Exploring Metabolic Health: A Special Feature for Metabolic Health Day
Metabolic health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, yet it often remains overlooked. In recognition of Metabolic Health Day (October 10), in partnership with my sister, Sarah Aitken, RN, MS, WHNP/FNP, NBC-HWC, I’m delving into this crucial topic and addressing some of the most common questions:
What exactly is metabolic health?
Why is it so significant for our overall health?
Can you take steps to improve your metabolic health?
How is blood sugar interconnected with metabolic well-being?
Is it possible to gain insights into your metabolic health by utilizing continuous glucose monitoring?
And perhaps most importantly, can you reverse the consequences of years of neglecting your metabolic health?
Read on to discover the answers to these questions and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of metabolic health in our lives.
Curious about metabolic health? Wondering why it's essential? Ready to take charge of your well-being? You're not alone. Clients often ask these very questions, and the answers can pave the way to better health.
Understanding Metabolic Health
Metabolism fuels your body by converting the food you eat into energy for your cells. Optimal metabolic health ensures that these processes run smoothly. Metabolic health can be assessed through five key markers:
Blood sugar
Triglycerides
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)
Blood pressure
Waist circumference
If you're medication-free for these issues and these markers fall within the recommended ranges, your metabolic health is in excellent shape. But there's a sixth marker that's just as important – how you feel. When your metabolic health is on point, you feel good.
The Significance of Metabolic Health
Is metabolic health crucial? Absolutely! If you have three or more "worrisome" markers, you're at risk for diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. In fact, these markers can be used to predict or signify heart disease and likely prediabetes or diabetes.
A surplus of glucose in your bloodstream triggers oxidative stress and glycation. Poor metabolic health can lead to:
Low energy or energy fluctuations
Mental fog
Body pain
Fluid retention
Poor exercise stamina
Weight challenges
Widely varying moods
Skin issues
Fertility problems
Low libido or sexual issues
Susceptibility to infections
Improving Your Metabolic Health
Can you improve your metabolic health? Yes, you can! In the past, metabolic health was more of a given due to lifestyle and dietary choices. But as processed foods and snacking have become the norm, metabolic health has declined. In 2019, 88% of North Americans were deemed metabolically unhealthy. That means only 12% of us are metabolically healthy!
You can improve your metabolic health, often called metabolic fitness, by making daily choices that support your metabolic processes. Your diet, meal timing, sleep, stress management, physical activity, and more all play roles in this dynamic state of well-being. It's not an on/off switch; it's a daily continuum determined by your choices.
The Connection Between Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health
Glucose from your food is your cells' fuel. Insulin helps cells use glucose, but when cells aren't hungry for fuel due to frequent eating or highly processed foods, they become insulin resistant. This protective response keeps glucose out of cells, preventing them from overloading. When your blood sugar rises, it's a signal your cells are resisting insulin.
Can you tell something about your metabolic health by wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)?
Absolutely! The glucose pattern of someone in poor metabolic health looks erratic, a roller coaster of variability.
They will likely see higher glucose peaks after eating high-starch foods. Their glucose may remain elevated for two or three hours after a meal or go up and down for several hours after eating. Morning glucose may be high, and/or the average glucose can be high.
Reversing the Damage of Poor Metabolic Health
Can you reverse the damage done by years of poor metabolic health? The answer is yes and no. Your organs and systems adapt to defend against glucose toxicity. This defensive mode can lead to various issues.
You can halt and even reverse some of this damage by:
Reducing the pressure on your liver, cardiovascular system, and pancreas
Lowering inflammation
Allowing for cellular cleanout
There's hope for a healthier future, and you have the power to optimize your metabolic health through daily choices.
Armed with this knowledge, you may feel you need help to make some changes to address your Metabolic Health. That’s where health coaching comes into play. If you have IBS and Metabolic Health concerns, learn about my program and set up a free consult with me and we can talk about how to tackle your issues! If you do not have IBS but you have pre-diabetes, weight management issues, or other metabolic health imbalances, then head on over to my sister site, Diabetes Game Changer. It might be just what you need to prepare yourself to have the best new year ever.
Here's to your best health and a thriving, resilient body.
Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com
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