What is metabolic health and why does it matter?
Metabolic Health means more than just the absence of a metabolic disease. It is a state of health that occurs as a result of interactions between hormones, metabolism, nutrition, gut health, stress, sleep, physical exercise, and genetics. When these components are working in harmony, metabolic health is optimized. When there is a breakdown in one or more of these components, metabolic dysfunction occurs, increasing our risk of disease. These disease states include, but are not limited to Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Fatty Liver Disease, Lipid Abnormalities, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Inflammation, Autoimmune Disorders, Thyroid/Hormone Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, and many types of cancers.
Studies show that only 7% of Americans are metabolically healthy!
Symptoms of Metabolic Dysfunction
Obesity/Difficulty losing weight
Type 2 Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes
Fatigue
Brain fog/difficulty concentrating
High Blood Pressure
Cholesterol abnormalities
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Thyroid Disorders
Depression/Anxiety/Mood Swings
Autoimmune Disease
Joint/Muscle Pain
Insomnia/Sleep Apnea
Fatty Liver Disease
Cardiovascular Disease
Hormonal Disorders/Decreased Libido
And More…..!
How do we measure metabolic health?
Many factors are taken into account when evaluating metabolic health, and may include the following:
Waist to Hip Ratio- An early indicator of metabolic dysfunction is increased central abdominal fat. Fat accumulation in this area leads to inflammation, setting the stage for a whole host of metabolic diseases. An elevated Waist to Hip ratio is warning sign for trouble ahead. However, skinny ≠ healthy. You can be thin on the outside, but fat on the inside.
Blood Pressure- This is the amount of pressure your blood is putting on your artery walls as it travels through your body. High Blood Pressure is an indicator of metabolic dysfunction.
Labs- Glucose, Insulin, Hemoglobin A1C, Advanced Lipid Profile, Hormone levels (including thyroid, cortisol, sex hormones), Inflammatory markers, Gut Microbiome Analysis, Micronutrient Testing, and many others help us better understand your current state of health.
Body Composition Analysis- Using advanced technology, we are able to go beyond the number on the scale to further breakdown your weight into fat, muscle, and water. This is also a very helpful tool to monitor progress as your overall health improves.
Through the lens of functional medicine, we will work with you to better understand your current metabolic state of health. We will then guide you on a journey to harvest vitality so that you may live a long, vibrant life!
Ready to begin? Contact us to schedule your Metabolic Assessment. Not sure we are a good fit? Message us to set up a free 15-minute Discovery Call!
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
— Henry Ford