Cardiometabolic disease is a term that encompasses a variety of conditions, including heart disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The key markers that health professionals use to evaluate cardiometabolic health are abdominal obesity, HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose.
Genetics can play a part in whether or not we develop cardiometabolic disease. For some, behaviors that are considered “risky” may not lead to disease, while others who are genetically predisposed are more at risk for developing a condition. However, the recommendations for lowering the risk of cardiometabolic disease are health-promoting behaviors that benefit everyone, regardless of genetic predisposition. Clem & Thyme offers 3×4 Genetics genetic testing, which looks at a number of genetic markers and can be used as a tool to personalize your care. ApoE is a gene variant highly associated with developing cardiovascular disease.
The key tenets to reducing risk for cardiometabolic disease include not smoking, getting sufficient physical activity, having a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy body fat percentage. Visceral adipose tissue, or the fat that surrounds the internal organs, can contribute to inflammation and disease risk. Visceral adipose tissue can cause inflammation and create a cycle where the tissue and inflammation feed on each other.
A number of other factors can promote inflammation, including infections, food allergies, toxic exposures, lack of sleep, and stress. To minimize toxic exposures, opt for glass containers for food storage, quality produce, and safe personal care products. The EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database is a good resource for finding good personal care products.
Gut health in particular relates to many other bodily functions, so dysbiosis can contribute to health issues. The gut microbiome can influence insulin sensitivity, autoimmunity, mood, food preferences, and more.
There are many factors that go into preventing and managing cardiometabolic disease that your dietitian will discuss with you. In terms of lifestyle and nutrition, your dietitian may ask you about your sleep quality, stress, activity levels, and diet. Basic nutrition recommendations might include increasing fiber intake, favoring complex carbohydrates over simple processed carbohydrates, decreasing saturated fat and sugar intake, and increasing plant-based foods in your diet. Complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables are good sources of fiber. Fiber promotes feelings of satiety and blood sugar balance, and high fiber intake is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Depending on your particular case, your dietitian will also provide more specific and detailed recommendations.
