Posted on July 09, 2014 by Jenny Cromack

 

 

 

Metabolic Syndrome affects one in four adults in the UK. Metabolic Syndrome is the medical term for a combination of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes which dramatically increase the risk of strokes, heart disease and other conditions affecting blood vessels. As we know on their own, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity can potentially damage your blood vessels and cause serious health problems but having all three together is particularly dangerous as it can also lead to cancer, skin conditions, fatty liver disease and other life limiting conditions if its not prevented or treated.

What are the symptoms?
Have a look at our checklist to make sure you aren’t at risk from Metabolic Syndrome:

• A waist circumference of 40 inches or more (in men) and 35 inches or more (in women)
• Triglycerides levels equal to or higher than150mg/dL
• Low levels of HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) in the blood, MEN –under 40mg/dL and WOMEN under 50mg/dL . This which can lead to atherosclerosis – where arteries become blocked up by fatty substances such as cholesterol
• High blood pressure that is consistently 140/90mmHg or higher
• An inability to control blood sugar levels (insulin resistance)
• An increased risk of developing blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis

What are the causes?
Metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly common. Researchers are yet to prove if it is due to a single cause however all of the risks for the syndrome are related to obesity.
The two most main risk factors for metabolic syndrome are:

1. Central Obesity – excess weight is stored around the middle and upper parts of the body. The body shape is often referred to as being “apple-shaped.”
2. The individual is ‘Insulin Resistant’ resulting in a rise in blood sugar and fat levels due to the body using insulin less effectively than normal as insulin is needed to help control the amount of sugar.

Other risk factors include:

• Aging
• Genes that make you more likely to develop this condition
• Hormone changes
• Being physically inactive
• Having polysystic ovarian syndrome

Two other contributing factors commonly seen in people with metabolic syndrome that increase the condition further are

• Excess blood clotting
• Increased levels of blood substances that are a sign of inflammation throughout the body

What is the treatment?
The goal of treatment is to reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome can be extremely serious if actions are not taken to prevent or reverse the factors.

It is not about finding a quick fix to solve the problem it is about in forcing a lifestyle change to help ensure that you prevent the serious side effects of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Introducing exercise into your lifestyle and eating a healthy balanced diet will help you lose weight, lower cholesterol and be in control of your blood pressure.

Taking time to ensure you’re exercising regularly and eating healthy far out ways the consequences of living with or developing metabolic syndrome.

It is never too late to ensure you stay healthy or work towards increasing your health. For more advice on how you can help make lifestyle changes to improve your health don’t hesitate to contact one of the motive8 personal trainers.