What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Causes, Risks & Prevention
Summary
We always hear about “metabolic syndrome,” but what is this unique modern-day disease? This unique clinical condition has been known since the late 1700s, when the scientist Morgagni highlighted a correlation between obesity and blood pressure. Then, in the 1900s, Europe and the United States continued to study this phenomenon with growing interest, linked to obesity and cardiovascular risk. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the scholar Haller coined the term “metabolic syndrome,” describing a specific condition in which diabetes mellitus, obesity, and fatty liver disease coexisted. It’s clear that talking about metabolic syndrome is a complex and nuanced matter.
What Are The Risk Factors For Developing This Syndrome?
Obesity is undoubtedly one of the most important triggers of metabolic syndrome, but it’s not the only one. Consider the role of a sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in sugars and fatty acids, which initially lead to an increase in waist circumference, ultimately leading to an increase in blood pressure. Blood sugar and lipid levels will be altered, and insulin resistance will develop, with serious consequences, such as increased cholesterol and reduced glucose utilization by muscles. Maintaining a slim waistline and a healthy diet are essential to avoid this pathological condition.
What To Do To Avoid Getting Metabolic Syndrome
First, a proper diet is the foundation for a healthy metabolism. Eating fruits and vegetables that contain fiber is paramount. Second, exercising appropriately helps prevent abdominal/visceral fat and nourishes muscles. Nourishing the microbiota with lactobacilli is crucial.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent metabolic syndrome, a disease that occurs in developed countries, where affluence leads to overeating and a sedentary lifestyle.
