Diet and Exercise Can Prevent and Improve Metabolic Syndrome

There is what some medical professionals call a global pandemic facing the world today that is on the rise. This particular diagnosis is not a contagious disease that is running rampant through the population but a condition known as metabolic syndrome: several concurrent conditions, including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal body fat, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. The Institute for Functional Medicine reports that patients with metabolic syndrome are five times more likely to develop diabetes.

High-calorie diets consisting of low-fiber fast food coupled with a sedentary lifestyle have led to the rising occurrence of metabolic syndrome. Along with poor diet and lack of exercise, it has been found that stress levels, economics, and the health of the gut microbiota are factors in the development of metabolic syndrome.

However, studies show that many patients experience great improvement by making therapeutic lifestyle changes such as engaging in regular physical activity and following a diet that meets their specific needs. Nutrition plans like Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) work to reduce insulin resistance, improve circulation, and ease inflammation, resulting in better health. The Mediterranean diet of vegetables, olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and fish has also been found to help prevent or improve metabolic syndrome.

Therapeutic lifestyle changes used as an intervention can play a significant role in preventing and treating metabolic syndrome.

Physical activity is also a key component in improving the conditions associated with metabolic syndrome. Incorporating exercise into daily life has been found to greatly improve bodily function. Aerobic, dynamic resistance, and isometric exercises have been found to lower blood pressure and improve glycemic control.

Researchers suggest that early intervention can help prevent metabolic syndrome. Physicians are encouraged to screen for it using a waist-to-hip ratio. The waist of women should be narrower than the hips, and in men, the waist should be narrower or the same as the hips. This simple calculation can indicate increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other complications.

Therapeutic lifestyle changes used as an intervention can play a significant role in preventing and treating metabolic syndrome. As more and more patients are encouraged to adopt nutrition plans that support good health while incorporating physical activity into daily life, there is hope that the pandemic of metabolic syndrome can subside.