Reversing Metabolic Syndrome With A Health 3.0 Approach
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of interrelated metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other serious health conditions. It is characterized by insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol), and elevated blood sugar.The diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome is generally considered when a person has three or more of the symptoms outlined below.
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
The five criteria of metabolic syndrome include:
High blood pressure: If you have blood pressure readings that are consistently over normal (120/80) then you are at risk for developing metabolic syndrome, as well as other health issues resulting from chronically high blood pressure damaging the blood vessels like kidney and eye damage.
High blood sugar levels: If you have blood sugars that are over 100mg/dL when fasting, then you may be presenting with symptoms of insulin resistance syndrome, where your body's cells aren't having the response they should to insulin. This can lead to full-blown type 2 diabetes, and put you at increased risk for things like nerve damage and heart disease.
Low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: HDL (the "good" cholesterol) should be above 40 mg/dL in men and above 50 mg/dL in women.
High triglycerides: Triglycerides (the "bad" type of cholesterol) should be below 150 mg/dL. If your levels are higher, you are at increased risk of developing complications of high cholesterol like atherosclerosis (clogged blood vessels) in the heart (coronary heart disease and heart attacks), neck (stroke), and legs (peripheral artery disease).
High waist circumference: A waist circumference just above the hip bones of greater than 40 inches in men (or 38 inches in Asian American men), or 35 inches in women (33 inches for Asian American women), is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Who Is At Risk?
Metabolic syndrome can affect anyone, but certain risk factors significantly increase the risk. These include:
Body weight: People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk, especially if they have a high waist circumference.
Inactive Individuals: A sedentary lifestyle, meaning not getting adequate physical activity, increases the likelihood of developing the syndrome.
Age: Older Adults, particularly middle aged adults over 40.
Genetics: A family History of metabolic syndrome and it's related health conditions or risk factors.
Insulin Resistance: Having elevated blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.
Ethnicity: People with Hispanic and South Asian descent may have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. While certain ethnic groups are at more elevated risk, it can affect anyone suffering with the wrong lifestyle and nutrition.
Underlying Health Conditions: Individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), sleep apnea, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
Lifestyle risk factors: Smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, not getting enough sleep, and chronic stress are some of the most common risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed based on measurements of waist circumference, weight, blood pressure, and blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar. Your doctor will also factor in your family history, physical exam, and order blood tests to see how well your heart is functioning.
Why is metabolic syndrome dangerous?
Metabolic syndrome is dangerous because it raises the risk of developing life-threatening health problems and chronic diseases, which can shorten your lifespan, including:
Heart disease: The combination of high blood pressure, excess visceral fat (fat around the organs in the belly), and high cholesterol, puts serious strain on your heart and blood vessels. This increases the risk of heart diseases like coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and heart failure.
Stroke: High blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels (low HDL and high triglycerides), can lead to atherosclerosis - the narrowing and hardening of your arteries. Less blood to the brain due to atherosclerosis can cause a stroke, where there isn't adequate blood supply to the brain.
Type 2 diabetes: Metabolic syndrome can lead to type 2 diabetes, which can lead to many different complications such as nerve damage, vision problems, kidney disease, and more.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): When you have too much body fat, insulin resistance, and high triglycerides, the liver cells start to take in more fat than they can process. This causes fat to build up in the liver and damage liver cells, which can progress into liver failure.
Chronic kidney disease: High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes can both cause damage to the kidneys.
Cancer risk: Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, such as colon, liver, thyroid, bladder, breast and pancreatic cancer.
By increasing these risk factors for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even cancer, metabolic syndrome drastically raises the risk of premature death if left unmanaged.
Inflammation caused by metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is known to cause chronic inflammation in the body, which further contributes to things like blood vessel damage, organ damage, and nerve damage. It can also lead to premature aging, joint damage, and poor immune system functioning. These effects are related to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, insulin resistance, high triglyceride levels, excessive body weight and visceral fat, and more.
The Connection Between Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes
Diabetes and metabolic syndrome are more closely related than you might think. The core link is insulin resistance, where the body's cells stop responding properly to insulin. This leads to high blood sugar levels which can progress to full-blown type 2 diabetes. The risk factors for both metabolic syndrome and diabetes also overlap, such as physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, and obesity. People with metabolic syndrome are five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to those without metabolic syndrome.
Is metabolic syndrome reversible?
In many cases, metabolic syndrome can be reversible, especially if caught early. The key to reversing or preventing metabolic syndrome is to go after the underlying issues through lifestyle changes and medical intervention.
Lifestyle Changes
To halt or even reverse the damage caused by metabolic syndrome, implementing key lifestyle changes is essential. These may include:
Losing weight: Weight loss in people who are overweight or obese can dramatically improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Getting to a healthy weight can make a huge difference in preventing the effects of metabolic syndrome and is also good for your overall health.
Exercise: A medically-approved exercise program is a great way to reverse metabolic syndrome. A combination of moderate-intensity activity like walking, plus strength training to increase muscle mass, has been shown to provide great health benefits for those at risk of developing metabolic syndrome as well as those who already have it. Starting a regular exercise program should be a priority for anyone at risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Healthy diet: Studies have shown that sticking to a healthy diet with a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and lean proteins and a low intake of saturated fats and sugars can help to treat metabolic syndrome. Sticking to natural foods and whole foods, and avoiding processed foods is also recommended.
Manage stress: Chronic stress leads to worsening of blood pressure, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Try using relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises, as well as avoiding stressful environments, getting regular exercise, and getting good sleep can all help in reducing stress levels.
Improve your sleep: Besides weight loss and exercise, one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of metabolic syndrome is to improve your sleep. Getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted, quality sleep, every night is the goal. You can achieve this by making changes like avoiding caffeine after noon, avoiding looking at screens 2 hours before bed, and creating a dark and quiet sleep environment for yourself.
Quit smoking: Smoking worsens blood vessel health and also raises your inflammation levels. Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to treat metabolic syndrome.
Medications: If lifestyle changes aren't enough to reverse metabolic syndrome, you may need to consider medications to help with lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Always consult a medical professional before starting, stopping or changing any medications.
Work With A Metabolic Syndrome Doctor
Working with a functional medicine doctor specializing in metabolic syndrome takes a personalized, root-cause approach to restore your health. Through comprehensive testing and a tailored plan focused on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle, they help reverse metabolic dysfunction and prevent serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Contact Timeless Health
Timeless health, a functional medicine and integrative medicine practice in Miami, FL, is a great place to start your journey towards optimized health. Dr. Elliot Dinetz is a board-certified Family Physician and Fellowship-trained specialist in Metabolic and Functional Medicine. Dr. Dinetz is an expert in preventing and reversing diseases including metabolic syndrome.
Though timeless health does not accept any health insurances, the investment you make in your health by scheduling a consultation with us will help you make life-changing progress toward long-term health.
Initial Consultation: $998
Follow-Up Visits: $699
Advanced Testing: Starting at $699
FAQ
What are the five signs of metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Its symptoms often include:
Abdominal Obesity: Excess fat around the waist (commonly referred to as a "belly fat"), with waist measurements over 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure readings of 120/80 mmHg or higher, or being on medication to manage hypertension.
Elevated Blood Sugar: Fasting blood glucose levels of 100 mg/dL or higher, or being on medication for diabetes.
Abnormal Cholesterol Levels: Low HDL ("good") cholesterol levels (below 40 mg/dL for men or 50 mg/dL for women) usually indicate impact from elevated sugar as well as elevated triglycerides (150 mg/dL or higher). These inflammatory lipids pose more than double the risk for heart disease than that of LDL cholesterol which is actually very important given how popular statin medications like lipitor and crestor are.
Insulin Resistance: Signs of insulin resistance, such as skin tags, darkened patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans), or difficulty managing blood sugar levels.
These symptoms often occur together and are typically associated with lifestyle factors like poor diet, sedentary behavior, and excess weight. Early identification and lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce risks.
