Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is not a disease instead it is an amalgamation of a few pathological conditions including, diabetes, stroke, and coronary heart diseases.
Diabetes, obesity, stroke, and cardiovascular disorders have their own detrimental effects whenever they exist but their combination is a life-threatening condition which is metabolic syndrome. It will result in atherosclerosis (plaque deposition in arteries). Arterial walls start becoming narrow due to fat and cholesterol deposition on them. Obstruction in its walls leads to blood clot formation. Heart stroke is a result of this clotting. Similarly, this syndrome enhances diabetes chances by five times.
Causes
Metabolic syndrome is not a single source-oriented condition rather there are multiple factors that are linked together to be the cause of it. Few of them are as follows.,
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is the most relatable cause of the metabolic syndrome. The Source of insulin production in the body is the beta cells of the pancreas. Its function is to convert simple sugars from diet to useful products as energy. The energy produced is later utilized in multiple metabolic processes. In the case of insulin resistance, glucose-producing cells couldn’t store or process glucose. Elevated levels of glucose gave a feedback signal to the pancreas to secret additional insulin. So, a pathological condition named, hyperinsulinemia occurs. It will lead to type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia.
Belly fat
Obesity is one of the leading causes of metabolic syndrome. Excessive deposition of fat in the abdominal region especially on the belly ended up in chronic inflammation. This inflammation causes cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance.
Physical Inactivity
An inactive lifestyle leads to several metabolic disorders. It would provide a suitable environment for several diseases to attack you.
Unhealthy Diet
A diet having high carbohydrates or fats levels, highly processed or junk food, and whole wheat or grams intake may cause metabolic syndrome.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones play a vital role in metabolic syndrome emergence. In females, polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) may lead to obesity and diabetes.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for the syndrome are as follows.,
- High triglyceride levels
- Low HDL cholesterol
- High LDL cholesterol
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High fasting blood glucose level (diabetes)
- Fatty liver
- Genetic
- Older age
- Geographical origin
Symptoms
There are no obvious symptoms of metabolic syndrome in the initial stages but as it progresses it may show any of these signs.,
- Being overweight has an abrupt increase in waist due to fat deposition.
- Blood work showed high triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol. It leads to cholesterol deposition in arteries causing atherosclerosis.
- Insulin resistance shown by uncontrolled blood glucose levels
- Hypertension showing blood pressure 140/90mmHg or above
Complications
Continuously elevated levels of blood glucose have certain detrimental effects on the body. These are.,
- Scarring the lining of arteries including the coronary artery later leads to cardiovascular disorders like heart stroke.
Nephrological impairment causes pathological changes in the kidney causing high blood pressure, stroke, and other heart diseases. Higher triglycerides promote the chances of cardiovascular disorders. Blood clot formation causes blockage of arteries leading to heart strokes. Type 2 diabetes may give rise to ophthalmic, nervous, or nephrological complications. Fatty liver (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) in later stages causes liver cirrhosis and failure. It is a life-threatening condition so should be controlled in the early stages. Few complications of metabolic syndrome are as follows.,
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Chest pain
- Stroke
- High cholesterol
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Delayed healing
- Poor blood flow
- Nerve damage
- Neuropathy
- Nerve damage causing paresthesia (numbness) of toe or fingers origin
- Retinopathy
- Eye damage causing cataract, glaucoma, or blindness
- Psychological disorders
- Depression or anxiety
- Dementia(memory loss)
- Skin infections
- Dermatitis
- Reproductive abnormalities
- PCOS
- Erectile dysfunction
- Dental problems
- Nephropathy
- Kidney damage may lead to its failure. A kidney transplant or dialysis is the only solution for kidney failure.
Diagnosis
History
Healthcare practitioners first take your record including both medical and family history. All the pathological conditions associated with metabolic syndrome might have a genetic origin. He will ask about your diet plan and physical activities.
Physical Examination
During the physical examination, he will check your age, weight, waist size, and blood pressure. A waistline of more than 40 inches in males or 35 inches in females might be an indicator of the syndrome. Likely, an overweight individual having high blood pressure would be the risk factor for metabolic syndrome.
Diagnostic Tests
The practitioner will perform certain tests to diagnose and differentiate the ailment from other diseases. These tools are mentioned below:
Blood Pressure
The normal range of blood pressure in an adult is 120/80 mm Hg. In the case of hypertension i.e., high blood pressure its values may rise up to or above 130/85 mm Hg. A persistent rise in it may lead to cardiac stroke.
Blood sugar
The most reliable test for blood glucose level detection is the fasting test. Mostly it is performed before breakfast as it needs fasting over the period of 8-12 hrs. In a normal adult fasting, the sugar level should be 70-99 mg/dL. 100-125mg/dL indicates prediabetes while 126 mg/dL is alarming for diabetes. A diabetic patient on medication for its control could be considered positive for metabolic syndrome.
Lipid Profile
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is normally called good cholesterol. A level of HDL of 60 mg/dL or above reduces the risk of cardiac diseases. When its level drops from 50 mg/dL in females and 40mg/dL in males it increases the chances of metabolic syndrome.
Triglyceride Levels
Triglycerides levels of less than 150mg/dL are considered healthy for an adult. But a constant rise in its level may lead to metabolic syndrome and a risk factor for stroke development.
Treatment
The healthcare practitioner once diagnosed with the syndrome and the causes associated with it provides you with a treatment plan. It may include.,
Lifestyle modification
Lifestyle management could treat the syndrome without medication. It involves weight loss, regular exercise, and a diet plan management. These plans would have the following benefits on one’s health.,
- High HDL
- Lower LDL
- Reduces triglycerides
- Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lowers blood pressure
- Increases insulin sensitivity
- Reduces belly fat
Diet Management
Insulin resistance is the leading cause of all of these complications associated with metabolic syndrome. Increasing work out and losing weight is possible by adopting the following measures.,
- Improves healthy fat intake. Heart friendly diet includes monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The addition of butter, olive oil, and coconut oil in the diet is a good source of healthy fats in the diet.
- Prefer whole grains like whole wheat over white rice or white bread. The fiber content of whole grains is higher and nutrient enriched. High fiber intake delays the absorption process, hence avoiding abrupt insulin spikes. Half a portion of grains in the diet should be whole grains.
- Fresh leafy vegetables and fruit consumption will help you to maintain a balance in calorie intake and reduces belly fat. They reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders.
- Avoid highly processed or junk food. Prefer home-cooked meals over dining out.
- Lowering your sugar intake will help in reducing insulin spikes. Avoid juices or fruits having high sugar levels.
Exercise
Exercise would aid an obese individual by increasing lean body mass due to fat reduction. It also helps in losing weight by burning calories. Walking, swimming, cycling or any exercise one could perform easily should be preferred. Exercise reduces hypertension and type 2 diabetes. it will have a positive psychological impact. Your healthcare practitioner would suggest you suitable exercise.
Medication
Your healthcare practitioner will prescribe you a few medicines if the syndrome has not been controlled by lifestyle modification. These drugs are to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride. and blood pressure reduces weight or improves insulin metabolism.
Weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery)
Individuals who are unable to lose weight through regular exercise, dietary management, or medicines are now referred for bariatric surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery reduces blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels. Body weight will be reduced one-year post-surgery.
This surgery could be performed in various ways. Malabsorptive protocols alter the gastrointestinal system’s physiological functioning. Restrictive protocols involve the reduction in stomach size. The holding capacity of the stomach will reduce but the digestion process will remain the same.
Dr.Waseem’s Reversal Program
Dr.Waseem has confidently launched a campaign regarding diabetes reversal. Previously it was thought that diabetes or other metabolic diseases are irreversible and one has to be on pills for his entire life. Dr.Waseem has a firm belief that we could reverse these ailments just by lifestyle management.
Medicines do have certain side effects and shouldn’t be taken for a prolonged period until necessary. He successfully treated his patients with diabetes and fatty liver and now they are living a healthy life. In diabetes, glucose level lowering medicines reduces blood sugar levels, meanwhile, insulin levels will remain the same. Once the insulin levels are under normal range we could reverse metabolic syndrome. He suggests the following plans to his patients.,
- Regular exercise as lean muscle mass increases insulin receptors. As a result, it lowers insulin levels in the body.
- Intermittent fasting
- Keto diet plans include high fat and low carbohydrate diet i.e ., less than 30% carbohydrates
- Reduce weight
- Proper sleep pattern
- Reduce whole grams or wheat intake
- Avoid stress
- Multivitamins for vitamin D and B1 deficiency management
- Supplements having high protein and low carb values
- Regular monitoring of blood glucose level. A fasting test is preferred and the desirable level is below 8.
Dr . Waseem has been treating his metabolic syndrome patients by guiding them through his keto diet and workout protocols. He being a dietitian and fitness trainer, keenly examine and prescribe them his dietary supplements for minerals and vitamin deficiencies. After regular follow-ups, one could reverse his metabolic syndrome and live a healthy life ahead.
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The Ginnastic Health Center In Islamabad is a state-of-the-art clinic with one of its kind modern health services in Islamabad that is offering a complete range of treatments for a variety of health care concerns including chronic illnesses and pain management.
