What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Q: I was recently told I have metabolic syndrome. Can you explain what this means?

A: Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or cardio-metabolic syndrome (the American Diabetes Association's preferred name) is thought to be a precursor to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Several conditions are commonly seen together, caused by both chronic inflammation and insulin resistance:

• overweight
• elevated blood glucose (but not high enough to diagnose pre-diabetes or type 2)
• high blood pressure
• abnormal blood lipids -- low HDL (good) cholesterol, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, high triglycerides
• excess fat around the midsection (abdomen)

It is well known from type 2 diabetes prevention studies that the best action you can take to reverse and manage this condition is to lose 5-7 percent of your current weight, choose healthful foods, limit your fat intake, and be physically active.

Learn your target goals for blood pressure, lipids, and glucose, and strive to hit these targets even if you need to take some medications. Keeping these numbers in the target zones is what will keep you healthy over time.

Jeannette Jordan, M.S., R.D., CDE, is the American Dietetic Association's national spokesperson for African-American nutrition issues and oversees nutrition education at the Medical University of South Carolina.