Understanding metabolic syndrome and what to do to reverse it is vitally important. The content in this post is for informational purposes only. What is metabolic syndrome and why should you care?
What is Metabolic Syndrome?
A cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
If you have 3 of these, you’ve got it.
Waist is Larger Than…
If you’re a woman and your waistline is greater than 35 inches or a man with a waistline greater than 40 inches.
How to find out? This one’s easy. Measure it!
Triglyceride Levels are too High
Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. Your body uses Triglycerides for energy. However, high levels causes problems for your heart.
You might be overweight, consuming too many carbs, a smoker, little physical activity, disease, meds and some genetic disorders.
How to find out? Blood test (usually accompanied as a lipid panel (triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL).
You’re in trouble: 150 milligrams per deciliter,(mg/dL), or 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or higher of this type of fat found in blood
(HDL) Cholesterol is too Low
HDL helps to remove the LDL “bad cholesterol” from the walls of your arteries.
You might have uncontrolled diabetes, are a smoker, too sedentary, overweight, lousy diet, and in some cases genetics.
How to find out? Blood test (usually accompanied as a lipid panel (triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL).
You’re in trouble: Less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men or less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women of this “good” cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
The force of blood against the arteries’ walls.
You might be overweight, drink too much alcohol, are a smoker, and/or have family history of High Blood Pressure.
How to find out: A simple blood pressure test from your doctor, nurse, or machine at the Pharmacy.
You’re in trouble: 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher
Fasting Blood Sugar is Too High
Is your body able to regulate blood glucose properly?
How to find out: prick your finger and test the blood with a Glucometer. Or even better, get access to a CGM and learn how to manage blood sugar better.
You’re in trouble: 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher
Metabolic Syndrome
If you have 3 or more of the indicators above, you have metabolic syndrome, which makes it more probable that you may develop:
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Obesity (marker for something else going on)
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Coronary Heart Disease
- & More
Keto Diet as a Tool to Reverse Metabolic Syndrome
The Ketogenic Diet limits carbohydrate intake and helps to reverse net damage due to overconsumption of sugars.
If you’re unsure on what the Keto Diet is exactly, read this post: Intro to the Keto Diet
In addition to limiting carb intake, it’s also beneficial to:
- Get Adequate Sleep
- Reduce Overall Calorie Intake
- Improve Micronutrient Intake
- Avoid Stress
- Lift Heavy Weight
- Avoid Being Sedentary
Take a look at how different products and activities impact blood sugar: Testing Blood Sugar with CGM
Take a peek at how the US Government’s recommendations impact blood sugar: Government Recommendations Tested with CGM
Jodie Anderson
Friday 24th of July 2020
As you know it is the time of pandemic and the whole world is in a state of emergency. I want to retain my figure again and I need to lose weight for that. After reading your post so many things have become clear. I think Ketosis is a good process of losing weight but we should be aware of the side effects as well.