The term metabolic syndrome is seen throughout the medical literature but many people never bother to define metabolic syndrome. In a nutshell, it is a term used to designate a group of metabolic risk factors that occur together in a single individual. And depending on which authority or group of researchers attempt to define metabolic syndrome, the actual definition can change. Nonetheless, the concept of a clustering of risks factors all leading to cardiovascular disease is well accepted. The main factors included in metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, obesity, and an increased risk of clotting.

 

A Look at Some of the Traits That Define Metabolic Syndrome

 

  • Obesity – this is loosely defined as a waist size over 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women
  • Serum triglycerides of 150 mg/dl or above
  • Cholesterol – HDL cholesterol levels 40mg/dl or lower in men and 50mg/dl or lower in women.
  • High blood pressure of 130/85 or more
  • High blood glucose level – This would be a fasting blood glucose reading of 110 mg/dl or above

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) will define metabolic syndrome with slightly different levels of the same criteria, but that is an argument for the specialists, and the criteria differences that define metabolic syndrome between groups is not significant enough for the average person to concern themselves with as long as they understand that 3 or more of these traits found in the same person would probably define metabolic syndrome in that person.

 

How Many People Have Metabolic Syndrome?

 

It is actually more common than most people think. In the industrialized countries, about 20% – 30% of the population has enough of the factors that define metabolic syndrome to diagnose them as having it. Currently in the United States alone, 50 – 75 million people have it.

 

What Causes Metabolic Syndrome

 

Genetics plays a major role – as it does with so many medical conditions. Environmental factors also play a role.

The genetic factors are responsible for the individual components that define metabolic syndrome, and for the syndrome in general. If a family history includes high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and early symptoms of heart disease, the individual will be much more likely to develop and be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

The environmental factors that contribute are a sedentary lifestyle, weight gain that progresses with age, and smoking and drinking. People with ordinary or normal body weight only present with metabolic syndrome at a rate of about 5%.

Obesity is probably the single biggest risk factor of all the factors that define metabolic syndrome. So it is the area to focus on if you want to avoid it. A good diet will go a long way to preventing metabolic syndrome in any individual. And it is a known way to control or prevent type 2 diabetes.