Written By Carrie Company
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of five risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing many lifestyle and chronic diseases. The risk factors are:
- Increased blood pressure (greater than 130/85 mmHg)
- High blood sugar levels at or over 100 mg/dL
- Excess fat around the waist. In men a waist circumference at or greater than 40 inches, in women at or greater than 35 inches.
- High triglycerides in the blood, at or greater than 15o mg/dL
- Low levels of good cholesterol, HDL in the blood. For men at or lower than 40 mg/dL and women at or lower than 50 mg/dL
Possible complications of metabolic syndrome:
- Five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Inflammatory diseases – arthritis
- Twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease
- Eye damage (retinopathy)
- Kidney disease
- Amputation of limbs and degenerative joint problems
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Dementia and memory loss
- Certain types of cancer – breast, uterus, cervix, colon, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, prostate
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Pulmonary disease
- Gall bladder disease
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Interfertility
- Cataracts
- Increased likelihood for depression
How to treat and reverse Metabolic Syndrome:
Healthy lifestyle changes that include losing weight, being physically active, following a heart-healthy diet, and quitting smoking. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, contact your doctor or health care provider. They may prescribe medications to treat and control risk factors such as high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and high blood sugar.
You can learn more about Carrie Company at Wellness Data Solutions
