The syndrome is characterized by the presence of at least three of the following five risk factors: Central obesity, high serum triglycerides, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), raised blood pressure and raised fasting blood sugar.
The pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome involves both genetic and acquired factors that play a role in the final pathway of inflammation that leads to CVD. Metabolic syndrome has become increasingly relevant in recent times due to the exponential increase in obesity worldwide.
People who have the metabolic syndrome can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes by controlling risk factors. The best way is often for them to lose weight, eat a healthy diet and increase their physical activity.
Dietary modification can also regulate other metabolic syndrome components: low intake of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and simple sugars is known to help with dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension, for example.
Worldwide prevalence of metabolic syndrome ranges from less than 10% to as much as 84%, depending on the region, urban or rural environment, composition (sex, age, race, and ethnicity) of the population studied, and the definition of the syndrome used.
Metabolic syndrome
