Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is not a single disease but a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

It’s sometimes called syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome.

📋 Diagnostic Criteria

A person is typically diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if they have 3 or more of the following risk factors:

  1. Abdominal obesity
    • Large waist circumference (excess belly fat).
  2. High blood pressure (hypertension)
    • ≥130/85 mm Hg or on medication for hypertension.
  3. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
  4. High triglycerides
    • ≥150 mg/dL or on treatment for high triglycerides.
  5. Low HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”)
    • Men: <40 mg/dL
    • Women: <50 mg/dL

🔬 Underlying Mechanism

The central issue in metabolic syndrome is often insulin resistance:

  • The body’s cells don’t respond well to insulin.
  • This leads to higher blood sugar and compensatory higher insulin levels.
  • Over time, this disrupts lipid metabolism, blood pressure regulation, and fat storage.

⚠️ Health Risks

People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke)
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Systemic inflammation and hormonal imbalance

🌱 Causes & Risk Factors

  • Unhealthy diet (high in refined carbs, sugars, unhealthy fats).
  • Sedentary lifestyle.
  • Obesity, especially abdominal.
  • Age (risk increases with age).
  • Genetics & family history.
  • Hormonal changes (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome in women).

💪 Prevention & Management

  • Diet: Focus on whole foods, high fiber, lean protein, healthy fats, low refined sugar.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity improves insulin sensitivity.
  • Weight management: Reducing abdominal fat lowers risk factors.
  • Stress reduction & sleep: Poor stress management and lack of sleep worsen insulin resistance.
  • Medications: If needed, to control blood sugar, cholesterol, or blood pressure.

👉 In short: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors (high blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, belly fat, and low HDL) linked to insulin resistance and higher risk of heart disease and diabetes. It’s preventable and manageable with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medical care.