DEFENDING YOUR BODY AGAINST METABOLIC SYNDROME

Metabolic syndrome is a nasty health condition that is as widespread as pimples and the common cold and seems to just sneak up on you as you age. According to the American Heart Association, 47 million Americans have it. That’s a staggering one out of every six people in this country.

Also known as insulin resistance and syndrome-X, metabolic syndrome can have deadly consequences. It is often difficult to diagnose this condition until it has already taken hold in the body, done some damage, and placed those with it at an elevated risk of heart disease, diabetes stroke.

Understanding Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself. Instead, it’s a group of risk factors –high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides and excess abdominal fat. Obviously, having any one of these risk factors isn’t good, but when they’re combined, they set the stage for serious problems. These risk factors double your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Let’s take a closer look at each one of these risk factors that lead up to the development of metabolic syndrome or syndrome X:

Factor #1: High Blood Pressure greater than 135/85 at rest.

Factor #2: High Blood Sugar. Fasting blood sugar higher than 100mg/dL.

Factor #3. High Triglycerides levels of 150mg.Dl or greater.

Factor #4: Low Levels of Good Cholesterol. HDL’s of 40mg/dl or less.

Factor #5: Large Waist Size. A waist size for men of 40 inches or greater and 35 inches or greater for women.

To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you need to have at least three of these factors, but there are other lifestyle factors that increase the risks. If you are obese, especially abdominal obesity, have insulin resistance, have an unhealthy lifestyle, crave a lot of carbohydrates like sugar, bread and pasta, eat lots of processed fast foods, smoke and don’t exercise, your risk goes up dramatically. In addition, if you are constantly tired, can’t lose weight, feel tired after eating a meal, and your blood pressure is steadily rising, you may have metabolic syndrome.

Blood tests are necessary to accurately diagnose this condition and if you are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, it is not a death sentence. But you do need to take this condition seriously and consider it a wake-up call before you develop heart disease, diabetes or suffer a debilitating stroke.

So, what can I do if I am diagnosed with metabolic syndrome?

The first thing you need to address is your diet. Excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates is a main contributor to metabolic syndrome. They cause the pancreas to release too much insulin into the blood stream, which causes more cravings for simple carbs, weight gain, energy drops, and eventually diabetes. One of the best diets to follow is the Mediterranean Diet that focuses on healthy protein, fats and carbs and eliminates junk food.

Next, you need to ramp up your exercise. Engaging in exercise for at least 30-minutes daily is another sure-fire way to reduce weight and reduce blood sugars. If you haven’t exercised in a while, start off by walking. Strive to increase your distance every day until you can walk 10-12,000 steps a day.

And lastly, supplementation. Besides exercise and changing your diet, there are several supplements that help to counteract metabolic syndrome risk factors.

1. Mega Vites Lean, supports a wide range of metabolic health factors, including those factors that contribute to Metabolic Syndrome.
2. Berberine Max, supports normal homocysteine levels, thereby supporting overall cardiovascular wellness, including normal blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose) and cholesterol levels.
3. R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, supports cardiovascular health through supporting recycling of other antioxidants and through supporting normal blood lipid regulation.
4. DIM, aids in weight loss by increasing the “good” estrogen metabolites and simultaneously reducing and removing “bad” estrogen. Dim reduces estrogen dominance in both Men and Women.

To find out more about metabolic syndrome, what blood tests you need and how it affects your health, call Doctor’s Nutrition Today at 800-824-0194.