An estimated 47 million people in the U.S. are living with cardiometabolic disorders, putting them at an increased risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include hypertension, high fasting blood sugar, abnormal lipids, abdominal fat, high triglycerides, lack of exercise and smoking. The more risk factors you have the higher the likelihood of developing disease.
Metabolic Syndrome precedes the onset of cardiovascular disease. In fact the pathology associated with cardiovascular disease begins very early in life depending on your genetic inheritance pattern and the influence of environment and lifestyle choices.
Cardiometabolic Disorders include:
- Obesity
- Atherosclerosis and heart disease
- Insulin Resistance
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Fatty Liver
- Cognitive decline and Alzheimers
- Erectile dysfunction
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Osteoporosis
While they may seem to be different types of conditions, cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunctions share similar causes, including inflammation, insulin resistance, and stress. Insulin helps to move sugar into cells where it’s used for energy. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body can’t use its insulin properly which leads to high blood sugar levels increasing the risk for metabolic syndrome.
Fortunately, diet and lifestyle interventions are effective in preventing and treating all of these conditions and are the focus of Functional Medicine treatment.
During the past decade, convincing evidence has accumulated that conquering heart disease is not simply a matter of driving serum cholesterol down. In fact, one-half of the people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol and low cholesterol is being associated with a significant risk of early cognitive decline. New information is available. Functional Medicine is no longer limited to using antiquated measures of cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugars as the primary markers of increased risk for cardiometabolic disorders: advanced lipid assays, markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, hormones, and body composition are all providing new opportunities for safer and more effective early interventions to prevent and reverse cardiometabolic disease.
A healthy lifestyle is a lifelong commitment for reducing the risk factors that lead to diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Early assessment and targeted interventions are highly beneficial.
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Best of Health to You!
Dr. Amy Davis M.D.