askthedoctor Risky Syndrome M
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of signs and symptoms relating to the body’s breaking down of food, especially of sugars and lipids, for energy. It some- times is known as insulin resistance be- cause the body doesn’t respond to insulin, and thus has to make more and more in an eff ort to control high blood-sugar levels. Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for diabetes and coronary artery disease. There is some disagreement about the
An Ounce of
Prevention An active lifestyle fea- turing regular exercise, combined with a healthy diet that limits sugar, can help prevent meta- bolic syndrome.
specifi c criteria for metabolic syndrome, but it usually is associated with obesity — either central obesity, with an increased waist circumference, or a body mass index over 30. A second criterion is determined by the lipid profi le from a blood test; ei- ther high triglycerides and/or a low level of good cholesterol, known as HDL (high density lipoprotein) can be a sign of meta- bolic syndrome. A third criterion is high blood pressure, generally with a systolic pressure higher than 120 or a diastolic pres- sure higher than 80 (120/80 mm Hg). A fourth criterion is insulin resistance, or high fasting blood glucose (greater than 100 mg/ dL). Someone with three of these four signs is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is most com- mon in people older than 50. Risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, with little exercise, and a high calorie intake, both of which contribute to obesity. More fatty tissue leads to greater insulin resistance. Stress also can upset the usual hormonal balance, including insulin secretion.
Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., explains — and off ers tips to prevent — metabolic syndrome, a combination of symptoms that is a risk factor for diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Metabolic syndrome is a warning sign for other conditions, including type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body pro- duces insulin, but the insulin doesn’t have the usual eff ect of lowering blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes also results when the body makes some insulin but not enough to regulate blood glucose. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood-sugar levels. Atherosclerotic vascular disease, also
known as coronary artery disease or “hard- ening of the arteries,” is another compli- cation of metabolic syndrome. Coronary artery disease leads to various types of heart disease and to strokes. Strokes occur when a small atherosclerotic plaque breaks off and blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Ath- erosclerosis also can block a blood vessel in the heart, leading to a heart attack. Prevention of metabolic syndrome in-
cludes regular exercise and a healthy diet. Treatment is similar to prevention and in- cludes lifestyle changes, such as increas- ing exercise and modifying the diet to control carbohydrates — especially sugar, because sugar and other carbohydrates require insulin for metabolism. Medica- tion to manage other factors — high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and diabetes — also might be required.
MO
— Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., D.O., M.A., is vice president, Health Sciences, Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, Va. Find more health and wellness resources at www
.moaa.org/wellness. For submission information, see page 6.
*online: Visit
www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolicsyndrome/DS00522 to learn more. 48 MILITARY OFFICER AUGUST 2012
PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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