On my last health visit, I was weighed, measured, my blood pressure was taken and a blood sample was also drawn. What I didn’t realize at the time was that my practitioner was quietly assessing my risk for Metabolic Syndrome—a condition that now affects 88 percent of adult Americans. Metabolic Syndrome is diagnosed when three or more of the five key risk factors are present. These include:

• Elevated triglycerides
• Low LDL “good” cholesterol
• Elevated blood glucose
• Elevated blood pressure
• Abdominal obesity: waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men

Checking even a few of these boxes is a sign of metabolic dysfunction and should prompt proactive lifestyle modifications.

A Growing Health Crisis

f That means just 12 percent of the population meets optimal metabolic health standards, while the remaining 88 percent face an increasing risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Years of processed foods, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles and poor sleep habits have contributed to this alarming statistic. The good news is that it is never too late to improve metabolic health.

Five Foundations for 
Metabolic Wellness

Whether your goal is prevention or reversal of metabolic risk factors, these core lifestyle pillars dramatically improve metabolic function:

• Achieve a healthy weight appropriate for height with an emphasis on body composition.
• Adopt a nutrient-dense diet that focuses on good protein, fiber, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. For an excellent guide, Susan Rohr, BSN, RN, integrative practitioner and owner of Brookfield Health and Wellness, recommends following the Whole 30 or Mediterranean diet.
• Engage in physical activity daily, such as walking, rebounding, strength training, stretching and yoga.
• Prioritize sleep, aiming for 7-9 hours ideally beginning before midnight.
• Manage stress through breathwork, journaling, connection with others and setting boundaries.

Alternatives to Traditional Exercise

Not everyone enjoys the gym, and for some, injuries, pain and chronic illness make gym exercises difficult. Fortunately, wellness clinics now offer innovative alternatives that support metabolic health without extreme impact.

Vibration frequency and light-based therapies have been widely adopted by professional athletes for their positive impact on performance, exercise recovery, and reducing inflammation. These modalities are gaining traction among individuals seeking weight management, muscle tone and strength, improved circulation and overall vitality.

“Frequency and vibration therapies have become my go-to modality for baseline fitness,” Rohr says. “Due to my back issues, traditional exercise wasn’t an option. Specific frequency sound vibrations stimulate exercise – like stress on the body, encouraging weight loss, muscle fiber growth, bone density, and circulation – without strain.”

Technologies such as VibraGenix, PowerPlate, infrared Photon Genius sauna, high-intensity magnetic therapy, ARRC photo biomodulation chamber and HOCATT ozone sauna are increasingly used in lieu of or to complement traditional exercise. When combined with healthy lifestyle habits, these are powerful for lean body composition and prevent systemic inflammation.

Living well and living long begins with movement, whole foods, restorative sleep and meaningful relationships. It is possible to grow old with grace and ease when you practice mindful eating, physical movement and supplement with supportive therapies. Make small changes every day to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and prevent chronic disease. There is no greater investment than the one you make in your own health.

Kathy Osowski is the communications director at Brookfield Health & Wellness, LLC, located at 150 S. Sunny Slope Rd., Ste. 148, 
Brookfield, WI. For more information, call 262-395-4023 or visit BrookfieldHealthAndWellness.com.