Syndrome X, also known as metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome, affects as many as 40 percent of Americans age 50 or older, although it has been diagnosed in children as well, according to Merck Manual. Syndrome X is characterized by high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and triglycerides blood levels and excess fat around the abdomen. It is important to identify and treat syndrome X because this condition may lead to heart diseases, fatty liver, polycystic ovary syndrome and kidney problems. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, ask your doctor about the Mediterranean diet, which appears beneficial for managing syndrome X.
About Mediterranean Diet
Mediterranean diet is a popular diet in Italy, Spain and other Mediterranean countries. This diet contains more plant-based foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes and olive oil in comparison to a North American diet. Thus, Mediterranean diet will contain healthy amounts of fibers, vitamins and minerals, including antioxidant nutrients. Animal proteins are consumed in small amounts and most commonly consist of chicken, fish and seafood. Cheese and yogurt are also included in this diet.
This type of diet may provide health benefits including improvement in blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels; therefore, it may reduce the risk of heart conditions and other medical problems, suggests University of Maryland Medical Center.
Drinking a glass of red wine is acceptable and enjoying meals with your family and close friends is recommended as part of this diet, says MayoClinic.com.
Excluded Foods
Red meat and other high-fat products such as bacon and sausages, eggs and sweets are found in very limited amounts or sometimes totally excluded from Mediterranean diet. Butter is replaced by olive oil and salt, gravies and other sauces are replaced by herbs and spices.
Research
A review of various research studies and clinical trials that evaluated the benefits of Mediterranean diet for managing syndrome X found that this diet is beneficial for treating syndrome X as a whole, as well as its components. Specifically, it affects waist circumference, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol blood levels, blood pressure and the metabolism of glucose. This review was conducted by a medical team from the Department of Nutrition Science-Dietetics, Greece and published in June 2010 issue of "Frontiers in Bioscience."
Considerations
Consult a nutritionist to find out more about Mediterranean diet and its principles. While this diet may help improve your condition, keep in mind that it does not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional drugs prescribed by your doctor.
References
- Merk Manuals: Metabolic Syndrome
- MayoClinic.com: Mediterranean Diet: Choose this Heart-Healthy Diet Option
- University of Maryland, Medical Center : Mediterranean Diet
- "Frontiers in Bioscience."; The Role of the Mediterranean Diet on the Development of the Metabolic Syndrome; CM. Castorini et al; June, 2010
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