| UNDERSTANDING METABOLIC SYNDROME |
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| What is Metabolic Syndrome? |
| Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a little known health condition, but a cause of rapidly growing medical concern worldwide. MetS is a combination of medical disorders, consisting of multiple, interrelated risk factors of metabolic origin. The most common risk factor is visceral obesity. If a person has one or more of the MetS risk factors, he/she has an increased likelihood of developing the others.
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| What are the risks incurred with Metabolic Syndrome? |
| Metabolic syndrome may lead to serious health complications. For example, MetS is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. According to the American Heart Association(AHA), people with metabolic syndrome may also have an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease, coronary heart disease and other diseases related to plaque buildup on arterial walls.
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| Who is at risk? |
| Metabolic Syndrome affects persons of all ages, including children. Some sources estimate that MetS affects one in five Americans, others six. While the exact causes are unknown, it would appear that genetic makeup, the current epidemic of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are major contributing factors.
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| Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome? |
| The definition of Metabolic Syndrome varies from country to country. In the United States, the criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), with minor modification, have been widely used in the identification of metabolic syndrome. A person who presents any 3 of the 5 metabolic risk factors is said to have metabolic syndrome.
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Any 3 of 5 Criteria Constitute Diagnosis of
Metabolic Syndrome |
| Elevated waist circumference |
≥ 102 cm ( 40 in) in men
≥ 88 cm (35 in) in women |
| Elevated triglycerides |
≥ 150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/L) |
Reduced HDL-C
(high density lipoprotein cholesterol) |
< 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L)
< 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) |
| Elevated blood pressure |
≥ 130/ 85 mm Hg |
| Elevated fasting glucose |
≥ 100 mg/dL |
Source: Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: an American Heart Association/ National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute scientific statement: executive summary, Circulation 2005; 112: e285-90. |
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| Understanding the criteria |
| Triglycerides are chains of fatty acids that provide much of the energy required for our cells to function. People with diabetes or who are obese are also likely to have a high level of triglycerides. Above-normal levels of TG are often associated with an increased risk of stroke in people with heart disease |
| Cholesterol is necessary for many body functions like building cell membranes and making several essential hormones. However, when the same person has a combination of raised triglycerides, high LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and low HDL, plaque can build-up on artery walls. |
| Glucose is an important carbohydrate, acting as the source of energy for the human living cells. When glucose (sugar) concentration exceeds 100mg/dL, it binds to the proteins and destroys their ability, resulting in kidney damage, blindness, and amputations. |
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| Current treatments for Metabolic Syndrome |
| Currently, there is no drug therapy for metabolic syndrome. No treatments are specifically prescribed to target the condition and most doctors would advise lifestyle changes to improve the various health problems which put people at risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome.
According to "Diagnosis and Management of the Metabolic Syndrome, AHA/NHLBI Scientific Statement)", lifestyle changes such as weight loss, increased physical activity and modification of an atherogenic diet will produce a reduction in all the risk factors of metabolic syndrome risk factors simultaneously, presenting a long term management solution for the condition.
Kibow offers a selection of fine quality dietary supplements targeting certain conditions related to Metabolic Syndrome.
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