The word health refers to a state of complete emotional and physical well-being. Healthcare exists to help people maintain this optimal state of health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare costs in the United States were $3.5 trillionTrusted Source in 2017.
However, despite this expenditure, people in the U.S. have a lower life expectancy than people in other developed countries. This is due to a variety of factors, including access to healthcare and lifestyle choices.
Good health is central to handling stress and living a longer, more active life. In this article, we explain the meaning of good health, the types of health a person needs to consider, and how to preserve good health.
What is health?
Regular exercise contributes to good health.
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source defined health with a phrase that modern authorities still apply.
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
In 1986, the WHOTrusted Source made further clarifications:
“A resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.”
This means that health is a resource to support an individual’s function in wider society, rather than an end in itself. A healthful lifestyle provides the means to lead a full life with meaning and purpose.
In 2009, researchers publishing inThe LancetTrusted Source defined health as the ability of a body to adapt to new threats and infirmities.
They base this definition on the idea that the past few decades have seen modern science take significant strides in the awareness of diseases by understanding how they work, discovering new ways to slow or stop them, and acknowledging that an absence of pathology may not be possible.
Types
Mental and physical health are probably the two most frequently discussed types of health.
Spiritual, emotional, and financial health also contribute to overall health. Medical experts have linked these to lower stress levels and improved mental and physical well-being.
People with better financial health, for example, may worry less about finances and have the means to buy fresh food more regularly. Those with good spiritual health may feel a sense of calm and purpose that fuels good mental health.
Health inequities affect all of us differently. Visit our dedicated hub for an in-depth look at social disparities in health and what we can do to correct them.
Physical health
A person who has good physical health is likely to have bodily functions and processes working at their peak.
This is not only due not only to an absence of disease. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest all contribute to good health. People receive medical treatment to maintain the balance, when necessary.
Physical well-being involves pursuing a healthful lifestyle to decrease the risk of disease. Maintaining physical fitness, for example, can protect and develop the endurance of a person’s breathing and heart function, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition.
Looking after physical health and well-being also involves reducing the risk of an injury or health issue, such as:
minimizing hazards in the workplace
using contraception when having sex
practicing effective hygiene
avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs
taking the recommended vaccines for a specific condition or country when traveling
Good physical health can work in tandem with mental health to improve a person’s overall quality of life.
For example, mental illness, such as depression, may increase the risk of drug use disorders, according to a 2008 studyTrusted Source. This can go on to adversely affect physical health.
Mental health
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,Trusted Source mental health refers to a person’s emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Mental health is as important as physical health as part of a full, active lifestyle.
It is harder to define mental health than physical health because many psychological diagnoses depend on an individual’s perception of their experience.
With improvements in testing, however, doctors are now able to identify some physical signs of some types of mental illness in CT scans and genetic tests.
Good mental health is not only categorized by the absence of depression, anxiety, or another disorder. It also depends on a person’s ability to:
enjoy life
bounce back after difficult experiences and adapt to adversity
balance different elements of life, such as family and finances
feel safe and secure
achieve their full potential
Physical and mental health have strong connections. For example, if a chronic illness affects a person’s ability to complete their regular tasks, it may lead to depression and stress. These feelings could be due to financial problems or mobility issues.
A mental illness, such as depression or anorexia, can affect body weight and overall function.
It is important to approach “health” as a whole, rather than as a series of separate factors. All types of health are linked, and people should aim for overall well-being and balance as the keys to good health.
Find out how mental health can affect physical health here.
Factors for good health
Good health depends on a wide range of factors.
Genetic factors
A person is born with a variety of genes. In some people, an unusual genetic pattern or change can lead to a less-than-optimum level of health. People may inherit genes from their parents that increase their risk for certain health conditions.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors play a role in health. Sometimes, the environment alone is enough to impact health. Other times, an environmental trigger can cause illness in a person who has an increased genetic risk of a particular disease.
Access to healthcare plays a role, but the WHO suggest that the following factors may have a more significant impact on health than this:
where a person lives
the state of the surrounding environment
genetics
their income
their level of education
employment status
It is possible to categorize these as follows:
The social and economic environment: This may include the financial status of a family or community, as well as the social culture and quality of relationships.
The physical environment: This includes which germs exist in an area, as well as pollution levels.
A person’s characteristics and behaviors: A person’s genetic makeup and lifestyle choices can affect their overall health.
According to some studies, the higher a person’s socioeconomic status (SES), the more likelyTrusted Source they are to enjoy good health, have a good education, get a well-paid job, and afford good healthcare in times of illness or injury.
They also maintain that people with low socioeconomic status are more likely to experience stress due to daily living, such as financial difficulties, marital disruption, and unemployment.
Social factors may also impact on the risk of poor health for people with lower SES, such as marginalization and discrimination.
A low SES often means reduced access to healthcare. A 2018 study in Frontiers in PharmacologyTrusted Source indicated that people in developed countries with universal healthcare services have longer life expectancies than those in developed countries without universal healthcare.
Cultural issues can affect health. The traditions and customs of a society and a family’s response to them can have a good or bad impact on health.
According to the Seven Countries Study, researchers studied people in select European countries and found that those who ate a healthful diet had a lower 20-year death rate.
The study indicated that people who ate a healthful diet are more likely to consume high levels of fruits, vegetables, and olives than people who regularly consume fast food.
The study also found that people who followed the Mediterranean diet had a lower 10-year all-cause mortality rate. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthTrusted Source, this diet can help protect a person’s heart and reduce the risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, and diseases that cause the brain and nerves to break down.
How a person manages stress will also affect their health. According to the National Institute of Mental HealthTrusted Source, people who smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, or take illicit drugs to manage stressful situations are more likely to develop health problems than those who manage stress through a healthful diet, relaxation techniques, and exercise.
Preserving health
The best way to maintain health is to preserve it through a healthful lifestyle rather than waiting until sickness or infirmity to address health problems. People use the name wellness to describe this continuous state of enhanced well-being.
The WHOTrusted Source define wellness as follows:
“Wellness is the optimal state of health of individuals and groups. There are two focal concerns: the realization of the fullest potential of an individual physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually, and economically, and the fulfillment of one’s roles and expectations in the family, community, place of worship, and other settings.”
Wellness promotes active awareness of and participating in measures that preserve health, both as an individual and in the community. Maintaining wellness and optimal health is a lifelong, daily commitment.
Steps that can help people attain wellness include:
eating a balanced, nutritious diet from as many natural sources as possible
engaging in at least 150 minutesTrusted Source of moderate to high-intensity exercise every week, according to the American Heart Association
screening for diseases that may present a risk
learning to manage stress effectively
engaging in activities that provide purpose
connecting with and caring for other people
maintaining a positive outlook on life
defining a value system and putting it into action
The definition of peak health is highly individual, as are the steps a person may take to get there. Every person has different health goals and a variety of ways to achieve them.
It may not be possible to avoid disease altogether. However, a person should do as much as they can to develop resilience and prepare the body and mind to deal with illnesses as they arise.
Learn more about the health benefits of socializing here.
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Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2020
Mental HealthPublic HealthNutrition / DietHealth Equity
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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Adam Felman — Updated on April 19, 2020
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At-home metabolic tests: Products and what to know
What are they?
Hormones
Types
Products
When to contact a doctor
FAQs
Summary
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Metabolic tests look at a person’s hormone levels or output of carbon dioxide and oxygen. They can also indicate a hormone imbalance or help an individual with their weight goals. Several companies offer metabolic tests for home use that people can purchase online.
Quick links
For membership savings: Everlywell Metabolism Test
For a free physician consultation: myLab Box At Home Metabolism Test
For a weight check: Verisana Weight Hormone Check
What is a metabolism test?
A metabolism test measures the rate at which the body uses oxygen or burns calories. It can provide an estimation of how many calories a person burns when at rest or during activity, which can help them with their fitness and weight goals.
Metabolism refers to the body’s process of converting food into energy. The body uses this energy for everyday tasks, including keeping warm, movement, and other activities.
Learn more about metabolism.
An individual can receive metabolic testing at some healthcare facilities and fitness centers. In addition, several companies offer home tests to help people determine their metabolic rate.
What hormones can they test?
It is important to note that no home test can diagnose a health condition, so people should interpret their results with the help of a doctor.
Some metabolism tests look at key hormone levels that can affect a person’s metabolism. These test results could indicate a hormone issue that could be affecting an individual’s weight and other aspects of health. For example, many hormone metabolism tests look at cortisol levels, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and free testosterone.
Cortisol
A hormone metabolism test may indicate a person has too much or too little cortisol. This hormone plays a role in regulating metabolism, the immune system, and how the body responds to stress.
Having too much cortisol for an extended period can lead to low libido. People with uteruses may have irregular periods or periods that stop altogether, which doctors call amenorrhea.
Having too much cortisol can also lead to Cushing’s syndrome. This condition can cause many symptoms, including high blood pressure, mood swings, and rapid weight gain around the face, chest, and abdomen.
In contrast, having too little cortisol may also be a sign of Addison’s disease, which can be life threatening without treatment. Some symptoms may include dizziness, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss.
Thyroid stimulating hormone
A hormone metabolism test may indicate whether a person has too much or too little TSH. This hormone plays a role in maintaining metabolism, muscle control, brain development, and heart and digestion functions.
Having too much TSH may indicate an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. Some symptoms of this condition include feeling cold, fatigue, and experiencing unintentional weight gain.
In contrast, having too little TSH may indicate an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism. Some symptoms of this condition include unintentional weight loss, feeling hot, and having symptoms of anxiety.
Learn more about TSH levels.
Free testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both females and males.
Learn more about testosterone.
In females with too much testosterone, it can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome. Some symptoms of this condition include acne, more body and facial hair, and a deeper voice.
Males with too little testosterone may experience symptoms such as increased body fat, sleep disturbances, and erectile dysfunction.
What types of metabolic tests are there?
There are four types of metabolic tests. The most common home test that screens certain possible health conditions are metabolic hormone tests.
Home metabolic testing often looks at hormone levels in the blood or saliva. In addition to screening for hormone levels that may suggest an underlying condition, these tests may also indicate causes of weight gain.
The following hormones may play a role in weight gain and loss:
Cortisol: ResearchTrusted Source has shown that higher levels of cortisol could predict more weight gain.
TSH: ResearchersTrusted Source are not sure how much of a role the thyroid and the TSH have on weight loss. However, a 2017 studyTrusted Source indicates that a higher presence of free thyroid hormones predicts more weight loss in adults with obesity.
Free testosterone: ResearchTrusted Source indicates that testosterone therapy may help males with low testosterone and obesity lose weight. The researchers suggest that testosterone therapy may encourage sustained weight loss and maintenance of a person’s weight goal compared with other treatments.
However, people should always interpret their metabolic test results with the help of a doctor. If a person receives a test result that indicates hormone levels that are too low or too high, they should contact a healthcare professional for further tests.
Product list
The following products are potential at-home metabolism tests to may consider.
Everlywell Metabolism Test
Everlywell offers a wide variety of at-home tests a person can use to assess their health. The company’s metabolism test provides information on an individual’s cortisol, testosterone, and TSH levels.
Learn more about Everlywell.
Once a person buys the test kit, they need to register it on the Everlywell website. They then use the included lancet and equipment to collect a blood and saliva sample. People then place the samples in the prepaid envelope and send them to the lab for analysis.
Everlywell will display the results of the test on an app for the person to review. The company also offers guidance on what the numbers could suggest. However, this test is not a substitute for medical advice, so people should always contact a doctor to discuss their results.
Everlywell offers a membership subscription, in which individuals pay monthly for regular testing at a reduced individual test cost.
myLABBOX At Home Metabolism Test
This test checks a person’s cortisol, TSH, and testosterone levels.
To use this test, people must perform a finger prick and take a saliva sample. They then send the samples to myLABBOX’s Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified lab in a prepaid envelope.
The company states that individuals will receive a free consultation from a doctor if the results show hormone levels that are too high or too low.
Verisana Weight Hormone Check
Verisana states that its weight check test can inform people whether an imbalance of hormones is affecting their weight. This test looks at the following hormone levels:
progesterone
estradiol
dehydroepiandrosterone
cortisol
testosterone
This test requires one saliva sample. People then send the sample to the lab partnered with the company. The company checks the person’s hormone levels against the average levels for others their age. When individuals receive their results, they will see that a hormone indicator is green, meaning it is within the average hormone range, or red, which means it is too high or too low.
People should contact a doctor if they receive a result that shows hormones are too high or too low or if they believe they require further tests.
When to contact a doctor
An individual can speak with a doctor if they receive a metabolism test result that shows their hormone levels are too low or too high. Although the test cannot diagnose what is causing these uncharacteristic levels, a doctor can.
A person interested in using the home metabolic test for weight loss or maintenance should speak with a doctor, nutritionist, or fitness professional, who can help design a diet and exercise program that meets their requirements.
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