Own Your Heart Health with Dr. Regina Druz

Environmental toxins are everywhere, but how do they really impact heart health? Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Daniel Kessler to uncover the ways toxins like microplastics and heavy metals affect cardiometabolic health. They break down which toxins are most likely to contribute to heart disease and what really happens when toxins leave our bodies.   Dr. Kessler shares insights from his work in European biological medicine, and offers practical solutions for reducing toxic exposure. From improving your water quality to eating a colorful, fiber-rich diet, these steps can support the body’s natural detox processes. He challenges the usual focus on high LDL cholesterol, pointing instead to inflammation and oxidative stress as the real culprits behind heart disease.   The choices we make every day can help lower our toxic burden. More importantly, understanding how toxins connect to cardiometabolic health can empower us to protect our cardiovascular system. This episode offers a fresh perspective on the path to better heart health, and provides actionable steps to get there!   Quotes “Toxins are metabolic disruptors. They disrupt the function. If we think about biological medicine, my mentors always said, it’s very logical. We have systems—our body has systems, like the cardiovascular system, endocrine system—systems that become dysregulated because of the toxic burden.” (06:02 | Dr. Daniel Kessler)“From a preventative standpoint, it is so important to tell people, if you have blood pressure, what is normal? What is abnormal? The first thing is always lifestyle. But what are the forces in your life that are affecting you? We start simple: food, diet, sleep, stress, etc. And then, if they are still uncontrolled, we ask, well, could it be environmental toxins? What is super important is the relationship of the mouth to the lymphatic system… We all know that our lymphatic system is what keeps us healthy. If people have metals in their mouth or infections or periodontitis, gingivitis—all these things—these are bacterial burdens, toxic burdens that have to be removed. And it drains, and the lymphatic system is very close also to the arteries, and there’s this interchange.” (30:47 | Dr. Daniel Kessler)“You need to understand toxin-induced loss of tolerance. So, if you draw a line from left to right, this is your life. You make a little pivot in the middle. You say, ‘What do I have to remove that is toxic and be unapologetic about it?’ I always tell people, this is the number one: make a not-to-do list. Not a to-do list, but a not-to-do list. What are you not going to do anymore from today? And decrease the burden. It could be a relationship, food, whatever, but stick to it. Then, induced loss of tolerance means if you’re staying in the same environment and expecting different outcomes, that’s the definition of insanity.”  (47:50 | Dr. Daniel Kessler)   Links CDC Toxic Substances Portal: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/index.aspx "Detoxify for Life": https://a.co/d/7n6bbkA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/   Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@holisticheartcenters Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Lung cancer is still the number one killer in men and women worldwide against all other cancers combined,” says Dr. Nina Maouelainin, an interventional pulmonologist, as she joins Dr. Regina Druz to tackle a powerful question: Why are so many non-smokers, especially younger women, now at risk? Dr. Maouelainin reveals how factors like air pollution, cooking fumes, and microplastics are affecting lung health in ways we’re just beginning to understand. She explains the importance of proactive screening and how family history can heighten risk—even for those with no smoking background. In a world full of invisible risks, are we paying enough attention to what we’re breathing? Dr. Maouelainin’s advice to “watch what you breathe” serves as a reminder that a healthy environment at home could be one of the most impactful steps toward better lung and heart health.   Quotes “November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and COPD Awareness Month. It is a topic that is very dear to me. And unfortunately, lung cancer is still the number one killer in men and women worldwide against all other cancers combined.” (01:45 | Dr. Nina Maouelainin)“In March of this year, a study came out in the New England Journal of Medicine where a group in Italy looked at the composition of plaques taken from patients’ carotid arteries… They found that a proportion of patients actually had microplastics and nanoplastics—tiny plastic particles—present in those carotid artery plaques.” (09:46 | Dr. Regina Druz)“We definitely do not pay attention to our radon… When was the last time you checked your radon level?” (30:07 | Dr. Nina Maouelainin)“My biggest message is to watch what you breathe… If you see it, chances are it’s going to get deposited in your lungs. Be much more aware of what you cannot see and breathe in.” (51:08 | Dr. Nina Maouelainin)   Links Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@holisticheartcenters Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I look at cholesterol as a first responder. Once inflammation starts in the blood vessels and injury occurs, cholesterol is sent to patch it up—that’s the beginning of those plaques. If plaques are active and inflammation doesn’t subside, the immune system, of course, gets involved,” says Dr. Regina Druz, challenging the conventional view that LDL cholesterol is simply a villain in heart disease.   In this episode, Dr. Druz is joined by Dr. Ernst Schaefer, a leading expert in lipidology and co-founder of Boston Heart Diagnostics, to explore a more nuanced take on cholesterol and heart health. What if cholesterol’s role is more complex than we think? They discuss the hidden risks of small dense LDL particles, which can be far more harmful than LDL alone, and how these particles drive inflammation and plaque formation in our arteries. Together, they encourage listeners to look beyond traditional cholesterol measures and consider cardiometabolic health as a whole.    With heart disease on the rise, how can we make sense of cholesterol management in a way that truly supports long-term health? Dr. Druz and Dr. Schaefer share fresh insights into personalized strategies, new risk assessment tools, and lifestyle shifts that can help you take charge of your heart health. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to rethink cholesterol and approach heart health with deeper understanding and practical tools.   Quotes “The most important risk factor is high blood pressure, a disease that occurs on the arterial side of the system. Diabetes is also very important, but it only occurs in about 10% to 15% of the population. Smoking is very significant as well. LDL cholesterol really is the factor that allows us to distinguish between populations. We know that if we’re effective in lowering LDL, or if we look at populations with very low LDL, their risk is very low. You can markedly lower risk by treating high LDL through lifestyle changes and, sometimes, medications.” (09:42 | Dr. Ernst Schaefer) “I look at cholesterol as a first responder. Once inflammation starts in the blood vessels and injury occurs, cholesterol is sent to patch it up—that’s the beginning of those plaques. If plaques are active and inflammation doesn’t subside, the immune system, of course, gets involved. Cholesterol, in many ways, acts like a firefighter arriving at the scene, attempting to put out the fire, but sometimes the fire is too intense for resolution. It’s essential for adults to understand that, as you mentioned, high blood pressure is also a critical factor.” (11:04 | Dr. Regina Druz) “Almost all the risk associated with LDL is due to elevated small, dense LDL, which is very important. That’s the most atherogenic particle.” (18:16 | Dr. Ernst Schaefer)“The best predictor of mortality for disease is disease itself. The coronary artery disease unfortunately will lead, if unmanaged or not mitigated, to heart failure or potentially a myocardial infarction, even a small one. And so, these are very sensitive measures. We don’t necessarily measure them on every single patient, but we measure them strategically to understand where our patients are on a continuum.” (56:37 | Dr. Regina Druz)    Links https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/#!/calculate/estimate/ PREVENT TM Online Calculator http://www.reynoldsriskscore.org www.mesa-nhlbi.org   Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@holisticheartcenters Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“One kilogram reduction in weight usually decreases systolic blood pressure, so that’s your upper number, by about one millimeter on average,” shares Dr. Regina Druz, pointing to research that shows how even small amounts of weight loss may have a measurable impact on blood pressure. So, how much weight does one really need to lose to see a difference in their blood pressure?   In this episode, Dr. Druz tackles that very question, breaking down the connection between weight loss and managing hypertension. She explains that it isn’t just about dropping pounds—it’s about targeting visceral fat, the kind that plays a key role in improving vascular health and reducing inflammation. Are you tracking your progress accurately? Dr. Druz emphasizes the importance of using tools like BMI and body composition measurements to clearly understand where you stand.   Beyond the numbers, Dr. Druz also explores the possibility of achieving remission from hypertension through lifestyle changes, without the need for medication. If you’ve ever wondered how weight loss could help you gain control of your blood pressure, Dr. Druz offers practical insights and real-life strategies to help you on your journey. Tune in to learn how the right kind of weight loss can transform your heart health!   Quotes “Blood pressure, or hypertension, is actually a chronic disease that carries significant cardiac risk. So, do we have any information on not just controlling or improving blood pressure, but actually putting it into remission so that a person has optimal blood pressure without the use of medications?” (04:23 | Dr. Regina Druz) “Hypertension or elevated blood pressure, unfortunately, is actually quite prevalent. So, if we’re looking at the thresholds of 130 over 80 or reported use of hypertensive medications, it’s about 46%, so almost half of the adult population… As individuals age, the prevalence of hypertension increases.” (14:59 | Dr. Regina Druz) “One kilogram reduction in weight usually decreases systolic blood pressure, so that’s your upper number, by about one millimeter on average.” (21:28 | Dr. Regina Druz)“Studies have shown that a five to ten percent reduction in body fat, specifically visceral fat (the fat stored within and around the organs), is what drives the relationship between weight loss and blood pressure reduction. This makes sense because fat loss reduces inflammation in the body. Fat loss reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are internal components secreted by our fat. It decreases insulin resistance, and it both improves our vascular tone and reduces peripheral resistance.” (26:00 | Dr. Regina Druz)“Resistance training alone can lower blood pressure by three to four millimeters systolic and diastolic even though significant fat loss may not have occurred.” (28:28 | Dr. Regina Druz)   Links Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@holisticheartcenters Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Calcium is the end stage of the inflammation that happens in the coronary arteries,” explains Dr. Regina Druz, a holistic cardiologist, in this inaugural episode of Own Your Heart Health. Dr. Druz explores heart disease from a different angle, shifting the focus from cholesterol to the deeper role inflammation plays in cardiac risk. What if understanding and addressing inflammation could be the key to better heart health? Dr. Druz unpacks this idea and emphasizes the value of the coronary artery calcium score—a diagnostic tool that measures calcium deposits in the arteries, reflecting past inflammation and helping predict future heart disease risk.   While calcium buildup in the arteries is permanent, Dr. Druz reassures us that it’s not the end of the story. She emphasizes that by targeting the root causes of inflammation through lifestyle changes, we can lower our overall risk of heart disease. Dr. Druz encourages us to have open, informed conversations with our healthcare providers about the coronary artery calcium score and other preventive steps for heart health. Combining holistic practices with conventional medicine, she empowers patients to make choices that will not only extend their lives but will also enhance their quality of life.   Quotes “Why do I put heart health and longevity in the same sentence? You may potentially be thinking of these as two different things and let me tell you that they are absolutely not. The aging process first and foremost is reflected in our cardiovascular system.” (02:44 | Dr. Regina Druz) “Cholesterol has been at the center of cardiovascular risk factor continuum used in all sorts of different risk estimators or equations, and the cholesterol-lowering hypothesis has dominated cardiovascular thinking for decades. Now, we do however understand that the primary driver of coronary artery disease is actually not the cholesterol but the injury to the arterial wall and the inflammatory process, the inflammation that starts in the arteries that actually then gets exacerbated with cholesterol coming in trying to patch or repair the inflamed spot. And so, this is how coronary artery plaques start.” (17:00 | Dr. Regina Druz) “Coronary artery disease is a lifelong process. It starts at birth.” (21:45 | Dr. Regina Druz)“Calcium is the end stage of the inflammation that happens in the coronary arteries.” (23:58 | Dr. Regina Druz)   Links MESA Calculator: https://internal.mesa-nhlbi.org/about/procedures/tools/mesa-score-risk-calculator Holistic Heart University: https://holisticheartcenters.com/holistic-heart-university/ Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/collections/heartwell-toolkits Practice Power Hour: https://www.dr.mba/   Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@holisticheartcenters Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Expert insights and actionable steps to reverse and prevent heart disease. Dr. Regina Druz (Cornell/Duke trained MD) is the leading holistic cardiologist, who brings clinical practice wisdom to the science of medicine, enabling listeners to take ownership over their heart health. The episodes focus on the root cause drivers of heart disease, delving deep into metabolic health, hormonal changes, inflammation, toxicities, stress and sleep, and the lifestyle strategies to achieve optimal health, longevity and vitality.