One of the most common conditions seen by doctors today is referred to as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome indicates that the person is basically pre-diabetic and therefore also at increased risk for cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke. There are five criteria for metabolic syndrome. Anyone that has three out of the five criteria is considered to have the condition.
The criteria include:
Abdominal obesity (waist circumference)
Women: >35 inches —– Men: >40 inches
Elevated fasting glucose. (blood sugar > 100)
Elevated triglycerides (>150)
Low HDL cholesterol
Women: <50 —– Men <40 High blood pressure > 135/>85
Unfortunately, over a third of the adults in the United States meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Males and females ages 40-59 are three times more likely to have it than the 20-39 year age group.
If you think you meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, you
should talk to your doctor about ways to reverse it. One of the
best ways is to lose weight. By losing weight, you will decrease
your waist circumference, improve your blood pressure, your blood sugar and your triglycerides. Regular daily aerobic exercise such as swimming, walking, running or cycling can help increase your HDL cholesterol, improve your blood pressure, reduce your blood sugar and help you lose weight. Weight training at least a couple of times a week helps reduce body fat and add lean muscle. Many people have the misconception that they can eat what they want as long as they exercise and burn enough calories. This is not true! What one eats accounts for 75-85% of the outcome.
Cardiovascular disease will remain the number one killer, and diabetes will continue to be very prevalent unless we reduce such risks as metabolic syndrome.