Metabolic syndrome is a cluster or a group of conditions that result from altered metabolism which can lead to other serious complications. The process starts very subtly with weight gain and inflammation. As these progress, it then affects your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar metabolism, and hormone balance. Having one of the conditions below does not mean that you have it. But having one or more of the conditions listed below increases the risk of serious disease:
- Waist larger than 40″ for men, and 35″ for women.
- Triglycerides over 150.
- HDL less than 40 for men, and less than 50 for women.
- Blood pressure greater than 130 systolic and/or 85 diastolic.
- Fasting blood sugar (glucose) greater than 100.
Unfortunately, these conditions are not very obvious and rarely recognized for the danger that they represent. These “minor” conditions eventually progress into obesity, thyroid conditions, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Most of the disorders associated with metabolic syndrome have no symptoms, although a large waist circumference is a visible sign. If your blood sugar is very high, you might experience signs and symptoms of diabetes — including increased thirst and urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
The causes of Metabolic Syndrome? Primarily obesity and inactivity.
Metabolic syndrome is also linked to insulin resistance. Normally, your digestive system breaks down the foods you eat into sugar (glucose). In people with insulin resistance, cells don’t respond normally to insulin, and glucose can’t enter the cells as easily. As a result, glucose levels in your blood rise despite your body’s attempt to control the glucose by churning out more and more insulin.
This can eventually lead to diabetes when your body is unable to make enough insulin to keep the blood glucose within the normal range.
So if you know anybody with the above, you should try to have chat with the person to have it checked out – a serious change in lifestyle is needed.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/basics/risk-factors/con-20027243
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ms
http://www.medicinenet.com/metabolic_syndrome/article.htm
The solution?
Seems simple enough – exercise. Increased exercise/activity seems to reverse the condition. Based on the following study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20631645 . There has been studies that say that the best exercise to reverse this condition is interval training. Unless the person is eating extremely badly, exercise is the main differentiator.
http://blogs.naturalnews.com/best-exercise-to-reverse-metabolic-syndrome-and-diabetes/