Print Article for : Diet For Metabolic Syndrome

Your Online Guide » Guide to Medical » Symptoms of Heart Problems

[D283]Diet For Metabolic Syndrome

by Dianne Ronnow, Dia

The Metabolic Syndrome X (or just metabolic syndrome) is condition that is characterized by a group of risk factors found in one person that increases the chances of coronary heart disease, stokes, type 2 diabetes (adult-onset diabetes) and other related modern diseases. The underlying causes of this disease are poor nutrition, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity and genetic factors.

A person is considered to have metabolic syndrome if they have at least three of any of the characteristics below:

* Central obesity-- excessive fat tissue around the abdomen.
* High triglycerides (a bad type of fat in the blood)
* Low HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol.)
* Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (high blood sugar levels)
* High blood pressure (130/85 mmHg or higher.)
* Proinflammatory state (predisposed to inflammation in the body on a cellular level.)
* Prothrombotic state (predisposed to blood clots.)

Metabolic Syndrome X is a disease that is plaguing the modern world. It's estimated that about 20-25 percent of adults in the United States have it, and the numbers are on the rise around the world.

These diseases were practically unknown to most of the world 100 years ago. (See Weston A. Price's classic book, "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.") It has only been since processed foods have been introduced that these modern diseases have increased.

Help For Metabolic Syndrome X

The odds are that you or someone you are close to has metabolic syndrome. The best thing you can do is to educate yourself. Start living a healthier lifestyle. Exercise in moderation. Evaluate your diet. Stop eating processed foods-- avoid anything with white flour, white sugar, processed oils (especially hydrogenated oils!) and soy (unless it is fermented like miso or soy sauce).

Eat healthy organic meats and saturated fats like coconut oil and butter. The more we have cut those foods out, the faster the modern diseases characterized by metabolic syndrome have spread. Eat whole grains, and soak or sprout them for better digestibility. Try to go back to as much of a traditional diet as you can. Eat organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Supplement your diet with a daily dose of cod liver oil. This will give you a great start for fighting Metabolic Syndrome X.

Though it is still not very clear what causes the metabolic syndrome, it seems that overweight does play a very important role. The syndrome is clearly more commonly found in those people who are overweight than in those who are not. Even if one has the metabolic syndrome, he or she should not worry too much. Why?

The reason is fairly simple: not everyone with the syndrome will certainly develop heart disease and diabetes. And it is not very difficult to stay away from these disorders. There are many things that can be done to reverse it.

Since overweight is identified as one of the important components, managing one's weight become the top priority. As we grow older, most of us will gain weight. Research showed that even for people who do not lose weight but can maintain their weight at a constant level as they got older, are at a lower risk of developing diabetes.

The weights of adults are determined by how much energy goes into their bodies through food that they eat and how much they burn off through physical activity. If people can burn off more than they take in, successful weight loss can be achieved. As a result, diet and exercise have become the two essential factors in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

First of all, a healthy diet containing the appropriate amount of calories is what people need to help them lose weight. This of course can be done with the help of dietitian or a nutritionist who can design a meal plan that is suitable for different individuals. It is best to ask the doctor for a referral.

Secondly, one should make a commitment to select an exercise that he or she enjoys doing it. If possible, find a partner who also enjoys doing the same exercise together. This will allow a person to help support each other. Joining a health club for workout to increase the level of physical activity is merely unnecessary. You can always add daily routines that can boost your activity level. This can range from walking the dog to taking stairs instead of using elevator. Sometimes, getting off the bus one stop earlier and walking the remainder distance to the destination can be a good option too.

Before embarking and committing to any dietary or exercise program, do consult a health care professional to make sure the program adopted is safe and effective.

Finally, it is also important to go back and see your doctor regularly to ascertain if the program can really benefit you. If a genuine attempt to modify the lifestyle still fails, you will probably have to take medications as prescribed by the doctor, though this should be last thing you should do.

Article Source : Arteries

About Author

Both Dianne Ronnow & Ng Peng Hock are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Dianne Ronnow has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food and Drink, Home Based Business and Lose Weight. To learn the healthy weight loss secrets of coconut oil go to now. For a little extra weight loss help, check out an exciting new healthy diet aid a. Dianne Ronnow's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

Ng Peng Hock has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Heart Conditions and Health. Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included. Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Go to: http://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com. Ng Peng Hock's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.