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Metabolic Syndrome


metabolic syndrome what is it1 Metabolic Syndrome

  • What is Metabolic Syndrome?

  • The Causes of Metabolic Syndrome

  • Complications it Can Cause

  • The Treatment



What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome, also known as Dysmetabolic Syndrome, Syndrome X and Insulin Resistance Syndrome, is NOT a disease, but a combination of risks that amplifies your chances of having coronary disease, stroke and Type 2 Diabetes. An individual who is afflicted with this condition has just about double the risk as a healthy person for the conditions mentioned, but these can be prevented by switching to a healthy diet, good eating habits, regular exercise, medications, lowering your body mass index, and bariatric surgery.

Metabolic syndrome is becoming widespread in the United States with more than 45 million people affected. Analysts question if there are various factors causing it, but studies show that the major risk factors are:

Excess Abdominal Fat. Added weight in the region of the central body called the abdominal region. This is commonly referred to as the ‘apple shaped’ body.  Also if your Body Mass Index is higher than it should be, then you may be at risk.

Low levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein, aka “Good Cholesterol”).  If you are a male with less than 40mg/dL of HDL, or are a female with less than 50 mg/dl, or are taking medication to increase your HDL then you are at risk.

High levels of triglycerides. If your triglycerides count is higher than 150 mg/dl, or are taking medication to lower the count then you may be at risk.

Hypertension (high blood pressure). If your blood pressure is higher than 135/85 mmHg, or you are taking medication to lower your blood pressure, then you may be at risk.

High blood sugar (High blood glucose). If your blood sugar level is higher than 100 mg/dl, or you are taking medication to control your high blood glucose level then you may be at risk.

If you have three of these risk factors or more, than you may have metabolic syndrome.

 

Causes of Metabolic Syndrome

Experts do not know the exact cause of metabolic syndrome, but they do agree that insulin plays a major role.  Insulin is essential in the management of the sugar in the body. Insulin aids the glucose in traveling to the cells. If you suffer from the insulin resistance, the blood sugar that is needed by your body is unable to penetrate the cells. As a result, the body will generate a lot of insulin. As the levels of sugar increases, this will in turn pose a great effect on the task of the kidney, since the fats from the blood known as triglycerides level will also increase.  The result is Type 2 Diabetes.

Lack of exercise or physical activity, or being overweight, and a poor diet are all factors that can cause insulin resistance resulting in metabolic syndrome.

 

Complications

Atherosclerosis – this is a condition in which a fatty substance is deposited in the walls of the arteries. Over time, this can block the arteries.

Diabetes – is a continual disease manifested by increase levels of sugar in your blood.

Heart Attack – occurs when the blood vessels that normally supplies the blood going to the heart are clogged-up, thus  blocking a sufficient supply of oxygen to reach the heart. The muscle of the heart will eventually die.

Kidney Disease – the kidney is unable to filter waste, excess water and salt out of the blood.

Stroke – often called the ‘brain attack’. This happens when the supply of blood to the brain is interrupted.

Peripheral Artery Disease – plaque accumulated in the arteries that are distributed the blood to the head, organs and limbs. It is made up of fats, calcium and fibrous tissue.

 

Managing and Treatments

To treat and manage metabolic syndrome, the main thing would be to decrease the possibility of acquiring heart disease and diabetes. Your physician will suggest a lifestyle change, and may prescribe medicine to aid in the reduction of the blood pressure, LDL and blood sugar.

Losing some weight. The ideal goal is to go down from 7 to 10% of your present weight. This would normally suggest that your diet should be cut down from eating 500- 1,000 calories a day.

Increased physical activity. Try to incorporating a 30 minute routine of exercise in your daily routine like brisk walking.

Healthy Eating. Try to Avoid from eating cholesterol enrich foods.

Regular check-ups. Constantly monitor your blood pressure, although some may require taking a low dose of aspirin on a daily basis.

Quit smoking. If you are a smoker, you are advised to quit immediately.