It is becoming clear that whilst weight and health are related they are not synonymous. People who are “technically” overweight may live as or even longer than those of “normal” weight. The BMI, whilst a useful tracking tool is not by itself an indicator of good health.
What really matters is our metabolic health and how “inflamed “ our body is. Slow inflammation is the central issue in heart disease, stroke, many cancers and many degenerative conditions. In turn our hormones and the bacteria in our gut influence this.
Whilst this may sound complicated there is really good news. They are all connected and are all positively influenced by the same basic lifestyle measures.
So what do we need for good metabolic health?
1) We need to do regular exercise.
2) We need to be on a diet that is low in processed and packaged foods and high in fruits, vegetables, good fats and protein.
3) We need to be getting adequate sleep which for most of us is eight hours per night.
4) We need to manage our stress to keep our stress hormones in check. Things like guided relaxation, slow deep breathing or meditation are great for this.
So do these simple things and your metabolic health will be enhanced.
Medical Doctor, author, speaker, media presenter and health industry consultant, Dr Joe Kosterich wants you to be healthy and get the most out of life.
Joe writes for numerous medical and mainstream publications, is clinical editor at Medical Forum Magazine, and is also a regular on radio and television.
Joe is Medical Advisor to Medicinal Cannabis Company Little Green Pharma, Chairman of Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association and sits on the board of Arthritis and Osteoporosis WA. He is often called to give opinions in medico legal cases.
He has self-published two books: Dr Joe’s DIY Health and 60 Minutes To Better Health.
In 2024 due to public demand he commenced a podcast, Dr Joe Unplugged, which can be accessed via Spotify, Apple or YouTube.
Through all this he continues to see patients as a GP each week.
