Get Metabolic Syndrome Treatment in Santa Cruz, CA.
What Metabolic Syndrome? How is it different than diabetes?
If your healthcare practitioner has told you that you may have metabolic syndrome, you are not alone. It is estimated that 25 percent of the world’s adult population (and in the United States it is believed to be closer to 34 percent) has signs and symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome. Diabetes type 2 is simply one potential outcome of Metabolic Syndrome, the other most likely complication is cardiac disease.
Metabolic Syndrome is diagnosed when a compilation of factors weigh in against your health, specifically affecting the heart, blood vessels, liver and metabolism. Common associated issues are high blood sugar and insulin resistance, putting individuals with metabolic syndrome at high risk for diabetes. The chances of metabolic syndrome generally increase as we age and as body mass index (BMI) increases.
Potential Health Issues Associated with Metabolic Syndrome:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
- Sleep Apnea
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Obesity
- General Inflammation
How can Integrative and Chinese medicine help?
As an Integrative medicine doctor, Dr. Rozenn combines the latest Western diagnostic tests with the ancient ones of Oriental medicine to develop a clear and complete picture of your health. She will work closely with you to reverse the root imbalances that set you on the path to metabolic syndrome by incorporating nutritional guidelines with herbal therapy and acupuncture. With the right tools, knowledge and direction, the body has an amazing ability to self-heal. Reversing metabolic syndrome is within reach!
Lab Tests for Metabolic Syndrome Markers – Dr. Rozenn can order these tests at a markedly reduced rate if your insurance company does not cover them.
The presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) can be determined by testing for metabolic pathologies and nutrient deficiencies. Supplementing nutrients or taking herbal formulas can correct these deficiencies and improve your health.
Nutrient Deficiencies Common to Metabolic Syndrome:
Magnesium – One of the most clearly identified nutrient deficiencies in patients with MetS. Magnesium eases inflammation and supports a healthy response to insulin.
Vitamin D – Plays a role in immune system function, inflammation, parathyroid levels, pancreatic beta-cell function and mineral balances that are key to the pathogenesis of this disorder. In recent years there was concern that people were getting too much vitamin D, but new research shows very high rates of deficiency, prompting a remarkable re-thinking regarding how much Vitamin D is needed for optimal health. Deficiencies are linked to a multitude of health problems, including osteoporosis, bone and muscle pain, lack of emotional well being and possibly certain cancers. Deficiency is easily identified with a blood test and correctable with quality supplements.
Chromium – Chromium is not found in food sources in enough quantity to effectively reverse depletion, often found in people with MetS.
Why Do More Testing Than Insurance Allows?
For insurance purposes, testing must confirm a diagnosis or track the progress of an already known disease. If the goal is information gathering for the purpose of diagnosis (or preventative medicine) this is simply not enough. To be proactive about the state of our health necessitates ordering more lab tests than insurance will cover. This is why Dr. Rozenn belongs to a Professional Co-op of health care providers that lobby on the behalf of patients to ensure lower prices for lab work. She has teamed up with several testing facilities, offering access to lab work instrumental to the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome for a fraction of what they would ordinarily cost. Read on to learn about the individual benefits of simple blood tests for better health.
Homocysteine – A toxic amino acid that can damage the linings of your arteries and considerably increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. It is an independent risk factor, meaning that even if there are no other signs or symptoms, this silent attack on your arteries can be hurting you. If high blood pressure is present, the danger from homocysteine is even greater. Dr. Rozenn will evaluate whether your homocysteine level is more than 15 umol/L, carrying a risk factor significantly greater than a healthy level of about 9. Carefully chosen nutritional supplements can lower homocysteine levels once the issue becomes known.
C-reactive protein (CRP) – This is a special protein that is formed when there is inflammation in the body. High levels are seen when you have a cold or flu or if you have arthritis, but in the last few years, research has shown that small but significant amounts are related to heart disease. Why is this? Because atherosclerosis, the disease related to plaque formation in the arteries, is an inflammatory process. If CRP is elevated we know to prescribe diet and supplements that soothe the inflammatory process.
Fibrinogen – This is a protein in the blood that relates to clot formation; some of it is good an necessary. If fibrogen is elevated the risk of heart attack and stroke increases. Less than 300mg/dL is a good place to be, and Dr. Rozenn can prescribe enzymes or other supplements to help digest the fibrogen in your bloodstream, reducing it to safe and healthy levels.
These markers provide us with a small window into the big picture of your health. There are only so many vitamins and minerals that the body needs. Deficiencies in any of them can cause varied and complicated issues with simple nutritional roots. Our aim is to discover valuable information about your health and nourish the body with exactly what it needs so that whatever issues you have get progressively better, not progressively worse.
Learn more about MetS from Acupuncture Today
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32213
