4 Questions to Ask Metabolic Doctor

A metabolic doctor is one that specializes in metabolic medicine, which is focused on the why’s and how’s that cause the body’s processes to break down. They are focused on resetting the body to its natural balance and having it function at its optimal levels. Under the metabolic medicine philosophy, the body’s natural biochemistry is used to treat illness and disease at the source. It basically uses the idea of healing the body from the inside out. When determining the underlying cause of a person’s overall feelings of being unwell, metabolic doctors will look at a variety of potential causes such as their diet, toxins in their system, a nutrient deficiency or potential genetic defects. Any of these factors can create a metabolic disorder in the body that eventually will lead to disease if left untreated. The team at Transform Alliance is focused on your overall health and well-being by determining where your medical issues are originating from, as opposed to simply treating the symptoms you are experiencing.

While there are many common metabolic disorders, the most common metabolic disorder in the US today is diabetes. Diabetes is the result of the glucose metabolism system not properly functioning. There are two different types of diabetes that affect the body, depending on how the body functions. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a congenital lack of insulin, requiring sufferers to need exogenous insulin. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body having an insensitivity to the insulin that it naturally produces. Diabetes has been increasing in prevalence in the population due to lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, stress and overall healthy habits. The risk of developing diabetes increases as we age, with the potential for devastating consequences if not properly treated or managed. However, many people are able to live with diabetes as long as they can control their blood sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Working with a team of medical professionals who specialize in metabolic medicine, such as the team and Transform Alliance, will help patients determine what is causing their glucose metabolism system to not work properly and treat it for long-term health.

Metabolic health is in our hands to control. While genetics can play a role in our metabolism, our lifestyle choices can play a very significant role as well. Factors that can affect our metabolic health and increase the risk of developing a metabolic disease include

– Poor nutrition by eating a diet of highly processed foods such as fast food, or foods and drinks with a high sugar content and a high amount of carbohydrates.

– Lack of physical activity by being physically inactive can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Simple movement, not necessarily through intense workout sessions, but by simply moving your body through walking, helps preserve and build muscle, while keeping blood sugar and pressure under control.

– Poor quality sleep or irregular sleep patterns can hinder people from maintaining a healthy weight and achieving optimal metabolic health.

– Smoking has been linked to the development of a metabolic syndrome, however quitting seems to reduce the risk.

– Alcohol consumption in excess quantities can cause several issues with the body’s natural functions, including metabolic functionality.

Working with a metabolic doctor, such as the team at Transform Alliance, will help determine what is at the source of your metabolic concerns and what you can do to make changes to your lifestyle for the best of your metabolic health.

Being metabolically unhealthy means that a person has some form of metabolic syndrome, despite what the rest of their health parameters are showing. People who are metabolically unhealthy have at least three of the five following risk factors associated with metabolic health:

– High blood pressure that measures at a 130 systolic or an 85 diastolic, or if they are on medication to lower their blood pressure
– HDL cholesterol (good) that measures below 50mg/dl
– Triglycerides of 150 mg/dl or higher
– Fasting blood sugar of at least 100mg/dl, or on medication to lower their blood sugar
– Waist circumference for men over 40 inches and for women over 35 inches

Having three of these risk factors not only classifies you as being metabolically unhealthy, but also increases your risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Transform Alliance is here to help, though. We are focused on getting our patients to a state of being metabolically healthy by bringing the body back to its optimal health using its natural biochemistry in conjunction with current scientific research. To learn more or get started on improving your health from the inside out, reach out to us today. We serve patients from Newton MA, Watertown MA, Waltham MA, Needham MA, Belmont MA and Brookline, MA.