Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is an increasingly common phenomenon throughout the world. It occurs when a range of metabolic risk factors come together in a single person.
These risk factors generally include:
- Obesity
(generally in the abdominal region. Outwardly, this is manifested as excess
fat tissue in and around the abdomen of the person)
- Insulin resistance or intolerance to glucose (this means
that the body cannot properly use blood sugar or insulin)
- Proinflammatory state (Higher amounts of C-reactive protein in the blood)
- Prothrombotic state (Higher amounts of fibrinogen or plasminogen
activator inhibitor-1 present in the bloodstream)
- Atherogenic Dyslipidemia (Disorders in the blood fat, with high levels
of ‘bad cholesterol and low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol)
- Higher blood pressure
People
who suffer from metabolic syndrome are at a much greater risk of developing
type 2 diabetes as well as other diseases. Metabolic syndrome is extremely
common in some areas of the world. Some estimates put the American figure
for metabolic syndrome cases above 40 million.
Most commonly, patients suffering from metabolic syndrome will exhibit
two major symptoms: abdominal obesity and resistance to insulin.
Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome
Although an accurate form of diagnosis is not yet universally accepted, some experts believe that a combination of three of the following components is indicative of metabolic syndrome:
- Larger waist circumference
- Higher levels of triglycerides
- Lower HFL cholesterol
- Higher blood poressure
- Higher fasting glucose levels
Managing metabolic syndrome
It is important to intervene into metabolic syndrome at an early stage, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes developing. Diet and exercise are the critical factors in solving this problem. Weight loss, increased exercise levels and a healthy diet are the primary tools in managing metabolic syndrome.
More Information
- Metabolic syndrome: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/pre-diabetes.html
