ОБ ЭТОМ ЭПИЗОДЕ
“Physical activity is really such a linchpin in being able to change the trajectory of how you age.” — Dr. Susan Brian
“Resistance training is probably your most proactive tool under your control for trying to reduce your risk of developing metabolic syndrome.” — Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein
Key Links & Resources
Subscribe to Age Better Cheat Sheet on Substack HERE
Follow Barbara Hannah Grufferman on Instagram HERE
Follow Dr. Susan Brian on Instagram HERE
Follow Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein on Instagram HERE
Episode Summary
Metabolic syndrome is not one single disease. It’s a cluster of warning signs — including waist size, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and blood sugar — that together can tell a much bigger story about your health.
And for women in their 60s, this matters because metabolic syndrome is not just about lab numbers. It can affect your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, inflammation, bone health, muscle quality, mobility, and physical capacity.
In this episode of AGE BETTER, I talk with two leading physicians: Dr. Susan Brian, a board-certified endocrinologist and menopause specialist, and Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Duke.
Together, they explain why metabolic syndrome becomes more common after menopause, how visceral fat and insulin resistance can affect the body, and why this issue is deeply connected to how strong, mobile, energetic, and independent you feel as you age.
You’ll learn:
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What metabolic syndrome is and why having three of the five key markers matters
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Why insulin resistance is often at the center of the pattern
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How menopause can shift fat storage toward more visceral belly fat
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Why metabolic health and musculoskeletal health are closely connected
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How metabolic syndrome can affect muscle, bone, joints, stamina, and frailty risk
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Why muscle is so important for blood sugar control
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Why walking, strength training, and “starting somewhere” can make a real difference
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What to ask your clinician if you think you may have metabolic syndrome or be heading in that direction
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Where GLP-1 medications may fit for some women — and why strength training matters if weight loss is part of the plan
The big takeaway: metabolic syndrome is not just about weight. It’s about how your body is functioning — and the earlier you recognize the pattern, the more opportunity you have to change the trajectory.
Dr. Brian encourages women to know their numbers, advocate for themselves, and figure out what kind of physical activity they can do consistently.
Dr. Wittstein emphasizes resistance training, starting where you are, and building the right team around you — because protecting muscle, bone, mobility, and strength is central to aging better.
Calls to Action
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Share this episode with a friend, sister, partner, or anyone who wants to stay strong, healthy, and independent as they get older.
And make sure you subscribe to Age Better Cheat Sheet on Substack, where I go deeper into the newest research on healthy aging and break down what it means for you.
Have an idea for a future episode or a question you want answered? Email me at agebetterpodcast@gmail.com.
