Generality
Metabolic syndrome is a clinical condition that deserves special attention due to its severity and spread.
This term does not indicate a single pathology but a set of predisposing factors which, joined together, place the subject in a high risk range for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems in general and steatosis in the liver (fatty liver).
Article Index
The metabolic syndrome, consequences, prevention, diet, and metabolic syndrome. Hypothesis and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome and lifestyle.Diagnostic Criteria
In order to talk about metabolic syndrome, AT LEAST THREE of the following risk factors must be present simultaneously:
- Arterial pressure greater than 130/85 mmHg
- Blood triglycerides higher than 150 mg / dl
- Fasting blood sugar above 110 mg / dl (100 mg / dl according to ADA)
- HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg / dl in humans or 50 mg / dl in females
- Abdominal circumference greater than 102 centimeters for males or 88 centimeters for females
On the basis of these reference parameters, a subject suffering from metabolic syndrome could have the single values perfectly normal. We remember that:
- to be able to talk about hypertension the pressure must constantly exceed 140/90 mmHg;
- in hypertriglyceridemia, blood triglycerides exceed the limit value of 200 mg / dl
- we can talk about diabetes if the glycaemia exceeds 126 mmHg in the fasting state;
- a value of HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg / dl or 50 mg / dl (females) is not sufficient, on its own, to place the patient in a high cardiovascular risk range;
- if the abdominal circumference exceeds 102 or 88 centimeters (females) the subject is actually overweight and his fat mass is concentrated above all in the abdominal area (android or apple obesity).
Causes and Risk Factors
The metabolic syndrome affects almost half of adults over the age of 50-60. An incidence, this, already alarming in itself, but which will probably grow in the coming years in the wake of the spread of childhood obesity.
The most important risk factor is in fact THE OVERWEIGHT: the more this is accentuated and the greater the chances of being affected by the metabolic syndrome.
An excess of body fat, especially if concentrated in the abdominal region, leads to an imbalance in the metabolism of fats and sugars which ultimately results in hyperinsulinemia (high level of insulin in the blood, indicating an increased resistance to this hormone) . While in the most serious cases this situation worsens to cause diabetes in a short time, in milder cases a plurifactorial condition known as metabolic syndrome becomes unsaturated. The finding of elevated values of insulin in the blood, in the face of almost normal blood glucose values, represents an indirect index of this condition.
The risk of developing the metabolic syndrome increases with age and is almost always a direct consequence of WRONG LIFE STYLES (reduced physical activity, incorrect nutrition, alcohol and / or drug abuse).
Given that today too many children and teenagers come up against the extra pounds, the incidence of the metabolic syndrome is increasing even among young adults and adolescents.
Most people with metabolic syndrome feel well and frequently have no particular symptoms .
Symptoms and Complications
To learn more: Symptoms Metabolic Syndrome
People subject to this condition are at greater risk of suffering some cardiovascular, renal, ocular and hepatic diseases (this risk is two to four times higher than for normal people).
When a condition of insulin resistance is established, the cells require a higher than normal amount of insulin, in order to absorb blood glucose and maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Under similar conditions, the pancreatic beta cells for insulin production undergo a slow degenerative process caused by too much work. Thus the foundations are laid for diabetes, with all the negative consequences.
Treatment and Prevention
The best way to treat the metabolic syndrome is to increase one's level of physical activity and reduce body weight.
In this section we only deal with physical exercise, while nutrition has been extensively treated in a separate article (see: diet and metabolic syndrome). With regards to drugs, the reader will be able to find the necessary details in this article.
When the metabolic syndrome knocks on the door, simple lifestyle changes are essential to improve the situation and avoid the onset of severe complications.
Daily physical activity, for example, can be increased with a morning walk of a few kilometers, with a few more flights of stairs or a ride at sunset. It is very important that the exercise is regular (at least four times a week) and that overall it lasts at least 50-60 minutes without too many interruptions.
Some benefits of physical exercise applied to the treatment of the metabolic syndrome:
- increases insulin sensitivity;
- prevents cardiovascular diseases;
- induces a less atherogenic lipid profile;
- reduces VLDL triglyceride levels;
- increases the "good" HDL cholesterol;
- reduces the "bad" LDL cholesterol;
- reduces blood pressure levels significantly in patients with hyperinsulinemia;
- promotes weight loss.
- Helps prevent Type II Diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, thanks to:
- increased blood flow to insulin sensitive tissues
- greater proportion of type I muscle fibers (more sensitive to the action of insulin than type II fibers);
- reduction of total fat and in particular abdominal fat "insulin-resistant";
- increased post-receptor action of insulin (increase in glut-4 in muscle and its translocation to the cell surface);
- helps to regain a healthy weight, a fundamental factor to keep the metabolic syndrome away and all its unpleasant consequences.
See Also: Drugs for the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome
