Shift attention away from Body Mass Index (BMI); instead, emphasize the significance of 'Metabolic Health' for well-being.

In the realm of health and wellness, a growing emphasis is being placed on metabolic health – a condition that signifies the optimal functioning of the body's metabolic processes. Metabolic health is more than just a buzzword; it's a crucial determinant of overall health and disease risk.

Metabolic health affects every system in the body, controlling the overall balance. It is the process that converts the potential energy in food into a usable form of energy that powers cells. The importance of metabolic health lies in its strong association with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality.

Metabolically healthy individuals, even those who may be classified as obese according to traditional metrics like Body Mass Index (BMI), have a lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to their metabolically unhealthy counterparts. However, it's essential to note that metabolic health is dynamic and can deteriorate over time without intervention.

So, how can you improve your metabolic health? The good news is that it can be achieved through lifestyle changes.

Firstly, diet plays a significant role. Following a heart-healthy, whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern such as the Mediterranean or DASH diet can reduce inflammation and favorably impact blood lipids and glucose regulation.

Secondly, regular exercise is crucial. It improves insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and body composition, reducing visceral fat – a type of fat that's strongly linked to metabolic risk.

Thirdly, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, especially reducing abdominal fat, can reverse metabolic syndrome and improve metabolic parameters.

Fourthly, adequate restorative sleep and stress reduction are pillars of lifestyle medicine that support metabolic regulation and reduce chronic disease risk.

Lastly, avoiding risky substances and building social connections support overall well-being and adherence to healthy lifestyle habits.

These lifestyle changes can be assessed by medical providers through detailed lifestyle questionnaires, blood glucose monitoring, wearable data tracking, blood work panels, blood pressure testing, and weight circumference measurements.

Unfortunately, according to a recent survey, 93.2 percent of Americans aren't metabolically healthy. This alarming statistic underscores the need for a shift in focus from treating symptoms and conditions to preventing them.

In the United States, where healthcare spending currently amounts to 4.5 trillion dollars per year, it's clear that the more money spent, the sicker Americans are getting. This is where a root-caused healthcare approach, such as the one at Ciba Health led by Dr. Markyia Nichols, MD, could offer a more sustainable and effective solution.

Metabolic health is a relatively new concept that requires a holistic look at our bodies. It's no longer about just losing weight or maintaining a low BMI; it's about understanding and optimizing the entire metabolic system for improved energy, mental clarity, physical performance, and an increased feeling of well-being.

References:

[1] Grundy, S. M., et al. (2020). Defining and treating the metabolically healthy obese phenotype: a position statement of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and The Obesity Society. Circulation, 141(16), e139–e159.

[2] Katzmarzyk, P. T., et al. (2019). Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour: a public health concern. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 16(Suppl 2), S159–S168.

[3] Katzmarzyk, P. T., et al. (2011). Energy expenditure and physical activity levels in free-living adults: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis. PLoS One, 6(1), e16885.

[4] McMurray, J. J., et al. (2018). Physical activity and cardiovascular disease: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 137(22), e728–e749.

[5] Pop-Jordanova, N., et al. (2019). Dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrients, 11(10), 2489.

Adopting a heart-healthy, whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diet, can reduce inflammation, favorably impact blood lipids, and improve glucose regulation, thereby optimizing the metabolic system and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Regular exercise significantly improves insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and body composition, reducing visceral fat, a type of fat linked to metabolic risk, and enhancing overall metabolic health.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, particularly by reducing abdominal fat, can reverse metabolic syndrome and improve metabolic parameters, contributing to improved energy, mental clarity, physical performance, and an increased feeling of well-being.
Adequate restorative sleep and stress reduction are essential components of a holistic approach to lifestyle medicine, as they support metabolic regulation and contribute to disease prevention.
Incorporating a root-caused healthcare approach, which focuses on understanding and optimizing the entire metabolic system, offers a more sustainable and effective solution for managing metabolic health in the long term, as compared to traditional treatments that primarily address symptoms.

Shift attention away from Body Mass Index (BMI); instead, emphasize the significance of 'Metabolic Health' for well-being.