Metabolic Health

How to Maintain Metabolic Health for a Healthy and Active Lifestyle

You have been trying for weeks to lose a few pounds with no results. Your nutrition and diet have been better than ever and you've stuck with your workout and overall fitness activity. You have been getting more sleep and have added lifestyle changes and meditation for stress management. The disappointment is overwhelming when you step on the scale to see no weight loss.

Why isn't your body responding to your new healthy and active lifestyle? You don't want to ask your doctor for medication to deal with food. It may be time to seek treatment from a chiropractor who specializes in metabolic health. But how do you even know if you have a metabolic health problem? What kind of advice can a chiropractor give a patient anyway?

What are the key components of metabolic health?

Metabolic health looks beyond obesity, carbs, protein, sugar, or calories. It is a combination of a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health with the ideal being a metabolism that functions properly.

Call 208-991-2684 to learn more about our chiropractic metabolic health treatment options.

The five factors of metabolic health are:

Blood sugar levels / insulin and glucose levels
Waist circumference / obesity
Blood pressure / stroke or heart disease
Cholesterol / fatty buildup in arteries
Triglycerides / fat in blood

For each area, doctors and scientists have determined a range considered normal for most people. Then, during exams and lab work, your results are compared to the normal ranges to track how your body is doing. It’s a more complete snapshot of your body beyond your weight.

What is metabolic syndrome?

That snapshot may show that your body is out of balance in these five factors. The imbalance is evidence of metabolic syndrome. The definition is "a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, brain function, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels." (Mayo Clinic.)

If you are worried your struggle is unique, here are some statistics to note:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found in a recent study that 34% of Americans are affected by metabolic syndrome.
The study reported that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was highest among adults aged 60 years and older (41%), followed by those aged 40-59 years (35%), and finally those aged 20-39 years (27%).
The same study found that evidence of metabolic syndrome was higher among men (37%) than women (31%).

You are not alone.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR METABOLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS?

Those who exhibit one or more of the conditions marking metabolic health problems have a higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Here are the factors that increase your chances of having metabolic syndrome:

Age. Your risk increases with age.
Ethnicity. Hispanics in the United States — especially Hispanic women — appear to be the group with the greatest risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Obesity. Too much weight in the abdomen increases your risk of metabolic syndrome.
Diabetes. Your risk is higher if you had diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or if there is a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Other diseases. If you have ever had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome or sleep apnea, your risk is higher.

What is the treatment for metabolic health syndrome?

The most effective and long-term treatment plan involves making lifestyle changes such as:

Increased physical activity
Stop smoking
Lose weight
Maintain a healthy diet
Manage stress

However, if your doctor determines these changes are not bringing about enough improvement, they might suggest medications to help control your symptoms.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU WORK WITH A CHIROPRACTOR FOR SLOW METABOLISM

Working with a chiropractor who focuses on your overall wellness will probably be different than you expect. Our team works with you to create a metabolic plan to maximize all your treatments. This plan may include gentle adjustments to correct subluxations and misalignments with the goal of allowing your nervous system to function at peak efficiency. You will experience less pain and better mobility during and after the strategic regimen.

Our chiropractor will discuss important metabolic factors, such as:

The frequency and kind of exercise you are doing.
Your daily caloric intake.
The types of foods you are eating.
The kinds of supplements you take, if any.
The amount of water you drink.
Underlying thyroid issues or diabetic symptoms you may have.

We look at the whole picture, so you will have less pain, better balance and mobility, and a better overall quality of life. Our practice utilizes data, and we treat the underlying problems instead of only the symptoms, no matter your age.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A METABOLIC CHIROPRACTOR TODAY

A metabolic health program can help you lose weight and improve your health by following recommended diets or exercises from a weight loss doctor. It is an excellent alternative to weight loss medications that likely have side effects.

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