Metabolic syndrome does not have one specific cause, but many, which all contribute to the cluster of conditions known as metabolic syndrome, or Syndrome X. High fat diets, excessive sugar, a sedentary lifestyle and unnecessary caloric intake can all play a part in leading to many of the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome.
Definition
The Mayo Clinic defines metabolic syndrome as a cluster of conditions, such as increased blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, excess abdominal fat or elevated insulin levels that when combined increase your risk of developing serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Without lifestyle intervention, metabolic syndrome or any of its individual parts can develop into serious medical problems. The American Heart Association goes even further with its definition, saying metabolic syndrome exists when any three of the following conditions are met: abdominal obesity described as having a body mass index of greater than 30, a triglyceride level of 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater, HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women, blood pressure of 130/85 or greater, fasting glucose of 100 mg/dL or greater, insulin resistance or glucose intolerance.
Diet Considerations
Excessive sugar intake, a fat-laden diet and unnecessary calories can increase lipid levels in the body, deposit cholesterol to the arteries and reduce insulin sensitivity. Changing a few of these diet tendencies can have significant benefits in reducing the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Soda is a very calorie-dense, but nutrient-poor beverage containing high levels of sugar. Due to the high caloric nature of soda, people who drink it might tend to have an overall higher intake of calories. This combination can lead to some of the aforementioned metabolic symptoms. Reduce soda intake and you reduce caloric and sugar intake. In 2007, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study found soda was not significant for incidence of metabolic syndrome, but the researchers did find an increased risk for diabetes and obesity, both of which have significant correlations to metabolic syndrome.
Dangers of Syndrome X
Heart disease, stroke and diabetes are three serious health consequences of metabolic syndrome that affect millions of people every year. Two of the three leading causes of death in the U.S. are heart disease and stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2011, 8.3 percent of Americans have diabetes, and even more are prediabetic. The American Heart Association, or AHA, tallies the number of stroke victims each year at 795,000 Americans. Heart disease is the leading cause of death, and according to the AHA, someone in the U.S. suffers a heart attack every 34 seconds.
Steps to Take
Prevention begins with eating a healthy diet high in fiber and fish. Avoiding calorie-dense foods and beverages such as soda, sweets and red meat have been shown to reduce your risk of developing many of the diseases associated with metabolic syndrome. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and getting annual physical exams will put you on the path to sustaining a healthy lifestyle.
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