What is Metabolic Syndrome?

If you have any 3 of the following, you meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome:

  1. Central obesity: defined by some groups as a waist size greater than 94 to 102 cm (38 to 41 in) in men or greater than 80 cm (32 in) in women OR waist:hip ratio > 0.90 for males; > 0.85 for females
  2. High triglycerides (above 150 mg/dL)
  3. Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (less than 40 mg/dlL for males, and less than 50mg/dL for females)
  4. High blood pressure (above 130/85 mm Hg)
  5. High blood sugar (plasma glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dL)

 

The following factors are thought to increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome:

  • Being overweight (body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more)
  • Menopause (in women)
  • Increasing age
  • Smoking
  • Eating a high carbohydrate diet
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Family history of diabetes or metabolic syndrome

Genetic predisposition + Risk Factors = decreased insulin sensitivity which can lead to type 2 diabetes. 

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes includes:

  • Diagnosis is fasting blood glucose at or above 126 mg/dL or A1C 6.5 percent
  • Decreased insulin sensitivity – which “wears” out the Beta Cells in the pancreas.
  • Beta Cells eventually stop producing insulin
  • Sugar stays in blood stream longer: “battery acid in the blood stream”

Complications of Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance:

  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Blood vessel damage
  • Vision loss diabetic retinopathy
  • Kidney Damage
  • Decreased digestion/absorption
  • Yeast/frequent infections
  • Poor wound healing

Look out for Part 2 coming soon with information on how you can avoid metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.