Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in healthcare: metabolic health. It’s the foundation of overall well-being and the key to preventing many chronic diseases. Yet, it’s often overlooked or not talked about by Doctors. Why? Traditional, insurance-driven healthcare focuses on reacting to disease after it’s already developed—what is called “sick care.” But metabolic health focuses up stream, emphasizing prevention and reversing root causes before symptoms start and illness and disease takes hold.
What Is Metabolic Health, and Why Does It Matter?
Metabolic health is all about how efficiently your body and cells processes and use energy. Based on current healthcare recommendations, it involves keeping five key markers in check: blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference. When all these are within a "normal" range—and you’re not relying on medication—you’re considered metabolically healthy.
Here’s the shocking part: only a small percentage of adults actually meet these criteria. Additionally, what healthare considers "normal" is not the same as "optimal", nor does it take into account other equally important biomarkers like fasting insulin, ApoB, Lp(a), hsCRP and homocysteine. Metabolic dysfunction happens over time, gradually impairing your body’s processes and paving the way for disease. That is why it is vitally important to look upstream, with early markers of dysfunction; which includes lab work and a deep dive into lifestyle.
The Real Culprit Behind Chronic Diseases
Many serious health issues are a result of poor metabolic health. Here’s how:
Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance, a key sign of metabolic dysfunction, disrupts blood sugar regulation. This presents initially as an elevated fasting insulin, then over the course of years will lead to a elevated fasting glucose and then an elevated HbA1C (Hemoglobin A1C).
High Blood Pressure: When metabolic health is impaired, vascular function suffers, and arterial stiffness increases. This is a major contributor to high blood pressure (hypertension) which increases your risk of heart attack, stroke and decreases your kidney function.
High Cholesterol: Inappropriate and inefficient lipid metabolism in the liver can drive up ApoB, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This combined with insulin resistance and / or high blood pressure is a ticking time bomb for heart attacks and stroke.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Chronic inflammation, as evidenced by a high hsCRP or homocysteine level, is often tied to poor metabolic health. This plays a role in conditions like Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Certain Cancers: Obesity and insulin resistance—both signs of metabolic dysfunction—are linked to a higher risk of cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic and colon cancer.
Metabolic dysfunction isn’t just a collection of numbers on a lab report. It is the root cause behind so many health issues we commonly treat with medications. My hope for all my patients, and anyone reading this, is that you get your metabolic health in order; prevent and reverse disease, rather than just treating symptoms.
Why Improving Metabolic Health Matters: The Power of Lab Work
Now for some good news! You don’t have to wait for disease to show up. Regular lab work, along with a deep dive into your lifestyle, can uncover metabolic issues early. Here are some key tests that I recommend in order to understand how to improve your metabolic health:
Fasting Blood Glucose & Hemoglobin A1c: Watch these levels over years and you can pick up on any gradual increases. If this is happening, work aggressively to treat and get your numbers back to the optimal level.
Lipid Panel: Measure ApoB, Lp(a), cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. For a deep dive into cholesterol, check out my lecture Cracking The Cholesterol Code
Fasting Insulin Levels: Detects insulin resistance years before your blood glucose starts to increase
Inflammatory Markers: Like C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and homocysteine, which signal chronic inflammation.
These tests paint a clear picture of your metabolic health, empowering you to take proactive steps before problems escalate and disease sets in.
How Lifestyle Changes Transform Metabolic Health
Here’s where traditional healthcare falls short: treating symptoms without addressing lifestyle. Metabolic health thrives on the basics—done well and consistently over time:
Nutrition: Whole, nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats fuel your body’s processes. Stay away from processed foods, refined sugars and refined grains.
Movement: Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, maintain a healthy weight and is vital for brain health.
Sleep: Quality sleep restores hormonal balance, allows your brain to detox and store memories, reduces cortisol level/inflammation and supports your metabolism.
Stress Management: Chronic stress wreaks havoc on blood sugar and metabolic function, so mindfulness and relaxation are crucial.
Metabolic Testing: Your Personal Health Blueprint
Want to go even deeper? Metabolic testing reveals how your body processes energy, pinpointing areas of concern before they snowball into disease. Using breath analysis, you can see your exact metabolic rate, energy expenditure, and how effectively your body uses carbohydrates and fats for energy - a term called metabolic flexibility.
This kind of insight helps you tailor your health, fitness and overall wellness to your unique needs. We are booking slots in March for metabolic testing! Chat with Dr. Dunbar now and commit to getting your metabolic health in order!
Metabolic health isn’t just about preventing disease—it’s about optimizing how you feel, think, and live every day. By shifting focus from reactive sick care to proactive prevention, you can take charge of your well-being and rewrite your health story.
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