Breaking Down Metabolic Syndrome

In our Medical Weight Loss Clinic, you will hear the word “metabolism” used often. That’s because how our metabolism is functioning plays a pivitoal role in our weight loss efforts and overall health. In today’s post, we’re discussing a cluster of risk factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes called Metabolic Syndrome.

What is metabolic syndrome?

Derived from the Greek word “σύνδρομον” or “concurrence”, a syndrome is not specific to one disease. Instead, it’s a group of medical signs, symptoms, and risk factors that are associated with a particular disease or disorder.

Metabolic syndrome is caused by a lifestyle that may include eating too many calories, being inactive, and gaining weight—particularly around your waist. This lifestyle can lead to insulin resistance, a condition in which the body is unable to respond normally to insulin. If you have insulin resistance, your body cannot use insulin properly, and your blood sugar will begin to rise. Over time, this can lead to type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Many reports indicate that 2/3 of the US population would have metabolic syndrome if tested. A person with metabolic syndrome is twice as likely to develop heart disease and five times as likely to develop diabetes.

What are the risk factors of metabolic syndrome?

Having one of the factors below doesn’t mean you have metabolic syndrome, but it does raise your risk for heart disease. To have Metabolic Syndrome, a patient needs to have three to five of these symptoms: 

• Belly fat: A waist size over 40 inches for men and over 30 inches for women. Excess fat in the stomach area is a greater risk factor for heart disease than excess fat in other parts of the body, such as on the hips.

• HDL cholesterol level of <40 for men or <50 for women (or you're on medicine to treat it). HDL sometimes is called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. A low HDL cholesterol level raises your risk for heart disease.

• Triglycerides elevated over 150 (or you're on medicine to treat high triglycerides). Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood.

• High blood pressure over 135/85 mmHg (or you’re on medication for high blood pressure). Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage your heart and lead to plaque buildup.

• High fasting blood sugar over 100 mg/dl (or you're on medicine to treat high blood sugar). Mildly high blood sugar may be an early sign of diabetes.

• Insulin Resistance:  Insulin resistance is when the body can’t use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels that’s closely linked to overweight and obesity.

Which lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome?

• Insulin resistance, meaning that your body cannot use insulin properly.

• Having excess fat around the waistline in particular.

• Age: Your chances of developing metabolic syndrome increase as you get older.

• Lack of exercise: Those who do not exercise are more likely to be obese and develop metabolic syndrome.

• Hormone imbalance: A hormone disorder such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with metabolic syndrome. Our clinic specializes in helping women with PCOS stabilize hormones to promote

• Family history of type 2 diabetes: Having parents or close relatives with diabetes is associated with metabolic syndrome.

• A history of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

• Race and ethnicity: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

When to See a Doctor about Metabolic Syndrome

Many people discover they have risk factors for metabolic syndrome during routine health screenings, well check-ups, or blood draws.  If you know you have at least one of the risk factors above, we’d love you to schedule an initial consultation at our medical weight loss clinic.

We’re committed to reversing the progression of serious diseases with a multifaceted approach. We understand that losing weight and improving ones health is a daily commitment that can feel daunting to begin and maintain.

Our approach to improving metabolic health includes gradual lifestyle changes that build upon each other, plus support from a trained weight loss team every step of the way. As a team of medical professionals, we also utilize prescription medications and supplements when necessary to assist in the journey to a health weight. You will feel informed and equipped with everything you need to start and maintain a journey toward better health.  In 2018, our medical weight loss patients shed a combined 40,897 pounds!

To learn more about us or schedule an initial consultation, please call (801) xxx-xxxx.

---