Metabolic Syndrome is named because its maladies are interrelated and all of them are connected to the body's metabolism. A person who has 3 or more of the warning signs listed below are considered to have the syndrome.
The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 50 million Americans suffer from it - entirely brought on by themselves - and that number is growing as our country's obesity epidemic continues to get out of control.
The sum of the disorder is worse than its individual parts - all of metabolic syndrome's components travel together and feed off of each other, thus wreaking havoc on the body. MB leads to three of the most disabling diseases of the 21st century: heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Please keep in mind that these 3 diseases were very UNcommon prior to the last 80 years or so. These diseases can be directly tied to the increased processing of foods, overuse of refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners. Make no mistake, metabolic syndrome is easily avoided when individuals make their health a priority - if health isn't a priority, then you suffer the consequences, it really is that simple.
WARNING SIGNS
1.) Low levels of 'good' cholestrol: HDL levels below 40mg/dl for men and below 50mg/dl for women.
2.) High levels of triglycerides : Levels of these blood fats equal to or greater than 130/85mm Hg
3.)Abdominal obesity: A waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches in women.
4.) Elevated blood pressure : Rest blood pressure equal to or greater than 130/85mm Hg
5.) Above normal levels of blood sugar: a blood glucose level equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL
Now that you know some of the warning signs and some of the dangers of metabolic syndrome, I will be blogging about ways of how to avoid it and lead a life free of diseases that we bring onto ourselves.
Thank you for reading.
