FAQ Metabolic Health

Read on for Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Metabolic Health to understand your metabolic health, and determine if you could possibly have Metabolic Syndrome.

FAQ Metabolic Health: What is Metabolic Health?

This is Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Metabolic Health. Metabolic Health is determined by various risk factors that increase your vulnerability to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It is really an evaluation of how well your body is functioning on a biochemical or cellular level.

Heart Disease occurs when cholesterol builds up, hardening in the arteries into a waxy substance, called plaque.  As plaque accumulates and narrows your arteries, less blood flow to your heart can lead to high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), heart attack (no blood flow) and often death.

FAQ Metabolic Health: What are the Risk Factors of Metabolic Health?

Metabolic Health refers to the absence of the following risk factors:

Abdominal Obesity

A large waistline or apple / pear body shape refers to an excess of belly fat or visceral fat, around the stomach, which is worse than fat gain in other areas (e.g. hips or thighs). Get Naturopathic with Dr. Jiwani to address your belly fat! 

High Blood Pressure (or Medicated for Hypertension)

Heart damage and plaque accumulation occurs with high blood pressure, which is the constant force of blood pushing against the artery walls. Get Naturopathic with Dr. Jiwani to address your blood pressure!

High Blood Sugar (or Medicated for Diabetes)

Even mildly high Fasting Blood Sugars (FBS) over 5.5 mmol/L should be a red flag, which can indicate insulin resistance, pre-diabetes or diabetes.  Insulin resistance means your body is not listening to the hormone Insulin anymore. Insulin directs your blood sugar to move into your cells for energy.  Without Insulin’s effect, your blood sugar stays high causing fat gain (Obesity). Get Naturopathic with Dr. Jiwani to address your blood sugar!

High Blood Fat (Triglycerides) (or Medicated for High Triglycerides)

Low HDL Cholesterol (or Medicated for High LDL Cholesterol) LDL is bad cholesterol as it increases your risk for heart disease. HDL is good cholesterol as it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. Get Naturopathic with Dr. Jiwani to address your blood fat!

The More Risk Factors Present, the Poorer Your Metabolic Health

FAQ Metabolic Health: What affects Metabolic Health?

Many factors affect Metabolic Health including:

• Diet
• Genetics
• Aging
• Chronic Stress
• Low Physical Activity
• Disrupted Sleep
• Mood Disorders treated with Medication
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption
• Weight & Abdominal Fat
• Insulin sensitivity
• Hypothyroidism
• Gallstones
• Chronic Inflammation from other diseases
• Thick Blood:  High Platelets thicken blood causing faster clotting
• Sleep Apnea:  Breathing problems during sleep
• Fatty Liver (excess triglycerides & fat stored in the liver) 
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome):  many cysts on the ovaries affecting hormonal balance

FAQ Metabolic Health: Am I at Risk for Poor Metabolic Health?

Poor Metabolic Health may be diagnosed as Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X. Many factors determine this, and Dr. Jiwani can help you minimize your risk and address your poor metabolic health.

You are at Risk for Poor Metabolic Health if you have:

• A Large Waistline (Men 40+ inches Women 35+ inches)
• Over 50 years old
• An Inactive Lifestyle
• Chronic Stress
• Higher Blood Pressure ( over 140/90)
• Insulin Resistance or Diabetes
• Take Medications for Inflammation, Allergies, HIV, Depression or Mental Illness
• Relatives with Diabetes
• Women are more at Risk than Men
• Women with PCOS (Multiple Cysts on Ovaries)
• Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder or Bipolar Disorder
• Hypothyroidism or Family History of Thyroid Dysfunction

FAQ Metabolic Health: What are Symptoms of Poor Metabolic Health?

Poor Metabolic Health or Metabolic Syndrome is really an evaluation of risk factors relating to Heart Disease, Diabetes & Stroke.

• Central Obesity or a Large Waistline
• Diabetes Symptoms:  increased thirst & urination (worse at night), feeling tired, blurred vision
• High Blood Pressure Symptoms:  dizziness, nosebleeds, dull headaches & symptoms aren’t always present

Get Naturopathic with Dr. Jiwani to Improve your Metabolic Health:  Call 604.679.9988