Predictive medicine utilises genetic and general medical information to evaluate an individual’s risk of developing certain diseases. It targets healthy individuals without evident illnesses to detect signs of vulnerability that might predispose them to developing specific diseases. The predictive aspect of this medical field is evident in the fact that the medical examinations involved can yield valuable clinical data and anamnestic data, which refers to a patient's medical history. This information is crucial for evaluating an individual's health status and identifying existing and potential risk factors. Prevention within this field involves targeted interventions such as lifestyle changes, preventive pharmacotherapy, and more frequent health screenings over time. These measures can significantly reduce the risk of diseases or enable their early diagnosis when they are still treatable.

A nutritional consultation is conducted by a nutrition professional who evaluates an individual’s diet, calorie intake, nutrient balance, and intake of essential vitamins and minerals. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the nutrition professional devises a tailored diet plan that accommodates the individual’s needs, including food preferences and any dietary restrictions, such as potential allergies. Nutritional consultations are recommended for anyone aiming to lose, gain, or maintain their ideal body weight. A nutritionist or dietician tailors the appropriate portions to achieve these goals, ensuring a balance between healthy eating and physical activity.

Bioimpedance analysis measures body composition, namely the proportions of fat mass, muscle, and water in the body. This technique operates on the principle that different body tissues conduct electricity at varying rates, allowing for an estimation of body composition by measuring electrical impedance. Beyond assessing and measuring body composition, bioimpedance testing aids individuals in monitoring their progress towards health and fitness goals. Additionally, this technique enables the evaluation of basal metabolism—the number of calories a person spends while at rest. This latter is crucial for determining individual caloric needs and establishing an adequate calorie deficit for weight loss or a calorie surplus for muscle building.

A well-devised and structured food plan is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. It provides the body with all the essential nutrients required for optimal function. Such a diet helps maintain good health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. A balanced and healthy diet is key to enhancing physical performance, particularly for athletes. By ensuring an adequate intake of carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, and micronutrients, athletes can improve their endurance, strength, and muscle recovery capabilities. Adhering to a proper diet plan also serves an educational purpose, as it helps individuals understand the effects of different nutrients on the body and fosters long-term, informed dietary choices.

Ultrasound, or ultrasonography, is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs and structures. It is a noninvasive and safe technique, as it does not use ionising radiation, making it a reliable solution for many diagnostic applications, including pregnancy. Ultrasound can also be used to examine internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, thyroid, spleen, and pancreas, detecting structural abnormalities, cysts, tumours, and stones. Ultrasound also extends to the cardiovascular area, assessing heart functions and structures and diagnosing conditions such as congenital heart disease, valve disease, and heart failure. Ultrasound is performed quickly, providing immediate results, essential in emergencies.

A metabolic nutritional check-up comprises a series of tests and assessments to study a person’s nutritional status and metabolism. This type of test aims to identify nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disorders and help prevent chronic diseases. A metabolic nutritional check-up includes blood tests that measure lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte and mineral levels (sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium), and essential vitamin and mineral levels (vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, folate), C-reactive protein, and thyroid hormone. A dietary metabolic check-up extends to urinalysis to detect renal and metabolic dysfunctions and assess overall kidney health. Functional assessments complement this, such as glucose tolerance tests to determine the risk of diabetes, bioimpedance analyses to assess body composition, and physical activity and dietary habits, which are studied through questionnaires and food diaries.

Endocrine surgery is a medical specialisation that surgically treats endocrine glands. These glands produce hormones that regulate various bodily processes, including metabolism, growth, development, and reproductive function. The main endocrine surgery procedures are thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, pancreatectomy, adrenalectomy, and pituitary surgery. Thyroidectomy partially or entirely removes the thyroid gland, resolving hyperthyroidism and alleviating related symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, tachycardia, and excessive sweating. Parathyroidectomy removes one or more parathyroid glands, normalising blood calcium levels and preventing osteoporosis, kidney stones, and muscle fatigue. Pancreatectomy partially or entirely removes the pancreas, alleviating symptoms caused by excess or deficiency of pancreatic hormones and improving glycaemic control. Adrenalectomy removes one or both adrenal glands, normalising hormone production (cortisol and aldosterone) and minimising hypertension and muscle weakness. Pituitary disorders often lead to infertility in both sexes. Pituitary surgery to remove pituitary adenomas can help restore hormonal balance, alleviating symptoms related to infertility and acromegaly.

Bariatric surgery is a treatment option for individuals with severe obesity who have not achieved results with other weight loss methods. This surgery reduces stomach capacity and changes the intestinal tract to limit nutrient absorption. Bariatric surgery leads to weight loss over time, which is crucial for improving overall health and reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Weight loss and improved general health—direct consequences of bariatric surgery—improve quality of life by allowing individuals to experience greater mobility, energy, and self-confidence post-surgery. Finally, changing certain lifestyle aspects—such as adjusting our diet and physical activity—is an integral aspect of bariatric surgery, which can have long-term positive effects on well-being and health.