Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for women in the United States, yet an estimated 80% of these cases are preventable. How can we assess our risks and change our lifestyles to keep our hearts healthy? Pioneering cardiologist Dr. Nieca Goldberg answers all of our questions: How does menopause affect our hearts? How much are heart issues dictated by genetics versus lifestyle? When should we see a heart specialist? We discuss everything from cholesterol and blood pressure, to heart attacks and statins, to cardio versus strength training. Dr. Goldberg signs off with her top three tips for women to maintain healthy hearts as we age.

Sugar consumption has grown exponentially over the past two decades, and with it comes much higher rates of things like diabetes and heart disease. In this episode we speak with Dr. Courtney Peterson, Associate Professor of Nutrition at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health, about sugar and cardiometabolic health. Listen in as we discuss how our bodies’ response to sugar changes as we age, how intermittent fasting can help us regulate blood sugar, and how to reduce our consumption of things like sugar, ultra-processed foods, and microplastics.

Friends, it’s time to get down and dirty here on Side Project. In this episode, we talk to gastroenterologist Bincy Abraham to learn how we can care for our microbiomes as we age. How much fiber should we actually be getting, what’s the deal with colonoscopies, and on a scale of 1-10, just how bad is the Standard American Diet for our gastro health? We’re asking about everything from bowel movements and probiotics to caffeine and wine. Join us!