Who can guess the condition that affects 40% of those over the age of 60? Unfortunately, metabolic syndrome refers to more than just a sluggish or unbalanced metabolism. In order to qualify as having metabolic syndrome, a person must have three or more of the following health conditions: abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, or low HDL values.

The biochemical procedures essential to the body's regular operation are referred to as "metabolic" processes. If you have metabolic syndrome, your body is seriously out of sync. Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are just a few of the extremely grave and sometimes fatal health problems that are made more likely by metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is present in about 85% of type 2 diabetes patients. Compared to the 15% of patients with type 2 diabetes who do not also have metabolic syndrome, these persons have a considerably increased risk of developing heart disease. As a result, metabolic syndrome is also treated using natural diabetic remedies.

Symptoms & Risk Factors for the Metabolic Syndrome:

The fact that most illnesses connected to metabolic syndrome lack any symptoms are unsettling but real. A big waist circumference, at least 40 inches for males and 35 inches for women, is a very noticeable indicator of metabolic syndrome, though. You are more likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes if most of your body fat is located around your waist rather than your hips.
Additional signs and danger signs include:

1. High Blood Sugar After Fasting

The signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, increased urination, exhaustion, and impaired vision, may appear if your blood sugar levels are too high. A fasting blood sugar level of less than 100 mg/dL is considered normal. Prediabetes is defined as having a fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL. Diabetes is defined as having a fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or greater. A metabolic risk factor is having a fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL or greater or using medication to control high blood sugar.

2. Elevated Blood Pressure

Another sign of metabolic syndrome is high blood pressure, which can go unnoticed unless you frequently check your blood pressure. A metabolic risk factor is defined as having a blood pressure reading of 130/85 mmHg or greater, or using medication to manage high blood pressure.

3.High Triglyceride Levels

A high triglyceride level is one more indication that someone may have metabolic syndrome. Your blood contains a particular kind of lipid or fat called triglycerides. Any calories you consume that your body doesn't need straight away are converted by your body into triglycerides. A metabolic risk factor for metabolic syndrome is having triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or greater, or taking medication to lower them.

4. Low HDL Cholesterol

Because it aids in removing cholesterol from your arteries, HDL cholesterol is frequently referred to as "good" cholesterol. A risk factor for metabolic syndrome is having an HDL cholesterol level of less than 50 mg/dL for women and less than 40 mg/dL for men or using medication to address low HDL cholesterol.

Based on the findings of a physical examination and blood tests, a physician can identify the metabolic syndrome.

Causes of Metabolic Syndrome:

Obesity and being overweight are the two main contributors to metabolic syndrome, along with not getting enough exercise. According to a 2017 study, resistance training for an hour every week reduced the chance of developing metabolic syndrome by 29% when compared to no resistance exercise. Participants showed a 25% decreased risk when they combined resistance exercise with aerobic activity. Insulin resistance, which is more prevalent in obese and inactive people, is directly related to metabolic syndrome, a metabolic disorder.
What do I mean by insulin resistance? Let me explain. A functioning digestive tract converts food into glucose. The pancreas' hormone insulin then facilitates the entry of glucose into your cells for fueling. However, if you have insulin resistance, your cells won't react to insulin in the way they normally would, and as a result, the glucose can't get into your cells as quickly. Despite your body's efforts to control the glucose by creating more and more insulin, this phenomenon causes elevated glucose levels in your bloodstream.

You may develop diabetes if this continues for a long enough period of time and your body is unable to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Since metabolic syndrome affects approximately 85% of persons with type 2 diabetes, developing diabetes significantly increases your risk of developing the condition.

Additional risk factors that raise your likelihood of having metabolic syndrome include the following, the majority of which are regrettably beyond your control:

1. Your age – 40 percent of adults over the age of 60 have metabolic syndrome, which is more common as you get older.

2. Race – Compared to people of other races, Hispanics and Asians appear to have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

3. Family history of diabetes — Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a family history of type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing metabolic syndrome (gestational diabetes).

4. Other diseases – If you've ever had polycystic ovarian syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or cardiovascular disease, your risk of developing metabolic syndrome is increased.

The following other medical problems are still being researched as potential contributors to metabolic syndrome like Gallstones and sleep apnea.