Understanding Metabolic Syndrome and Its Effect on Diabetes Risk
How to Manage Risk of Developing Metabolic Syndrome
by Jennifer Peterson, DNP, APRN, LMT, FNP-BC
Approximately 34% of adult Americans have metabolic syndrome and our risk increases as we age. Yikes, what is that?
Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increases the chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. The more factors you have, the higher the risk; however, you only need to have 3 factors to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
Factors influencing metabolic syndrome risk
Okay, so what are these factors?
High blood glucose (insulin resistance) – 100 mg/dL or greater
Low levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol) – less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women
High levels of triglycerides – more than 150 mg/dL
High blood pressure – 130/80 or higher
Large waist circumference (“apple-shaped” body) – more than 35” waist for women and 40” for men
People who have metabolic syndrome also often have inflammation throughout the body and may have excessive blood clotting, but researchers are unsure whether these cause the syndrome or worsen it. The exact cause is not fully understood, given the interconnected factors. Some believe insulin resistance is the cause while others believe hormone changes caused by chronic stress is behind it all; however, we cannot discount genetics either.
Some groups of people have an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome:
Mexican Americans and African Americans have the highest rates of the syndrome, followed by whites
People who have a parent or sibling with diabetes
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome
People who take medications that cause weight gain, changes in blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels
How to treat metabolic syndrome
Without treatment, people with metabolic syndrome will certainly develop more serious chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, which are two leading causes of death. Alright, how do I prevent or treat metabolic syndrome?
Lifestyle modifications are mandatory as the cornerstone for prevention and treatment. Losing weight is the greatest thing you can do. Losing weight by modifying your diet and getting more exercise will naturally increase your HDL, lower your triglycerides and blood pressure, as well as increase sensitivity to insulin (lower blood glucose). What kind of diet and exercise changes do I need to make?
Diet
Include a variety of foods
Eat healthy fats – polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, found in nuts, seeds, and some oils such as olive, safflower, and canola.
Eat whole grains such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread instead of white rice and white bread.
Eat more fruits and vegetables! – at least 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables per day. Be sure to mix it up and eat a variety to obtain different nutrients.
Pay attention to food labels and serving sizes. Choose foods that are low in added sugar.
Exercise
Start walking 30 minutes per day several times a week and gradually add time and days.
Exercise also helps you feel better emotionally, reduces appetite, and improves sleep.
Talk to your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program.
How GlyCare can help
Remember, the best prevention is to maintain a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and being physically active. If you do have or develop diabetes as a result of metabolic syndrome, GlyCare can help. GlyCare is a specialized team of endocrinologist-trained midlevel providers ready to assist with glucose abnormalities and diabetes. The team can expedite glucose control and subsequently ensure it stays within goal range. GlyCare ensures each patient has a safe diabetes management plan to follow, whether in the hospital, care facilities, or at home.
About the author
Dr. Jennifer Peterson, Nurse Practitioner, is the Director of Quality Assurance and Integration for GlyCare. She has years of experience managing diabetes for patients in the hospital and now trains other nurse practitioners to do the same. Dr. Peterson also ensures GlyCare provides high quality services for all patients through a quality review program she created.
References
American Heart Association. (2015). What is metabolic syndrome?
The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System. (2020). Metabolic syndrome.
National Institutes of Health. (2020). Metabolic syndrome. Medline Plus.
Stanley, W. (2020). Metabolic syndrome. Medscape.
Learn more about partnering with GlyCare for a turn-key diabetes management service. For more information on how to incorporate either in-person or virtual diabetes management, contact us today.