In the two previous newsletters we have looked at what is “Belly Fat” and what is “Metabolism” and this newsletter looks at them in the context of “Metabolic Syndrome” .
So what is “Metabolic Syndrome”? It is a cluster of conditions that occur together and increase the risk of developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems. It is not a disease itself, but rather a group of risk factors that are associated with an increased likelihood of developing a wide range diseases.
Having three or more other the above criteria typically leads to a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. The underlying causes of metabolic syndrome involve a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors, factors include obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, poor sleep and insulin resistance. Even having one of the above criteria will be detrimental to your health and needs to be addressed.
Making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, both cardio and strength training, and managing stress, can significantly reduce the risk and even reverse metabolic syndrome in many cases. As I always state I am not a doctor and it’s important to work closely with a healthcare professional to develop a personalised plan for assessing and if required managing metabolic syndrome and reducing the associated risks. As a coach I work alongside healthcare professionals and can assist my clients to develop good habits and take the steps recommended to improve their lifestyles outlined above to reduce and minimise any inherent risks.
So what’s the first step? Go and visit your General Practitioner and get yourself tested. A routine blood test and a measuring tape will give you the information you require to understand what you need to do next.