The Mayo Clinic explains:
“Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function.”
Unfortunately, due to current diet and lifestyle factors many millions of people suffer from metabolic disorders, including Metabolic Syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Metabolic Syndrome includes:
– HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
– HIGH BLOOD SUGAR (GLUCOSE)
– EXCESS BODY FAT, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE WAIST
– ABNORMAL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
– HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES LEVELS (FATTY LIVER)
The American Heart Association reports that 23% of adults currently have Metabolic Syndrome. This is approximately 76 million people with Metabolic Syndrome.
The complications of Metabolic Syndrome include:
– Hardening of the arteries (Atherosclerosis)
– Diabetes
– Heart attack
– Kidney Disease
– Stroke
– Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
– Peripheral Artery Disease
– Cardiovascular Disease.
FIVE RISK FACTORS FOR METABOLIC SYNDROME THAT INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DEVELOPING HEART DISEASE, DIABETES AND STROKE
If you have one of the following factors, you have a metabolic disorder. If you have 3 of these factors you are considered to have Metabolic Syndrome:
1. Blood pressure greater than 130/85 mmHg.
2. Fasting blood glucose level of 107 mg/dl or more (insulin resistance)
3. Waist circumference of more than 40” for a male and 35” for a female
4. Blood triglycerides level of 150 mg/dl or higher
5. “Good” HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg/dl or less for a male and 50 mg/dl or less for a female.
WAYS YOU CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR METABOLISM
If you have the factors of Metabolic Syndrome, the goal is to reduce these factors and lower the risk of developing further health complications. Suggestions for how you can take control of your metabolism and improve Metabolic Syndrome issues include:
1. EAT A HEALTHY DIET – MORE FRUITS, NON-STARCHY VEGETABLES AND WHOLE GRAINS. See more information on the “Insulin Resistance” page.
2. EXERCISE A MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES A DAY
3. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
4. REDUCE STRESS LEVELS.
5. TAKE A NATURAL PLANT-BASED SUPPLEMENT EVERY DAY TO HELP SUPPORT OPTIMAL CELLULAR FUNCTION (METABOLIC HEALTH). Metabolic Syndrome is a result of non-optimum cellular functioning.
There are things you can do to help your metabolic symptoms and prevent future health complications. You can take control of your health and feel better!