Metabolic Syndrome-21st century PLAGUE

st
T H E T E N M O S T E S S2E1N
Tcent
I A L Bu
LO
ry
OD
P LTAEGSU
TE
S
M E TA B OL IC S Y N D R O M E
21st Century plague
There’s a silent epidemic plaguing the Western world and it’s our lifestyle
that drives it
By Martin Wessels
B.Pharm, MBL, FAARM, MPS
Y
stable by nibbling on healthy snacks between mealtimes.
a deadly factor. Research shows that even a small amount
Avoid fast food, soda and packaged fruit juice
stomach is now starting to stick out. Perhaps this motivates
of undetectable adipose fat will start the downhill cascade.
• Step 2 Make a commitment to start moving
you to go on a diet and you lose the excess weight, but
In fact, the above quartet has been implicated in elevating
Start by going for a leisurely 20 minute walk five times a
before long the weight returns and this time, you weigh
C-reactive protein (a protein linked to inflammation),
week and then slowly build up the pace and stretch it to
even more.
leading to an increased risk of blood clots that can cause
30 minutes or more. If walking isn’t your thing, then try
artery blockage and strokes.The syndrome also increases
cycling, yoga, swimming or something that suits you. The
the risk of diabetes and all its complications.
point is to start moving
You know you should start exercising, but it’s difficult
ou could be at risk of developing metabolic
You may wonder how an increased waist circumference is
and you tell yourself that, anyway, you don’t really have
• Step 3 Get your sugar under control
syndrome if:
the time. Begrudgingly, you might accept the extra weight
• A slight tyre has developed around your midriff that you
and may think that no matter what you try, you just won’t
IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT
shake it.
can’t seem to shake, no matter how hard you try
• You feel constantly tired and more sluggish than you
think you should be
• You constantly crave carbohydrates like pasta and
This condition takes a long time to manifest and its
helping you gain control of your sugar levels and reducing
This scenario is driven by the number one symptom
insidious effects can remain hidden for years. It’s our
the negative effects of stress:
of metabolic syndrome: denial. Because it sneaks up so
modern lifestyle that unfortunately allows this syndrome to
• Chromium (200-400mcg twice daily)
slowly over the years, when it starts impacting your life,
get a toehold. We often take our meals on the run, following
• Alpha lipoic acid (250mg twice daily)
it’s easier to push it to the back of
a fast food diet loaded with simple, highly processed
• Gymnema sylvestre (200mg three times daily)
your mind and ignore it. The truth is, it
carbohydrates that put undue stress on our insulin system.
• Bitter melon (250mg twice daily)
remains in the back of your mind as a
Added to this, we live under extreme levels of stress which
• Rhodiola rosea (150mg twice daily).
nagging concern. Every time you look
stimulates the release of the hormone cortisol. Continuous
The good news is the human body has a remarkable healing
in the mirror, you’re reminded of your
high levels of cortisol will eventually lead to increased lipid
ability, but it’s up to you to make the first move.
situation. Living in a world driven by
and fat accumulation.Of course, we’re not all the same and
aesthetically pleasing advertising, you
some people have a greater genetic predisposition for
begin to feel like a failure, believing you
developing metabolic syndrome.
white bread
• You find yourself hungry again
half an hour after a large meal
• You can’t seem to get yourself to
move from the couch
• You feel older than you are.
There’s a good chance that you’ve
heard of metabolic syndrome in the
media and, if the above describes you,
then you may be at risk right now. It’s
Living in a world
driven by aesthetically
pleasing advertising,
you begin to feel like
a failure, believing you
have no willpower and
must be weak
have no willpower and must be weak.
THE ROAD TO METABOLIC RESCUE
also quite possible that you may have
NOT A DISEASE
Given the complex nature of metabolic syndrome, a
put these symptoms down to aging.
Metabolic syndrome isn’t a disease but
multipronged approach is required to reverse its effects:
After all, how serious can they really be?
a syndrome, or a combination of symptoms, each carrying
• Step 1 Follow a sensible approach to what you eat
a deadly potential. Often, an alternative name is used,
Make it a habit to eat 5-6 smaller meals daily so that
ARE YOU TOO BUSY TO STAY HEALTHY?
the “deadly quartet”,
Typically, you begin adulthood very active. But, your res-
serious symptoms:
preventing insulin spikes, which can lead to insulin
ponsibilities change with family duties and increasing work
• High blood pressure
resistance and high blood glucose. Make sure that half
pressures. Gradually you adopt a more sedentary lifestyle
• Elevated blood glucose and insulin resistance
of your plate is filled with vegetables or salad, a quarter
and this leads to a change in your body. Over time, your
• Low HDL (good cholesterol) and high LDL
with high fibre carbohydrates and the other quarter with
waist begins to thicken. Not much at first and certainly not
enough to call you fat. One day, however, you notice your
52 | 2012 EDITION 15
The following supplements will kickstart the rescue by
which describes the four most
(bad cholesterol)
• Increased waist circumference.
the carbohydrate load per meal is reduced, thereby
lean meat or legumes. Control your portion sizes and
remember to keep your metabolism up and blood sugar
HI
References include
1 Scott M. Grundy et al. Diagnosis and Management of the Metabolic Syndrome:
An American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Scientific Statement: Executive Summary. Circulation. 2005;112:e285-90
2 Isomaa B, Algren P, et al. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with
the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes Care. Apr 2001;24(4):683-9
3 MatsuzawaY, Funahashi T, et al. Adiponectin and Metabolic Syndrome.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2004;24:29
4 Grundy SM, Brewer Jr B, et al. Definition of Metabolic Syndrome: Report of the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood. Circulation. 2004;109:433-8
5 Dallman MF, Pecoraro N, et al. Chronic stress and obesity: A new view of
“comfort food.” PNAS. 30 Sep 2003;100(20):11696-701
6 Anderson RA. Chromium supplementation alleviates risk factors associated with
the metabolic syndrome. Quimicam Clinica. 2007;26(S1):16
7 Woo WJ, Song KH, et al. α-Lipoic acid increases insulin sensitivity by
activating AMPK in skeletal muscle. Biochemical and Biophysical Research
Communications. 8 Jul 2005;332(3):885-91
8 Baskaran K, Ahamath KB, et al. Antidiabetic effect of leaf extract from Gymnema
sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology. 1990:30(3):295-300
9 Nerurkar PV, Lee YK, et al. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) inhibits primary
human adipocyte differentiation by modulating adipogenic genes. BMC
Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2010; 10:34
10 Abidov M, Grachev S, et al. Extract of Rhodiola rosea Radix Reduces the Level of
C-Reactive Protein and Creatinine Kinase in the Blood. Bulletin of Experimental
Biology and Medicine. Jun 2004;138(1):63-4
H E A LT H I N T E L L I G E N C E | 5 3