Poor Metabolic Health Crisis Affects Millions of Americans According to Dr. Aseem Malhotra
Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a cardiologist and public health campaigner based in London, believes that poor metabolic health is making Americans sick. In 2022, more than 133 million Americans, which is 40% of the population, had at least one chronic disease, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Chronic diseases prevalent in the U.S. include heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. Dr. Malhotra attributes these conditions largely to the food choices of Americans.
"You cannot fix health or health care without fixing the food," he stated during an interview with Fox News Digital.
Studies indicate that only one in eight Americans enjoys optimal metabolic health, which Malhotra describes as “the state of balance the body maintains between storing fat and burning it for energy.” He emphasizes this measurement is based on five markers: blood glucose levels, blood pressure, waist circumference, cholesterol profile, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A person is identified as having metabolic syndrome if they fail to meet three of these values, increasing their risk for various health issues.
Malhotra warns that poor metabolic health is linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke, as well as a higher risk of cancer and dementia. He highlights that diets high in ultraprocessed foods, sugar, and low-quality carbohydrates contribute significantly to the problem.
To improve metabolic health, he recommends consuming whole foods, avoiding ultraprocessed products, maintaining physical activity, and managing stress through activities like yoga, Pilates, or meditation. Notably, he asserts that substantial improvements can occur within 21 to 28 days simply by altering dietary habits.
Malhotra suggests replacing ultraprocessed foods with healthier options, stating, “If you eliminate those -- I’m not saying forever, but if you do that for four to six weeks, you will actually start to reset your metabolic health.” He adds that people can still enjoy food, as he himself loves cooking and experimenting with healthy ingredients.
Dr. Malhotra, once a "junk food and sugar addict," reflects on his transformation towards healthier eating habits after realizing the detrimental effects of his previous diet.
He points out that 60% of calorie consumption in the U.S. comes from ultraprocessed foods, which he believes have been designed to be addictive. To combat this issue, he suggests implementing lessons learned from tobacco control to limit ultraprocessed food consumption, such as increasing prices through taxation and banning advertising.
Overall, Dr. Malhotra emphasizes the critical need for public health education to raise awareness about ultraprocessed foods and their effects on communities across America.
