Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome?

1) If you are a man, is your waist circumference more than 102cm?

    If you are a woman, is your waist circumference more than 88cm?

2) Is your blood pressure more than 130/85 or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

3) Is your fasting blood sugar level over 6 mmol/l?

4) Do you have raised blood triglycerides over 1.7 mmol/l or are you being treated for raised triglycerides?

5) Do you have low HDL (good cholesterol) - less than 1.03 mmol/l in men and < 1.3 mmol/l in women? or are you being treated for raised cholesterol levels?

If you have answered YES to 3 or more of these questions then you most likely have Metabolic Syndrome!

[see http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/112/17/e285/T1.expansion.html]

Belly Fat - over 102cm in men & you are in trouble....

What does this mean?

It means that you need to see a knowledgeable health professional to help you get yourself on track before you develop Type II Diabetes, heart or artery disease, heart attack, stroke or a host of other metabolism-related problems.

Metabolic Syndrome is a condition in which multiple metabolic issues result in abnormal management of blood sugar, blood fats and blood pressure in conjunction with an increased likelihood of inflammation and blood clotting, potentially leading directly to coronary heart disease, diabetes or stroke. Think of it as a sign of impending bigger problems as your body starts to decompensate.

The underlying risk factors for developing Metabolic Syndrome are abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Other associated conditions include physical inactivity, aging, hormonal imbalance, and genetic or ethnic predisposition. 

What can I do about it?

The good news is that, in most cases, it is easily reversible with a bit of effort!

Firstly, if you suspect you have Metabolic Syndrome, see a healthcare practitioner (such as a homeopath, phytotherapist or naturopath) who understands the condition and have the required tests done to confirm the diagnosis and also to ascertain your baseline levels, so that monitoring your progress is easier.

Secondly, start on a programme of lifestyle and dietary changes that are specific for you and your 'type'.

My suggestions for anyone wanting to tackle metabolic syndrome and improve their health in general, to avoid diabetes, heart attack and other nightmares usually include:

• exercise
• healthy eating (e.g. low GI but right for your type e.g. Vata/Pitta/Kapha)
• nutritional supplements (e.g. Chromium; Omega 3 EFA's)
• herbal medicines (e.g. artichoke, milk thistle, turmeric, adaptogens)
• patient-specific individualised homeopathic medicines

Thirdly, stick to a programme and get yourself monitored to chart your progress back to health - it really doesn't have to end in disaster.....!