Dear Reader,

Nathan* sat in my office, arms crossed, a skeptical look on his face.

“I don’t know if I agree with you. I’ve never been overweight a day in my life. So why are you telling me I’m at risk for heart disease?”

It was the same conversation I’ve had with so many patients.

Nathan didn’t smoke. His prior doctors had never mentioned high cholesterol. He went to the gym a couple of times a week. By all appearances, he was the picture of good health.

But his labs told a very different story.

What Is ‘Skinny Fat’—And Why Is It So Dangerous?

We tend to think of heart disease and metabolic problems as issues for people who are overweight.

But what most people don’t realize is that you can be thin and still have serious metabolic dysfunction.

It’s called Metabolically Unhealthy Normal Weight (MUNW)—or what many refer to as being “skinny fat.”

Nathan raised an eyebrow. “Skinny fat?”

I nodded. “It means that, even though your weight is ‘normal,’ your body composition and metabolic health aren’t. And that puts you at risk.”

I turned my screen toward him and pulled up his results.

➡️ High visceral fat. The type of fat that surrounds the organs—not the kind you can pinch on the outside.
➡️ Low muscle mass. His body wasn’t strong enough to support a healthy metabolism.
➡️ Elevated fasting insulin. A sign that his body was struggling to regulate blood sugar efficiently.

Nathan sat back. “But I don’t look unhealthy.”

I nodded. “That’s what makes it so dangerous. People who are overweight get flagged for heart disease risk early. But people like you? They often get overlooked—until it’s too late.”

Why ‘Skinny Fat’ is a Hidden Heart Risk

Nathan wasn’t alone. Up to 1 in 4 people with a “normal” BMI are metabolically unhealthy.

🚨 Visceral fat is toxic. It releases inflammatory chemicals that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
🚨 Low muscle mass weakens the heart. Your muscles act as a metabolic engine—without enough, your heart has to work harder.
🚨 Doctors don’t check for metabolic dysfunction in thin people. Standard checkups don’t include tests for insulin resistance, ApoB, or visceral fat levels.

Nathan exhaled. “So if my metabolism is off, what can we do to fix it?”

I shook my head. “Nope. And the good news? Now that we know, we can fix it.”

I nodded. “Yes. With the right training, nutrition, and metabolic support, we can rebuild your metabolic health and strengthen your heart.”

How We Diagnose & Reverse Metabolically Unhealthy Normal Weight

At Vitality Medical & Wellness Consulting, we don’t just look at weight—we look at metabolic health, body composition, and inflammation.

✔️ Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Testing to assess real energy needs and metabolic efficiency.
✔️ Insulin, ApoB, and Lp(a) labs to uncover hidden risk factors that standard tests miss.
✔️ Body composition analysis to measure visceral fat vs. muscle mass.

Are You as Safe as You Think?

Nathan thought his normal weight meant he had nothing to worry about.

But weight isn’t the same as health.

If you’re someone who has always been thin but never had your metabolic health checked, it’s time to look deeper.

✅ Want to know your real metabolic risk? Click below to schedule your Metabolic & Heart Health Consultation​

Because waiting for a heart attack isn’t a prevention strategy.

Warmly,
​

Dr. Loden

*Patient's name has been changed for privacy.

PS - check out this podcast through the Cleveland Clinic on this topic; listen HERE​
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