Metabolic syndrome seems to be a group of medical disorders that raise the risk of getting chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiac disease and stroke. A combination of several metabolic abnormalities characterises the condition.
What Factors Provoke Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a complex condition caused by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Some of the food habits and lifestyles that can boost the chances of having metabolic syndrome include:
- Obesity: Central obesity or excess fat around the waist is a key feature of metabolic syndrome. People who are overweight or fat are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.
- Unhealthy Diet: Eating unhealthy food, e. g high in lipids, poor quality proteins and excess snaking.
- Ageing: Metabolic syndrome is more common in older adults. As people age, their risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases.
- Genetics: Genetics can play a role in developing metabolic syndrome. People with a family history of metabolic syndromes or related conditions may be more vulnerable to developing the condition.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances contribute to metabolic syndrome. The precise cause of metabolic syndrome is not known, but it is believed that genes and lifestyle contribute to the chances.
Who is at risk of getting metabolic syndrome?
Understanding what puts you at risk for an illness can help you take the right steps.
The following are the risk factors that are most closely connected with metabolic syndrome:
- Age. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop metabolic syndrome.
- Diabetes has a personal or family background.
- Smoking
- Stress
- Having passed puberty
- A diet high in lipids
- A sedentary lifestyle
Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms
The majority of metabolic syndrome-related disorders have no apparent signs or symptoms. You may have metabolic syndrome if you have more than three symptoms.
- Being extremely overweight or having excess fat around your midsection.
- High triglyceride and minimal HDL (the “beneficial” cholesterol) levels in the blood.
- A consistent blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher.
- An inability to regulate glucose levels in the blood.
Complications Associated With Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome increases your chances of developing:
Diabetes Type II: If you do not change your lifestyle to lose excess fat, you might develop insulin resistance, which may increase glucose levels in your blood. Insulin resistance can eventually contribute to type 2 diabetes.
Heart And Blood Artery Problems: Elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure may provoke plaque formation in arteries. It can cause your arteries to constrict and harden, potentially leading to a stroke or coronary artery disease.
How To Reduce The Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome?
Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health has found that lifestyle modification can effectively prevent or minimise the chances of metabolic syndrome.
Several lifestyle changes can help prevent metabolic syndrome. Here are some tips:
- Exercise Regularly: Exercising regularly can help reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol. The American Diabetes Association suggests 150 minutes per week of light exercise, which can reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
- Eat Healthy: A healthy diet can help lower the chance of developing metabolic syndrome. The American Heart Association recommends dietary techniques to reduce the chances of metabolic syndrome.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can increase the possibility of getting metabolic syndrome. Try stress-relieving pursuits like yoga, meditative practices or breathing exercises.
- Get Enough Sleep: Sufficient sleep is essential for general health and will help lower the chances of developing metabolic syndrome.
Sohail has been searching diets and belly fat solutions for over a decade, and manage a pool of trained authors to write articles, which have helped thousands of readers to this date. He has CPD accredited Certificate in Nutrition for Weight Loss besides his MBA degree. He also owns this website, which he founded in 2013 to share his ideas and knowledge. Not to mention he has tried numerous supplements over the years and has an extensive and thorough knowledge on supplements. Besides spending time on his study, research and literature, Sohail loves swimming, gardening and travelling.
