 3:00 a.m. during perimenopause
How estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and blood sugar affect sleep
The biggest mistakes women make before bedtime
Why sleep apnea is often overlooked in midlife women
How CBT-I can help retrain the brain for better sleep
The role of caffeine, alcohol, fiber, and evening nutrition
Why cooling the body improves sleep quality
Practical habits that create a healthier nighttime routine

QUOTES

“Everything we do, we do better with a good night’s sleep.”

“Sleep is the currency of attention.”

“You need runway to land the plane.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Get the “Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health” book by Dr. Michael Breus.

Take the Chronoquiz now

Get the Home Sleep Study – The at-home sleep study measures key sleep metrics

The Sleep Doctor Website

The Sleep Doctor Instagram

The Sleep Doctor Youtube

RELATED EPISODES

758: Why Your Body Can’t Heal Until It Feels Safe: The Nervous System Shift That Changes Everything with Dr. Dave Rabin

757: The Hidden Emotional Shift of Perimenopause (No One Prepared Us For) with Dr. Melinda Ring

756: What Low-Grade Inflammation Is Really Doing to Your Hormones, Brain & Metabolism with Dr. Mariza

755: What If Your Body Isn’t Broken, Just Undernourished? The Missing Link Between Nutrients, Hormones & Energy with Ryan Woodburry

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

682: The Simple Daily Habit That Balances Blood Sugar, Boosts Energy & Extends Longevity

September 23, 2025 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

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Episode Summary

The research is clear. Moving specifically after meals is one of

the👏 best👏 things👏 we can do for energy, longevity, and to feel better in our bodies today.

In this episode, we’re diving all in on one of the simplest yet most powerful habits for your health—walking after meals. Even just three to five minutes of movement after eating can help balance your blood sugar, boost your energy, and support your long-term health.

We’ll break down why this practice works so well, and how you can easily fit it into your daily routine—even on your busiest days.

Plus, you’ll get an inside look at my new 7-Day Walking Challenge packed with recipes, daily guidance, and live calls to keep you inspired!

Tune in here and learn how a small, consistent step could be the game-changer your body’s been waiting for.

IN THIS EPISODE

The benefits of walking or moving your body after meals
About my 7-day walking challenge kicking off on 9/29/2025
Incorporating “exercise snacks” into your daily routine
FREEBIES included in my walking challenge!
Joining the VIP Perimenopause Solution event on 10/23/2025
The top 5 benefits of joining my walking challenge

QUOTES

“The results were incredible. I cannot tell you how many women told me that they had more energy. They were sleeping better, they were losing weight, and they felt like they had better word recall.”

“I am convinced that the most underrated longevity hack is moving with people that you love, moving with family, moving with friends, and again, it doesn’t have to be a long time. It can be a short time to make a big difference.”

“Imagine starting your day clearheaded and energized and ending it deeply rested, ready to have an epic new day. All of this is yours simply for the price of the book. Because your midlife reset begins the moment you decide that you are worth it.”