Metabolic syndrome: a dangerous condition that can affect anyone

• Around 21.9% of Thais aged 35 and above suffer from metabolic syndrome, with women more at risk than men, especially members of the elderly population.
• Smoking, eating a diet high in carbohydrates, and not getting enough exercise are the key risk factors behind the onset of metabolic syndrome.
• Regularly exercising at moderate intensity, meaning at least 30 minutes per day, 3-5 days a week, can significantly reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

In this day and age, the abundance of technologies designed to cater to our every need has meant a change in the way we behave. The added convenience has resulted in us being more comfortable than ever before, often sitting, eating and sleeping our way through every day without exerting any effort. In addition to those behaviors, the over consumption of food and drinks, combined with a lack of exercise have all contributed to more and more people suffering from metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of health disorders, including abnormal lipid metabolism such as hypertriglyceridemia, high blood pressure, and high blood glucose levels, as well as other factors that result in proinflammatory and prothrombotic, both of which can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and numerous other chronic health conditions.

In the US, it has been found that around 22% of those aged between 20 and over 70 suffer from metabolic syndrome, with this risk increasing with age.

An Interasia study in Thailand found that 5,091 people among those aged 35 and above, or around 21.9% (NCEP ATP III) were found to be suffering from metabolic syndrome. They also found that women were more at risk than men, especially members of the elderly population, with the most common disorder found to be low levels of HDL.

If your vital statistics fall in the ranges stated by the NCEP ATP III 2005, and you identify with 3 or more of the following indicators, you could be at risk of metabolic syndrome:

1. When your waist size is >/= 90cm for males and >/= 80cm for females (Asia-specific measurements).
2. Blood pressure >/= 130/85 mm/Hg or you are receiving medication to lower your blood pressure.
3. Blood sugar levels >/= 100 mg/dL or you are receiving medication to treat high blood sugar levels.
4. HDL levels < 40 mg/dL for males and < 50 mg/dL for females, or you are receiving medication aimed at treating low HDL levels.
5. Triglyceride levels >/= 150mg/dL or you are receiving medication to treat high triglyceride levels.

The main causes are obesity and insulin resistance (meaning an insulin deficiency that results in the body not being able to process sugars effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels), which also increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and coronary artery disease.

1. An increase in body weight is the main cause of metabolic syndrome
2. Nationality: The US has a greater number of people suffering from the condition than in Europe due to the country having a higher number of obese people
3. Being post-menopausal
4. Smoking
5. Eating a diet high in carbohydrates
6. Not getting enough exercise, for instance, sitting at work all day
7. The use of some psychiatric drugs, especially Clozapine

1. A heightened risk of type 2 diabetes, with numbers gleaned from a multitude of studies across a range of ethnic groups suggesting that the risk of developing diabetes from metabolic syndrome is around 3.53%-5.17%
2. An increased risk of developing heart disease and coronary artery disease
3. Fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis
4. Chronic kidney disease
5. Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea
6. Gout and hyperuricemia
7. Cognitive decline, including dementia

Treating metabolic syndrome

Solutions to the issues of obesity and insulin resistance can be achieved in the following ways:

1. Making lifestyle changes, including losing weight and getting plenty of exercise.
   • Losing weight: Carefully regulate your diet by keeping an eye on the calories you are getting from appropriate food sources. Reduce portions at each meal, and do your best to get at least 30 grams of fiber in your diet per day.
   • Exercise:  Get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per day, 3-5 days per week.
2. Where abnormality are identified with regard to heart disease and coronary artery disease, their causes should be attended to, for instance, treating high cholesterol, managing high blood pressure, and carefully regulating blood sugar levels. All of this can be achieved through making lifestyle adjustments and considering medicated treatments, depending on the risks posed to each individual.

Metabolic syndrome is not a hereditary disorder, and is completely preventable if you have the correct knowledge, understanding and awareness of the key risks it can pose, as well as the impact it could have on your future. Making the aforementioned lifestyle changes can therefore offer protection against this deadly disorder.

As a leading provider of healthcare in Bangkok, Thailand, Samitivej offers a fully comprehensive medical examination program for both local and international patients. We strongly advocate preventive care and routine medical screenings. By catching diseases, disorders and conditions before their symptoms visibly manifest, we can save our patients time, discomfort and money.