Metabolic Syndrome

WHAT IS METABOLIC SYNDROME?

Metabolic syndrome, otherwise known as syndrome x, occurs when a number of conditions happen simultaneously, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These are:

High blood pressure
High blood sugar levels or insulin resistance
Body fat accumulating around the waist
Irregular cholesterol levels

WHY IS METABOLIC SYNDROME DANGEROUS?

According to a recent statement by the World Health Organisation (WHO), heart disease and strokes are identified as leading causes of fatalities in South Africa.

HOW IS METABOLIC SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?

The SEMDSA (Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa) 2017 guidelines has outlined the below as indicators of metabolic syndrome:

WHAT ARE THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS?

Inactivity
Obesity
High intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates
Stress
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Metabolic syndrome is a powerful silent killer due to its symptoms often being unnoticeable.

When blood sugar levels are very high – increased thirst, the tendency to urinate often and blurred vision can result. The most obvious red flag is a larger waist circumference.

THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF EACH CONDITION

CENTRAL OBESITY
Obesity is thought to trigger changes to the chemical processes of the body. These changes cause fat tissue to release fat molecules into the blood, which can affect the cells that respond to insulin, thereby reducing the body’s reaction to insulin (insulin sensitivity).
Studies suggest that abdominal fat prompts the release of chemicals that cause the body to become red, hot, swollen and pain-ridden, which could lead to lowered insulin sensitivity and eventual resistance.

INSULIN RESISTANCE

Insulin resistance (IR) occurs when the body’s cells do not respond to insulin, which is a hormone that transports glucose from the bloodstream to the cells for energy. Certain levels of insulin are necessary to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range. However, soaring insulin levels may trigger:

Weight gain: The levels of insulin, which is a messenger that instructs the body to store fat, increase dramatically.
Insulin resistance is the precursor to type II diabetes, whereby the beta cells of the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to overcome insulin resistance, spiking blood sugar levels.

HYPERTENSION

Classification of Blood Pressure (BP) for adults according to the South African hypertension practice guideline 2014. BP should be categorised into the highest level of BP whether systolic or diastolic.

The consequences of elevated blood pressure include:
Risk of heart disease: The coronary arteries leading to the heart become progressively narrow from a build-up of plaque (fat, cholesterol and other substances). When the blood flow of the heart muscle is interrupted, it is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, causing a heart attack.
Risk of a stroke: Damaged and weakened blood vessels of the brain, or clots that are formed in the arteries of the brain, obstruct blood flow, potentially causing a stroke.

CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is an important waxy substance that originates from the liver and diet in humans and animals, which forms a structural part of many hormones and cells. An excess of bad cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides) and a lack of good cholesterol (HDL) may, however, lead to heart disease in the following ways:
Hardening of the arteries: Too much LDL cholesterol in your body can accumulate in your arteries, clogging them and making them less flexible.
Increased risk of heart failure: Due to the hardened arteries, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body.
Heart attack: The build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries can disrupt the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
A piece of plaque can also block blood flow to the brain, or dislodge and form a clot, leading to a stroke.

IMPACT OF STRESS

Increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance
Weight gain
An impaired immune system
Indigestion
Elevated blood pressure
Abnormal cholesterol levels

MANAGING METABOLIC SYNDROME

Metabolic Syndrome is managed through targeting the leading causes:
Appropriate and aggressive therapy is essential for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lifestyle changes should be implemented – exercise, healthy diet, no smoking, low alcohol intake and stress management.
Prescribed medication should aid in combatting insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Ideally, treatment should address all the components of the syndrome!

Please Note: This is an educational information leaflet only and should not be used for diagnosis. For more information on Metabolic Syndrome, consult your healthcare professional.