- Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X / Insulin Resistance Syndrome)
- What are the risks and complications for metabolic syndrome?
- What are the symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
- What are the causes of metabolic syndrome?
- How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for metabolic syndrome?
- Outlook and prevention for metabolic syndrome
- Metabolic syndrome - Some more questions you may have…
Your primary goal after being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome should be to decrease your risk of potentially developing further health complications. Your first step should be to undertake serious lifestyle changes.
Your doctor is likely to recommend that you lose between 7 and 10% of your weight in an attempt to obtain an ideal weight and partake in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, five days of the week, as well as maintaining a healthy diet given to you by a dietician or your doctor.
Your doctor may also give you medication to help to control your cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. If you are a smoker, your doctor will advise that you stop smoking effective immediately or recommend a program to help you to stop.
To get into more detail about the changes needing to be made, it important that you consider the following:
Exercising more
If you are not active you have a high risk of heart disease. It is vital to exercise daily. If you are unsure as to where to start or find the gym to be rather intimidating, then speak to your doctor or a personal trainer about adopting an exercise regime suited to you and your goals. Once you start seeing results you will want to keep going as you begin to feel more and more comfortable and happy in your body. If you treat your body well it will return the favour through improved health and well-being. You need to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, with an average no lower than 120 minutes a week.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Your BMI (body mass index) is used to determine if your weight is healthy for your height. Your doctor will work this out accordingly and determine whether or not you need to make a plan to lose weight and then maintain your goal weight through sticking to an exercise regime and healthy diet.
Have a look at the table below to calculate your BMI.
Sticking to a healthy, nutritious diet
If you combine a healthy diet with exercise you will find it much easier to reach your goal weight and maintain it once you have adopted healthy lifestyle changes. Eating high fibre foods, five servings of fruit and vegetables a day and cutting out highly processed and fatty takeaway foods will aid in your weight loss journey. It is advised that you also try to cut out sugars and lower your salt (sodium) intake, as well as trans and saturated fats.