Metabolic syndrome

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

A man with metabolic syndrome showing central obesity

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome, also known as metabolic syndrome X, cardiometabolic syndrome, syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, Reaven's syndrome (named after Gerald Reaven), or CHAOS (in Australia), is a disorder of energy utilization and storage. It is characterized by the presence of at least three out of five specific medical conditions: abdominal (central) obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting plasma glucose, high serum triglycerides, and low high-density cholesterol (HDL) levels.

Diagnosis

Rethinking Our Dietary Approach Shifting focus from individual blame to understanding the complexities of obesity is crucial. A key factor is insulin resistance, impacting up to 71% of the population, with 35% experiencing metabolic syndrome. Navigating Misinformation The overwhelming presence of over 20,000 books and mixed messages on obesity medicine calls for guidance from experts like Dr Prab R. Tumpati, MD, who can provide clarity on the science and practice of this field. The Downfall of the Food Guide Pyramid The outdated and ineffective food guide pyramid, promoting a low-fat but high-glycemic diet, significantly contributed to increased insulin resistance and, consequently, weight gain. Insulin resistance and weight gain Insulin resistance is a physiological condition where the body's cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin. As insulin not only controls the blood sugar, it also controls the weight! Reducing the overall carbohydrate load and insulin levels is a key underlying concept in many low carbohydrate diets such as the ketogenic diet.

The Blame Game in Obesity Understanding metabolic starvation Weight gain isn't typically intentional. It often stems from the paradox of metabolic starvation in the obese, driven by insulin resistance and resulting in heightened insulin levels. This leads to persistent hunger, cravings, and further weight gain. Stop blaming the victim for obesity!

A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is made when a patient has at least three of the aforementioned conditions. Although the symptoms are diverse, they all result from insulin resistance – a state in which cells fail to respond normally to insulin. In many cases, metabolic syndrome is related to an individual's lifestyle, but it can also be genetic.

Prevalence

In the United States, approximately 34% of the adult population has been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, and the prevalence of this condition increases with age.

Risk and Complications

Patients with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, especially heart failure, and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome and prediabetes can be considered the same disorder, just diagnosed by a different set of biomarkers.

Treatment and Management

The mainstay of treatment for metabolic syndrome is lifestyle modification. This includes a healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight loss for those overweight or obese, and cessation of smoking. In some cases, medication may be used to manage individual components of the syndrome, such as high blood pressure or elevated blood glucose levels.

See Also

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes mellitus type 2
• Obesity
• Insulin resistance

Metabolic syndrome Resources
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