Metabolic syndrome is a composite concept that combines a number of diseases or pathological conditions that are manifested in metabolic, hormonal and clinical disorders. These disorders create an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Causes and Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome
At the heart of the metabolic syndrome lies the insensitivity of the tissues to insulin (the hormone responsible for glucose uptake). With such insulin resistance in the blood, both the glucose level and the level of insulin increases, however, the absorption of glucose by the tissues does not occur.
In the metabolic syndrome, active fat deposition in the abdomen and the development of obesity are observed, which in turn also affects the development of insulin resistance, as well as various complications. So abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome are one of the causes of the development of osteoarthritis, hypertension, atherosclerosis and a number of other diseases.
The presence of a metabolic syndrome is usually said if the patient has at least three of the following symptoms:
- overweight;
- arterial hypertension;
- increased blood sugar;
- violation of lipid in the blood;
- early atherosclerosis;
- cardiac ischemia;
- gout;
- increase in testosterone levels in women .
Diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome is handled by a therapist or endocrinologist. He conducts an examination, measures the weight and blood pressure of the patient. In addition, to determine the metabolic syndrome, a blood test for sugar, a level of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, sex hormones, and insulin levels are performed.
Treatment of metabolic syndrome
First of all, it should be noted that the metabolic syndrome is a reversible state. That is, taking measures, you can achieve its complete disappearance or at least minimization of the main manifestations, but this process is quite long.
The main goal of treatment of the metabolic syndrome is to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Treatment of the metabolic syndrome is always complex and combines both medicamental and non-drug therapy.
The basis of treatment in the metabolic syndrome is proper nutrition, physical fitness and other measures aimed at weight loss and normalization of metabolism.
The medicinal effect used to treat obesity , hypertension, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorders can be effective only if the right way of life is observed. First of all, this concerns obesity. At a high degree, it is allowed to use special drugs to reduce weight, but in the absence of maintenance therapy, weight is recruited again immediately after discontinuation of medication.
Recommendations for nutrition in the metabolic syndrome
As already mentioned, one of the main points in the treatment of metabolic syndrome is diet:
- Do not recommend a strict diet and starvation. Decrease in body weight should be gradual, no more than 10% for the first year.
- It is desirable to reduce the amount of consumed animal fats and replace them with plant. Eat foods high in fiber.
- Restriction of salt in the diet. Not more than 3-5 grams per day, depending on the indices of blood pressure.
- Exclude from the diet confectionery, carbonated drinks, fast food.
- Increase the use of vitamins and minerals, in particular omega-3-acids, which are part of olive, pumpkin and rapeseed oils.
- Limit the use of alcohol to the maximum.
- It is desirable to introduce a fractional diet, up to 5-6 times a day in small portions.
Proper nutrition must necessarily be combined with regular physical activity, otherwise weight loss will occur due to muscular, and not fatty tissue, which can lead to poor health.