#253. Cholesterol Isn’t Causing Heart Disease, THIS Is Artwork

Fast to Faith: Healing God's Way

Christian women looking to lose weight, sleep better, and regain energy! Discover proven strategies with Dr. Tabatha (a triple board-certified physician).

Dr. Tabatha illuminates the gaps in conventional gynecology while empowering you to navigate your health issues with confidence and faith. Grounded in a Christian perspective, she delves into the latest insights from the worlds of wellness and functional medicine, exploring topics such as the microbiome, environmental toxicology, nutrition, and epigenetics, all through the lens of honoring the body as God's temple. She firmly believes that gut health is the foundation of gynecological well-being and spiritual vitality.

Discover how factors like diet, lifestyle choices, and environment impact hormones and contribute to various health conditions. From hormone imbalance to stress management, weight gain to emotional eating, Dr. Tabatha covers it all. With her expertise and interviews with leading health experts, you'll gain cutting-edge knowledge and practical remedies to enhance your health journey while strengthening your faith.

Use your superpowers of fasting and faithing to become the superwoman God created you to be! God has fully equipped you with the strength, wisdom, and resilience to overcome any challenge, but many of us have given that power away. You'll learn how to use scripture as the living, nourishing Word to guide you each day and reconnect you to Jesus in a whole new way! This is a necessary part of physical health.

Dr. Tabatha's own journey, from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a respected OB/GYN physician, fuels her passion for educating and empowering women. Her faith in God and belief in the healing power of His creation are at the heart of her message. Join Dr. Tabatha Barber, a triple board-certified physician, as she guides you back to wholeness and explains what's happening in our bodies as women. She debunks all the myths and lies we've been told as women. If you feel dismissed, unheard, confused, frustrated, or disconnected, then you are in the right place.

You CAN lose weight, have abundant energy, feel great in your own skin, and feel mentally strong enough to conquer anything that comes your way. You just need to reconnect your body, mind, and spirit the way God created you to thrive! Her podcast aims to reach a wider audience, offering insights into what's normal, natural, and when to seek help, all while encouraging you to find strength in your faith and trust in God's plan for your health.

If you've been searching for a faith-filled functional physician, look no further! Follow Dr. Tabatha on Facebook @DrTabatha, Instagram @gutsydrtabatha, on YouTube @fasttofaith, and visit www.fasttofaith.com for more information. Join the conversation and reclaim your health today!

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Fast to Faith: Healing God's Way

#253. Cholesterol Isn’t Causing Heart Disease, THIS Is

April 28, 2025 • Dr. Tabatha • Episode 253

0:00 | 17:20

Stop Blaming Cholesterol: The Real Reason Women Over 40 Are Having Heart Attacks

In this empowering episode, I break down the surprising truth behind why heart disease is the #1 killer of women—and why cholesterol isn't the villain we've been told it is. From estrogen loss and inflammation to gut health and liver overload, I unpack how our bodies change in midlife and what we can do to take back control.

You'll learn how symptoms like fatigue, varicose veins, and even mood swings can be early warning signs of cardiovascular dysfunction—and how healing your gut, loving your liver, and building muscle can completely transform your risk. If you're over 40, navigating perimenopause or menopause, and wondering why you suddenly feel off—this is your wake-up call to start nourishing your body like it deserves.

If you liked this episode, watch it on YouTube! 👉🏻 https://youtu.be/VYkTGzPaG7w

0:00 - Cholesterol Is Not the Problem
0:35 - Why Heart Disease Hits Women Hard After 40
5:29 - Gut Health, Inflammation, and Leaky Arteries
11:59 - The Surprising Heart-Liver Connection
13:18 - Why Movement Matters More Than You Think
15:26 - Simple Daily Steps to Lower Your Risk Naturally

If this episode opened your eyes, send it to a sister, friend, or mama who needs a reminder that her heart—and her health—deserve just as much love as she gives to everyone else. 💗

Join Me October 10th is Apex North Carolina: ftf.fasttofaith.com/freedomtofrustration

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Start here: 5-Day Empowered by Faith Challenge ftf.fasttofaith.com/empoweredbyfaithdiy

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Fast to Faith is hosted by Dr. Tabatha Barber — OB/GYN, functional medicine physician, and founder of the Fast to Faith Sisterhood and Coaching Academy.

The Truth About Cholesterol, Estrogen & Heart Attacks After 40
(00:00)

Dr. Tabatha: We villainize cholesterol and act like it's the reason for heart disease—but it's not. It’s the initial tear in the artery wall caused by inflammation and a lack of estrogen. That’s the real root cause. Welcome back to the Fast to Faith podcast! If you're a woman in midlife trying to figure out why your heart and health feel different lately, you're in the right place.

(00:35)
Dr. Tabatha: As women over 40, we start worrying about things we never used to—like heart health. And with good reason. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and it doesn't show up overnight. The groundwork for that heart attack at 56? It probably started at 40.

(03:10)
Dr. Tabatha: Let’s talk about what’s really happening. Estrogen keeps your arteries elastic. When estrogen drops, your arteries stiffen—like pipes—and your blood pressure rises. It’s not random. It’s a natural response to the hormone shifts in perimenopause and menopause.

(05:29)
Dr. Tabatha: Now let’s zoom in on the gut. If you've ever heard of leaky gut, get ready for leaky arteries. Inflammation from your gut travels through your bloodstream and damages the lining of your arteries. Your body sends cholesterol to patch the damage—but if the inflammation doesn’t stop, those patches pile up. That’s plaque.

(08:06)
Dr. Tabatha: Healing starts with awareness. I used to grab whatever food I could between meetings or picking up the kids—half a donut here, a soda there. I didn’t think it mattered. But it was quietly fueling inflammation and stress in my body. Keeping a food journal changed everything for me.

(11:59)
Dr. Tabatha: Here's something most people miss—your liver plays a huge role in heart health. When your liver is overwhelmed by toxins, alcohol, and processed foods, it can’t do its job. And that directly affects your cardiovascular system. Loving your liver is loving your heart.

(13:18)
Dr. Tabatha: Let’s not forget movement. Your muscles act like pumps, helping return blood to your heart. If you’re not moving, your heart is doing all the work. And that leads to fatigue, poor circulation, and higher risk for arrhythmias. Walking, lifting, stretching—it all matters.

(15:26)
Dr. Tabatha: If you want to lower your cardiovascular risk, balance your hormones, and feel amazing again, I’d love to see you inside Fast to Faith. It’s our 40-day program that teaches you how to heal your gut, reverse inflammation, and start burning fat for fuel—physically and spiritually.

(16:08)
Dr. Tabatha: Now that you know what’s really behind women’s heart disease, let’s talk about another sneaky midlife symptom—low stomach acid. Could it be the reason behind your bloating, fatigue, and cravings? Click here to find out.