Navigating our forties brings both opportunities and challenges - trust me I KNOW!
One area demanding our attention, especially in this age bracket, is metabolic health and metabolic syndrome. Despite the wealth of information out there, misconceptions abound.Here are just a few that I find popping up on the internet time and time again.
Beyond Dietary Choices
Misconception - Metabolic Diseases, Including Metabolic Syndrome, Are Solely Caused by Poor Diet
It's not uncommon to lay the blame for metabolic diseases, like metabolic syndrome, at the door of poor dietary habits. But in reality, it is one part (ok....a key part) of a broader lifestyle picture.
FACT - Diet is undeniably a driver of metabolic syndrome and the many physiological challenges that come with it, but other elements, including genetics, stress, and physical inactivity, also have significant influence over metabolic health in the short and long term and are major influences upon risk of metabolic syndrome.
A personal observation: I've encountered individuals who maintain relatively good diets, certainly close to the principles I would teach, yet face metabolic challenges, including signs of metabolic syndrome, due to factors such as prolonged sedentary behaviour, inadequate sleep, and specific medications. Thus, understanding the whole spectrum of influences is essential. The beauty is though, all of these, including stress management and sleep can be tackled with the right dietary changes, so even if diet isn't always the cause, it is the most powerful tool for correcting things.
The Illusion of Weight
Misconception - Only Overweight Individuals Can Have Metabolic Diseases Like Metabolic Syndrome
Here's a surprising fact: many with a “normal” Body Mass Index (BMI) confront metabolic issues too, including metabolic syndrome. It is perfectly possible to be "slim" and metabolically unhealthy.
FACT - External appearances can deceive. The phenomenon often awfully termed as "skinny fat" (don't you just love internet language) speaks volumes about this.
It emphasises that the weight on our scale doesn’t always reflect our internal health. Visceral fat, which accumulates around our organs, can be particularly harmful, and its presence isn't always evident from an external perspective. Assessing one's health, especially in terms of metabolic syndrome, goes beyond mere visual appraisal. This is where in clinic, detailed blood
The Path to Reversal
Misconception - Metabolic Diseases, Such as Metabolic Syndrome, & Type 2 Diabetes Are Irreversible
Some years ago, a close friend faced the daunting diagnosis of a metabolic disorder, which included aspects of metabolic syndrome. However, with rigorous lifestyle modifications, he managed to halt its progression remarkably. We put together a simple plan based on a well structured whole foods diet, and daily walking, and within 6 weeks his blood work was already racing back to normal ranges on several counts.
FACT - Many aspects of metabolic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, can be halted or even reversed with the right interventions. In all but the most serious of cases, diet and lifestyle interventions are the most effective and long lasting interventions to address metabolic disease.
The Calorie Conundrum
Misconception - Reducing Caloric Intake is the Best Way to Prevent Metabolic Diseases and Metabolic Syndrome
While there’s undeniable truth in the saying “you are what you eat,” it’s more nuanced than mere calorie counting. How many times have you heard me banging that drum? It is my soap box, that is for sure. I have discussed this issue at length on this site, on the podcast and on my social channels. Happy hunting.
FACT - The quality of the calories consumed plays as crucial a role, if not more so, than the quantity, especially when preventing metabolic syndrome. 100 calories from broccoli and 100 calories from chocolate will have dramatically different effects upon your body. The hormonal response. The blood glucose response etc. These are all things that matter far more than just these make believe numbers.
Ageing and Metabolism
Misconception - Metabolic Diseases and Metabolic Syndrome Are Purely a Result of Aging
Ageing is a natural process, and while it brings with it certain physiological changes, it doesn’t automatically doom one to metabolic issues, including metabolic syndrome. It just increases the risks. The sooner you get into good solid healthy sustainable eating habits that actually support your metabolic health in the long term, the better. The good news is, as already stated, these issues can be stopped in their tracks with the smallest of changes.
Conclusion
Understanding metabolic diseases, including the intricacies of metabolic syndrome, requires a specific and detailed approach, which I cover in my programmes. As we journey through our forties and beyond, armed with accurate knowledge and a proactive mindset, we stand a better chance of optimising our metabolic health for a lifetime. Dispelling these myths isn’t just about clarification; it’s about empowering each one of us to take charge of our health with every bite we take.
