How healthy will you be in 2019?
The prevalence of metabolic health in American adults is ‘alarmingly low,’ even among people who are normal weight, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. Only one in eight Americans is achieving optimal metabolic health. This carries serious implications since poor metabolic health leaves people more vulnerable to developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious health issues.
Metabolic health, is defined as having optimal levels of five factors: blood glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference, without the need for medications.
In Australia, some of the biggest strains on metabolic health is obesity and diabetes. According to the University of Sydney, almost two in three adult Australians are overweight or obese, with obesity the second highest contributor to the burden of disease (both ill health and premature death), after dietary risks.
Equally as important, diabetes is estimated to affect 1.7 million Australians, with one person developing diabetes every five minutes. Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, with rates increasing faster than those of cardiovascular disease or cancer.
If 2019 is your year to get healthy, start with getting your metabolic health checked with your healthcare practitioner.
Blood glucose: Blood glucose literally refers to the amount of glucose in your blood. This glucose comes from whatever you eat and drink plus the stores of glucose that sit within your liver and muscles. In people without diabetes, blood glucose levels (BGLs) tend to stay relatively stable as the body is able to produce insulin to regulate them. When it comes to people with diabetes, BGLs fluctuate far more widely.
If you do not manage your BGLs through either lifestyle, medication or both, the amount of glucose in your blood will build up and this can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease or kidney disease. Your doctor can do a blood glucose test. They can be done after you have fasted or as a test called an oral glucose tolerance test.
Triglycerides: Triglycerides are a common type of fat. If you habitually eat more kilojoules than you burn and are overweight you may have raised triglyceride levels in the blood. This is linked with an increased risk of health conditions including heart disease. A blood test can assess your triglycerides level. Current standards recommend that testing be done when you are fasting. For 9 to 12 hours before the test, only water is permitted. In addition, alcohol should not be consumed for 24 hours just before the test.
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol: cholesterol is a fatty substance that circulates in the blood that is needed for various metabolic processes such as making particular hormones and building cells. The two types of cholesterol are high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Studies show that many people with high triglycerides have low levels of HDL – the ‘good’ cholesterol that helps remove fat from the artery. Low HDL levels are a known risk factor in the development of heart disease. A blood test for cholesterol can be done at the same time as the triglycerides test as part of a general lipid profile check.
Blood pressure: Blood pressure is the pressure of your blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke. It may also affect your kidneys. The Heart Foundation recommends that you ask your doctor to check your blood pressure regularly.
Waist circumference: Waist circumference (WC) is an indicator of health risk associated with excess fat around the waist. According to the Heart Foundation a waist circumference of 94 centimetres or more in men, or 80 centimetres or more in women, is associated with health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. To measure your waist find the top of your hip bone and the bottom of your ribs. Breathe out normally. Place the tape measure midway between these points and wrap it around your waist. Check your measurement.
