What is Metabolic Syndrome and WHY YOU DON'T WANT IT!

The Metabolic Syndrome

ACE Certified News April / May 2008

 The metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster of risk factors common to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  These two diseases collectively represent a $650 billion healthcare cost burden in the United States.  The metabolic syndrome consists of a group of metabolic disorders for which the root causes are being overweight, physical inactivity and genetic factors.   The most widely used definition is that one needs at least three of the following to have the metabolic syndrome: increased waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), high blood pressure, and impaired fasting glucose.

This often leads to Insulin Resistance.  Insulin Resistance is a growing health issue and robbing people of energy and health.  Insulin manages the fuel for your body.  When insulin becomes impaired, it is defined as insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance interferes with fuel storage and energy production.  Fat cells turn into fat magnets, making it easy to gain weight and very difficult to lose it.  

What is the Significance?  Individuals with the metabolic syndrome are at TWICE the risk for cardiovascular disease when compared to those without the syndrome.   Individuals with this syndrome are FIVE times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.  Although the pharmaceutical industry is developing numerous new drugs and drug classes to manage the syndrome and risk factors, the firs step must be lifestyle changes, especially in physical activity.  Recent evidence demonstrates that moderate lifestyle changes can significantly delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.  

What can you do? 

1 - Modifications to your diet – modify one or two food group components per month.  Reduce fatty and high-glycemic foods and beverages. Avoid processed carbohydrates (crackers, white breads, cookies, etc). Limiting starchy carbohydrates is a good idea!

2 – Look into the Mediterranean Diet – this diet has been shown to affect the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.  Beyond weight control and reduction to total calories, the diet is low in saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium and simple sugars.  The diet’s high-fiber content, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants might be responsible for its beneficial effect on health. 

3 – Marine Omega-3 Fatty acid Therapy - these may be helpful in reducing triglycerides when dietary and physical activity strategies fail. 

4 - Physical Activity – you need to be exercising most days of the week.  This does not mean you have to be doing a structured workout every day, but you need to be physically active each day and engaging in intense exercise 2 to 4 days per week.