Metabolic Health
Heart Rate Variability: What It Reveals About Your Health
Heart rate variability (HRV) is the measure of time variation between successive heartbeats, regulated by the autonomic nervous system. A high HRV indicates a healthy, responsive system capable of adapting to stress and recovery, while low HRV reflects physiologic strain or diminished resilience. Unlike resting heart rate, which provides a simple snapshot of cardiac workload, HRV gives insight into the balance between sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") activity.
Myo-Inositol: A Natural Molecule for Metabolic Health and Hormone Balance
Myo-inositol is a naturally occurring nutrient that acts as a key intracellular signaling molecule involved in hormone regulation, metabolism, and neurological health. While it is synthesized in small amounts by the human body, individuals with insulin resistance or metabolic dysfunction often have increased requirements. Myo-inositol is abundant in the brain, liver, ovaries, and skeletal muscle and is also available through dietary sources such as fruits, beans, and grains. Unlike traditional medications, it supports cellular communication and hormone sensitivity at the receptor level without overstimulation.
How Blood Sugar Damages Tendons: The Hidden Role of AGEs
Tendons are resilient structures, built to transmit force from muscle to bone. But like other tissues in the body, they are vulnerable to the damaging effects of elevated blood sugar. One of the most important biochemical contributors to tendon degeneration in metabolic disease is the formation of advanced glycation end products, or AGEs.
Lifting Weights vs Cardio for Weight Loss: Why Resistance Training Wins
When it comes to weight loss, most people immediately turn to cardio workouts like running, biking, or swimming. While cardiovascular exercise has clear health benefits, it may not be the most effective strategy for long-term fat loss. Increasingly, research supports resistance training as the superior method for losing fat while preserving or even gaining muscle mass.
Optimizing Vitamin D for Health and Wellness
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble prohormone essential to the health and function of nearly every system in the body. While it’s best known for regulating calcium and maintaining bone density, vitamin D also plays a direct role in muscle strength, pelvic floor function, immune response, metabolic health, and hormonal balance. Despite Arizona’s abundant sunshine, vitamin D deficiency remains common, often due to indoor lifestyles, consistent sunscreen use, higher melanin levels, and age-related changes in synthesis and metabolism. At the Performance Medicine Institute, we routinely evaluate and optimize vitamin D levels as part of our comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal and metabolic care.
Maximizing Weight Loss and Muscle Health While Using GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) have changed the treatment landscape for people struggling with obesity and metabolic disease. These medications mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. When you eat, your body naturally releases GLP-1 to slow down how fast your stomach empties, promote insulin release, and reduce feelings of hunger. These drugs extend the effects of GLP-1, making it easier to feel full with less food, control cravings, and reduce overall calorie intake.
Sleep: The Missing Link in Performance Optimization
Most people focus on nutrition, supplements, or training to improve their health and performance. But the foundation of strength, endurance, recovery, mood, and metabolic health is high-quality sleep. Even when workouts and diet are optimized, sleep dysfunction can quietly sabotage progress—lowering testosterone, slowing recovery, impairing memory and focus, and increasing cravings and body fat.
NAD and Health: Enhancing Fitness, Mental Clarity, and Vitality
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme essential for cellular function, energy production, and overall health. As research advances, NAD+ is emerging as a key player in physical fitness, mental health, reproductive health, and even ADHD treatment. Optimizing NAD+ levels may offer profound benefits, from enhancing workout performance to improving cognitive function and emotional well-being.
Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide: Comparing Two Powerful Treatments for Obesity and Diabetes
As obesity and type 2 diabetes rates continue to rise, pharmaceutical advancements have introduced more effective treatments to manage these conditions. Tirzepatide (brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound) and semaglutide (brand names Ozempic and Wegovy) are two of the most promising medications in this space, both offering significant benefits for blood sugar control and weight loss. While they share similarities, there are key differences in their mechanisms, effectiveness, and clinical applications. Understanding these distinctions can help individuals and healthcare providers determine the best treatment option.
GLP-1 Medications: A Breakthrough in Treating Obesity and Diabetes
The rise of obesity and type 2 diabetes has led to an urgent need for effective treatments beyond lifestyle modifications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have emerged as groundbreaking medications that help regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. These medications, originally developed for diabetes management, are now being widely used to treat obesity due to their ability to reduce appetite and improve metabolic health.