When you think of the word ‘metabolic’, it may conjure up the word ‘metabolism’, leading you to think about your body’s metabolism and ability to maintain a healthy weight. However, when discussing metabolic medicine, there is much more to the topic than weight management. Understanding why metabolic medicine matters is crucial with the increase in cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndromes around the world today.
What is Metabolic Medicine?
Metabolic medicine is an all-encompassing term that is used to reference an entire classification of metabolic health. Metabolic health includes metabolic syndromes such as insulin resistance issues, diabetes (type 1, type 2, and pre-diabetes), as well as cardiovascular diseases that are most prevalent today. Metabolic medicine is designed to treat particular areas of the body that are not working properly or that require a boost.
“Essentially, with metabolic medicine, the body is treated from the inside out based on specific base levels, needs, and the body’s individualized biochemistry, “says Dr. Lindsay Clark, a specialist in metabolic medicine. “Metabolic medicines can range from synthetic thyroid replacements to cholesterol medications. Some physicians may also require dietary and exercise changes to your daily routine as part of your own personalized form of metabolic medicine.”
What is a Metabolic Disease?
A metabolic disease is a disease due to the body’s inability to perform certain functions over time. This is often caused by a lack of particular substance or fuel , or possibly due to genetic defects that have been activated by external or environmental factors. Metabolic diseases can also be triggered by various overloads of toxins or long-term deficiencies of nutrients. Some of the most common metabolic diseases (CMD) and disorders, affecting individuals of all ages, include the following:
- Metabolic syndrome
- Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Insulin resistance
- Hyperglycemia
- Gout
- Hypercalcemia
- Prediabetes
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis
- Kidney diseases
Specific metabolic disorders that are not often known by name, but are also extremely common among individuals who suffer from a metabolic disorder or imbalance include the following:
- Acidosis
- Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency
- Alkalosis
- Cystinuria
- Fabry Disease
- Gaucher Disease
- Hereditary Orotic Aciduria
- Hutchingson-Gilford Syndrome
- Iron Overload
- Long-Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorder(s)
- Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency
- Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I-VII
- Nephropathic Cystinosis
- Niemann-Pick Disease
- Obesity
- Phenylketonuria
- Pompe Disease
- Porphyria
- Primary Hyperoxaluria
- Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency
- Urea Cycle Disorder(s)
What Are the Risks of Metabolic Syndrome?
Individuals who have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or another metabolic imbalance have an increased risk of:
- Developing Type 2 Diabetes
Those who are unable to maintain their metabolic health naturally and are not doing so with supplements are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If the body is no longer capable of creating insulin while eating and digesting food, the body’s kidneys will begin to become overloaded, resulting in the development of Type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, severe cardiovascular disorders.
- CHD, or Coronary Heart Disease
Another risk of improperly managed metabolic health includes the development of CHD, or Coronary Heart Disease. Individuals who are at risk of developing CHD are also at risk of experiencing a heart attack, regardless of age. Arteries near the heart that harden and become thick over time due to poor metabolic health reduce the overall flow of oxygen from the heart to the brain, significantly increasing cardiovascular risks.
Benefits of Metabolic Medicine
The use of metabolic medicine is not new, but it is becoming more prevalent as doctors explore the root cause of many health issues faced by individuals of all ages today. Some of the most notable benefits of metabolic medicine in application today include the following:
- Focusing on the root – Rather than providing a temporary solution, or a bandaid, to a healthcare issue, metabolic medicine addresses the root cause of a problem.
- Individualized treatment plan – Because each patient’s metabolic system works differently, medicines and lifestyle changes are implemented on an individual basis.
- Science-based roadmap – Using the latest technologies, lab levels, metabolic medicines, and proven lifestyle changes, improving your overall metabolic health is becoming easier than ever.
How to Reduce Your Risks of Experiencing Metabolic Imbalances
While metabolic medicine is a wonderful option for those struggling with metabolic disorders or dysfunction, there are many lifestyle changes that can also be implemented to reduce metabolic imbalances throughout the body:
- Healthy weight – Exercising regularly and striving to maintain a healthy weight is one of the best ways to address metabolic imbalances in the body.
- Dietary choices – Finding a dietary path that works for your body and your current metabolic disorder(s) is essential when you want to optimize your weight loss and/or weight management efforts.
- Cholesterol and blood pressure – Maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels is also extremely important when it comes to managing your metabolic health.
- Blood sugar/glucose levels – Keeping an eye on your blood sugar/glucose levels is also imperative for those who are pre-diabetic or for anyone who is struggling with insulin resistance. A low-carb and high-protein diet may work best, depending on your own doctor’s advice.
The significance of metabolic health and metabolic medicine cannot be understated, especially in a world with rampant cardiovascular health issues and diseases on the rise. With an understanding of metabolic syndromes and medications available to manage the disorders and diseases related to an improperly balanced metabolism, make the necessary dietary, lifestyle, and medication changes necessary to optimize your own metabolic health.
