What is the Metabolic Syndrome?

This syndrome involves a group of co-existing conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. As a GP I see people with the Metabolic Syndrome daily: it is incredibly common. 

There are many different definitions available: but here is one of the most widely used:

If you have recently had a cholesterol or blood sugar test you may well be able to work out if the criteria fits you: for the rest of us we can tell by the following signs:

1/ Belly fat

Measure your waist circumference: start with a tape measure at your belly button - take it around your belly, make sure you don't pull it too tight - measure in centimetres.

Storing fat here is a sign that you have too much fat within your abdomen,inal cavity: in other words: around your organs. This can wreak havoc with your health. The liver is a common place to store excess fat and unfortunately is fast becoming the leading cause of liver failure in the UK. The good news is that this is the first fat to go when losing weight.

2/ Blood Pressure

Many pharmacies will check your Blood Pressure for you for free. A home Blood Pressure machine is also a great investment if you are concerned or already have been diagnosed with high Blood Pressure. Monitoring your Blood Pressure at home is an extremely helpful way to monitor your health.

3/ Blood sugar

The most accurate way to check this is from a blood test organised by your GP. However if you are worried that you might have Diabetes or Prediabetes then please make sure you check out this risk calculator by Diabetes UK. If you are high risk then please contact your GP for a test.

Why does this matter?

Knowing that you are at high risk matters a lot. Prevention is much much better than cure! All of these conditions individually, and together can improve/disappear by a lifestyle change leading to weight loss.

If you only do 3 simple things consistently then your risk can be lowered

1/ Cut out drinks with sugar in them: all fizzy drinks and fruit juices/smoothies high in fruit. Avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible.

2/ Cut out processed foods. Processed foods include all products that are made in a factory. Examples include ready meals (even one's that are advertised as 'healthy'), biscuits, crisps

3/ Walk for 10minutes every day

The bottom line

Of course there are many more things that can be done to lower your weight. The bottom line is; don't wait until you get ill: start now. Make little changes every week and keep going.

As part of our course we discuss how what you eat can impact your blood sugar, your gut microbiome, when is best to eat and not to eat as well as the impact of poor sleep and stress on your general wellbeing.

Dr Nerys Frater