Metabolic syndrome is a serious health threat.
Over 3 million Americans meet the criteria and are at risk.
Wondering how can you find out if you're one of them?
Someone who has metabolic syndrome will answer “yes” to at least 3 of these 5 questions:
1. Do you have abdominal obesity (when your waist measures 40” or more for men or 35” or more for women)?
2. Is your Serum Triglyceride number 150 mg/dl or higher?
3. Is you HDL Cholesterol too low (40 mg/dl or lower for men or 50 mg/dl or lower for women)?
4. Is your blood pressure at or above 130/85?
5. Is your fasting blood glucose 100/mg/dl or higher?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you could have a health problem.
But when you answer “yes” to 3 or more of them, it means you have metabolic syndrome.
That means you are at much higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
One of the reasons that metabolic syndrome is such trouble is that it has no list of signs or symptoms.
It isn’t really a condition as much as a bunch of factors that add up to a high risk.
Metabolic syndrome is not rare at all. In fact, about 1 out of 3 Americans have it.
TweetIf you have type 2 diabetes, then you are at much higher risk. Family history plays a big part in your chances of having it. This is because so many of the things that put you at risk, like diabetes and hypertension, are based on your genes.
But your activity level and life style will also play a big role.
Who is at risk?
People at higher risk for the syndrome are those who:
- don’t exercise
- have gained a lot of weight over time
- smoke
- eat a very high “bad carb” diet (eat good carbs instead)
To get an idea of how much your weight has a role in metabolic syndrome, look at these statistics:
- 60% of people who are obese have it
- 22% of people who are overweight have it
- 5% of people who are normal weight have it
- Adults who gain 5 pounds or more each year up their risk by as much as 45%
People who have metabolic syndrome are at risk for health issues like:
Kidney damage
Sleep Apnea
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Increased risk of dementia with aging
What can I do to fix it?
The good news is that people who have metabolic syndrome can take steps to improve their health.
The best way to do this is to make lifestyle changes that reduce your risk. If you smoke, then quit. Try to get some more activity.
When you exercise for 30 minutes 5 days per week, you can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and improve insulin sensitivity.
One of the best ways to make a big change is to adopt healthier eating habits. I recommend eating a clean diet.
The goal is to increase good fats and carbs and to cut down on bad fats and carbs. Make sure you're eating plenty of lean proteins and vegetables and you'll be on your way to a healthier you.
By making some lifestyle changes, you can decrease body weight and waist size and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The goal is to be able to say “no” to at least 3 of those 5 questions but you may be amazed at the inner you that you discover along your journey to better health!
Yours in Health,
Danette
P.S. Share this important health information with your loved ones and don't forget to leave a comment for me below.