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By: Dr Pankaj Patawari, MD, DM, Dr NB ,
Consultant Endocrinologist, Tree Top Hospital
“LET FOOD BE THE MEDICINE AND NOT THE
MEDICINE BE THE FOOD”
INTRODUCTION
Metabolic syndrome is a major and
growing health concern worldwide, affecting more than one in four adults.
Rather than being a single disease, it is a cluster of five specific, interconnected
conditions that together significantly increases the risk of heart disease,
stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome syndrome is
a combination of several cardiovascular risk factors that often occur
together. It is usually driven by insulin resistance (when the body's cells
do not respond properly to insulin) and excess belly fat.
A diagnosis is typically made when a
person has at least three of the following five conditions:
1.
Large waistline (abdominal
obesity) – Excess fat around the waist. The standard definition is a
waist circumference of 40 inches (102 cm) or more for men, and 35 inches
(88 cm) or more for women.
*For the Asian-modified NCEP ATP III criteria, lower cutoffs are used: over
90 cm for men and over 80 cm for women.*
2.
High blood
pressure – Readings of 130/85 mmHg or higher.
3.
High fasting
blood sugar – 100 mg/dL or higher.
4.
High
triglycerides – 150 mg/dL or higher.
5.
Low "good"
cholesterol (HDL) – Less than 40 mg/dL for men, or less than 50 mg/dL
for women.
The Hidden Dangers
Metabolic syndrome often has no obvious
symptoms, so many people may have it without even realizing it. But the
combination of its risk factors is dangerous:
·
It doubles your risk of
heart disease and stroke.
·
It increases your
risk of developing type 2 diabetes by five times.
It is also linked to other conditions,
such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and sleep apnea.
Causes and Risk Factors
The development of metabolic syndrome is
heavily influenced by lifestyle, particularly the "Western-style"
diet (high-calorie, processed foods) and a sedentary lifestyle. Major
factors include:
• Obesity/Overweight: Particularly
visceral or abdominal fat.
• Inactivity: Sedentary
behavior, such as sitting for more than 8 hours per day.
• Insulin Resistance: A state often
triggered by obesity where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar.
• Age: Prevalence increases with
age, peaking for many in their 60s and 70s.
• Genetics: A family
history of diabetes or hypertension can increase risk.
• Prevention and Management
• The good news is that metabolic
syndrome is treatable and often reversible through lifestyle
changes.
• Weight Loss: Losing
5-10% of body weight can significantly reduce blood pressure and improve
cholesterol and sugar levels.
• Healthy Diet: A diet rich
in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, such as the
Mediterranean or DASH diet, is recommended.
• Regular Exercise: Aim for at
least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
• Smoking Cessation: Quitting
smoking helps reduce overall cardiovascular risk.
If lifestyle changes are not enough,
doctors may prescribe medications to manage individual components, such as
blood pressure medications, statins for cholesterol, or metformin for blood
sugar control. For weight management inj semaglutide, tirzepatide etc.
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