Metabolic Syndrome

Topics

• What is Metabolic Syndrome?
• Causes of Metabolic Syndrome
• Who is at Risk?
• Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome
• Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome
• Alternative Options
• Prognosis for Metabolic Syndrome
• Suggested Articles

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Metabolic Syndrome?

Risk factors for metabolic syndrome are as follows:

• Obesity, mainly central obesity which is extra weight around the middle of the body (large waist size). For men, a waist measurement of 40 inches or larger and for women a waist measurement of 35 inches or larger indicates an “apple” shape.
  
  
• High blood pressure – Blood pressure reading 130/85 or greater or being on medication for high blood pressure.
  
  
• Elevated blood sugar (insulin resistance) – Or being on medication for high blood sugar. Insulin is needed to help control the amount of sugar in the body. Insulin resistance causes the body to produce too much insulin. A reading of equal to or higher than 100mg/dL signifies insulin resistance.
  
  
• Low HDL cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein) – HDL cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL or lower in men and 50mg/dL or lower in women. Or being on medication to increase HDL cholesterol levels. HDL is called the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from the arteries.
  
  
• High triglyceride level (blood fat) - Triglyceride level of 150mg/dL or greater.
  
  
• Aging – The risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age. Young people are less likely to have metabolic syndrome although it can begin to develop during childhood. The risk of getting metabolic syndrome rises from 20% in the 40 year old age bracket, to 35% in the 50 year old age bracket, to 45% in the 60 year old age bracket and beyond.
  
  
• Genetic predisposition (family history and ethnicity) - Genes that make one more likely to develop the syndrome. People do not necessarily have to be fat or have high blood pressure (hypertension). It has been proposed that there is a metabolic defect (altered body chemistry) that causes resistance to insulin. This metabolic defect is caused by a combination of hereditary and lifestyle factors.
  
  
• Ethnicity – Studies have shown that non-Caucasians in the U.S. are at greater risk for metabolic syndrome. However, current outlook is for an alarming increase in the occurrence of this disorder in all ethnic groups, throughout the world. 
  
  
• Hormonal changes – In women, irregular menstruation, obesity, acne, excessive body hair, polycystic ovaries and infertility and for men, disorders in reproductive function.
  
  
• Poor diet – A diet high in saturated fats, salt and refined sugar and low in healthy fats and fiber.
  
  
• Lack of exercise – Lack of physical activity contributes to a myriad of other problems such as weight gain, increased waist circumference, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, blood clots, decreased bone density, painful joints, muscle atrophy and anxiety and depression.
  
  
• Excessive blood clotting – A condition in which blood clots form too easily or don't dissolve properly which can be fatal.
  
  
• Constant low-grade inflammation throughout the body – Inflammation in the body causes common conditions such as allergies and autoimmune diseases and if left unchecked, can lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes and even cancer.
  
  
• Smoking – Linked to respiratory disease, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease among other health problems.
  
  
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – NAFLD is caused by fat infiltration of the liver and the most common cause of elevated liver enzymes in adults in the U.S. NAFLD was formerly called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Causes of Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome