Own Your Heart Health with Dr. Regina Druz

Midlife can feel like an ending, but what if it’s actually the moment everything starts to make sense? What if the same body you’ve spent years trying to fix is the one that’s been carrying the wisdom you’ve needed all along?

Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Mindy Gorman-Plutzer, a certified health coach and functional nutrition practitioner, for a conversation about midlife transformation, women’s health, and the kind of freedom that comes from trusting yourself again. Mindy shares how her own path through loss and disordered eating led her to a deeper understanding of what true healing looks like - one that blends functional medicine with compassion, curiosity, and radical self-acceptance.

They talk about what really happens when women stop fighting their bodies and start asking better questions: Why do we eat the way we do? What beliefs are still shaping the way we treat ourselves? How much energy are we losing to perfectionism or self-doubt? Mindy’s approach helps women move away from control and fear toward a more intuitive, grounded sense of nutrition and wellness that honors both science and emotion.

Dr. Druz connects these insights to the heart, sharing how stress and constant striving can show up in cardiovascular health and longevity. Together, they make a powerful case for redefining midlife as a stage of empowerment, not limitation.

Midlife Metamorphosis invites listeners to see this season as an opening rather than a crisis. It’s a reminder that transformation doesn’t have to mean reinventing yourself. It can mean finally coming home to who you’ve been all along.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Heart Health and Nutrition

01:58 Mindy’s Journey to Health Coaching

06:34 The Freedom Promise Framework

10:25 Recognizing the Why in Nutrition

12:01 The Impact of Diet Culture

15:28 The Role of Technology in Health

18:36 Radical Acceptance and Self-Worth

21:40 Understanding Patterns in Eating

24:57 Midlife Metamorphosis and Its Importance

30:09 The Connection Between Stress and Health

35:18 Empowerment in Midlife

40:20 Legacy and Future Generations

Connect with Mindy Gorman-Plutzer:

Get Mindy’s Book, Midlife Metamorphosis: The Journey from Diet Culture to Radical Acceptance

Links

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Menopause changes more than hormones. It reshapes how the whole body works. In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz talks with gynecologist and certified menopause specialist Dr. Polly Watson about the deep links between hormone wellness and cardiovascular health. What really happens to the heart when estrogen levels start to shift? How early do those changes begin, and what can women do to protect themselves long before symptoms appear?

Dr. Druz and Dr. Watson unpack the science behind estrogen dominance and perimenopause through the lens of functional medicine, showing how hormonal fluctuations can influence everything from metabolism to muscle tone to mood. They share what the latest research tells us about hormone replacement therapy and why many long-held fears deserve to be reconsidered. 

You’ll hear how small lifestyle changes (better nutrition, strength training, sleep, and toxin reduction) can restore balance and build resilience through midlife and beyond. Above all, this episode celebrates women’s empowerment in medicine and self-care, encouraging every listener to take an active role in understanding their hormones, advocating for informed treatment, and supporting long-term heart health with clarity and confidence.

Get Dr. Watson’s Estrogen Dominance handout by commenting “hormones” on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or TikTok.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Hormone Wellness and the Heart–Body Connection

06:58 How Menopause Impacts Cardiovascular Health

13:31 Understanding Perimenopause and Estrogen Dominance

25:44 Functional Medicine Foundations and Lifestyle Changes

39:39 The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy

55:15 Women’s Empowerment Through Menopause Awareness

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call

Access Courses and Events

Get Heartwell Toolkits

Schedule a Business Meeting

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Visit the Holistic Heart Centers website

Follow Holistic Heart Centers on Facebook

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Subscribe to Dr. Regina on YouTube

Follow Dr. Regina on Instagram

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Your DNA carries powerful clues about how to protect your heart and extend your life, and modern genetics now makes it possible to turn that knowledge into action.

Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, the co-founder of IntellxxDNA, to discuss how breakthroughs in genetics, genomics, and epigenetics are redefining personalized medicine and reshaping the way we think about heart health and longevity. Dr. Hausman-Cohen breaks down the difference between genetics - our inherited traits - and genomics, the complex network of gene interactions that work with lifestyle and environment to influence chronic disease risk. Using examples like hypertension and cardiac inflammation, she points out how understanding these genomic patterns helps clinicians create precise, individualized strategies for prevention and care.

Dr. Druz and Dr. Hausman-Cohen also uncover how epigenetics empowers people to change how their genes behave through nutrition, stress management, and daily habits. They discuss how IntellxxDNA translates this information into evidence-based guidance on diet, supplements, and medications, helping patients and practitioners address the root causes of illness instead of managing symptoms. The episode also goes into the science of longevity, revealing key genes such as CDKN2A, Lp(a), and Klotho that influence aging, inflammation, and cardiovascular strength - and how this knowledge can guide smarter, more personalized health decisions.

Rather than seeing genetic testing as fate, Dr. Druz and Dr. Hausman-Cohen present it as a roadmap for precision health, showing how a deeper understanding of your DNA can help you live longer, stronger, and healthier.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Unlocking the Genetic Blueprint for Heart Health

05:47 Genetics vs Genomics vs Epigenetics Explained

12:33 DNA Testing: Direct-to-Consumer vs Medical Genomics

19:10 Making Genomics Actionable with IntellxxDNA

27:43 Hypertension Genomics and the RAAS Pathway

43:24 Lp(a) Variant and Aspirin Risk Reduction

54:31 Top Five Heart Health Genes to Know

01:01:05 Longevity Genes and Personalized Prevention

01:06:20 Precision Health Takeaways for Heart Health and Longevity

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call

Access Courses and Events

Get Heartwell Toolkits

Schedule a Business Meeting

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Visit the Holistic Heart Centers website

Follow Holistic Heart Centers on Facebook

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Subscribe to Dr. Regina on YouTube

Follow Dr. Regina on Instagram

Follow Dr. Regina on TikTok

Exercise can be medicine for the heart, yet most of us still struggle to fit it into daily life. Dr. Regina Druz sits down with exercise physiologist Dr. Jim Walter to explore how movement shapes cardiovascular health and why small choices matter more than we think. He introduces “move more moments,” simple ways to counter a sedentary lifestyle and build habits that actually last. How much activity is enough to lower risk? Could short bursts of physical activity make the difference that decades of research suggest?

Together, they look at exercise through the lens of physiology and integrative cardiology, connecting everyday actions to measurable outcomes like stronger VO2 max, better blood pressure control, and greater resilience over time. The conversation also points out resistance training, balance, and mobility as essential parts of health preservation, especially as we age. This is a thoughtful, practical take on what it really means to move with your heart in mind.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Dr. Jim Walter’s Journey into Exercise Physiology

05:04 Exercise as Medicine for Cardiovascular Health

09:00 Move More Moments to Counter a Sedentary Lifestyle

22:14 Exercise Snacks, VILPA, and Daily Physical Activity

36:26 VO2 Max and the Power of Aerobic Fitness

40:23 Resistance Training, Balance, and Mobility

44:42 The Wide-Ranging Health Benefits of Exercise

48:01 Takeaways on Health Preservation

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call

Access Courses and Events

Get Heartwell Toolkits

Schedule a Business Meeting

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Visit the Holistic Heart Centers website

Follow Holistic Heart Centers on Facebook

Follow Holistic Heart Centers on X

Subscribe to Dr. Regina on YouTube

Follow Dr. Regina on Instagram

Follow Dr. Regina on TikTok

Pocket-sized ECG devices and advances in AI in healthcare are opening new possibilities in cardiology and giving patients practical ways to stay on top of their heart health. What once required bulky machines in hospitals can now be done from home, shifting how care is experienced and how patients connect with their doctors.

In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz talks with Dr. David Albert, cardiologist, inventor, and founder of AliveCor, whose innovations have made at-home heart monitoring a reality for millions of people. He shares how his path through medical technology and entrepreneurship turned an early idea into a global company, and why simplicity and accessibility have always guided his work.

The discussion points out how patient engagement leads to better outcomes, how innovation in ECG devices provides peace of mind, and how AI in healthcare is creating new opportunities for prevention. It’s a forward-looking discussion about where cardiology is headed and how technology and persistence can reshape care.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Episode Focus on Cardiology Innovation

03:20 Origin Story: The Spark Behind At-Home Heart Monitoring

07:05 From Cardiology to Entrepreneurship: Building Real-World Medical Technology

09:22 AliveCor Breakthrough: Pocket ECG Devices From Single-Lead to 12-Lead

12:43 Patient Engagement Drives Outcomes: Smartphones as the Remote Control for Heart Health

19:10 At-Home ECG in Action: Instant Answers for Palpitations and Peace of Mind

21:29 AFib Screening at Scale: Evidence, Hypertension Risks, and Modern Therapies

44:51 Who Should Get a Kardia Device: When to Use Single-Lead, 6-Lead, or 12-Lead

48:07 AI in Healthcare: Predicting Plaque Early - “Prediction Is Prevention”

Links

AliveCor

Schedule a Discovery Call

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Schedule a Business Meeting

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Holistic Heart Centers Website

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What does it mean to be in a flow state? And why does it matter for both your health and your work? That question frames a wide-ranging conversation between Dr. Regina Druz and Dr. Lara Salyer that goes well beyond theory to ask how we can actually live and practice in ways that support creativity, resilience, and joy.

Dr. Salyer reflects on her own mindset shift from burnout in rural family practice to founding the Catalyst Studio, a space where women clinicians learn to design work that feels alive and aligned with their values. She and Dr. Druz talk about the science of flow and the reality of burnout, showing how one leaves the brain heavy and fogged while the other unlocks focus, energy, and joy. Flow is not random luck. It follows a cycle of struggle, release, immersion, and recovery, and recovery often decides whether the cycle can repeat. Together they ask: How do you notice the signals that flow is breaking down? What simple routines invite it back?

Dr. Salyer shares her AHA method (Anchor, Highlight, Activate) as a way to make choices that protect energy and create space for meaningful work. She and Dr. Druz describe the small shifts that matter most, from taking micro breaks to designing morning or evening rituals that cue the nervous system. They also point to the role of community in sustaining resilience and draw a striking comparison between flow and metabolic flexibility for the mind. By the end, listeners are left with a clear reminder that flow is not a luxury but a foundation for health, longevity, and a career worth loving.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcoming Dr. Lara Salyer

01:43 Burnout and the Journey Into Functional Medicine

04:57 Why Catalyst Studio Was Created for Practitioners

08:36 Burnout vs. Flow in the Brain Explained

10:57 The Four Phases of Flow: Struggle, Release, Flow, Recovery

14:03 Why Recovery Is Essential for Stress Resilience

20:02 The AHA Method to Prevent Burnout and Activate Flow

23:44 Flow Triggers and Flow Disruptors That Shape Performance

28:19 Trust, Community, and the Science of Flow Resilience

35:24 Curating Your Environment with Power Up and Power Down Rituals

48:31 Resources for Learning Flow and Creative Performance

Links

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Links in bio

How to Avoid Statins Mini-course

5 Heart Tests You Must Check Now

Chat with Holistic Heart Centers

Get Heartwell Toolkit

Connect with Dr. Lara Salyer:

Website

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Holistic Heart Centers Website

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Lipoprotein(a) might be one of the most important pieces of the heart health puzzle that most people have never heard about.

Dr. Regina Druz sits down with cardiologist and lipidology expert Dr. Guy Mintz to discuss why this particle deserves far more attention in cardiology. Lipoprotein(a) is often left out of standard cholesterol tests, yet it is linked to early heart attacks, strokes, valve disease, and aggressive atherosclerosis. If lowering cholesterol only cuts cardiovascular risk in half, what explains the rest? Could Lipoprotein(a) be the missing factor that shapes a person’s long-term health?

The conversation looks closely at the science behind Lipoprotein(a), its genetic roots, and why doctors call it a “genetic tattoo.” You’ll hear why every adult should ask for this test, why family members of those with elevated levels need screening, and how new drugs in development may soon lower Lipoprotein (a) by up to 90%. Until then, heart attack prevention depends on various steps like lifestyle choices, aggressive cholesterol control, and in some cases, apheresis.

This episode encourages a broader view of heart health, one that goes beyond LDL cholesterol to include genetics, inflammation, and personalized care. What would change if you knew your Lipoprotein(a) level? How would that knowledge shape the way you approach prevention?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Lipoprotein(a) and the Future of Heart Health

04:49 Why Lipoprotein(a) Raises Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

14:13 Genetics of Lipoprotein(a) and Family Screening

27:18 Should Lipoprotein(a) Be in Standard Cholesterol Tests

35:12 New Therapies to Lower Lipoprotein(a)

52:29 Residual Risk and Heart Attack Prevention

Links

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Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Holistic Heart Centers Website

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Most chronic diseases can’t be reversed until we address what’s happening in the gut, and Dr. Vivian Asamoah is here to explain why your microbiome is the missing link in true healing.

Joining Dr. Regina Druz, Dr. Asamoah shares how her journey from conventional gastroenterology to integrative and functional medicine began with a simple but powerful realization: prescriptions alone don’t solve chronic illness. Patients were tired of “forever medications,” and she was determined to find a better way, one that focuses on root causes, nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle shifts.

Together, they explore the microbiome’s profound influence on the body, connecting gut health to brain function, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Dr. Asamoah breaks down how dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria, can trigger inflammatory patterns that show up as Alzheimer’s, ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, insulin resistance, and more. They also discuss the challenges of defining a “healthy microbiome,” revealing how factors like diet, environment, and even ancestry shape gut diversity.

One of the most urgent lessons from this conversation is the need to strip away common toxins, starting with alcohol, high-fructose corn syrup, and ultra-processed foods, that silently fuel liver disease and systemic inflammation. Dr. Druz calls out the persistent myth that moderate alcohol consumption is harmless, citing data that proves otherwise. The episode also sheds light on fatty liver disease as a widespread metabolic issue tied to gut health, not just liver function.

Dr. Druz and Dr. Asamoah’s conversation is a wake-up call for anyone ready to simplify their health journey, with actionable insights on how foundational habits, paired with mindful testing when needed, can shift the trajectory of chronic disease and restore true wellness.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcoming Dr. Vivian Asamoah

01:38 Dr. Asamoah’s Journey to Integrative Gastroenterology

04:06 Moving Beyond Prescriptions: The Shift to Functional Medicine

07:00 The Microbiome and Metabolic Liver Disease Explained

11:03 How Gut Health Drives Chronic Diseases Like Alzheimer’s and Heart Disease

19:02 What Stool Testing Reveals About Your Microbiome

26:27 Gut Microbiome, Hypertension, and American Heart Association Findings

32:57 Understanding Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

36:01 The Gut-Liver Axis: A Critical Connection for Health

44:21 Advanced Liver Testing: Fibroscan and Elastography

47:39 Foundational Health Tips

Links

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM:

https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Sign up for The Holistic Heartbeat newsletter: https://tr.ee/holisticheartbeat

Links in bio: https://linktr.ee/drreginadruz

How to Avoid Statins Mini-course: https://tr.ee/statins

5 Heart Tests You Must Check Now: https://tr.ee/hearttests

Chat with Holistic Heart Centers: https://tr.ee/chatwithus

Get Heartwell Toolkit: https://tr.ee/WPb9U1

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Holistic Heart Centers Website

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Instagram

Facebook

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Your dentist might be the first person to spot early signs of heart disease, and it might show up long before your cardiologist sees anything on a scan.

In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz sits down with her colleague, dentist Dr. Maria Sokolina, to talk about the oral systemic connection and why oral health should never be treated as separate from the rest of the body. They unpack how gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontal disease (often caused by bacteria like Bacteroides gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum) can quietly fuel inflammation that affects cardiovascular health, brain function, and even longevity. What might your gums be telling you about your risk for stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or atrial fibrillation? Could that headache, dry mouth, or grinding habit be pointing toward sleep apnea or an airway issue?

Dr. Sokolina explains how signs like mouth breathing, snoring, bony growths, and tongue position often reflect bigger concerns like high blood pressure, cortisol imbalances, or gut dysfunction. She shares how tools like myofunctional therapy, oral appliances, and simple techniques, like her water test, can help uncover breathing patterns that impact heart health and nervous system regulation. She also touches on the role of saliva tests, acid reflux, LPR, GERD, and the early oral indicators of diseases like oral cancer.

This episode offers a different lens on dentistry, one that sees the mouth as a vital piece of the whole health puzzle. Dr. Druz and Dr. Sokolina also reflect on women’s health, hormone shifts in menopause, and the importance of understanding how inflammation, the vagus nerve, and the parasympathetic nervous system all fit together. Could your next dental exam reveal more than just cavities? Are the symptoms showing up in your mouth actually pointing to deeper issues with your heart, your brain, or your gut? And how might things shift if your dentist and doctor were working as a team? Dr. Druz and Dr. Sokolina’s discussion invites you to look closer and think differently about where health really begins.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Dr. Maria Sokolina

03:12 Gum Disease as a Marker for Heart Risk

08:40 Oral Bacteria and Systemic Disease

13:24 Sleep Apnea Clues Dentists Can Catch

20:45 Mouth Breathing, Nasal Dysfunction, and Heart Health

28:56 The Three-Minute Water Test for Nasal Breathing

38:15 Amyloid Plaque and the Mouth-Brain Connection

46:02 Treating Root Causes with Oral Appliances and Therapy

54:10 The Overlooked Connection Between Oral Health and Hormones

Links

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Maria Sokolina:

Myofunctional therapy and Sleep Quality Self-Assessment and Video Guide: https://drmariasokolina.com/myofunctional-therapy-and-sleep-quality-self-assessment/

Forbes articles: https://drmariasokolina.com/articles/

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Chronic symptoms don’t always need complex solutions, and your wellness journey doesn’t have to start with prescriptions.

Dr. Myrto Ashe joins Dr. Regina Druz to talk about how simple, cost-negative health interventions can spark powerful change. A leader in functional medicine and author of The Simple Science of Wellness, Dr. Ashe shares her personal health journey—from managing asthma and joint pain to helping her child through chronic illness—by turning to holistic health practices like intermittent fasting, a gluten-free diet, and stress relief tools grounded in science.

In this conversation, she breaks down easy health tips anyone can try, including the fasting mimicking diet (inspired by Dr. Valter Longo), journaling for brain health and emotional regulation, and the tapping solution, also known as emotional freedom technique, for anxiety and cortisol management. Together, she and Dr. Druz explore how lifestyle changes improve mind-body health, boost the immune system, and support everything from blood pressure to gut health and even autoimmune conditions.

They also touch on lesser-known but high-impact strategies, like improving indoor air quality with an air filter to support heart health and cognitive function, and why preventative health doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

If you’re looking for natural healing, health transformation, or practical health hacks that fit real life, this interview is packed with wellness strategies that go beyond medicine and deliver lasting vitality.

Episode Breakdown:

Links

Connect with Dr. Myrto Ashe:

Simple Wellness newsletter: https://simple-science.beehiiv.com/

James Pennebaker's Journaling Research: https://www.scribd.com/document/777792416/James-W-Pennebaker-Writing-to-Heal-a-Guided-Journal-for-Recovering-From-Trauma-Emotional-Upheaval-New-Harbinger-Publications-Incorporated-2004

Connect with Holistic Heart Centers:

Schedule a Discovery Call: https://go.holisticheartcenters.com/apply

Access Courses and Events: https://holisticheartcenters.info/hearthealth

Get Heartwell Toolkits: https://shop.holisticheartcenters.com/

Schedule a Business Meeting:https://calendly.com/heartcenters 

🎉 NEW! Interact with Own Your Heart Health Podcast — on NotebookLM: https://holisticheartcenters.info/notebook

Connect with Dr. Regina Druz:

Website: http://holisticheartcenters.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reginadruzmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.reginadruz 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticheartcenters 

Twitter: https://x.com/heartCenters 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticheartcenters

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm