Cardiometabolic health is essential for longevity and both physical and mental well-being. It is the name given to the way that we assess the body’s fitness and risk of developing cardio-metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and dementia. This is an aspect of health we consider in all of our patients when we assess how best to devise a Functional medicine treatment plan.
While some aspects of cardiometabolic health are visible (weight gain and central obesity), other problems are invisible and have to be tested for when we are assessing metabolic health in the clinic. The features of inflammation in the body which we look for make up what is known as the Metabolic Syndrome.
Features of the metabolic syndrome:
High blood pressure:
One of the invisible aspects of cardiovascular health, this can be caused by weight gain, stress, inflammation and sleep apnoea. While it’s important to treat Blood pressure symptomatically, understanding the root cause of this condition means we can often improve it through diet and lifestyle changes.
High blood sugars and Insulin:
Over a long period of time, excessive intake of sugar and carbohydrate can lead to the over-production of insulin (the hormone which helps us store sugar in the cells). However, over time, the body becomes less responsive the effects of insulin, leading to higher levels of sugar in the blood-stream and initially this leads to unstable ‘spiky’ blood sugars. If left unchecked, this can transition to permanently high blood sugars (seen in Type II diabetes). Blood sugar monitoring and control can be achieved effectively through dietary changes as well as nutritional and sometimes medication support. We even see reversal of Type II diabetes as an achievable goal for most people.
Weight gain with central obesity:
Excess caloric intake can lead to energy being stored as fat (whether the calories come from fat or carbohydrates), unless there is sufficient exercise being done to build muscle (lean weight gain doesn’t contribute to the metabolic syndrome). Often the fat is stored around the organs in the abdomen, leading to increasing waist circumference (known as central obesity).
Fatty Liver Disease:
In some people, fat from excess calories starts to be stored within the liver itself. This can lead to reduced function and damage to the liver.
What are the Root Causes of the Metabolic Syndrome?
Our Obesogenic Food environment:
A steady increase in the availability of high calorie, low nutrient, convenient, highly-processed foods is undoubtably the cause of the soaring rates of obesity seen across the western world. We see education and empowering people to make better food choices as key to successfully tackling all the features of the metabolic syndrome.
High cortisol Levels:
Stress due to life circumstances or childhood trauma, lack of effective rest, sleep apnoea and inflammation due to autoimmunity or food sensitivity can all lead to a rise in cortisol levels. This in turn can interfere with insulin and blood-sugar signalling pathways leading to carbohydrate cravings, increased sugar intake and sometimes binge-eating. Understanding the triggers for excessive eating means we can effectively help by tackling the root causes.
Sedentary Lifestyles:
Unfortunately working in offices and sitting for long periods is part of modern life and learning how to move and stimulate our metabolism back into effective fat-burning helps improve long term health and maintain healthy weight.
Hormonal Imbalances:
Thyroid problems, adrenal dysfunction and menopause can all have huge impacts on cardiometabolic health. Identifying and treating these is key to success when it comes to management of the metabolic syndrome.
How can we help?
Fortunately, with the correct tools and support, improvements in cardiometabolic health is available to everyone. We offer comprehensive testing, a full assessment of diet and lifestyle contributors and work with you to develop a bespoke package of care incorporating a holistic approach to optimising weight, blood pressure, blood sugars and cortisol levels.
Our Group Programmes: Our Functional Foundation Programme is perfect for anyone wanting to work on optimising the diet, nutrition and lifestyle factors which influence cardiometabolic health. Whether you are worried about your weight, blood sugars or blood pressure, this 10-week course will help you to re-assess your diet and kick start your progress towards your health goals.
Our 1:1 Care Packages: Our Functional Medicine doctors and Advanced Practitioner will work with you to find the best, nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet plan for you. We can offer a full hormonal and nutritional assessment with a bespoke holistic lifestyle plan and prescription medication to stabilise blood sugars and aid weight loss where needed.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss which treatment plan would be best for you, please call our patient pathway co-ordinator for further advice and support.
