FUNCTIONAL HEALTH -- METABOLIC HEALTH AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

Why Weight Is a Late Marker

Weight gain is often the last visible sign of metabolic dysfunction.

Earlier changes include:

• insulin resistance

• altered energy utilization

• chronic inflammation

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Early Metabolic Red Flags

• difficulty losing weight

• increased hunger

• low energy

• abdominal fat gain

• abnormal triglycerides

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Functional Health Focus

Metabolic health influences:

• cancer risk

• arthritis progression

• cognitive aging

• lifespan itself

This is where longevity medicine has outsized impact.

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What to Evaluate

• body composition (not just scale weight)

• feeding patterns

• carbohydrate load

• activity type

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Effective Interventions

First-line

• dietary composition changes

• meal timing

• movement quality

Advanced (when appropriate)

• insulin-sensitizing strategies

• prescription longevity medications

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When to Escalate

If:

• weight loss stalls

• labs show metabolic stress

• multiple systems are affected

A consult prevents trial-and-error.

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