Many people are concerned with a new health condition known as metabolic syndrome. Although, it is not really a “new” as it was actually identified about twenty years ago. The fact is that one out of six people suffer from metabolic syndrome. That means that over 47 million Americans deal with it!
Is Your Health at Risk From Metabolic Syndrome?
While metabolic syndrome affects such a large number of people, there isn’t a lot of information about it. Many doctors can’t even agree whether or not it should be considered a condition in its own right at all. Due to the mystery that shrouds this syndrome it’s often referred to Syndrome X. The condition isn’t an actual disease but rather a group of different health factors. While none of these risk factors are good to have, in combination with one another they can cause severe health risks.
Metabolic Risk Factors
These risk factors can be, among others,:
- High blood sugar
- Hypertension
- Abdominal fat
- High cholesterol levels
If you have more than one of these symptoms your chances of heart and blood vessel diseases increase by more than double. You also have a higher chance of developing diabetes. While this sounds dire and serious, simple lifestyle changes can help you control the risks of metabolic syndrome.
Combinations of Health Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome can lead to insulin resistance, which occurs when your body produces too much insulin. The increase of the hormone insulin won’t use the glucose your body creates causing the glucose level, as well as the insulin level, in your body to rise. This can lead to you becoming diabetic and to add to that excess belly fat is thought to be connected to persons with insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome appears to be rising as the obesity levels rise. Being obese is often a factor in having an increased risk of this syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms Checklist
Any patient having any three of the following particular traits will be diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome:
Men
- Waist circumference of 40 inches or more
- HDL cholesterol over 40mg/dl
Women
- Waist circumference of 35 inches or more
- HDL cholesterol over 50mg/dl
Gender-neutral
- Patient exhibits 150mg/dl or more serum triglycerides
- Blood pressure above 130/85
- 110 mg/dl or higher level of fasting blood glucose
If you have been diagnosed with this condition you need to change your lifestyle for the better. Work on eating properly and getting more active. For more information on metabolic syndrome speak with your health care professional and to find out more online you can go to The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).