The Nutrition Expert: 93% of Adults Have Metabolic Issues (What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You)

Added: Jun 10, 2024

Metabolic Health and Its Significance

Metabolic health refers to the body's ability to convert food energy into cellular energy, which powers all bodily functions. The mitochondria play a crucial role in this process, as they are responsible for converting food energy into ATP, the cellular energy source. When the mitochondria are functioning optimally, the body can perform its essential functions effectively. However, factors such as poor diet, lack of sleep, sedentary lifestyle, and exposure to synthetic chemicals can negatively impact metabolic health.

Chronic Disease Epidemic and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Dr. Means explains that 93% of American adults are dealing with metabolic dysfunction, which is linked to the rise in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's, and cancer. These conditions are often a result of mitochondrial dysfunction, where the body's ability to produce energy is compromised. The modern lifestyle, characterized by processed foods, inadequate sleep, and limited physical activity, has contributed to the prevalence of metabolic issues in society.

Fear and Confusion in Healthcare

Many individuals experience fear and confusion when it comes to addressing their health concerns. The complexity of nutritional advice and conflicting information in the media can leave people feeling overwhelmed and unsure about the best course of action. The healthcare system's focus on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes further adds to the confusion. Dr. Means highlights the intentional nature of this confusion, as it often leads individuals to rely on experts rather than trusting their own intuition and common sense.

Empowerment Through Self-Trust

Dr. Means advocates for individuals to reclaim their power and trust their own instincts when it comes to health decisions. She encourages people to listen to their bodies and pay attention to how they feel after consuming certain foods, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in physical activity. By reconnecting with their internal knowing and common sense, individuals can make informed choices that support their metabolic health and overall well-being.

Reframing Fear and Anxiety

Addressing the fear and anxiety surrounding health concerns, Dr. Means encourages individuals to reframe their perspective on mortality and well-being. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the continuous process of cellular renewal and energy production. By viewing the body as a dynamic process rather than a static entity, individuals can approach their health journey with curiosity and a sense of abundance rather than fear.

Understanding Symptoms as Signals

Dr. Means suggests viewing symptoms as signals from our cells, indicating cellular dysfunction. By treating symptoms as gifts and clues from our bodies, individuals can start to identify and address the underlying issues causing the symptoms. She compares cells to babies crying for attention, and it is up to us to decipher what they need to function optimally.

Factors Affecting Cellular Health

Dr. Means highlights five main controllable pillars that influence cellular health: food, sleep, movement, stress, and toxins. By evaluating these factors honestly and making necessary changes, individuals can support their cells and overall health. She stresses the importance of nourishing the body with nutritious, unprocessed food, prioritizing quality sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress effectively, and minimizing exposure to toxins.

Utilizing Modern Tools and Technology

In addition to understanding symptoms and addressing lifestyle factors, Dr. Means discusses the value of utilizing modern tools and technology to gain insights into our bodies. Wearables, biosensors, and direct-to-consumer lab testing can provide valuable information about our health and help us make informed decisions. For example, continuous glucose monitors can offer real-time data on how food choices and lifestyle habits impact blood sugar levels.

Impact of Medications on Cellular Health

Dr. Means cautions against relying solely on medications to manage symptoms without addressing the underlying causes of cellular dysfunction. She explains how medications like Advil work by reducing inflammation but do not address the root cause of the inflammation. By understanding inflammation as a response to cellular fear, individuals can explore alternative approaches to healing that focus on creating a safe and healthy environment for cells.

Challenges in the Healthcare System

Dr. Means sheds light on the challenges within the healthcare system, where profit often prioritizes treating symptoms over promoting true health and wellness. She explains how the economic incentives in healthcare favor chronic disease management rather than prevention and root cause resolution. This system perpetuates a cycle of illness and medication dependency, making it crucial for individuals to take ownership of their health and advocate for change.

Addressing Health Challenges in Young People

Dr. Means highlights concerning health trends in young people, such as high rates of obesity, fitness issues, and chronic conditions. She emphasizes the need for policy changes to support the health of future generations. By implementing executive orders like banning pharmaceutical ads on news outlets, promoting transparency in healthcare, and prioritizing preventative care, significant strides can be made towards improving public health outcomes.

Economic Adjustment in Healthcare

Dr. Means points out the need for an economic adjustment in the healthcare system to align profit with health. She highlights the interplay between the trillion-dollar industries of healthcare, processed food, and industrial agriculture, which perpetuate a cycle of illness and dependency. She suggests that companies aligning profit with health, such as Levels Health, which provides continuous glucose monitors, are paving the way for a new model of healthcare that prioritizes individual health outcomes.

Role of Government and Industry

Dr. Means calls for government intervention to address conflicts of interest in healthcare, particularly in academic departments that receive funding from pharmaceutical companies. She emphasizes the need to eliminate added sugar from the national school lunch program, citing the detrimental effects of excess sugar consumption on metabolic health. She advocates for executive orders to drive policy changes that prioritize public health over industry interests.

Interpreting Biomarkers and Metabolic Health

Dr. Means discusses the importance of understanding and interpreting biomarkers to assess metabolic health. She highlights five key biomarkers – fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, waist circumference, and blood pressure – as indicators of metabolic dysfunction. She explains how these biomarkers are interconnected and reflect underlying mitochondrial dysfunction, which is influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.

Function Health and Comprehensive Biomarker Testing

Dr. Means recommends comprehensive biomarker testing to gain a detailed understanding of metabolic health. She emphasizes the value of functional medicine interpretations that consider multiple biomarkers in concert to provide a holistic view of an individual's physiology. She encourages individuals to take charge of their health by understanding their biomarkers and making informed lifestyle choices to support metabolic function.

Simple Lifestyle Changes for Improved Health

Dr. Means highlights the impact of simple lifestyle changes on metabolic health, such as eating slowly and mindfully. She emphasizes the benefits of sitting down at a table to eat, rather than rushing through meals. She also discusses the importance of regular physical activity, such as walking, in reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall well-being.

The Impact of Movement on Metabolism

Dr. Means discusses the importance of incorporating movement into daily life to support metabolic health. She explains that regular physical activity, such as walking and low-grade muscle contractions, can help regulate blood sugar levels, stimulate mitochondria, and improve overall metabolic function. By staying active throughout the day, individuals can enhance their body's ability to process glucose and maintain optimal health.

Sleep Consistency and Metabolic Health

Another key aspect of metabolic health that Dr. Means highlights is the importance of sleep consistency. She explains how maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help entrain the body's circadian rhythms, leading to improved metabolic function. Social jet lag, which refers to significant differences in sleep patterns between weekdays and weekends, can negatively impact metabolic health and increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Rising to Fearlessness

Dr. Means delves into the concept of rising to fearlessness as a spiritual journey towards optimal health. She emphasizes the need to overcome fear and cultivate a sense of safety and abundance within oneself. By connecting with the divine energy within and embracing love and joy, individuals can create a positive environment for their cells to thrive. She encourages listeners to make decisions based on their body's intuition and wisdom, rather than solely relying on rational thinking.

Lessons Learned and Laws to Follow

Reflecting on her own experiences, Dr. Means shares that she wishes she had learned to make decisions with her body instead of her brain earlier in life. She emphasizes the importance of tuning into the body's innate wisdom and intuition to guide decision-making. Additionally, she advocates for the implementation of laws that promote natural farming practices and environmental sustainability. By incentivizing farmers to prioritize soil health and biodiversity, society can work towards creating a more interconnected and thriving ecosystem.