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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.

 

Comments

Comments (3)
1759363399
jewel5231 wrote:

Help? My husband is on tw different types of diaetes md, high blood pressure meds and cholesterol med. He hs lost quite a bit of weight and his blood pressure has come down, but his diabetes numbers are still way up there. He i trying to eat healthy but is getting discouraged.

7/26/2010 06:32:23 PM Report Abuse
missedalot wrote:

this week bs test was 245-sunday. then 118 yesterday but this am 376 what do i do

2/10/2010 12:51:44 PM Report Abuse
millport333 wrote:

Its becoming more acceptable that diabetics need to limit their carbs not their fats, the low fat eating diets of the past 30 years have lead to the creation of this overweight and diabetic problem. When I was on the ADA diet in order to lose weigth I had to limit the carbs to half of what was recommended. Lets get up to day with our ADA recommendations.

12/9/2009 12:27:10 PM Report Abuse

Add your comment

jewel5231 says:
Help? My husband is on tw different types of diaetes md, high blood pressure meds and cholesterol m...... more
Help? My husband is on tw different types of diaetes md, high blood pressure meds and cholesterol med. He hs lost quite a bit of weight and his blood pressure has come down, but his diabetes numbers are still way up there. He i trying to eat healthy but is getting discouraged.
 
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