Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms

Do you have metabolic syndrome symptoms?

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by obesity, high blood pressure, pre-diabetic glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.*   This is a critical assessment to make because you are at greater risk for both diabetes and heart disease if you have metabolic syndrome.

In 2004 the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, created the set of guidelines below for diagnosing metabolic syndrome.

If you have 3 or more of these symptoms you likely have metabolic syndrome:

• Fasting plasma glucose: 110 mg/dl or more
• Waist size (men): 40 inches or more
• Waist size (women) 35 inches or more
• HDL cholesterol (men): less than 40 mg/dl
• HDL cholesterol (women): less than 50 mg/dl
• Triglycerides: 150 mg/dl or more
• Blood Pressure: 130/85 or more

Metabolic syndrome symptoms mean you have high levels of insulin in your blood.

High insulin means high blood sugar. Insulin regulates blood sugar. It is the hormone secreted by the pancreas to transport the glucose (sugar) in the blood to the body for energy.

If you don’t use the glucose for energy, the insulin signals the body to store it as fat.

Excess insulin means you likely have type 2 diabetes and you may have fluid retention and high blood pressure.    Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder and it's symptoms are associated with a sedentary lifestyle and a high glycemic diet.    Metabolic syndrome symptoms may be corrected with diet and  a more active lifestyle.   

This is primarily a preventable condition for which the treatment is increased physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day) and a proper diet.

Diet for Metabolic Syndrome

If you have elevated insulin indicated by 3 or more of the metabolic syndrome symptoms above it may be because you are eating too many of the wrong carbohydrates – the refined, high glycemic carbohydrates. You need to understand the role of the glycemic index in making healthy food choices.

  It helps to know which foods are raising your blood sugar and thus your insulin.   Get acquainted with the low and high glycemic food lists and eat low glycemic foods to control your blood sugar, your health and your life.

In a nutshell, human beings need fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Fats and proteins are needed by everyone to maintain the structure and function of the human body.    Carbohydrates provide us with energy.    The glycemic index tells us how quickly those carbohydrates convert to energy.    The slow burning ones are low glycemic and the fast burning ones are high glycemic. The high glycemic carbs raise our blood sugar quickly while the low glycemic carbs burn slowly giving us sustained energy over a longer period of time.

Eating mostly low glycemic carbohydrates will always be the healthier choice no matter how active you are.

However, the marathon runner can eat some of the high glycemic carbs, like white breads, crackers, potatoes and corn and not get fat.   Why?    Because he or she is using the energy!   

The more of a couch potato you are, the more likely you are to store fat if you eat like the athlete. You will not be burning the excess insulin.

And speaking of marathon runners, in addition to changing the way you eat, you need to get moving!   Walking daily or any physical exercise that you do every single day for at least 30 minutes, will help you to control your blood sugar.   When you utilize all of the fuel you eat by walking, running or some type of exercise, then your body will have to start burning the extra fat.

Metabolic syndrome symptoms indicate a complex disorder and there is some disagreement regarding it's cause. It has been associated with age, genetics, excess weight, endocrine disorders and a sedentary lifestyle.    It seems to raise havoc with fat metabolism.   However, no matter what the exact cause there is a lot you can do to prevent  and treat it by eating properly and exercising daily.

If you came to this page concerned that you have metabolic syndrome symptoms, see your doctor for medical advice. There are many serious medical conditions associated with obesity.    Lifetime Fat Loss is intended to support you in your lifestyle changes. The low glycemic approach to managing your weight will help you in controlling your blood sugar and promoting your health.

If your doctor agrees I recommend reading about the fat blocker and phytosterol support in two articles below, Burn Belly Fat and Hormones and Weight Loss.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.   The products recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 This information is not intended to replace the attention or advice of a physician or other health care professional.    Anyone who wishes to embark on any dietary, drug, exercise, or other lifestyle change intended to prevent or treat a specific disease or condition should first consult with and seek clearance from a qualified health care professional.

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* Banting Lecture 1988. Role of insulin resistance in human disease. Reaven, GM. Diabetics. 1988. 37(12):1595-1607.

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