Metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, encompasses a collection of complaints related to metabolism. Metabolism means the conversion of nutrients into building blocks and energy for the body.
In short, metabolic syndrome is a condition in which the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure is disrupted. Energy storage depends not only on what you eat but also on how much you move and thus expend. Furthermore, many factors play a role that can vary from person to person, including, for example, the gut flora.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, there must be an elevated waist circumference, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, high cholesterol, and elevated blood sugar levels or Type 2 Diabetes. A clear indication is having a lot of fat around the abdomen. These risk factors significantly increase the chance of cardiovascular diseases, and also consider fat accumulation in the liver leading to liver cirrhosis, sleep apnea, depression, and in the long term, even Alzheimer's disease.
In Western countries, metabolic syndrome occurs in an average of 30% of middle-aged individuals; more often in men than in women. Patients are often prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication, beta-blockers, metformin, and statins to prevent or reduce the risk of serious consequences. This does not resolve the disease, as the medication does not address the underlying causes.
Symptoms
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome include:
- Fatigue, listlessness
- Lack of desire or energy to exercise
- Poor memory and/or concentration
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Cravings (for sugary and fatty foods)
- Frequent urination
- Thirst and dry mouth
- Inflammation
- Sweating (excessive)
Risk factors
The mechanisms in the body that lead to overweight have been thoroughly researched but appear to have many different causes. Risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome include chronic stress, consuming too much sugar (especially fructose) and refined carbohydrates, too many eating occasions, poor quality food, too little exercise, and excessive sitting. But also medication use (e.g., antidepressants), low birth weight (less than 2800 grams), genetic predisposition, imbalance in gut flora, smoking, alcohol, etc. If you look closely at this list, you'll see that it mainly concerns lifestyle factors.
Stress
During stress, the energy distribution in the body changes. The energy needed for daily life is allocated by the organs to the immune system. The immune system becomes dominant, as it were, leaving less energy for other functions in the body. The body does create an energy buffer in the form of fat tissue, but in the case of metabolic syndrome, the body does not know how to convert this fat into energy. The possible consequence? Both an energy deficit and fat storage.
Organs consume a lot of energy, while fat and connective tissue consume a much smaller proportion.
In addition, during times of stress, the emotional part of the brain receives more blood flow, leading to increased feelings of anxiety and restlessness. This causes people to eat more and exercise less. So, stress on the one hand activates the immune system, leaving less energy for basal metabolism, and on the other hand, it leads to a disturbed energy balance.
