It’s not a
single disease, but a group of related health problems: too much belly fat,
high triglycerides, cholesterol trouble, high blood pressure, and high blood
sugar. When you have at least three of these issues, your chances for heart
disease, diabetes, and stroke are higher than they’d be with any of those
health problems on their own.
Large Waistline
When
you’re larger around the middle -- you have an apple or pear shape to your body
-- that can lead to metabolic syndrome. In general, this means a waist size of
35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men, but your doctor can
tell you if that rule applies to you. It’s not just the fat itself that’s the
problem, it’s the location: belly fat is more dangerous for heart disease and
other conditions.
High Triglycerides
It’s a
type of fat in the blood that your body makes from extra calories. If you can’t
keep your level below 150 mg/dL, you could be more likely to get metabolic
syndrome. You can take medicine to lower your triglyceride levels, but the best
way is to lose weight, exercise, and cut back on calories.
Too Little HDL Cholesterol (the good one )
HDL is
“good” cholesterol that may help remove LDL, the “bad” kind, from your
arteries. If your HDL is less than 50 mg/dL for a woman, or less than 40 mg/dL
for a man, that can set you up for metabolic syndrome. You may be able to raise
your HDL levels with weight loss, a better diet, and other lifestyle changes.
High Fasting Blood Sugar
When you
don’t eat for 8 hours or so, your body begins to run out of blood sugar from
food and it starts to break down the stored form. Your body uses the hormone
insulin to keep levels in a healthy range. But sometimes it can’t manage this
balancing act and your “fasting” blood sugar gets too high. Anything over 100
mg/dL could lead to metabolic syndrome.
High Blood Pressure
Blood
pressure is the force of blood pushing against your arteries as your heart
pumps and rests. If yours is higher than 130/85, you could get metabolic
syndrome. But you may be able to cut your numbers naturally if you lose just 5%
of your body weight. Exercise, quitting smoking, and a healthy, low-salt diet
can also help.
What Causes Metabolic Syndrome?
You’re
more likely to get it as you get older, and you also may have some genes that
raise your odds. There’s not much you can do about that. But you can make other
changes to prevent the condition and lower the chances you’ll get coronary
heart disease, heart attacks, and type 2 diabetes.
Stay Active
People who
don’t get enough physical activity are more likely to get metabolic syndrome.
You should get about 30 minutes of exercise a day, at least 5 days a week. But
don’t stop there. The more you get up and move around throughout the day, the
better your health will be. Even 10 minutes of exercise at a time can make a
big difference.
Watch Your Weight
Too much
body fat is another possible cause of metabolic syndrome. It’s strongly linked
to all of the health problems that make up the condition. It also can make your
body stop responding to insulin, the hormone that keeps blood sugar levels
stable. That’s called insulin resistance, and it’s another common reason that
people get metabolic syndrome.
Other Possible Causes
If you
have inflammation throughout your body or if your blood clots too easily, you
may be more likely to get metabolic syndrome. Other conditions that may play a
role are:
A fatty liver: Too many triglycerides and other fats
in the liver
Polycystic ovarian syndrome: When women get cysts on their ovaries
Gallstones: Hard pieces made from digestive
fluid in the gallbladder
Sleep apnea: You stop breathing over and over
during sleep, which means you don’t get enough oxygen
Change Your Habits
This is
the first thing your doctor will suggest to treat metabolic syndrome. Cut back
on sugar, salt, saturated fat, and processed foods, and eat plenty of
vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Get more exercise. If you smoke, talk to
your doctor about quitting. All of these habits can help you lower your blood
sugar, blood pressure, and triglycerides, as well as raise your good
cholesterol and trim your waistline -- the five things that add up to metabolic
syndrome.
Medication May Help
If
lifestyle changes don’t control your metabolic syndrome, your doctor may
suggest medicine. It won’t replace lifestyle changes, but it can help. You may
get a drug called a statin to lower your cholesterol. Other medicines may:
Lower your chance of a heart attack
Lower your blood pressure
Prevent blood clots
Fight coronary heart disease
BOTTOM LINE: Everybody is talking about type 2
diabetes .Make no mistake,Metabolic Syndrome is just as deadly.
