What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, polycystic ovary disease, alzheimer's disease and stroke. The good news is that the risks in this metabolic stew are especially responsive to lifestyle modification. We specialize in teaching patients to make lifestyle changes prevent and reverse these diseases.
What Causes Metabolic Syndrome?
Several factors contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome but researchers think insulin resistance is the main driver behind the syndrome. Insulin resistance happens when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don't respond as they should to insulin, a hormone your pancreas makes that's essential for life and regulating blood glucose levels.
What is the relationship between Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, and Diabetes?
Although obese individuals exhibit some degree of insulin resistance, not all those with obesity meet the criteria for diabetes. As cells become resistant to insulin, the pancreas releases additional insulin, thereby maintaining glucose tolerance. However, when the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to compensate for increasing insulin resistance, blood glucose levels rise, and diabetes ensues. Prior to the onset of diabetes, obese individuals often develop markers of metabolic syndrome, including but not limited to elevated blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL.
Metabolic Disease and High Blood Pressure
Metabolic abnormalities including obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood sugars are often associated with high blood pressure. High blood sugar and high insulin level result in blood pressure elevations. Increasing fat cells also contributing to the development of hypertension by secreting increased levels of aldosterone. High blood pressure medications are often the only treatment used for treating high blood pressure. We recommend integrative approaches along with pharmacologic approaches for the treatment of high blood pressure. Healthy diet, exercise and stress management can reverse high blood pressure. The addition of acupuncture, meditation and appropriate use of supplementation with minerals and/or botanicals are also valuable tools.
Metabolic Disease and High Cholesterol
Metabolic syndrome is cause of high cholesterol. With insulin resistance, there is increased break down of fat in fat cells. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In addition to traditional medical therapies, we can assist by offering lifesyle treatments including diet, lifestyle, and supplements in order to reverse high cholesterol without some of the side effects of traditional therapies. Treatment is personalized and based on overall cardiovascular risk.
Criteria for metabolic syndrome
A person meets the criteria for metabolic syndrome if they have at least three of the following:
Excess abdominal weight: A waist circumference of more than 40 inches in males and 35 inches in females
Hypertriglyceridemia: Triglyceride levels that are 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater.
Low levels of HDL Cholesterol: HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in males or less than 50 mg/dL in females.
Elevated blood sugar levels: Fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL or greater. If it’s 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have pre diabetes. If it’s over 125 mg/dL, you likely have Type 2 diabetes.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure values of systolic 130 mmHg or higher (the top number) and/or diastolic 85 mmHg or higher (the bottom number).
What causes metabolic syndrome?
Several factors contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome but researchers think insulin resistance is the main driver behind the syndrome. Insulin resistance happens when cells in your muscles fat and liver don’t respond as they should to insulin, a hormone your pancreas makes that’s essential for life and regulating blood glucose levels.
Lifestyle Approaches to treating metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic disease can be prevented or treated by addressing the following:
Fitness: increasing physical activity and participating in adequate aerobic and resistance exercise; moving away from a sedentary lifestyle.
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Mental health: decreasing the impact of stressors and treating anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, and social isolation, all of which contribute to CVD.
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Sleep health: obtaining adequate and restful sleep while recognizing and treating sleep disorders.
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Connectedness and spirituality: being in touch with loving family and friends; maintaining a connection to nature and spirit.
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Optimism and positivism: developing a "cup is half full" attitude to build resilience.
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Socioeconomic and structural barriers: ensuring that everyone, regardless of back-ground, race or limited financials has access to the resources that enable dietary and life-style changes.
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Pollution and Environmental toxins: minimizing exposure to pesticides and toxins that are associated with increased hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cardiometabolic risks.