Understanding Metabolic Syndrome

According to healthcare professionals, metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions or disorders that can increase the risk of developing a variety of health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. A combination of several of these risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and excess waist fat, can ultimately increase the risk of a patient being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and its associated health issues.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome affects approximately 23 percent of adults and the most common underlying causes of this collection of conditions or disorders include, excess weight and obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetic factors, and age. As previously mentioned above, having 3 or more metabolic syndrome risk factors can increase the risk of developing a variety of other health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, among other health issues.

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by three or more of the following metabolic measurements, including:

• Excess waist fat (> 40 inches in men, and > 35 inches in women)
• High blood pressure (130/85 mm Hg)
• Hight blood sugar or glucose levels (100 mg/dL or greater)
• High triglyceride levels (150 mg/dL or greater)
• Low HDL cholesterol (< 40 mg/dL in men or < 50 mg/dL in women)

The Importance of Understanding Metabolic Syndrome

Healthcare professionals diagnose metabolic syndrome when a patient has a collection of conditions or diseases that can increase the risk of developing diabetes, stroke, and heart health. Moreover, research studies found that people with metabolic syndrome have a much higher chance of developing these health issues compared with individuals who do not have metabolic syndrome. Chances increase when more of these risk factors are present.

Metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in the United States. Several factors increase the likelihood of acquiring metabolic syndrome:

• Excess weight/obesity. These are critical and potential causes of metabolic syndrome. Too much fat in the abdomen is most commonly associated with metabolic syndrome. The reasons why excess weight/obesity and metabolic syndrome seem to be linked are complex and misunderstood.
• Insulin resistance: This has been closely associated with metabolic syndrome. Several people are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance.
• Race and gender: People of certain races, as are men more than women, ultimately have a greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

As previously mentioned above, people with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of developing the following health issues, including:

• Cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. If the arteries that supply blood to the heart are narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits, known as plaque, they decrease the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart, which can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack.
• Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is another well-known health issue that happens when the body can’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize insulin properly. This causes sugar to build-up in the blood and increases the risk of developing kidney failure and heart disease.

Metabolic syndrome is also commonly associated with another well-known health issue, known as insulin resistance. People with insulin resistance experience problems where their own body prevents itself from utilizing insulin efficiently. Healthcare professionals and researchers alike sometimes refer to metabolic syndrome as insulin resistance syndrome. Furthermore, high blood sugar and insulin resistance are associated with diabetes.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

Healthcare professionals will look for the presence of three or more of the following risk factors to diagnose metabolic syndrome, including:

• Excess waist fat (> 40 inches in men, and > 35 inches in women)
• High blood pressure (130/85 mm Hg)
• Hight blood sugar or glucose levels (100 mg/dL or greater)
• High triglyceride levels (150 mg/dL or greater)
• Low HDL cholesterol (< 40 mg/dL in men or < 50 mg/dL in women)

Metabolic syndrome treatment requires addressing several risk factors that can increase the risk of developing a variety of health issues, including:

• Eating better. Follow a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, skinless poultry, and non-fried fish as well as low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Avoid processed foods, which are often high in saturated and trans fats, sodium and added sugar, among other processed foods.
• Get active. Add at least 150 minutes of exercise and physical activity to a regular routine. Walking is the easiest place to start but you may want to find something else that gets your heart rate up. If necessary, break your exercise and physical activity into several short, sessions throughout the day.
• Lose weight. Learn your recommended calorie intake, the number of food calories you’re consuming, and the energy calories you’re burning off with different levels of exercise and physical activity. Balance healthy eating with a healthy level of exercise and physical activity to lose weight.

If diet and lifestyle modifications alone do not control the conditions or diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, a healthcare professional may ultimately prescribe drugs/medications to help control blood pressure, cholesterol, and other symptoms. Carefully following your healthcare professional’s instructions can help prevent long term effects of metabolic syndrome. Your hard work and attention will make a difference in overall health and wellness.

Approximately 23 percent of adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome. Although the risk factors for developing the cluster of conditions or diseases are significant, there are good news. Many of the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome can be addressed through diet and lifestyle modifications, such exercise and physical activity. By making these changes, people can ultimately significantly reduce their risks of developing a variety of other health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Although metabolic syndrome can be a serious health issue, people can significantly reduce their risks by reducing their weight; increasing exercise and physical activity; eating a heart-healthy diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish; as well as working with a healthcare professional to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol.

Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

According to healthcare professionals, metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions or disorders that can increase the risk of developing a variety of health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. A combination of several of these risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and excess waist fat, can ultimately increase the risk of a patient being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and its associated health issues.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. 

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

References:

1. Heart Staff. “About Metabolic Syndrome.” Www.heart.org, Heart Media, 31 July 2016, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome.
2. Heart Staff. “Why Metabolic Syndrome Matters.” Www.heart.org, Heart Media, 31 July 2016, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/why-metabolic-syndrome-matters.
3. Heart Staff. “Your Risk for Metabolic Syndrome.” Www.heart.org, Heart Media, 31 July 2016, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/your-risk-for-metabolic-syndrome.
4. Heart Staff. “Symptoms and Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome.” Www.heart.org, Heart Media, 31 July 2016, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-metabolic-syndrome.
5. Heart Staff. “Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome.” Www.heart.org, Heart Media, 31 July 2016, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/prevention-and-treatment-of-metabolic-syndrome.

Neurotransmitter Assessment Form

The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. The following symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue.

Dr. Alex Jimenez Podcast: Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that can ultimately increase the risk of developing a variety of health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, among other problems. Central obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HDL or good cholesterol levels are the 5 risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Having at least three of the five risk factors may suggest the presence of metabolic syndrome. Dr. Alex Jimenez, Alexander Jimenez, Truide Torres, Kenna Vaughn, and Astrid Ornelas explain the 5 risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, in further detail, as they recommend diet and lifestyle modification advice and guidelines, such as the ketogenic diet or the keto diet, as well as demonstrate the biochemical and chemical pathways that the body goes through during ketosis to help people with metabolic syndrome improve their overall health and wellness. From eating good fats and staying hydrated to exercise and better sleep, Dr. Alex Jimenez, Alexander Jimenez, Truide Torres, Kenna Vaughn, and Astrid Ornelas discuss how diet and lifestyle modifications, such as the ketogenic diet or keto diet, can help improve the 5 risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome to prevent the risk of developing a variety of other health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. – Podcast Insight

Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease

Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural Zoomer^TM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural Zoomer^TM Plus is designed to assess an individual’s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural Zoomer^TM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention.

Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response

Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with a variety of food sensitivities and intolerances. The Food Sensitivity Zoomer^TM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual’s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient’s specific needs.

Gut Zoomer for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate gut health associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The Vibrant Gut Zoomer^TM offers a report that includes dietary recommendations and other natural supplementation like prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The gut microbiome is mainly found in the large intestine and it has more than 1000 species of bacteria that play a fundamental role in the human body, from shaping the immune system and affecting the metabolism of nutrients to strengthening the intestinal mucosal barrier (gut-barrier). It is essential to understand how the number of bacteria that symbiotically live in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences gut health because imbalances in the gut microbiome may ultimately lead to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and multiple inflammatory disorders.

Formulas for Methylation Support

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If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.

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Modern Integrated Medicine

The National University of Health Sciences is an institution that offers a variety of rewarding professions to attendees. Students can practice their passion for helping other people achieve overall health and wellness through the institution’s mission. The National University of Health Sciences prepares students to become leaders in the forefront of modern integrated medicine, including chiropractic care. Students have an opportunity to gain unparalleled experience at the National University of Health Sciences to help restore the natural integrity of the patient and define the future of modern integrated medicine.