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.