What is Metabolic Syndrome

 



What is metabolic syndrome, what are the symptoms, and what are the consequences? How to recognize it and how to intervene in case of insulin resistance

Metabolic syndrome (or lesser-known definitions of syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, or Reaven syndrome) is a set of multiple predisposing factors that put those at risk for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and hepatic steatosis (most commonly fatty liver). "). 

It is basically a combination of elements that contribute to increasing the chances of developing diabetes and diseases that affect the circulatory system. But what are the symptoms of metabolic syndromeWhy should you worry about this and what are the medications for insulin resistance?

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome refers to adult populations, with percentages that increase in older age groups, and its causes can be found in a combination of wrong habits (wrong diet and poor physical activity) and familial predisposition. All factors include accumulation of abdominal fat, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension.

The prevalence of the syndrome, however, varies widely, as it appears to depend on age, ethnicity, varying degrees of obesity, and predisposition to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus.

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors associated with conditions that increase the chance of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes

Typically, a physician diagnoses the presence of metabolic syndrome when at least three of the following risk factors are present:

  • Blood pressure above 130/85 mmHg
  • Fasting blood glucose above 110 mg/dl (100 mg/dl according to ADA) and insulin resistance, a hormone that helps regulate the amount of sugar in the body at the peripheral level in the so-called "target organs" (liver, muscle, fat) resulting hyperglycemia
  • Blood triglycerides above 150 mg/dl
  • HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dl in men or 50 mg/dl in women
  • Belly circumference greater than 102 cm for men or 88 cm for women

Of course, the more conditions you have, the more likely you are to develop metabolic syndrome.

In addition, it is obvious that the risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases

  • As we age
  • If you already have diabetes
  • If you have a certain genetic predisposition
  • If you exercise a little

Symptoms And Complications Of Metabolic Syndrome

Therefore, it is now well established that metabolic syndrome means suffering from various metabolic disorders at the same timeTherefore, the following are especially signs of metabolic syndrome:

  • Fat waist
  • Hypertension
  • High blood triglyceride levels
  • Low HDL cholesterol - "good" cholesterol
  • Insulin resistance

A condition that also has alarm rings:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Eye diseases
  • Liver disease (this risk is two to four times higher than in normal people)

Causes Metabolic Syndrome

Given the complexity of the syndrome itself, it is clear that the causes are multiple. The most common are inconsistent diet, insulin resistance (the element responsible for diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension), obesity, genetic predisposition, and sedentary lifestyleThese risk factors may occur separately but often occur together.

In short, the causes of metabolic syndrome include :

  • Abdominal fat poses a higher risk for heart disease than excess fat elsewhere in the body
  • High triglycerides in the blood
  • Lower than normal levels of good cholesterol
  • High pressure
  • Higher than normal fasting blood glucose levels
  • High levels of bad cholesterol
  • Smoke
  • Age
  • Race, Latinos, and Asians appear to have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome
  • Obesity
  • Family history of type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes
  • Other diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Metabolic Syndrome Medications

If you believe you are predisposed to metabolic syndrome, the first step is to contact your doctor who will certainly aim to increase your physical activity and reduce your weight.

If there’s one thing we need to do to combat metabolic syndrome, it’s actually to prevent it at the table and a more appropriate lifestyle.

Regular daily physical activity actually has benefits in treating metabolic syndrome:

  • Promotes weight loss
  • Increases insulin sensitivity
  • Prevents cardiovascular disease
  • Lowers blood triglyceride levels
  • Increases “good” cholesterol and lowers “bad” cholesterol
  • Lowers blood pressure levels
  • Helps prevent type II diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity and glycemic control

“Insulin resistance” refers to a condition in which the body can no longer use its insulin properlyInsulin is a hormone through which the process of converting blood sugar into energy takes place in our body.

 It is understood that “insulin resistance” causes high blood sugar levels, and in turn is associated with being overweight or obese.

Well, metabolic syndrome is probably mainly due to a state of insulin resistance.

If under normal health conditions the digestive system divides some food we eat into sugar (glucose) which is then carried by the blood to various body tissues where cells use it as an "energy substrate", making it enter with the help of insulin, in situations of "insulin resistance" cells they are unable and glucose cannot enter

Our body reacts by releasing more and more insulin to get glucose into the cells, but the result is just excessive levels of insulin and glucose in the blood. From here, the level of triglycerides and other lipids in the blood increases and also disrupts kidney function, causing an increase in blood pressure.

These effects of "insulin resistance" increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other conditions.

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Food To Prefer

Foods that have a low glycemic index are preferred :

  • Vegetables, such as broccoli and asparagus
  • Yogurt
  • Low-fat milk
  • Low-fat cheeses
  • White meat
  • Fish

Foods To Avoid

On the other hand, foods that can cause a sudden rise in blood sugar levels should be avoided:

  • Sugar
  • Desserts
  • Malnourished bread and pasta
  • Fatty food
  • Carbonated and sweet drinks
  • Alcohol

Finally, herbal teas that promote lowering blood sugar are very useful, based on:

  • Blueberry leaves
  • Fennel seeds
  • Seed galega officinalis
  • Nettle leaves

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