METABOLIC SYNDROME------INSULIN RESISTANCE-----SYNDROME X-------PRE-DIABETES= BAD NEWS.

A re- posting from April 2006:


Body shape can mean a lot in the overall health of an individual. Fat distribution around the body varies in people and in the same token spells the difference in health and quality of life. Medical researchers have found that body shape plays a significant role in a person's health. They describe two body shapes: Apple and Pear. Being plump around the middle (apple) and being plump around the hips (pear).There is a world of difference between the two. Whatever it is called, spare tire, love handles, pot belly, beer belly, it is shaping up to be a big risk factor for one of the deadliest health issues today. Having an apple shaped figure puts you at risk of developing Metabolic syndrome.

METABOLIC SYNDROME:
If you are plump around the middle, have high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, a tendency toward high blood sugar and slothy habits, you might have Metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome, Insulin resistance syndrome, Pre-diabetes, syndrome X, or the deadly quartet, Metabolic syndrome is not really a disease in itself, rather it is a cluster of related symptoms that greatly increases diabetes risk by up to five fold, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease) by up to three times . There is more than one cause of metabolic syndrome, and the seriousness varies from individual to individual. The more components of the syndrome that one has, the greater the risks to their health. Women make up to a quarter of those with metabolic syndrome.
There is on going debate whether metabolic syndrome is an actual medical condition or if more understanding is needed before it can be diagnosed and treated.Metabolic syndrome is more common among Black people and Hispanics.

Lifestyle and Risk Factors.
Life style factors play a huge role in whether a person develops metabolic syndrome, so do genetics. Consuming foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol and inactivity put one at greater risk. Increase in age also increases one's risk for metabolic syndrome.More than half of people 60 and over fit the picture for having the syndrome.


Maintaining a healthy body weight is something Americans ( which now includes us) struggle with on a daily basis. Some people struggle with various diets and some get discouraged and give up. With unhealthy food beckoning from every angle coupled with inactivity and lack of exercise many people drag around pounds they have no business carrying.
Research has shown that the body's 24 -hour internal clock, which regulates sleep and hunger, plays a very important role in healthy weight maintenance.
A recent study published in the Journal, Science showed that a faulty or misaligned body clock can wreak havoc on the body and its metabolism, increasing the risk for obesity and diabetes and putting a person at risk for metabolic syndrome. Night shift and odd shift workers should take note of this. Getting enough sleep and exercise should not be taken lightly.

Avoid by all means having any of the components of metabolic syndrome. If you already have any, work hard to eliminate them and prevent developing new ones. The best prevention is a healthy lifestyle, which includes adequate physical activity and a HEALTHY diet.

Some hints:
1. Thirty minutes of moderately intense exercise like brisk walking, bicycle riding (even stationary) most days of the week helps.Walking up and down the steps several times a day will help.Consult your doctor if you already have any issues before embarking on any exercise program. Small weight losses of 10% over a year will improve one's health.

2.Eat foods low in saturated fats, trans fats,cholesterol,sodium and sugar. Some of our Nigerian diet are very high in cholesterol.
If you smoke, STOP as soon as possible. Smoking has been shown to increase Insulin resistance and worsen the impact of metabolic syndrome.

In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend medication for instance high cholesterol will call for statins to bring your cholesterol levels down.For high blood pressure, anti hypertensives such as diuretics, (ACE) angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and beta blockers can be used.
One may be asked to take low dose aspirin daily to reduce the chances of clot formation which may lead to stroke and heart attack. People with pre diabetes and diabetes may get metformin and other drugs (Thalizolidinediones) which are used to decrease insulin resistance.

Many of us do not visit the doctor unless we become too sick to function. This is very unhealthy and dangerous. Annual physicals and visits to a doctor is a must. Heaven helps those who help themselves.

Cut back on FOOD and ALCOHOL. Avoid fast food for yourselves and your children. EXERCISE! EXERCISE!! EXERCISE!!!. Take brisk walks together as a family especially if the children have weight problems. Monitor your blood pressure regularly. Most drug stores and supermarkets have free self screening machines available. Take your daily vitamins.
First and foremost: Pay a doctor a visit and discuss all of the above.
For more nformation go to these sites http://www.diabetes.org/http://www.americanheart.org/vytorin.com
National Institutes of Health: http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/


Practical suggestions for everyday situations extracted from the write up above are as follows.

1. Having a pot or beer belly is a very bad thing. It shows you may be in the early stages of diabetes,may be very overweight, may have high cholesterol which may make your blood vessels block and make you have a stroke or heart attack.
The condition may make you resistant to insulin which your body creates naturally to breakdown sugar and the result will be you having high blood sugar.
Your blood pressure may also be on the high side because you are carrying around too much weight which makes your heart overwork itself with disastrous effects.
Your sex life may be affected too by these conditions.
Over eating and eating food high in fat (trans fat) bad fat and too much drinking of alcohol lead to this condition.

Having a BIG BELLY is not a sign of wealth, rather it is a sign of ill health and impending early death or disability. Cut back on fatty food, red meat, alcohol and fried food and eat more proteins, vegetables, chicken, fish ( the things village folks ate in days gone by). Eat to moderation.
AVOID USING OLD OIL for frying.

If you already have an apple shape ( BEER BELLY), are overweight (fat) and have high blood pressure, high blood sugar or one or more of those, you can improve things by changing things today---- loose weight, exercise, reduce alcohol intake and stay in touch with your doctor
There are different medications to help which the doctor will prescribe, but the most important thing is to understand the seriousness of Metabolic Syndrome and do something about it.