What is Metabolic Health?
In our culture, weight (and the related concept of BMI) is too often used as shorthand for whether a person is healthy or not. Here’s the thing though:
You can’t actually tell from a person’s weight whether they are healthy or not.
That’s where the concept of metabolic health comes in. Defined broadly as the pursuit of optimal—or close to optimal—levels of biomarkers like blood sugar, insulin, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and function, blood pressure and waist circumference, metabolic health offers a more complete picture of a person’s overall health.
Why does metabolic health matter?
By shifting our focus beyond a single, narrow metric (weight/BMI), and instead taking into account a far broader set of data, metabolic health can also be a useful framework to help patients move past the unhelpful judgements that society too often makes about peoples’ weight or body shape. It also provides a more comprehensive lens through which to view our health—meaning it empowers both the patient and their care providers to address the underlying causes of specific health conditions, resulting in better outcomes and an overall improvement in health and quality of life.
How can I tell if I am metabolically healthy?
According to one study by UNC researchers, only 12.2 percent of American adults fall into a category that’s considered ‘metabolically healthy.’ While obesity was correlated with a higher risk of poor metabolic health, it was just one factor among many. The authors also identified many other correlated factors—including smoking and a lack of physical exercise.
That’s why, at Whole Health Partners, we encourage our patients to shift their focus from ‘weight’ to ‘wellness.’ Rather than obsessing over whether you lost a pound this week, or gained one the week before, we believe it’s healthier—and more productive—to pay more attention to other factors like your energy levels, moods, and stress levels. This perspective can then help you understand how different foods, behaviors and even environments contribute to your overall well-being. Together, we’ll then develop a plan that moves you toward better overall metabolic health.
We also use range of technology like remote monitoring devices and continuous glucose monitoring (CGMs) to track biomarkers like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, glucose levels and more—all of which can help us to develop a more complete picture of your metabolic health. This perspective can then help you understand how different foods, behaviors and even environments contribute to your overall well-being. Together, we’ll then develop a plan that moves you toward better overall metabolic health.
What can I do to improve my metabolic health?
The good news is that while genetic factors certainly play a role, metabolic health is closely related to our behaviors and our environment, meaning there is a lot that each of us can do to take charge of our wellbeing and move our metabolic biomarkers in a more positive direction.
Using the framework of lifestyle medicine, we work with our patients to improve their metabolic health by developing a comprehensive plan that includes:
Food and nutrition
Stress and mindset
Physical activity and exercise
Sleep hygiene
Please do get in touch if you would like to learn more about how your metabolic health may be impacting your overall wellbeing.
References
Joana Araújo, Jianwen Cai & June Stevens, “Prevalence of Optimal Metabolic Health in American Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2016,” Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 2019
What would you like help with?
Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance
Blood Glucose Management, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Thyroid Disease, Hormonal Health
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Perimenopause/Menopause
