Metabolic syndrome is on the rise. A condition of the times it would seem as the two most important risk factors for its development are related to obesity - central obesity (fat around your belly), and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when a person’s cells aren’t responding normally to insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to help control the amount of sugar in our bloodstream), and glucose from the blood isn’t being taken up by the body’s cells.
The result is that blood glucose levels continue to rise despite the body’s attempts to lower it by churning out more and more insulin. Increased insulin raises our triglyceride and other blood fat levels, as well as also interfering with kidney functions that then lead to higher blood pressure. These combined effects of insulin resistance, known as metabolic syndrome can significantly increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease or having a stroke.
So how do you know if you are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome?
• You will certainly have a podgy midriff (the classic apple-shaped torso) Men - 40 inches or more (measurement around the waist) Women - 35 inches or more
• Your blood pressure will be equal to or higher than 130/85 mmHg
• Fasting blood sugar (glucose) equal to or higher than 100 mg/dL
• Low HDL cholesterol: Men - under 40 mg/dL Women - under 50 mg/dL
• Triglycerides equal to or higher than 150 mg/dL
Individually these symptoms don’t necessarily mean you will develop metabolic syndrome, however they do indicate that you could be at risk of serious diseases in the future. If you have more than one symptom, the risk, naturally is even higher. There is a genetic component, and advancing age, hormones, a sedentary lifestyle, the tendency toward developing blood clots and low levels of systemic inflammation may all be contributors to the scenario too. A visit to your doctor for some tests will confirm a diagnosis, and then treatment can begin to minimise the likelihood of disease progression. Key recommendations will include diet and lifestyle changes - weight loss (so that your body mass index (BMI) is less than 25), attaining about half an hour of moderate exercise each day if possible, quitting smoking, including oily fish in your diet several times a week and taking some key nutritional supplements.
A recent independent study by the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands has found that resveratrol may improve the health of individuals at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cell Metabolism, the study revealed that resveratrol can potentially assist blood sugar management and cardiovascular health. The study involved obese men being given two 75mg dosages of resveratrol for 30 days. A drop in blood pressure, improved blood sugar and insulin levels, a reduction in inflammatory markers and liver fat were reported, which indicates an improvement in overall health of the men. Resveratrol also increased the oxidation (breakdown) of fats and the fat storage capacity of skeletal muscles in a similar manner that a calorie restriction diet or endurance training would also bring about.
Another study at Aarhus University Hospital published in 2010 further backs the use of resveratrol for metabolic syndrome. The study concluded that when the fat cells of obese individuals were exposed to resveratrol, there was a 16 to 36 percent reduction in the production of certain proteins that have an inflammatory effect in the body. The benefit for metabolic syndrome here is that obese people with the syndrome have higher levels of these pro-inflammatory proteins, so regular supplementation with resveratrol may be a positive step toward regaining good health. Chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the predisposing factors for some of the major health issues affecting us today.
