Syndrome X, also known as Metabolic Syndrome, is a condition that involves a clustering of factors that together lead to an increased risk of developing Cardiovascular disease and Type II Diabetes Mellitus. While there is no conclusive ‘cause’ of metabolic syndrome to date, an accumulation of 3 of these 6 risk factors can determine whether or not an individual has the condition:
· Abdominal obesity
· Insulin resistance
· Impaired glucose tolerance
· Elevated triglycerides
· Low HDL-cholesterol
· Elevated blood pressure
Metabolic syndrome is referred to as Syndrome X because there is controversy among medical professionals over whether the condition even exists. Due to the fact that two different individuals could have metabolic syndrome without having any common risk factors, it makes the condition difficult to define as a disease.
The problem with metabolic syndrome is that nobody can feel it coming until they are diagnosed with it; however, by monitoring your health status regularly you can help to prevent yourself from developing this condition. The 3 most common proposed causal factors are:
· Physical inactivity
· Genetic tendency
· Being overweight
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| Source: http://www.methodsofhealing.com/ |
Weight distribution is also an important factor to consider when trying to determine if you are at risk for metabolic syndrome. Individuals who are ‘apple-shaped’ (carry most of their fat viscerally) are at much greater risk than those who are ‘pear-shaped’ (carry most of their fat on hips/thighs). Fortunately, visceral fat is much easier to lose through regular exercise.
Out of all treatment prescriptions for metabolic syndrome, none have been more effective than exercise because, while drugs are designed to treat each risk factor individually, exercise is beneficial for more than one (if not all) risk factors.
