Does Metabolic Syndrome Have You In Its Grasp? (Part 2)

In the previous post, we looked at the risk factors for developing Metabolic Syndrome, the precursor to Type 2 diabetes.  What can you do to prevent or reverse this silent danger to your health?

Dr. Todd Ferguson, a naturopathic doctor, has some great suggestions on action steps you can take right now.  He believes that 90% of Type 2 diabetes can be improved, or even cured by diet and lifestyle changes.  These changes can help improve Metabolic Syndrome as well.

Some of Dr. Ferguson’s suggestions include:

  • Make food choices having a low Glycemic Index, to lessen your blood sugar spikes;
  • Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, will help keep your blood sugar from fluctuating too much;
  • Eating whole grains, rather than foods containing refined grains;
  • Doing aerobic and weight training exercises; and
  • Taking fish oil, magnesium and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplements.

Check out this short video of Dr. Ferguson discussing all of his ideas:

Health VideosTreating Metabolic Syndrome

Could there be any simpler steps to improving your wellness?

The Glycemic Index that Dr. Ferguson refers, indicates how different foods affect your blood sugar, as well as your insulin level.  The lower the index number, the less affect that food has for spiking your blood sugar level.  Any food with a Gylcemic Index of between 60 – 100, is considered high glycemic and should be avoided.

Two great sources of information on the Glycemic Index can be found at the following links: Harvard Medical  School and The World’s Healthiest Foods.

The Bottom Line:  Why take a chance on developing Metabolic Syndrome?  The answers are right in front of you.  Remember, Just about every friend or relative of mine with Type 2 diabetes died prematurely.  It’s my hope that you can avoid their fates.

It’s your life, live well!

Does Metabolic Syndrome Have You In Its Grasp? (Part 1)

There’s a silent tsunami in our midst.  Most people are unaware they have it.  Yet, you dare not ignore it because the end results can be extremely devastating.

I’m talking about Metabolic Syndrome.  Also, known as pre-diabetes or insulin resistance.  There’s an estimate that 79 million Americans have it, another estimate claims 60% of us are affected.  Either way you slice it, a staggering number of people are at its mercy.

The following criteria for Metabolic Syndrome was obtained from MayoClinic.com.  If you meet just 3 out of the 5 listed, you have Metabolic Syndrome:

  1. Excess body fat around your waist.  This means, men with a waist size of 40 inches or more, and women with a waist size of 35 inches or more.
  2. A triglycerides level greater than 150.
  3. HDL cholesterol levels of less than 40 for men, and less than 50 for women.
  4. Elevated blood sugar, as indicated by a fasting blood glucose level greater than 100.
  5. Elevated blood pressure over 130/85.

Metabolic Syndrome, or insulin resistance, occurs when your diet and lifestyle collide to overwork your pancreas.  Instead of the insulin released from the pancreas converting your food into glucose for energy, your body’s cells fail to respond normally to insulin.  The glucose (sugars) don’t enter the cells.  So, your blood sugars increase, causing you to gain more weight.

Eventually, your insulin production becomes so ineffective, that your blood sugars increase to the point where you have the risk of becoming a Type 2 diabetic.

Check out the following interview with Dr. Kevin Weiland, an internal medicine specialist and author of the book, The Dakota Diet.

Health Videos5 Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

The Bottom Line:  You control your exposure to Metabolic Syndrome.  If being overweight and physically inactive are acceptable to you, I wish you well.  However, just a few lifestyle changes can help you prevent or even overcome this precursor to diabetes.

In my next post, I’ll cover some action steps you can take right now to control this beast.  See ya next time!

It’s your life, live well.