Ever Heard Of the Metabolic Syndrome?
Sometimes referred to as pre-diabetes. My story – Over the last several years I have strongly disliked when people I knew came up to me and said, “Boy, have you put weight on!” Believe me, it’s not like I didn’t know it. I had gotten to the point that I started wearing bulky clothes all the time, like sweaters during winter months…I would not tuck in my shirt so the my “hangover”, my muffin-top, wasn’t so noticeable. Sound familiar?
Here are a few questions for you to consider:
- Do you have trouble losing weight?
- Are you slowly gaining weight?
- Do you have “central” obesity?
- Is your blood pressure elevated?
- Is your cholesterol going up?
- Are your triglycerides going up?
- Is your HDL (good cholesterol) going down?
- Do you get sleepy after eating?
- Have you developed a pattern of nighttime eating?
- Is your blood sugar rising?
If you have answered three or more of these with a “yes”, you may have the Metabolic Syndrome. I know that I have it.
There are other terms that have been used for the metabolic syndrome: pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, carbohydrate addiction. In addition, it is said to be prevalent in about 20-25% of the population. Obesity is also increasing in our younger population. This is all due to a “burnout” of our insulin producing cells of the pancreas.
A Vicious Cycle
How does this happen? The is an overabundance of highly processed foods that when ingested (1) causes our blood sugar to rise rapidly, to higher than normal levels (2). Therefore, this leads to an exaggerated insulin response (3). Hence, this rise causes blood sugar levels to drop precipitously (4) to relatively low levels. These lower than normal levels cause drowsiness and fatigue (5). As a result there is a subsequent rebound which results in a desire to eat again, to raise blood sugar levels (6). Long term this becomes an uncontrollable craving for carbohydrates. Carbohydrate addiction, craving, night-time eating, and insulin resistance are the beginning signs of the metabolic syndrome. Glucagon, the counter-hormone to insulin gets shut off and, as a result, fat cannot be utilized as a source of energy. Long-term, inflammation and narrowing of small arteries occurs with end results leading to cardiovascular disease and other negative consequences. Hence, leading to the vicious eating cycle with its detrimental effects.
Is there a cure or treatment?
The best treatment is to be aware of this cycle from the beginning and reduce the highly processed foods that are rampant in our society (potato chips, crackers, cereals just to give a few examples). If you are already a “victim” then a low glycemic diet is a great solution. It takes discipline and desire to maintain. Briefly, a low glycemic diet is eliminating the “whites”, white bread, white rice, white potatoes, etc. Need to add good protein and fats to break the cycle.
Remember
There is hope, but you have to be aware. Remember these 3 principles:
- The definition of insanity is doing the same thing every day expecting different results
- If you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get what you have already gotten
- If you want to make some changes in your life, you have to make some changes in your life
This is just an overarching view of this syndrome. If you desire more information visit www.Iwant2live.com and take a look at the book: THE PROCESS OF BECOMING HEALTHY, MAKE THE DECISION TO START THE JOURNEY, in the book section.
