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Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that occur in tandem and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels are examples of these conditions.
Simply having one of these conditions does not imply you have metabolic syndrome. However, it does increase your chances of contracting a serious disease. And as you develop more of these conditions, your risk of complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease increases.
Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common, with up to one-third of adults in the United States suffering from it. If you have metabolic syndrome or any of its components, making drastic lifestyle changes can postpone or even prevent the onset of serious health problems.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME?
The majority of metabolic syndrome-related disorders have no obvious signs or symptoms. A large waist circumference is one visible sign. If your blood sugar is high, you may experience diabetes symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF METABOLIC SYNDROME?
Overweight or obesity, as well as inactivity, are all risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
It has also been linked to a condition known as insulin resistance. Normally, your digestive system converts the foods you consume into sugar. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that aids in the entry of sugar into your cells for use as fuel.
Insulin resistance occurs when cells do not respond normally to insulin and glucose cannot enter the cells as easily. As a result, your blood sugar levels rise even as your body produces more and more insulin in an attempt to lower them.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR METABOLIC SYNDROME?
The following factors increase the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome:
- Age: As you get older, your chances of developing metabolic syndrome rise.
- Ethnicity: Hispanics, particularly Hispanic women, appear to be at the highest risk of developing metabolic syndrome in the United States. The reasons for this are not completely clear.
- Obesity: Carrying too much weight, particularly in your abdomen, raises your chances of developing metabolic syndrome.
- Diabetes: If you had gestational diabetes or if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, you are more likely to have metabolic syndrome.
- Other illnesses: If you've ever had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, or sleep apnea, you're more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME?
Metabolic syndrome increases your chances of developing:
- Diabetes type 2: If you don't make lifestyle changes to lose weight, you may develop insulin resistance, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Insulin resistance can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels: High cholesterol and high blood pressure can both contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries. These plaques can cause your arteries to narrow and harden, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.
HOW IS METABOLIC SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?
According to the National Institutes of Health, metabolic syndrome is defined as having three or more of the following characteristics, including those for which you may be taking medication:
- Large waist: A waistline of at least 35 inches (89 centimeters) for women and 40 inches (102 centimeters) for men.
- High triglyceride level: This type of fat found in blood has a concentration of 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or higher.
- Reduced "good" or HDL cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels of less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men or less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women
- Increased blood pressure: a pressure of 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher
- Fasting blood sugar elevation: 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher
HOW IS METABOLIC SYNDROME TREATED?
If drastic lifestyle changes like diet and exercise aren't enough, your doctor may recommend medications to help control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
HOME REMEDIES FOR METABOLIC SYNDROME
If you have metabolic syndrome or one of its components, making healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay serious health problems like a heart attack or stroke. A healthy way of life includes:
- Exercise on a regular basis: Experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, such as brisk walking. However, you are not required to complete that activity all at once. Look for opportunities to increase your activity level whenever possible, such as walking instead of driving and taking the stairs instead of an elevator.
- Quitting smoking: Quitting smoking improves your overall health significantly. If you need assistance quitting, speak with your doctor.
- Stress reduction or management: Physical activity, meditation, yoga, and other programs can assist you in dealing with stress and improving your emotional and physical health.
- Lose weight: Losing 7% of your body weight can lower insulin resistance, blood pressure, and your risk of diabetes. In fact, losing any amount of weight is beneficial. It's also critical to keep your weight loss going. If you're having trouble losing weight and keeping it off, talk to your doctor about what options, such as medications or weight-loss surgery, might be available to you.
- A nutritious diet: Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and the Mediterranean diet, for example, emphasize eating vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains, and lean protein. Sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, salt, sugar, and fat, particularly saturated fat and trans fat, are typically restricted in healthy-eating plans.