Cardiometabolic Health

Cardiometabolic health is a term that refers to the impacts on heart health of a group of conditions sometimes referred to as “Metabolic Syndrome.” These can include abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and raised blood pressure.

The reason these conditions are grouped together under the same umbrella term is that they often occur simultaneously within the affected individual, incrementally increasing the risk of heart problems depending on the severity of each factor.

It can be overwhelming to know where to begin and how to address these conditions. Through the use of integrative and herbal medicine, some of these symptoms may be alleviated over time.

Some ways to look after your overall health include following the popular Mediterranean diet. Increasing your intake of fresh vegetables and fatty fish, and switching to healthier oils, can be helpful. Speaking to a nutritionist to review and assess where you can modify your diet and lifestyle is a great step too.

Incorporating daily exercise and movement to offset a sedentary lifestyle is also effective in improving overall physical and mental health in those affected by cardiometabolic risk factors. Stopping smoking and managing stress more effectively are also critical steps.

If you’re concerned about your cardiovascular health or have been recently diagnosed with one of the above conditions, consider having other risk factors investigated and tested, such as liver health and blood sugar levels.

Consider how you can manage your cardiometabolic health holistically and with a lifestyle medicine approach. Working with a practitioner who can treat your health as a whole and help identify the root cause of your symptoms is often more beneficial in the long run. For instance, your gut microbiome may be out of balance, causing inflammation throughout your body, expressed as cardiometabolic issues. Your high-pressure job may be creating excess stress hormones. Perhaps these factors only became an issue following the hormonal changes of menopause. Each scenario needs to be factored into your individualized treatment approach.

Book an initial consultation with one of the naturopaths at NIIM to get an understanding of the best approach to cardiometabolic health for you.

Written by Kathleen Robb, one of the naturopaths at NIIM. Kathleen loves helping clients with their cardiometabolic health.

Bibliography

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