Metabolic Health Matters: Why We Need to Take It Seriously
Poor Metabolic Health is Linked to Countless Diseases—Here’s How to Take Control
Hey folks,
Today, I want to talk about something critical to our well-being—metabolic health. I recently listened to a podcast that highlighted just how many disease states are tied to poor metabolic health, and honestly, as a physician, I hadn’t fully grasped its impact. Metabolic health isn’t just about obesity or cholesterol levels; it’s about your body’s ability to generate energy efficiently. When this process goes awry, the consequences can be far-reaching.
Let me paint a picture for you. People with poor metabolic health tend to struggle with obesity, lipid dysregulation (think high cholesterol or triglycerides), and high blood pressure. As an ICU doc, I didn’t initially focus on this. My role has always been to treat the sickest of the sick—patients coming in with infections, trauma, or COVID-19. But during the pandemic, I saw a clear pattern emerge: the vast majority of my sickest COVID patients had metabolic issues like obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.
It was a wake-up call. These conditions are not only preventable but reversible, which was a huge "aha" moment for me.
The Broad Impact of Metabolic Health
Let’s talk about the scope of diseases linked to poor metabolic health. If you’re metabolically unhealthy, you’re at a higher risk of:
Heart attacks and strokes: Directly related to poor metabolic health.
Certain cancers: Yes, even some types of cancer are more likely if you're not metabolically sound.
Mental health disorders: Chris Palmer's work highlights how poor metabolic health affects the brain. This can lead to what some are calling a metabolic disease of the brain, tied to mitochondrial dysfunction and glucose dysregulation.
Infertility: Conditions like PCOS are metabolic disturbances, meaning improving metabolic health can improve fertility outcomes.
Alzheimer’s and dementia: Sometimes referred to as type 3 diabetes, Alzheimer’s has a direct link to poor metabolic health.
Kidney disease: Again, another condition tied to metabolic dysfunction.
When you start to connect the dots, it becomes clear: metabolic health impacts almost every major system in your body. But here’s the good news—this is all preventable. You can make changes today that will lower your risk of developing these life-altering conditions.
Reversing Metabolic Syndrome
The journey to better metabolic health is highly personal, but here are a few key approaches:
Nutrition: Prioritize protein, cut back on ultra-processed foods, and focus on whole, nutrient-dense options.
Fasting and Low-Carb Diets: For some, approaches like intermittent fasting, keto, or low-carb diets can be incredibly effective.
Exercise: Lift weights, walk more, and increase your step count. Exercise is a game-changer.
Reduce Stress and Sleep Well: Poor sleep and high stress wreak havoc on your metabolic health.
Community: Surround yourself with a support system to stay on track.
We have the power to reverse these issues, but it’s not just about adults. We need to focus on our youth too. They are bombarded with ultra-processed foods, glued to screens, and struggling with mental health issues exacerbated by poor metabolic health. If we want to truly make an impact, we have to start with the next generation—getting them active, feeding them well, and showing them the long-term benefits of taking care of their bodies now.
Prevention Over Prescription
What I see daily in the ICU—whether it’s heart disease, diabetes, or COVID complications—so much of it could have been prevented by focusing on metabolic health. I’ve taken care of far too many young patients who leave behind grieving families because of preventable diseases. It's heartbreaking, and it pushes me to advocate even harder for change.
We can’t keep waiting until the crisis hits. We need to pivot as a society and invest in prevention. The good news is, we have agency here. Yes, it’s an uphill battle—processed foods are more accessible and cheaper than high-quality, whole foods. But we need to increase awareness, build better habits, and create environments where healthy choices are easy to make.
At Gyata Nutrition, our mission is to help you thrive, not just survive. We want you to be Gyata Strong—living your healthiest life, avoiding the ICU, and truly flourishing.
Let’s take metabolic health seriously, starting today. If this resonates with you, subscribe and share it with someone who needs it. Check out gyatanutrition.com for more ways to support your journey to better health.
Thanks for listening,
Dr. K
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