6 VITALITY Summer 2022 What ismetabolic syndrome? Learn the risks and facts Perhaps you’ve heard the term metabolic syndrome but have no idea what it means or why it even matters. The following Q&A will help you understand the syndrome and why it’s crucial to know if you or a loved one are at risk for it. QWhat is metabolic syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health conditions that often occur together and raise the risk for serious problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you must have three or more of these health conditions: » A large waistline. » A high triglyceride level—or you’re on medicine to treat high triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of blood fat. » A low HDL cholesterol level—or you’re on medicine to treat low HDL cholesterol. » High blood pressure—or you’re on medicine to treat high blood pressure. » High fasting blood sugar—or you’re on medicine to treat high blood sugar. Q Who is at risk for metabolic syndrome? Several factors increase the likelihood of getting metabolic syndrome: » Too many pounds. Excessive fat in and around the abdomen is most strongly linked with metabolic syndrome. » Insulin resistance. This happens when the body can’t use insulin efficiently. Insulin resistance raises the risk for type 2 diabetes. » Race and gender. African American men are less likely to have metabolic syndrome than white men, while African American women are more likely to have it than white women. Q How can I prevent metabolic syndrome? These steps can help: » Eat a healthy diet. Focus on eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, skinless poultry, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and fish that isn’t fried. Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. » Be active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity per week. One easy way to get started? Take a walk. Even a short stroll, several times a day, will help you meet your goal. » Shed some weight if you need to. Balance healthy eating with a healthy level of exercise to reach your weight goals. Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute HEALTHY BALANCE CAN HELP Watch cooking demos, learn recipes and nutrition information, and get helpful cooking hints on our Healthy Balance cooking classes’ YouTube channel. Go to bitly.com/HBCookingClass. Q&A
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzIxMDA=