Metabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The basis of Metabolic Syndrome is Insulin resistance.
According to National Health Statistics of 2009, 20% of males and 16% of females under 40 years of age met the criteria for metabolic syndrome and 41% of males and 37% of females 40–59 years of age meet the criteria.
If you have or being treated for any 3 of the following you have metabolic syndrome:
- Abdominal obesity (waist circumference):
- Men …….>40 in
- Women …….>35 in
- Triglycerides …≥150 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol:
- Men ………<40 mg/dL
- Women …..<50 mg/dL
- Blood pressure ≥135/≥85 mm Hg
- Fasting glucose ≥100mg/dL
Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance is easily identified by Lipid Specialist/Lipidologists using advance testing and if identified early can prevent cardiovascular disease and progression to diabetes.
While you may be at greater risks if you are overweight, sedentary and eat a diet high in carbohydrates, you can also be at risk if none of the previous is true. There is familial propensity to develop Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance in families.
Early symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin resistance are:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Inability to lose weight despite exercise and healthy diet
- Low blood sugars (Identified by one or more of the following: Confusion, Dizziness, Feeling shaky, Hunger, Headaches, Irritability, Pounding heart; racing pulse, Pale skin, Sweating, Weakness and/or Anxiety)
- Fatigue