The Only Way To Prevent Syndrome X - Weight Loss and Exercise

Syndrome X, also known as the metabolic syndrome, is a growing problem throughout the Western world. Largely a function of our sedentary life and poor eating habits. So if you're honest, it could be considered as a self-inflicted lifestyle condition.

This syndrome consists of a group of critical risk factors which includes:

- High blood pressure or hypertension.
- High glucose and insulin levels or insulin resistance.
- Raised cholesterol levels.
- Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more which classifies the patient as obese.

A patient is considered to be suffering from the metabolic syndrome if they have three or more of these factors. Metabolic syndrome is also linked to factors such as ageing and menopause.

A recent study in the US found that about 23% of all subjects, both men and women, were classified as having the metabolic syndrome. To develop the syndrome there are other risk factors like:

- Smoking,
- A diet consisting of highly refined carbohydrates.
- Physical inactivity.
- A genetic disposition to the syndrome (one of the few factors beyond your control!).
- Abdominal fat or central adiposity. A characteristic of men with a large beer gut, and older (also can't do much about that) men, and menopausal (not much control over that as well) woman.

The risk factors connected to the metabolic syndrome make adults more likely to contract heart diseases, strokes and type 2 diabetes.

So how can you counteract the metabolic syndrome?

Start with a complete medical assessment carried out by a medical practitioner and thereafter straight into an immediate and complete overhaul of lifestyle and dietary choices together with any prescribed medicinal requirements.

After being diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome people should, immediately set out to do 2 things:

1. Start a physical exercise program for at least half an hour on 5 to 7 days a week.
2. Reduce at least 5% of weight but ideally 10%.

A balanced low fat diet will be the core of the new eating plan. Replacing refined carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as fish (preferably high in omega's oil). Simply changing from a "junk food" diet which is high in fat and sugar to a "healthy" balanced diet.

Together with any prescribed medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes and an exercise and diet program these risk factors will be significantly reduced. However if these are not improved the chance of developing heart disease or type 2 diabetes or having a stroke is significantly increased.