Overeating Is The Cause Of The Metabolic Syndrome
Author: Victoria Aly
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
It is not obesity but regular overeating that provokes metabolic disorders in the body ...
Regular overeating, not the obesity it leads to, is the cause of the development of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a disease state in which a person has both abdominal obesity, high levels of triglycerides and low levels of the so-called. "Good cholesterol", high blood pressure and high blood sugar or diabetes.
People with metabolic syndrome are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The metabolic syndrome is diagnosed by the following components:
- Overweight - waist circumference in women over 88, in men - 94 cm.
- Dyslipidemias - elevated triglycerides above 1.7 mmol / l, decreased HDL cholesterol
- Elevated blood pressure - over 130/85 mm Hg
- Elevated blood sugar - 6.1-6.9 mmol / l
The most common causes of metabolic syndrome are:
- High-calorie food
- Excessive nutrition
- Lack of physical activity
- Genetic burden
- Stress
A study of laboratory mice at Texas Southwestern Medical University in Dallas showed that obesity did not cause all of these abnormalities, as previously thought. It itself is an early symptom of the metabolic syndrome. In the experiment, mice were genetically modified to protect against the accumulation of fat in fat cells. After 7 weeks of heavy feeding, normal mice developed a metabolic syndrome on the background of obesity. Genetically modified ones remained weak, but signs of metabolic disorders were present much earlier - only a few weeks later. Significant damage was found to the heart cells as well as the insulin-producing ones in the pancreas.
The metabolic syndrome is extremely high worldwide. According to statistical studies, about 25% of the adult population in the world has a metabolic syndrome. Malnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle are at the root of its etiology.
The treatment consists of a change in lifestyle. The combination of exercise and limited daily calorie intake are mandatory elements of treatment.
At the doctor's discretion, medications may be added to treat some of the symptoms - e.g. to normalize blood pressure and lipid profile, to lower blood sugar, etc.
Early diagnosis and prevention are the main activities to reduce the diseases caused by this syndrome.
Related Articles
- Nutrition and Bloating: Causes, Diets, Recipes, and Supplements
- Nutrition and Gastroparesis: Causes, Symptoms, and Dietary Recommendations
- Nutrition and Liver Cysts: Causes, Impact, and Recommended Diet
- Glossitis and Nutrition: Causes, Diet Impact, Foods, Supplements
- Understanding Hepatic Cysts: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options