You might not realize just how much your oral health is tied to your heart and overall wellness—but it’s a connection worth knowing about. I caught up again with my amazing colleague, Dr. Ellie Campbell, and we got into why regular lab tests sometimes miss the early signs of things like heart disease, stroke, and even dementia. We talked about why your dentist could actually be one of the most important people on your health team, plus some sneaky risks that only advanced testing can catch.

Dr. Ellie has been in family medicine for over 25 years, mixing integrative and functional approaches to help people truly understand their health. She shared some eye-opening stuff about how sleep apnea can mess with your blood sugar, why fasting blood sugar numbers matter more than you think, and how your genes could be playing a bigger role than you realize. She also gave some solid advice on how to speak up for yourself in a medical system that doesn’t always connect these dots.

If you’re someone who wants to take better care of yourself and catch problems before they sneak up, this episode is packed with tips that really hit home. And by the way, just to sweeten things up—my new Mighty Maca Mango is out now, perfect for spring and summer. It’s a delicious twist on Mighty Maca that you can toss in sparkling water or make into popsicles. Check it out anytime at dranna.com—it’s a little treat with big benefits.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:04:54] How to know if you have cardiovascular disease.

[00:10:09] Corrupted LDL cholesterol explained.

[00:11:32] Oxidative stress and antioxidants.

[00:15:54] Gender differences in blood sugar.

[00:20:20] Increased mortality with very low blood sugar.

[00:24:21] Continuous glucose monitors' impact.

[00:28:56] LDL cholesterol management post-heart attack.

[00:32:03] Markers of oxidative stress.

[00:36:43] ApoE4 gene and health risks.

[00:39:57] 2 recommended radiology tests for patients over 40.

[00:46:13] Atherosclerosis awareness and prevention.

Memorable Quotes:

"People with the highest cholesterol live the longest. You heard that right." [00:10:30] – Dr. Ellie Campbell

"I believe that we saved that patient from a heart attack or a stroke by identifying leading indicators in blood that told me she had a dental problem that took three dentists to find." [00:34:21] – Dr. Ellie Campbell

Links Mentioned:

Mighty Maca Mango: https://drannacabeca.com/products/mighty-maca

The Blood Pressure Blueprint: https://bpblueprint.com/

Connect with Dr. Ellie Campbell:

Website: https://www.campbellfamilymedicine.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie.cfm/

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

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

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

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com