What is the Metabolic Syndrome X?
This is the name given to a particular cluster of the most dangerous health risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, which was first identified in 1988 by Gerald Reaven, a
What is the Metabolic Syndrome X?
This is the name given to a particular cluster of the most dangerous health risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, which was first identified in 1988 by Gerald Reaven, a Stanford University endocrinologist, in a lecture to the American Diabetes Association (Reaven, 2000). It is also called Insulin Resistance Syndrome
It is characterized by the presence of Obesity and Insulin Resistance, a reduced responsiveness of the body tissues to the important hormone Insulin. Additionally, MSX is associated with high blood pressure and two problems with body fats in our body, namely : high blood levels of triglycerides and low blood levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Having Metabolic Syndrome X multiplies by 5 times the individual's chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes and multiplies by 2 times the chance of developing coronary heart disease.
This condition has become a major public health threat in the United States, as close to one in every four (25%) adults in our country have it, as a direct consequence of two elements that deteriorate our health : Obesity and lack of physical activity. As stated before, researchers establish that close to an astounding 50% of all obese children in the USA have ChiMeSyX by the ages of 12 to 14.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) (as per their institutional definition in 2005), the Metabolic Syndrome X includes :
Waist circumference >94 cm (>37 in) in men, >80 cm (>31.5 in) in women
And at least two of the following :
o Blood triglycerides >150 mg/dl (or on triglyceride-lowering medication)
• Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)
o Blood HDL-C <40 mg/dl in men, <50 mg/dl in women
• High blood pressure
o BP >130/85 mm Hg or already diagnosed with hypertension
• High fasting glucose
o Blood glucose >100 mg/dl or already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
Note : Some studies have shown that the use of the IDF criteria misses identifying a small percentage (5–7%) of people (specifically, people without a large waist size) who will go on to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Dr. Augusto Agostini
Ph. D. in Nutrition