Metabolic syndrome is not one single condition. Instead, it’s a group of health conditions that, collectively, increase your risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Fortunately, symptoms of metabolic syndrome are often preventable and reversible. But, early detection and correct treatment is key to success.
If you’re concerned about metabolic syndrome, you need to know which risk factors to look for. Together, let’s investigate how to curb metabolic syndrome.
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These serious diseases develop in response to your body having a group of troublemaking risk factors.
These troublemakers include:
- high blood pressure
- high blood sugar levels
- too much fat around your waist
- abnormal cholesterol levels.
When you have more than one of these risk factors, your body’s metabolism gets out of balance. This leads to metabolic dysfunction that impacts your heart and pancreas, amongst other things.
Metabolic syndrome is also known by other names, e.g. Metabolic Disease, Syndrome X, Met S, and Insulin Resistance Syndrome.
What causes metabolic syndrome?
The causes of metabolic syndrome are not yet fully understood. Nevertheless, science understands that it relates to a combination of factors that:
- disrupt metabolic balance
- impair the pancreas’s ability to regulate glucose
- contribute to insulin resistance.
Factors that contribute to metabolic disease include:
- Older age
- Eating a high sugar and/or fat diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Being overweight
- Insulin resistance
- Diabetes
- Sleep disorders, e.g. sleep apnoea
- Chronic stress
- Chronic inflammatory conditions, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis
- Hormonal imbalances, e.g. polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Having a family history of metabolic disease, diabetes or hypertension.
Signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome
Metabolic disease symptoms and signs don’t only impact one area of the body. Many systems are affected, resulting in:
- excess fat around the waistline
- high blood pressure
- high blood sugar levels
- diabetes
- insulin resistance
- abnormal cholesterol levels, e.g. low HDL cholesterol (the “good” one) and high levels of triglycerides
- fatigue
- increased thirst
- frequent urination
- darkening of the skin, particularly around the neck and armpit (acanthosis nigricans)
- lower libido
- decreased fertility
- irregular menstrual periods
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Not everyone with metabolic syndrome has all of these symptoms. You could have few or no noticeable symptoms, but still meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome based on clinical measurements. Regular check-ups and monitoring of risk factors are essential for diagnosis and management.
Medications for metabolic disease
Medications for metabolic disease are used in combination with diet and lifestyle changes. The most common medications include:
- Antihypertensives: These help to lower high blood pressure. They work by relaxing blood vessels or reducing the amount of fluid in the body. Examples include ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.
- Antidiabetic medications: These help people with diabetes to regulate blood sugar levels. They may increase insulin production, improve insulin sensitivity, or reduce glucose production in the liver. Examples include metformin and insulin injections.
- Lipid-lowering medications: These assist with regulating cholesterol levels. Statins are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol drugs.
- Antiplatelet agents: These work to prevent blood clots by inhibiting platelet aggregation. They’re often used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, especially if you have a history of heart disease or stroke. Aspirin and clopidogrel are examples of antiplatelet drugs.
Note that many patients are not comfortable using one, or many, of these medications. These individuals often turn to natural medicine practitioners, e.g. naturopaths, for effective support.
Prevention of metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome prevention is possible in many cases. It involves adopting the following recommendations.
- Exercise regularly to improve your body’s ability to regulate glucose. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise on most days.
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in refined sugar and fat. Instead, opt for lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
- Keep your blood sugar stable by eating every 2-3 hours
- Don’t skip breakfast!
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Prioritise quality sleep each night
- Use herbs that support pancreatic and cardiac health, e.g. cinnamon, turmeric
- Try acupuncture. Studies show it’s an effective metabolic syndrome treatment that also aids prevention.
- Don’t smoke
- Adopt stress-reducing practices, e.g. massage, meditation, spending time in nature
- Know your family’s medical history and keep an eye on those conditions in yourself. If you’re concerned, visit your doctor for a thorough check up.
How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?
To get a metabolic syndrome diagnosis, you need to visit your GP. They will do the following:
Physical examination: The doctor will examine your waist circumference, blood pressure, and body weight to check for signs of metabolic syndrome.
Blood tests: A blood sample is taken to measure various parameters. This includes fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol. These tests help determine if any abnormalities are present.
Criteria evaluation: The doctor will compare your test results with 5 diagnostic criteria. If you meet 3 of these you are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Criteria include:
- Waist circumference of at least 101cm for men and 88cm for women
- Blood pressure of 130/85 or more
- Fasting blood glucose of 5.5 mmol/L or more
- Triglycerides of 1.7 mmol/L or more
- HDL cholesterol of 1.0 mmol/L or less in men and 1.3 mmol/L or less in women.
In addition, extra tests may be ordered to check insulin resistance, liver function and other related factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding metabolic syndrome is essential for maintaining good health. Taking the time to understand the condition now could help prevent serious complications.
By adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can improve your metabolic health. Unquestionably, this reduces your risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Regular medical check-ups with healthcare professionals are crucial for proper diagnosis and management. With proactive measures and informed choices, you can take control of your wellbeing today.
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FAQs
Can I reverse metabolic syndrome?
It is possible to reverse metabolic syndrome using diet and lifestyle changes, plus supportive medications or supplements.
Is magnesium supplementation useful for MetS?
Studies show that magnesium can help metabolic syndrome patients. Magnesium is involved in more than 300 functions in the body, including blood sugar regulation and vascular tone.
Does metabolic disease affect the kidneys?
MetS can impair your kidney’s ability to process salt. This contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
