A prescription for excellence
Many of the disorders that make up the five conditions of metabolic syndrome don't have obvious signs or symptoms, making it difficult to know if you have it.
Metabolic syndrome refers to suffering from at least three (from a list of five) conditions that together significantly increase your health risk.
When you have insulin resistance, your body no longer uses insulin effectively. This causes your pancreas to produce higher and higher levels of insulin, which can lead to weight gain around the middle and eventually Type 2 diabetes.
The risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and stroke, as well as other conditions including plaque build-up on the artery wall and organ damage, are increased if you develop metabolic syndrome.
Elevated blood pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels over time. It can also lead to a waxy substance known as plaque building up inside the arteries.
High blood sugar levels don't just raise your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, it also puts you at greater risk of suffering from blood clots.
Metabolic syndrome is also sometimes referred to as insulin resistance syndrome, dysmetabolic syndrome, or syndrome X.
Leading a sedentary lifestyle, with a diet high in processed food that contains a lot of saturated fats and sugars, can lead to developing metabolic syndrome.
It's more common for people with apple-shaped bodies to have metabolic syndrome. Apple shapes carry more weight around their abdomen region.
Other symptoms include developing darkened skin in your armpits or the back and sides of your neck (acanthosis nigricans) and experiencing fatigue. All listed symptoms are indicative of high blood sugar levels.
Apple-shaped people tend to have a wider waist circumference. Having a larger waistline is linked to an increased risk of heart disease compared to having extra weight in other parts of the body.
The symptoms of metabolic syndrome will also vary depending on which of the conditions you have. Let's take a look at the five conditions more closely and how they present.
In this regard, "central obesity" is dangerous. Generally, if your waist measures 94 cm (37 inches) or more and you're a man, or 80 cm (31 inches) and you're a woman, you probably need to lose some weight.
Blood cholesterol levels have a significant bearing on heart health. HDL cholesterol, sometimes known as "good" cholesterol, is needed by the body.
Triglyceride levels that are 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater are indicative of hypertriglyceridemia. This can lead to extra fat in the liver and puts you at a greater risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
It's important to keep an eye on your blood pressure with an at-home monitor or regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, as many people have it without knowing.
Hypertension occurs when a person has a blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. This may be due to genetics, lifestyle, or other diseases.
Blood clots cause blood vessel and heart diseases. To test your blood glucose level, you must fast. If your fasting blood glucose is of 100 mg/dL or greater, you have prediabetes.
If you measure your fasting blood glucose level and it’s over 125 mg/dL, it's likely that you already have Type 2 diabetes.
"Good" HDL cholesterol can help remove "bad" LDL cholesterol from your blood vessels. This is one number you want to be high when measured, ideally above 60 mg/dL.
If you're diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, your doctor will more than likely recommend you make lifestyle changes, starting with your diet. Cooking at home, using whole foods, and following a Mediterranean diet could help.
HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women indicates low levels of good cholesterol in the blood.
High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease as they are a type of fat found in the blood which raises the level of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the blood.
If you develop diabetes as a result of metabolic syndrome, you might experience complications such as eye damage, nerve damage, kidney disease, or the amputation of limbs.
The complications of metabolic syndrome include stroke, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Many of these conditions are symptomless but you might be able to tell something is wrong if you suddenly need to urinate frequently (especially at night), have increased thirst, or blurred vision.
Hormones are also suspected to play a role. Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) typically have issues with insulin resistance and hormone imbalances.
Depending on the conditions you have, your doctor may also prescribe you certain medications. These might include cholesterol-reducing medication, blood thinners, blood pressure-reducing medication, or medication for insulin resistance.
Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, of moderate to high intensity, most days of the week will help you to lose extra pounds and reverse the syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome can be reversed with a commitment to changing your lifestyle. For those who do reverse the syndrome, however, you may still need to monitor your long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Sources: (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) (Cleveland Clinic) (Web MD) (Healthline) (Better Health Channel)
It's estimated that around one in every three adults have metabolic syndrome in the US. Although it only gained formal medical recognition in 1998, it's fast becoming one of the most prevalent health concerns of our age. What exactly is metabolic syndrome? It refers to a group of conditions that, when occur together, significantly raise the risk of serious health outcomes. Even though it's commonplace, there are many dangers associated with developing metabolic syndrome that you should be aware of.
Intrigued? Click on the gallery to learn what they are, how to recognize it, and what to do if you think you have it.
The risks of developing metabolic syndrome
Just because it's common, doesn't mean you should become complacent
HEALTH Stroke
It's estimated that around one in every three adults have metabolic syndrome in the US. Although it only gained formal medical recognition in 1998, it's fast becoming one of the most prevalent health concerns of our age. What exactly is metabolic syndrome? It refers to a group of conditions that, when occur together, significantly raise the risk of serious health outcomes. Even though it's commonplace, there are many dangers associated with developing metabolic syndrome that you should be aware of.
Intrigued? Click on the gallery to learn what they are, how to recognize it, and what to do if you think you have it.