Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a cluster of risk factors for heart disease found in one out of three Americans. This syndrome can make a woman 20 times more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome (also known as Syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome or cardiovascular dysmetabolic syndrome) is characterized by at least three of the following:
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Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25
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Waist measurement over 35 inches
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Triglyceride level over 150
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HDL (good) cholesterol less than 50
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Hypertension B/P greater than 120/80
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Blood sugar greater than or equal to 110mg/dl
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Polycystic Ovarian syndrome
Additionally most women with metabolic syndrome have insulin resistance, which causes the body to steadily become less responsive to the actions of insulin. To counteract this, the pancreas responds by releasing more insulin into the blood stream. This excess insulin circulating in the blood often results in hunger and a craving for food.
Once the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome is made, the treatment involves an integrative approach which includes:
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Normalize and maintain blood pressure control
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Normalize and maintain blood sugar control
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Reduce BMI to less than 25
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Reduce waist measurement to below 35 inches
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Exercise
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Improve HDL cholesterol and triglycerides
For more information on metabolic syndrome:
American Heart Association