Cardiovascular Care: Testing and Treating Heart Disease in Women with Dr. Kristine Burke
02/14/24 • 62 min
Kristine Burke, MD is a triple board-certified Functional Medicine physician, entrepreneur, author, educator, and researcher. She is an expert in the reversal and prevention of chronic diseases such as dementia, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. She has a special focus on mold-related illness and its connection to many conditions including research into reversing the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. She teaches Functional Medicine in her role as Asst Clinical Professor of Preventive Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and is the Founder and Medical Director of True Health Center for Functional Medicine in Northern California - a multi-disciplinary practice that delivers personalized primary care with a proprietary data-driven wellness plan that has successfully prevented any heart attacks from occurring among its patients for over a decade.
Together Dr. Burke and I tackle the topic of the leading cause of death in women – heart disease. Our conversation centers around tactics for improving cardiovascular care in women, including detection, hormonal insights, testing, and treatment particularly for peri- and postmenopausal women. She challenges possible reasons that cardiovascular health has not been not a main concern for many health practitioners and patients, and underscores the importance of supporting balanced hormones and a healthy endothelial glycocalyx. Dr. Burke shares a variety of clinical pearls for practitioners and highlights the evolving ideas and tactics that she has embraced as additional testing and research has become available in the world of cardiovascular health over her 30 year career, resulting in healthier, stronger aging women.
I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.
Key Takeaways:
[2:26] Dr. Burke’s transition from traditional to integrative and functional medicine was fueled by the positive results she was seeing in women.
[4:58] What students can expect from the introductory course to functional medicine at Loma Linda University, and the impact of the course in a variety of professional settings.
[7:28] The detection and hormonal reasons behind the increasing risk of heart disease as the number one killer of women.
[9:36] Insights into bioidentical hormone replacement and balance for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in cardiovascular and brain health.
[12:13] Possible reasons that female cardiovascular health is not a key concern for patients and practitioners.
[14:49] Symptoms associated with the majority of Dr. Burke’s peri- and postmenopausal patients.
[16:37] Key tests that Dr. Burke offers beyond the conventional cholesterol panel work, including an advanced lipid profile and particle risk profiles.
[22:27] Dr. Burke’s membership-based program gives patients access to multiple scans and tests throughout the year and a multifaceted team of doctors, dietitians and health coaches.
[26:26] Diet and lifestyle recommendations for effective cardiovascular disease prevention.
[35:30] The role that alcohol plays in cardiovascular health, particularly in the United States.
[38:07] Practitioner recommendations for explaining endothelial glycocalyx as it relates to the different pathways of nitric oxide production.
[46:02] Dr. Burke shares powerful success stories of working with the endothelial glycocalyx.
[48:53] The role of Arterosil in supporting the healthy endothelial glycocalyx and changes to macular degeneration and neuropathy in clinical practices.
[52:36] Dr. Burke considers potential applications for Vascanox, including poor circulation, erectile dysfunction, and possibly to address lymphedema and encouraging lymphatic flow.
[56:15] Dr. Burke shares her personal favorite supplements, her resilience health practices and one of the many health ideas she has changed her mind about over her years of practice.
Episode Resources:
Design for Health Resources:
Research Blog: The Postmenopausal Decline of Estrogen and How it May Influence Cardiovascular Health
Blog: The Latest Research on Antioxidative Status for Optimal Cardiovascular Health
Blog: The Intelligent Inner Lining of Blood Vessels: Nutrients that Support Vascular Health
Kristine Burke, MD is a triple board-certified Functional Medicine physician, entrepreneur, author, educator, and researcher. She is an expert in the reversal and prevention of chronic diseases such as dementia, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. She has a special focus on mold-related illness and its connection to many conditions including research into reversing the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. She teaches Functional Medicine in her role as Asst Clinical Professor of Preventive Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and is the Founder and Medical Director of True Health Center for Functional Medicine in Northern California - a multi-disciplinary practice that delivers personalized primary care with a proprietary data-driven wellness plan that has successfully prevented any heart attacks from occurring among its patients for over a decade.
Together Dr. Burke and I tackle the topic of the leading cause of death in women – heart disease. Our conversation centers around tactics for improving cardiovascular care in women, including detection, hormonal insights, testing, and treatment particularly for peri- and postmenopausal women. She challenges possible reasons that cardiovascular health has not been not a main concern for many health practitioners and patients, and underscores the importance of supporting balanced hormones and a healthy endothelial glycocalyx. Dr. Burke shares a variety of clinical pearls for practitioners and highlights the evolving ideas and tactics that she has embraced as additional testing and research has become available in the world of cardiovascular health over her 30 year career, resulting in healthier, stronger aging women.
I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.
Key Takeaways:
[2:26] Dr. Burke’s transition from traditional to integrative and functional medicine was fueled by the positive results she was seeing in women.
[4:58] What students can expect from the introductory course to functional medicine at Loma Linda University, and the impact of the course in a variety of professional settings.
[7:28] The detection and hormonal reasons behind the increasing risk of heart disease as the number one killer of women.
[9:36] Insights into bioidentical hormone replacement and balance for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in cardiovascular and brain health.
[12:13] Possible reasons that female cardiovascular health is not a key concern for patients and practitioners.
[14:49] Symptoms associated with the majority of Dr. Burke’s peri- and postmenopausal patients.
[16:37] Key tests that Dr. Burke offers beyond the conventional cholesterol panel work, including an advanced lipid profile and particle risk profiles.
[22:27] Dr. Burke’s membership-based program gives patients access to multiple scans and tests throughout the year and a multifaceted team of doctors, dietitians and health coaches.
[26:26] Diet and lifestyle recommendations for effective cardiovascular disease prevention.
[35:30] The role that alcohol plays in cardiovascular health, particularly in the United States.
[38:07] Practitioner recommendations for explaining endothelial glycocalyx as it relates to the different pathways of nitric oxide production.
[46:02] Dr. Burke shares powerful success stories of working with the endothelial glycocalyx.
[48:53] The role of Arterosil in supporting the healthy endothelial glycocalyx and changes to macular degeneration and neuropathy in clinical practices.
[52:36] Dr. Burke considers potential applications for Vascanox, including poor circulation, erectile dysfunction, and possibly to address lymphedema and encouraging lymphatic flow.
[56:15] Dr. Burke shares her personal favorite supplements, her resilience health practices and one of the many health ideas she has changed her mind about over her years of practice.
Episode Resources:
Design for Health Resources:
Research Blog: The Postmenopausal Decline of Estrogen and How it May Influence Cardiovascular Health
Blog: The Latest Research on Antioxidative Status for Optimal Cardiovascular Health
Blog: The Intelligent Inner Lining of Blood Vessels: Nutrients that Support Vascular Health
Previous Episode
Optimizing Heart Health Through Prevention and Early Detection with Dr. Michael Twyman
Dr. Michael Twyman is a heart attack prevention expert, the founder of Apollo Cardiology, and a board-certified cardiologist. He is also a veteran who served as a Medical Corp physician in the Navy and now works out of St. Louis to integrate conventional and functional medicine to get to the root cause of his patients' cardiovascular issues. He serves as the Cardiovascular Director for the Institute of Muscle-centric Medicine and is recognized nationally as a speaker regarding cardiovascular risk and more. His mission is to help his patients live better and longer lives by optimizing their mitochondrial function to become heart attack-proof.
Together Dr. Twyman and I explore what it takes to not only treat but effectively prevent heart disease. He offers a high-level overview for practitioners to help patients become heart attack-proof by preventing cardiovascular disease from taking hold at an early age. He highlights the four main levers to optimize health, including exercise, stress mitigation, sleep, and sunlight, and shares clinical pearls addressing testing and dosing, as well as the relationship between the endothelium and nitric oxide. He shares the success stories he has seen in protecting the glycocalyx and endothelium and offers insights into the role that AI will play in the future of heart attack-proofing patients.
I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.
Key Takeaways:
[2:17] Dr. Twyman highlights his journey from conventional to integrative and functional medicine.
[4:04] A high-level overview of helping patients become heart attack-proof by preventing cardiovascular disease from taking hold at an early age.
[6:02] Dr. Twyman’s ‘starter pack’ recommendations for practitioners when testing for cardiovascular health.
[13:00] Devices that Dr. Twyman utilizes include the endopap and Max Pulse.
[13:24] An overview of the pathways by which nitric oxide is produced and the importance of it in heart health.
[16:08] The impact of smoking and vaping on a healthy oral microbiome.
[18:26] Optimizing nitric oxide production in the body through exercise, sunlight, and protected circadian rhythms.
[24:50] Recommendations for effective utilization of photobiomodulation, or light therapy, in optimizing patient health.
[31:02] Ingredients and dosing recommendations in supplements and nutrients when raising nitric oxide production.
[34:57] Positive effects that Dr. Twyman has seen in his patients when using products like Vascanox.
[36:52] Addressing the oral microbiome in effective ways that will reduce damage and protect the glycocalyx and endothelium.
[39:55] Dr. Twyman’s success stories in protecting the glycocalyx and endothelium.
[41:50] An overview of the relationship between the endothelium and nitric oxide.
[43:00] Determining when to use arterial preventative products before plaque is present.
[44:10] The relationship between erectile dysfunction and endothelial dysfunction, and Dr. Twyman’s clinical pearls when treating both.
[47:27] Recommendations for utilizing the Cleerly Scan when identifying and quantifying heart plaque.
[51:38] Dr. Twyman highlights the technology and testing features he is excited about in the field of cardiovascular medicine.
[52:56] Dr. Twyman reveals what he has changed his mind about over his years of practice, his personal favorite supplements, and the health practices that keep him healthy and resilient.
Episode Resources:
Design for Health Resources:
Blog: Exploring the Dual Pathways and Nutrients for Enhanced Nitric Oxide Production
Blog: The Intelligent Inner Lining of Blood Vessels: Nutrients that Support Vascular Health
Webinar: The Supplement Toolbox - Research on Glycocalyx Regeneration and Nitric Oxide
Webinar: The Role of the Endothelial Glycocalyx in Cardiovascular Disease
Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which ...
Next Episode
The Not-So-Secret Power of Supplements in Aging Powerfully with JJ Virgin
As a triple-board certified nutrition expert and Fitness Hall of Famer, JJ is a passionate advocate of the healing power of nutrition and is mission-driven to change the way the world sees aging and longevity. She has launched 3 multimillion-dollar businesses, including a 7-figure personal brand, and founded the Mindshare Collaborative, the most influential professional community in health. JJ is a prominent TV and media personality, the author of four NY Times bestsellers, and the host of the Well Beyond 40 with JJ Virgin podcast, which has over 19 million downloads, and one of the original DFH reps.
Together JJ and I take a look at the realities of aging powerfully, especially for women over 40. With over 40 years of experience in the field, JJ is truly an expert at aging intentionally and in ways that will benefit the body over time. She shares insights into diet, exercise, supplements, tocotrienols, Ozempic, and more. JJ also offers a variety of practical advice that practitioners can share with their patients to improve strength training, regardless of which decade of life they are in, so they can continue to reap its many benefits.
I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.
Key Takeaways:
[4:04] What matters to JJ today versus what she thought was important at the beginning of her career.
[6:24] The science-backed importance of aging powerfully, not just gracefully.
[11:02] Tools that can help patients improve strength training in every decade of their lives.
[16:53] DEXA scans and alternative options for tracking bone density changes.
[18:58] JJ shares the additions she has made to her diet as she ages powerfully.
[25:30] Figuring out the protein piece of the puzzle in your daily diet.
[29:45] The immense value of creatine and other essential supplements for women over 40.
[37:34] JJ’s experience with tocotrienols and GG- what she calls the most amazing experience that no one is talking about.
[42:20] The role of protein quantities in extending a lifespan.
[47:12] Concerns of triggering autophagy through fasting and exercise and the importance of putting on muscle to avoid frailty in later years.
[49:19] JJ addresses the pros and cons of Ozempic and offers dietary recommendations to maintain quality muscle.
[54:15] Suggested steps to take to lose 10-15 pounds and increase muscle mass before turning to Ozempic.
[55:53] JJ shares one of her favorite success stories from the Mindshare community.
[1:00:29] JJ’s personal health practices that keep her healthy and balanced.
Episode Resources:
Design for Health Resources:
Blog: Creatine Monohydrate for Healthy Aging and Brain Function
Research & Education: Effects of High Protein Intake on Aging, Metabolic Health, and Weight
Research & Education: Vitamin E Tocotrienols, Metabolic Health, and Healthy Aging
Research & Education: Intro to Geranylgeraniol
Webinar: Geranylgeraniol-A Groundbreaking Anti-Aging Solution from the Amazon
White Paper: Geranylgeraniol: A Novel Nutrient in Healthy Aging
Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.
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