Metabolic syndrome occurs when one person has several chronic conditions simultaneously, including elevated blood glucose, high triglycerides, low "good" cholesterol, and hypertension. These changes are combined with increased abdominal obesity create metabolic syndrome. Addressing and managing the problem can reduce your risk of vascular disease.

Manage Individual Conditions

You don't need your numbers to reach the point of needing medication before you and your doctor to become concerned. These issues do not happen overnight, and with regular physicals, you can often catch each problem when it is in the early stages. For example, with blood glucose, you may see your fasting blood glucose creep up over time and eventually reach pre-diabetic levels. When blood glucose, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels are problematic, but have not reached the point of needing medication, it is easier to manage your numbers with changes in your diet. Simple decreases in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats may be enough to prevent worsening of existing problems.

Reduce Belly Fat

Of course, it is impossible to spot-reduce. Some people are more inclined to carry their weight around the middle, which is more a matter of genetics and hormones. Increased abdominal fat is often a sign of insulin resistance, so some changes in your diet might work better than others. People who tend to be more apple-shaped may benefit from a low-carbohydrate diet since fewer carbs can help with regulating insulin levels. Understandably, you may not want to eliminate all carbs from your diet and feeling deprived will make you want to binge. Try focusing on eating low-carb most days of the week, while having a higher carb meal once or twice per week.

Get Moving

Exercise has benefits beyond weight management, because it can also help reduce blood glucose and help with hormones. The exercise you choose does not matter as long as you are moving. However, it is important to not rely exclusively on cardio, especially if you have a difficult time managing your weight. Integrating more strength-training can help with keeping your body fat lower. If lifting weights and using the weight machines at the gym is not appealing to you, try group classes or exercise videos that incorporate both strength-training and cardio. Some of these programs add exercise bands or free weights to their cardio movements, which can cut down on the time it takes to perform both cardio and strength-training and be more motivating.

Metabolic syndrome is a perfect storm of conditions that substantially increases your risk of vascular disease. Tackling all problems simultaneously is your best defense against life-threatening complications. Contact a medical provider, like Harvey Harold E II MD PLLC, for more help.

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