How Prevalent is Metabolic Syndrome?

The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome is 25% in United States adults, and this increases with advancing age, increasing BMI and certain ethnicities, but overall, individuals with Metabolic Syndrome are more alike than dissimilar across these groups. Metabolic Syndrome is a high cardiovascular risk state that is probably higher than sum of it’s components.

How is Metabolic Syndrome Treated and/or Prevented?

Therapies aimed at reducing insulin resistance, is main treatment for Metabolic Syndrome. WEIGHT LOSS of approximately 10% has been shown to significantly decrease insulin resistance, and it should be primary target of intervention due to its ripple effect in other areas, including hypertension, increased triglycerides, decreased LDL, and decreased insulin resistance. The secondary target of intervention is EXERCISE, due to its ripple effects of decreased weight (improved insulin resistance), decreased blood glucose, decreased triglycerides, increased HDL and decreased blood pressure.

Other steps of treatment of Metabolic Syndrome •Monitor blood glucose, lipoproteins and blood pressure •Treat diabetes and hyperlipidemia •Choose drug therapy for hypertensive people with care—different agents have different effects on insulin sensitivity

With rate of obesity increasing at such an alarming rate, metabolic syndrome will be one of our nation’s greatest challenges of 21st century. It’s imperative that we prevent or defer progression of this disease, and reduce associated risk factors, as described above.

References

American Heart Association Bray G., Champagne, C. Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: Implications for Dietetics Practitioners. J of Am Dietetic Association. 2004; 104 (1):86-89. -=-=-=-=-=-=-= -=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cheryl Winter, M.S., R.D., R.N. is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Registered Nurse and ACSM Fitness Instructor. Cheryl is owner and operator of HealthSteps Rx, Inc. at http://www.HealthStepsRx.com a wellness organization that will help you Build a Better Life…One Step at a Time.

Learn all about HealthSteps Rx, Inc. Weight Management Program via TeleClasses, without leaving your home or office: http://www.healthstepsrx.com/services/online/steppower.htm

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This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine, website or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes to article and RESOURCE BOX MUST be included. (c) 2004 www.HealthStepsRx.com . All Rights Reserved

Cheryl Winter, M.S., R.D., R.N. is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Registered Nurse and ACSM Fitness Instructor. Cheryl is owner and operator of HealthSteps Rx, Inc. at http://www.HealthStepsRx.com a wellness organization that will help you Build a Better Life…One Step at a Time.

6.Meditate.

Not only is meditation simple and fun, it also has been known to reduce your heart rate, reduce your stress level, help you become present in this moment, increase your feelings of peace, serenity, joy, and spiritual faith. This all does body good!

7.Surround yourself with a great support system - family, friends.

Keep yourself surrounded from every side with positive-minded, healthy people who are on YOUR team - People who will care for, support, love, respect, and appreciate you. 8.Laugh often.

Recent studies are showing significance of how laughter, fun, and mirth help keep people healthy, as well as heal sick bodies. Everyone really is a unique, hilarious person. Look for hilarity in every situation and keep laughing.

9.Keep your thoughts positive.

What you put out does come back. So if you want to feel and look great, monitor your thoughts closely to ensure that you are thinking only positive, forwarding thoughts. If you catch yourself thinking a negative thought, simply turn it around into a positive thought.

10.Deal with your emotions. Do not stifle them.

If you are avoiding dealing with any emotions that have cropped up in your life, what do you think you are doing to your poor body? It has to store this emotional energy somewhere. Face your feelings, express them healthfully, and whatever you do, stop stuffing them down in to an oozing, black hole of ill health!