8 Tools To Improve Your Metabolic Health
I totally get what it's like to try different things and still feel unsure if you're on the right track. You know, our overall health is key to living not just a longer life, but a better one too. The real secret to being healthy on the inside is nailing the basics.
Our health isn't just a simple "healthy" or "unhealthy" label. Think of it more like a metabolic journey where our everyday choices, mixed with our genetics, decide where we stand. When we focus on metabolic health, it seriously boosts the chances of enjoying a longer and more vibrant life.
In our modern world, with all the changes in diet, lifestyle, and environment, it's no surprise that 9 out of 10 leading causes of death are linked to metabolic issues. The only one that doesn't fit the bill is accidental death.
As a certified integrative nutrition health coach, I truly believe that metabolic health can either drain us or amp up our energy. Looking at our lives from a metabolic perspective gives us the power to make daily choices that make a difference in our well-being.
Metabolic Health Explained
What it is: Think of it as how smoothly your body converts food into energy, manages hormones, and keeps those crucial cellular functions going strong. It's like the powerhouse within, handling everything from creating and storing energy to putting it to good use.
Why it matters: Picture every cell in your body as a little worker bee. When we're metabolically healthy, we're giving each of those cells the energy they need to function at their best. That, in turn, powers up all the reactions happening at the cellular level.
Key organs impacted by your metabolic health: Okay, so your metabolic health has a VIP guest list, including the liver, pancreas, heart, fat cells, and the brain. They're all part of this metabolic party, playing key roles in keeping things running smoothly.
Consequences of Poor Metabolic Health: You know how we all have that friend dealing with some health issues? Well, if our metabolic health isn't up to par, our bodies become like a car running on low fuel – not functioning properly. That can lead to all sorts of issues like depression, anxiety, acne, insulin resistance, diabetes, wonky hormones, neurological disorders, cognitive decline, and more.
What causes it: Metabolic health isn't a one-time thing; it's a journey. Poor metabolic health can creep in over time, thanks to factors like diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environmental toxins. These issues slowly build up within our bodies, and if we don't address them, they can pile up and mess with our metabolic mojo.
For the years you have left how do you want those years to look?
Think about the years you have left. How do you want them to look? How do you envision each stage of your life—filled with fun, joy, or the ability to achieve what you desire? Often, metabolic health is only considered when there are serious issues. The truth is, that metabolic health is about maintaining overall health for as long as possible.
Looking back on America’s metabolic health decline
Let's chat about the changes in our diets, lifestyles, and surroundings. It's kind of fascinating how all these shifts are playing a role in our metabolic health, making our cells feel a bit drained.
Taking a look back in time can be a game-changer. Understanding the historical context helps us pinpoint what's been messing with our metabolic health. Once we've got the lowdown on that, we can start making small changes to turn things around.
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These chemicals can be found in our food, air, water, bath, body, and home care products. The increase in chemicals disrupts our metabolic process and influences how our genes are expressed. Becoming toxin-free in your home can be a transformative experience. You don't truly realize how good you'll feel until you've purged your living space of harmful substances.
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Our exposure to an unprecedented abundance of food, particularly ultra-processed items high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and lacking essential nutrients, surpasses historical levels. Our cellular mechanisms have not adapted to efficiently handle this surge in incoming energy. The modern diet sees us consuming nearly 10 times more sugar daily than a century ago. Overnutrition, a facet of malnutrition marked by an imbalance in nutrient intake, results from excessive nutrients, causing the accumulation of body fat and compromising health, evident in conditions like overweight and obesity.
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The Western culture is making it impossible for our bodies to live optimally. We are more sedentary than ever, with prolonged periods of sitting and a lack of physical activity. Sleep Deprivation: Inadequate sleep patterns disrupt crucial restorative processes. Overreliance on Technology: Excessive screen time and reduced outdoor activities affect health. Irregular Meal Timing: Inconsistent eating schedules and frequent snacking disrupt metabolism. Stressful Environments: Chronic stress and fast-paced lifestyles impact overall well-being.
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A siloed mindset gives rise to individual or group perspectives that may foster divisions, leading to patients receiving treatment for symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes. On the other hand, a comprehensive, full-system approach examines all facets of the body to pinpoint and address the root cause.
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In America, our healthcare system not only lacks adequate testing for what is deemed "normal" or "healthy" but also faces a deficiency in comprehensive preventative healthcare. Even when one appears healthy, there might be underlying issues that, without proper preventive measures, could escalate into chronic conditions over time.
Reverse the Trend
Everyone can be metabolically healthy and reverse poor metabolic health before it’s too late.
You possess a remarkable system that is striving to function optimally. However, this system faces challenges when exposed to prolonged blue light, harmful ingredients, and consumption of ultra-processed foods. Addressing these issues doesn't lie in medication; the solution lies in making significant changes to your diet, lifestyle, and the environment in which your body operates.
8 Tools To Improve Your Metabolic Fitness
What is Metabolic Fitness?
Let's dive into metabolic fitness because it's not something we're just born with or happens on its own. It's more like a skill we can boost through some regular TLC and training. Just like working on our physical fitness, metabolic fitness gets better when we put in the effort and make a few lifestyle tweaks.
So, here's the deal – by consistently choosing things that support our body's metabolic processes, we can build up better metabolic fitness (aka health).
Getting there involves smart decisions on our part, like being mindful about what we eat (considering choices, timing, and combos), getting good sleep, managing stress, staying active, and minimizing our exposure to metabolism-disrupting stuff in the environment.
The cool thing is, that our current metabolic fitness is mostly in our hands.
To get my comprehensive FREE guide on how to improve your Metabolic Health, follow the link to download.
How to Get Started
Ask yourself. 1. Where are you today? and 2. What do you want to achieve first?
Maybe you want to improve your metabolic fitness by beginning with blood work or reflecting on your diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. The key is to start the process.
Remember, initiating change is about doing small steps over time that lead to big changes.
Working with a health coach
I get that change can be tough. As your certified health coach, I'm all about having real conversations and sharing evidence-based info to kick off your health journey. My approach is all about going back to the basics and creating a supportive space for you to reach your health goals.
If you want to chat more about improving your metabolic fitness, let’s connect. Click on the button to schedule a free call.