Women, a question: Does your waist measure 35 inches or more? Men, does yours measure 40 inches or more? Your expanding waistline may be sending you a wake-up call.
If you answered yes, you could be at risk for metabolic syndrome, often an early warning sign of more serious disease.
What you need to know about metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself. Instead, it’s a health condition that includes a group of risk factors:
- Excess abdominal fat
- High blood sugar
- Elevated blood pressure
- High levels of triglycerides
- Low levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
If you have any of these risk factors, you should be under the care of your doctor.
That’s because having just 3 of these risk factors can increase your risk of serious diseases.
The diagnosis for metabolic syndrome is the presence of three or more of these five risk factors. The good news is that you’ve got an early warning in time to avoid more serious disease.
If you have 3 or more of these risk factors, other health risks increase significantly:
- You are at 2X increased risk for blood vessel and heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
- You are at 5X increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
(Source: WebMD)
Fortunately, metabolic syndrome can be treated with lifestyle changes and medical care! And treatment can even help you say goodbye to your expanding waistline.
How to know if you have metabolic syndrome
To diagnose metabolic syndrome, your doctor should order appropriate lab tests. For treatment, your doctor may prescribe medications to begin improving your health.
These are the 5 risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome can be diagnosed if you have 3 or more of these conditions (Source: WebMD):
Large Waist Size | For men: 40 inches or larger For women: 35 inches or larger |
Cholesterol: High Triglycerides | Either 150 mg/dL or higher or Using a cholesterol medicine |
Cholesterol: Low Good Cholesterol (HDL) | Either For men: Less than 40 mg/dL For women: Less than 50 mg/dL or Using a cholesterol medicine |
| High Blood Pressure | Either Having blood pressure of 130/85mm Hg or greater or Using a high blood pressure medicine |
| Blood Sugar: High Fasting Glucose Level | 100 mg/dL or higher |
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
You usually don’t have symptoms initially from high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You may not even know you have these conditions.
Often, the only sign you can notice is your expanding waistline.
The best way to find out if you have metabolic syndrome is to meet with your doctor. They will check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. It’s another reason that regular checkups are the key to staying healthy.
Treating metabolic syndrome
Make sure to schedule regular follow up visits with your doctor.
Under the supervision of your doctor: The following are lifestyle changes that can help treat metabolic syndrome.
- Exercise. Consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.
- Eat a healthy diet with, lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, low sugar fruits, healthy fats, low fat dairy, whole grains, eliminate trans fats, reduce saturated fats. Discuss your particular meal plan with your physician. Dietary adjustments should be made based on your genetics, metabolic profile and preferences. Make sure your meal plans are science based and not the latest fad.
- Lose weight if your doctor recommends you to do so.
- Your doctor may also recommend supplements and or medications if indicated.
We can help you lose weight and avoid serious disease
Do you have chronic medical conditions associated with excess weight? We can help you lose weight and keep it off.
The Optimal Wellness Center Weight Loss Center is a medical weight loss center.
Our programs are based on science and medical studies (not fad diets).
Our weight loss programs are individualized, comprehensive, and medically supervised.
We provide personalized step-by-step weight loss treatment and support you need to lose weight safely and keep it off.
We help you lose weight and develop healthier lifestyle utilizing:
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Behavior Modification
- Medications if needed
We’ve found the key to your success is one-on-one support, counseling, and education.
Dr. Keller Is Board certified in Obesity Medicine and Internal Medicine with over a decade of experience helping patients lose weight and keep it off.
Call today 201 485 7930 to find out how Dr Keller can help you Lose weight and keep it off
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