How to Assess and Prevent Heart Disease and Diabetes
An Online Class on Preventing Heart Disease and Diabetes
We know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. We also know that approximately 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes, and the majority of them are unaware of their condition. Prediabetes is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
These are sobering statistics. But what can you do about it? While cholesterol and blood sugar(glucose) are important risks, that is often the extent of what is assessed in a standard approach. It’s clear that the conventional prevention strategy does not give us as clear an idea of all the tools available to assess our risk, nor does it dive deep into all the ways in which we can decrease our risk.
Class Overview
In this 5-week class, we take a deep dive into the risk factors, both genetic and environmental (it’s a lot more than losing weight and eating your vegetables). We think you’ll leave this class understanding better what causes heart disease and diabetes, how you can evaluate your risks, and what you can do about them.
Online class outcome: become informed about heart disease and diabetes risk while learning practical steps you can take to protect yourself
Assessing and Preventing Heart Disease and Diabetes from a Functional Medicine Perspective
A key component of this online class about assessing and preventing heart disease and diabetes is the functional medicine approach. Functional medicine is a patient-centered approach that seeks to identify and address the underlying imbalances and dysfunctions that contribute to disease. It emphasizes the intricate interplay between genetics, environment, lifestyle, and unique biochemical individuality.
Traditional medicine tends to focus on disease-specific protocols like blood thinners and surgeries to reduce the complications of heart disease. Functional medicine, however, employs a systems-oriented approach to care. This means that practitioners examine the body as a whole, recognizing the complex interactions between various systems and their impact on health.
Preventing Heart Disease
Heart disease, including conditions like coronary artery disease and heart failure, remains a leading cause of death globally. Functional medicine provides a comprehensive framework for preventing heart disease by targeting modifiable risk factors and promoting optimal cardiovascular health. Key components include:
- Personalized Nutrition: Functional medicine practitioners assess an individual’s nutritional status, considering their unique biochemistry, genetics, and lifestyle factors. They emphasize whole foods, a balanced diet, and proper portion control to manage weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar, all of which play critical roles in heart health.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Functional medicine recognizes the impact of lifestyle choices on cardiovascular health. Practitioners focus on promoting regular physical activity, stress management techniques, smoking cessation, and adequate sleep. These modifications help reduce inflammation, enhance insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure, and promote overall heart health.
- Nutritional Supplements: When necessary, functional medicine practitioners may recommend targeted nutritional supplements to address specific nutrient deficiencies or support cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, CoQ10, and antioxidants are some examples of supplements that can benefit heart health when used appropriately.
Preventing Diabetes
Diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, poses significant health challenges worldwide. Functional medicine can aid in preventing diabetes by addressing the underlying factors that contribute to its development. Here are some approaches used:
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Functional medicine focuses on maintaining stable blood sugar levels through dietary interventions, including balanced macronutrient ratios and glycemic control. Emphasizing whole foods, high-fiber choices, and reducing refined sugars can help prevent insulin resistance and the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- Gut Health Optimization: The gut microbiome has emerged as a crucial factor in metabolic health. Functional medicine recognizes the link between gut health and diabetes prevention. Strategies such as probiotic supplementation, dietary fiber intake, and identifying and addressing any gut dysbiosis or inflammation can support metabolic balance and insulin sensitivity.
- Stress Reduction and Sleep Optimization: Chronic stress and poor sleep patterns contribute to metabolic imbalances, insulin resistance, and diabetes risk. Functional medicine practitioners emphasize stress management techniques, relaxation practices, and sleep hygiene to promote overall well-being and metabolic health.
You’ll learn even more about how functional medicine can improve health outcomes related heart disease and diabetes in the class.
Class Instructor and Schedule
Each of the five 90-minute sessions is conveniently online and will be led by Dan Lukaczer, ND, and Monique Class, MS, APRN-BC. The class is scheduled for 4:30-6:00 pm PST on Tuesday afternoons, May 9, 16, 23, 30, and June 6, and is open to anyone who would like to attend. Class size will be limited to 15 and registration closes May 1, 2023.
Online Class Payment
If you are a patient of Dr. Lukaczer, the cost of the online class on heart diseaes and diabetes can be billed directly to your insurance plan (co-pays and deductibles apply). You can find a list of insurances we take by clicking here. If your insurance is not listed, or are not a current patient, the cash price is $325, and payment is due in full prior to the first class for cash participants. Class size will be limited to 15 and registration ends September 28.
To get the full benefit of the group experience, these classes will not be recorded so live participation is required.
To register or if you have questions, email info@drdanlukaczer.com or call 253.319.1900.