Metabolic Syndrome Treatment: Are You at Risk for Metabolic Insufficiency?
Metabolic disorders affect how the body converts food into energy, and they can cause serious health problems. Learn more about what you can do to address metabolic syndrome.
Did you know that metabolic insufficiency is as widespread as the common cold? Although it was first noted in medical textbooks relatively recently in 1998, metabolic syndrome affects 1 out of every 3 American adults.
It runs in families, and the risk of developing it increases as you age.
Geta comprehensive guide to metabolic syndrome, including who it affects, signs and symptoms to look for and the best treatment options.
What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic insufficiency or syndrome is not considered a disease. Instead, it is a collection of risk factors, including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol numbers, high blood pressure and abdominal fat.
Metabolic syndrome leads to plaque buildup in the arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis and occurs when fat and cholesterol stick to the sides of the arteries.
Having any of these risk factors is unhealthy, but when you have a combination of these symptoms, it can lead to serious health problems.
Metabolic syndrome doubles the risk of heart and blood vessel disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. The syndrome also greatly increases the risk of developing diabetes.
Risk Factors
According to The American Heart Association, there are five risk factors for metabolic syndrome. These include:
1. Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a hormone that helps your body convert glucose to energy. People who have insulin resistance are unable to convert glucose efficiently.
In this situation, the body compensates by making more and more glucose. The body can’t cope with the rising levels, and this leads to diabetes. Insulin resistance is linked to having excess fat in the abdominal area.
2. Obesity
Metabolic syndrome has become a common health problem. Many experts believe this is due to rising rates of obesity.
Obesity, especially excess belly fat, seems to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. In fact, excess belly fat is the most frequently observed symptom of metabolic syndrome.
3. Unhealthy Lifestyle
A diet high in fat and processed foods can increase your chances of obesity and metabolic syndrome. A lack of physical activity or a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk as well.
4. Hormonal Imbalance
Hormone imbalance can also play a role in metabolic syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that can lead to infertility in women and is related to hormonal issues and metabolic syndrome. Additionally, low estrogen levels and high estrogen levels are considered markers for women with metabolic insufficiency.
In men, metabolic syndrome has been associated with androgen deficiency and low testosterone levels.
5. Smoking
Smoking is an unhealthy habit that can affect multiple body systems. Smoking is believed to increase the risk for the metabolic system.
If you have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you may feel overwhelmed. You can look at the diagnosis as a wake-up call and begin making healthier choices for your life.
Who Typically has Metabolic Insufficiency?
Metabolic insufficiency or syndrome is a widespread health problem. There are known indicators that make someone more likely to be diagnosed with the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Common indicators of this syndrome include:
- Obesity, especially fat in the belly area
- People who have diabetes or a family history of it
- Symptoms of insulin resistance, including skin tags and dark patches
- African American, Asian, Hispanic or Native American ethnicities
As you get older, the chances of developing metabolic syndrome increase.
Diagnostic Factors
Diagnosis for metabolic syndrome depends on whether you have three or more of the following diagnostic criteria.
- A waistline measuring 40 or more for men and 35 or more for women
- Blood pressure of 130/85 or higher or are taking blood pressure medicine
- Triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dl
- Fasting blood glucose levels above 100 mg/dl
- Taking medications to lower glucose levels
- High-density lipoprotein under 40 mg/dl for men and over 50 for women
If you think you may have metabolic syndrome, see your doctor. Your doctor may choose to do a variety of tests, including a lipid profile (HDL and triglycerides) and measuring your blood glucose levels.
The exact cause of metabolic insufficiency is not known. Most features associated with the syndrome are related to insulin resistance.
When the body can’t use insulin efficiently to lower triglyceride and glucose levels, you have insulin resistance. A combination of lifestyle habits and genetic factors leads to insulin resistance.
Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise habits and even sleep patterns are thought to play an important role in metabolic syndrome.
Associated Health Problems
If you are living with metabolic syndrome, you should be aware of the health problems that could develop. Consistently high levels of glucose and insulin lead to harmful changes in the body. These changes can include:
- Damage to the coronary artery and other arteries
- Changes to kidneys that affect their ability to remove salt from the body
- Rising triglyceride levels and risk for cardiovascular disease
- Increased risk of blood clots, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke
- Slow insulin production, signaling type 2 diabetes
- Fatty liver which can lead to cirrhosis or liver failure
Prevention and Metabolic Syndrome Treatment
Excess weight and physical inactivity are both large contributors to developing metabolic syndrome. Making small changes such as improving your diet, getting more exercise and taking healthy nutritional supplements can help you prevent serious health issues in the future.
If you are overweight, working toward a healthy weight may help you reduce or prevent complications associated with metabolic syndrome. Talk to your doctor about medications and supplements that can help you manage your condition and reduce your risk of more serious complications.
Sometimes, proper nutrition and exercise alone won’t be enough to address the symptoms of metabolic insufficiency. At that point, you should consult a highly-trained practitioner about integrated therapies that support health optimization and can restore balance throughout the body–hormonal imbalance and functional decline are many of the reasons symptoms of metabolic syndrome occur. Working with a practitioner trained and certified to look at whole body health can develop a comprehensive treatment plan to many health issues associated with metabolic syndrome.
Understanding Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a widespread medical problem that affects millions of Americans. If you have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you may wonder where to go and what to do next.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your symptoms and reduce your chances of more serious complications down the road. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes and metabolic syndrome treatments that could help you live the healthiest life possible, including the new GLP Agonists.
Find a provider near you that is trained to address symptoms and disease using a whole body approach to treatment.
