Summertime Health Awareness: Metabolic Syndrome

By Charles E. Taylor, MPH, MT (ASCP), Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Amidst the emergence of the second most wonderful time of the year (called “summertime” by many), we are all eagerly preparing for annual communal events such as family gatherings, cookouts, barbeques, church potlucks, and picnics in the park.

Planning these events arouses everyone’s anticipation; sadly, some may
have to enjoy such events with limited access to all the “good but bad
things” lading the summer picnic table. They often face a common and
preventable condition defined by the medical community as Metabolic
Syndrome.

Metabolic Syndrome defines a group of risk factors that have potential
to increase an individual’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, and
stroke. These risk factors have the propensity to hinder or alter
biochemical processes that allow the body to function in a normal state.

The National Institutes of Health define Metabolic Risk Factors as:

• A large waistline—abdominal obesity or “apple shaped belly”

• High Triglyceride level—undigested fat found in the blood

• A low HDL Cholesterol level—the good cholesterol that removes excess cholesterol from the arteries

• High Blood Pressure—excessive force pressing against the walls of
arteries with every heartbeat, which over time can damage heart and lead
to plaque formation

• Increased Fasting Blood Sugar—slightly increased blood sugar may be a premonition of diabetes

As each of these Metabolic Risk Factors increases, so does the imminent
chance of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. NIH statistics indicate
that an individual who has these factors is twice as likely to develop
heart disease and five times as likely to develop diabetes as someone
without any of these risk factors.

An individual with just one manifested risk factor should try to control
every risk factor they can to reduce further risks. Other identified
causes of Metabolic Syndrome are smoking, increased LDL (bad
cholesterol), lack of physical activity, and genetics/inheritance.

Insulin resistance is another condition that researchers are
investigating closely as a culprit in causing metabolic syndrome. This
condition is characterized by the body’s inability to use insulin
properly. Insulin is the hormone responsible for ushering glucose into
the body’s cells in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Metabolic Syndrome has been commonly identified in African American
women and Mexican American women more than in men of these same ethnic
groups. Caucasian men and women are usually affected in equal numbers.
The syndrome is also increasing as a result of rising obesity rates in
adults. Research trended suggest that Metabolic Syndrome may overtake
smoking as a major risk factor for heart disease for many individuals.

Lifestyle changes are necessary to delay the onset of Metabolic
Syndrome. Enjoy your time at the picnic table this summer, but as you
serve yourself, remind yourself that a healthy lifestyle is a literal
lifetime commitment.