Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself, but rather a diagnosis based on a collection of conditions or metabolic risk factors that can make someone more likely to develop other serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.  Metabolic syndrome has also been referred to in the past as syndrome X or dysmetabolic syndrome.

Many Americans today are being diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome. The collection of conditions that contribute to this diagnosis are high blood pressure, abdominal obesity or excess fat around the waist, high cholesterol levels, and/or high blood sugar. If you have at least three of these, chances are that you already have or will develop metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome doubles your risk for developing heart disease, having a stroke, and your likelihood of developing diabetes is five-fold if a doctor has told you that you have metabolic syndrome.

If you fall into this category, these are some of the things that can delay or prevent              serious health issues:

Reduce your body weight by at least 5% – 10%.

Maintain your blood pressure below 135/85.

Maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Exercise and/or increase your activity level.

Get plenty of sleep each day, at least 7 -9 hours nightly.  Sleep does affect your weight,        so the more that you get, the better your body will be able to maintain and/or lose              weight.

Modify your diet.  Maintain a well-balanced low-carbohydrate diet, rich in good fats,          and low in bad fats.  Remember that carbohydrates convert to sugar when                            metabolized.  Reduce your sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, and eat                  healthy snacks.

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