The simplest definition for metabolic syndrome is when a patient has developed three or more simultaneous metabolism disorders. Metabolism disorders include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a resistance to insulin. If these conditions go untreated, the syndrome will result in the onset of severe health dangers.
Early detection and diagnoses of any of the above listed disorders can help in preventing this bad situation from becoming much worse. First, consider an honest self evaluation of your weight. Obesity can be an easily detected sign of a metabolism malfunction.
There is subcutaneous fat and visceral fat present in the body. A person who is said to have “baby fat” probably has a high amount of subcutaneous fat, which is located directly under the skin’s surface. Visceral fat surrounds the organs in the abdomen. The main area focused on in this situation is the buildup of fat specifically in the belly area. This visceral fat will be more difficult to lose, but your doctor can recommend ways to reduce it and thereby reduce its danger to your health.
Obesity can be a gateway condition that leads to metabolic syndrome because of how it affects the circulatory system. High blood pressure will often result from obesity and poor eating habits. Conditions like stress can create temporary high blood pressure but usually it is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. Plaque is released into the blood when body fat is converted to cholesterol and released back into the blood. You can see how related the conditions that lead to a syndrome diagnoses are. Having one sign is usually an indication that the others are also developing.
Patients that are obese and have high blood pressure will usually discover that they have a high cholesterol diagnosis as well. Unfortunately, it is that simple to discover three disorders and be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The syndrome may then lead to diabetes and heart disease. Consulting with your physician if you have any of the above symptoms is a good preventative step to breaking the life threatening dangers associated with this syndrome. Radical lifestyle and nutrition changes may be required, but it is reversible if detected early.
If you are concerned with metabolic syndrome and other disorders involving excess belly fat then be sure to check out a great book by Dr. William Davis:
Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health