Beware of the Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on the Body

What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that occur together and can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. These conditions include high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and high triglyceride levels and low good cholesterol.

Causes and Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome
The following factors can increase the likelihood of someone developing metabolic syndrome:

• Age. A person's risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases with age.
• Genetic factors from having a family member with metabolic syndrome
• Being overweight or having excess weight, especially around the stomach, can increase a person's risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
• People who are at risk for diabetes can also increase their risk of developing metabolic syndrome, such as people who have diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or have a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Other diseases. A person's risk of developing metabolic syndrome is higher if they have had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, or sleep apnea.
• Bad eating habits and consuming too much fatty or sweet food and often eating after 8 pm

In addition to the above factors, unhealthy lifestyles and daily habits can also be factors that cause metabolic syndrome such as; Alcohol consumption, Having a habit of smoking, Rarely doing physical activities such as sports, and Often experiencing stress

Complications of Diseases Due to Metabolic Syndrome

Impact of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome can cause health problems such as:

• Coronary Heart Disease
• Stroke Blockage
• Heart failure
• High-risk pregnancy

Having metabolic syndrome can also have an impact on other diseases and can increase the risk of the following diseases:

1. Type 2 diabetes.
   When someone who has metabolic syndrome and does not make lifestyle changes to control excess weight, they can experience insulin resistance, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase. Ultimately, insulin resistance can cause type 2 diabetes.
    
2. Heart and blood vessel disease.
   High cholesterol and high blood pressure can cause plaque buildup in the arteries. This plaque can cause the arteries to narrow and harden, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Metabolic Syndrome Prevention Efforts
By knowing the causes or risk factors for metabolic syndrome, efforts that can be made are to reduce and minimize these risk factors through:

• Regulating a healthy diet by increasing consumption of vegetables and fruits, low-fat protein, and whole grains
• Avoid eating late at night and schedule meal times properly, from breakfast to dinner before 7 pm
• If necessary, consult a clinical nutritionist for a health check and appropriate food intake
• Avoid consuming alcohol, because alcohol can increase the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome and complications of Metabolic Syndrome
• Avoid smoking. Smoking accelerates the occurrence of Metabolic Syndrome
• Do physical activity. Do cardiovascular exercise at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes. Target heart rate: [220-age] x64-74%
• Avoid stress and control your mental health. adjust work with ability, get enough rest, get closer to the Creator
• Be more disciplined in managing lifestyle and health

Metabolic syndrome can cause serious health problems such as Diabetes, stroke and heart attack if the treatment process and habits or daily lifestyle are not improved. Because a healthy lifestyle can keep the body awake and free from the threat of disease, especially diseases that arise due to metabolic syndrome.

So, don't be afraid to do early detection or consult a doctor if you experience problems or conditions that are not as usual in the body, so that they can be handled quickly and get the right treatment

Reference : 

Mayo Clinic (2021). Diseases & Conditions. Metabolic Syndrome.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351921

American Heart Association (2021). About Metabolic Syndrome.
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome

Burke, D. Healthline (2022). Metabolic Syndrome: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and More.
https://www.healthline.com/health/metabolic-syndrome#1