Posts about cholesterol screening | Dr. Emina Jasarevic, Naturopath Kelowna

Heart Health & Cholesterol – What women (and men) NEED to Know.

February 16, 2024

The Gender Gap Cardiovascular disease (CVD) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the…

What causes insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome?

Factors that have been shown to cause or contribute to metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance include:

Poor diet
Being overweight
Lack of exercise/physical activity
Sleep apnea
Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, peri-menopause, menopause and andropause (male menopause)
Some medicine including steroids and antidepressants
Some medical conditions such as Cushing’s and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Thyroid

The thyroid gland controls the metabolic rate of every single cell in the body and maintains body temperature. Without enough thyroid hormone, our body slows down. We feel tired and lethargic, gain weight, experience constipation, feel cold, and are prone to depression. The four main thyroid markers we screen for in our office include TSH, free T4, free T3, and Anti-TPO. Sometimes we can include a reverse T3 if necessary.

Ensuring that one has optimal thyroid hormone levels is critical to feeling well. There are many natural treatments, from desiccated thyroid to Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome & Protocol, to herbal-based treatments and lifestyle practices. Read more about Thyroid Health

Will I have to change my lifestyle and/or diet?

Most likely yes, although in some cases it might just be temporary to rebalance your digestive health.

What are natural treatments for insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome?

Insulin resistance can often be helped by addressing a few key areas of health such as diet, exercise and stress reduction techniques. A diet rich in low starch vegetables, little/no refined sugar, good protein and healthy fats is important to reduce your risk factors for developing insulin resistance. A Ketogenic Diet has been found to be the most impactful for metabolic syndrome, but also for diabetics who are currently on medications.

High stress spikes cortisol, blood sugar and insulin. Stress reduction techniques like yoga (and other exercise), meditation, breathing practice, clinical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy can all be beneficial.

Our naturopathic doctors will work with you to help you manage your symptoms, prevent diabetes (or treat existing diabetes), and get to the source of your insulin resistance through your own individualized treatment plan. It may include:

Specific dietary modifications –– eliminating food intolerances; increase in fibre, vegetables, fats and protein, decrease in starches and sugars; increase omega 3 fatty acid-rich foods; education and recommendation for a ketogenic diet or intermittent fasting.
Vitamins, minerals, enzymes –– may include chromium, vanadium, alpha-lipoic acid, B Vitamins, and others.
Botanicals –– such as devils club, gymnema, momordica, and milk thistle.
Exercise Guidance and recommendations
Stress reduction techniques, tools, and resources

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
– Paulo Coelho

“Begin with little things daily and one day you will be doing things that months back you would have thought impossible.”
– Swami Satchidananda

A fit body, a calm mind, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought – they must be earned.”
– Naval Ravikant

“The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician.Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind”
– Paracelsus

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. ”
– William Shakespeare

“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.”
– Joyce Meyer

“There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophies.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche

“I don’t count my sit-ups; I only start counting when it starts hurting because they are the only ones that count.”
– Muhammed Ali

Dr. Emina jasarevic, nd | Naturopathic physician

cholesterol screening

Heart Health & Cholesterol – What women (and men) NEED to Know.

FAQ

What causes insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome?

Thyroid

Will I have to change my lifestyle and/or diet?

What are natural treatments for insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome?

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