Metabolic Syndrome

“Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group
of health problems that put you at risk of type 2 diabetes
or conditions that affect your heart or blood vessels”.1

Umbrella

What may the Metabolic Syndrome Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Insulin Resistance Syndrome
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Metabolic Syndrome X
  • Syndrome X

Definition

What is metabolic syndrome?

DotS the definition of metabolic syndrome may vary. The (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of health problems that put you at risk of type 2 diabetes or conditions that affect your heart or blood vessels. It’s different from metabolic disorders which are rare genetic conditions”.2

The (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:

“Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome”.3

Conditions

What conditions may be associated with metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? the NHLBI elaborate on:

“You may have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following conditions.

  • A large waistline…
  • High blood pressure…
  • High blood sugar levels…
  • High blood triglycerides…
  • Low HDL cholesterol…”.4

Causes

What causes metabolic syndrome?

The American Heart Association (AHA) note:

“Underlying causes of metabolic syndrome include overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, physical inactivity, genetic factors and increasing age”.5

In Metabolic Syndrome: Check If You Are At Risk of Metabolic Syndrome, last reviewed 16 November 2023, the NHS explain:

“Metabolic syndrome is very common. It’s not known what causes it.

It is linked to insulin resistance. This is when your body does not respond to the hormone insulin properly. It may also be linked to having too much fat around your tummy.

You are more likely to get metabolic syndrome if you:

  • Are living with obesity
  • Eat a high-saturated-fat diet
  • Do not exercise much
  • Have a Hispanic or South Asian background
  • Smoke
  • Drink a lot of alcohol.

Your risk of getting metabolic syndrome also increases as you get older”.6

Weight

Is weight a major cause of metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: Causes and Risk Factors – What Causes Metabolic Syndrome? the NHLBI note:

“A person’s weight is a major cause of metabolic syndrome. Fat cells, especially in your abdomen, can raise your levels of chemicals called free fatty acids. Free fatty acids can raise your levels of other chemicals and hormone that affect the way your body controls your blood sugar levels. Your body may not respond well to insulin, which is a hormone that controls how much sugar your muscles and organs absorb from your blood. This is called insulin resistance”.7

Common or Not

How common is metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Metabolic syndrome is increasingly common, and up to one-third of U.S. adults have it”.8

Prevention

How can metabolic syndrome be prevented?

The AHA explain:

“Although metabolic syndrome is a serious condition, you can reduce your risks significantly by losing weight; increasing your physical activity; eating a heart-healthy diet that’s rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fish; and working with your health care team to monitor and manage your blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure”.9

In Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome the NHLBI note:

Metabolic Syndrome“The good news is that it is largely preventable. Knowing the risk factors and making healthy lifestyle changes can help you lower your chances of developing metabolic syndrome or the health problems it can cause”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have risk factors for metabolic syndrome?

If you think you have risk factors for metabolic syndrome, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor the Mayo Clinic also note:

“If you know you have at least one component of metabolic syndrome, ask your doctor whether you need testing for other components of the syndrome”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Metabolic Syndrome?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Metabolic Syndrome?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Metabolic Syndrome. Page Last Reviewed: 16 November 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 23 August 2024
  2. Metabolic Syndrome. Page Last Reviewed: 16 November 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 23 August 2024
  3. Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 23 August 2024
  4. Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 23 August 2024
  5. About Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Reviewed: 17 October 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 23 August 2024
  6. Metabolic Syndrome: Check If You Are At Risk of Metabolic Syndrome. Page Last Reviewed: 16 November 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 23 August 2024
  7. Metabolic Syndrome: Causes and Risk Factors – What Causes Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome/causes Accessed: 23 August 2024
  8. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 06 May 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 23 August 2024
  9. About Metabolic Syndrome: What Are the Risk Factors? Last Reviewed: 17 October 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 23 August 2024
  10. Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 23 August 2024
  11. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 06 May 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 23 August 2024
Topic Last Updated: 23 August 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 23 August 2024

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