Dr. Philip Ovadia, a board-certified cardiac surgeon and founder of Ovadia Heart Health. He is the author of Stay Off My Operating Table and a leading voice on the importance of metabolic health. I first met Dr. Ovadia when we were both speaking at a Ziglar event, and our conversation left a lasting impression on me. While my work has centered on the mind, beliefs, and how we respond to the world, Dr. Ovadia has spent his career focused on the physical heart and the role of metabolic health in preventing disease. In our discussion, we explore the fascinating link between mind and body and share practical strategies to help you live healthier and longer.
What Is Metabolic Health?
- Framework for understanding how your body uses energy and nutrients.
- 9 of the top 10 causes of death globally are tied to poor metabolic health.
- Often overlooked by both patients and doctors.
Measuring Metabolic Health: 5 Key Metrics
- Waist Circumference (<40 in men, <35 in women).
- Blood Pressure (<130/85, without medication).
- Fasting Blood Glucose (<100 mg/dL) or HbA1c (<5.7).
- HDL Cholesterol (>40 in men, >50 in women).
- Triglycerides (<150).
- If 3+ are abnormal → “metabolic syndrome,” high risk of disease.
- 88% of U.S. adults fail to meet all five.
Improving Metabolic Health
- Four Pillars: food, activity, sleep, stress.
- Add measurement as a fifth element.
- Exercise: walking, standing desks, resistance training.
- Sleep: judge by how rested you feel, not just hours.
- Stress: mindset matters—shift perception, build outlets (meditation, religion, community).
Diet Insights
- Prioritize whole, real foods: plants, animals, minimal processing.
- Cut processed carbs and sugars.
Stress, Mindset & the Heart
- Stress mindset influences physical effects (Alia Crum’s research).
- Broken Heart Syndrome (Takotsubo): real phenomenon where grief or emotional shock mimics heart attack.
- Mindset (“stinking thinking”) can damage health as much as poor diet.
- Get Your Free Digital Copy of “Stay Off My Operating Table” From Dr. Philip Ovadia exclusively for Changing Minds podcast listeners at: ifixhearts.com/changingminds
- Guest Website: Ovadia Heart Health
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