Metabolic syndrome X is a combination of a group of risk factors for heart disease. Most people with type 2 diabetes also have metabolic syndrome X.
Definition:
1) Insulin resistance / Impaired glucose tolerance / Type 2 diabetes
2) Hypertension
3) Lipid profile disorder ( low HDL , high triglyceride levels)
4) Abdominal fat (central obesity). If the waist circumference exceeds 100 cm for men and 90 cm for women, it is a risk group.
5) Predisposition to cardiovascular diseases
If you have at least three of the above metabolic disorders, it means you have metabolic syndrome X. The higher the number, the higher your risk of cardiovascular disease. Even if your cholesterol is normal, you can have a heart attack or stroke.
Metabolic syndrome X is very common. CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that 20% of adults in the USA have this picture.
Insulin resistance, one of the most important factors of metabolic syndrome X, can cause thickening and blackening of the skin called acanthosis nigricans, hair growth, acne and menstrual disorders.
Most women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) have insulin resistance. Metformin treatment has become standard and treats both insulin resistance, menstrual disorder and hair growth.
Diabetes / insulin resistance + obesity + hypertension + blood lipid disorder (dyslipdemia) is called the “fatal quartet” because of its contribution to mortality in cardiovascular diseases. The fatal quadruple increased the risk of cardiovascular death 2.5 times in men and 13.4 times in women.
The biggest cause of metabolic syndrome is excess weight. This is due to a diet rich in high calories and saturated fats and a lack of physical activity. It is possible to significantly lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes by changing your eating habits, increasing your level of physical activity, losing weight and quitting smoking.
