TYPE 2 DIABETES AND METABOLIC SYNDROME (SYNDROME X)

Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X) is frequently found in persons with type 2 diabetes, especially those with poor glycemic control or kidney disease.

Up to 33% of American adults of both sexes suffer from Metabolic Syndrome, which is a cluster of increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If neglected, this condition can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Metabolic Syndrome is characterized by a person having three or more of the following:

• Abdominal obesity – excessive fat in and around the abdomen, which in men means a 40-inch waist or larger and in women 35 inches or larger.
• Atherogenic dyslipidemia or blood fat disorders
• High triglyceride levels of at least 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in the blood.
• Low HDL "good" cholesterol – less than 40mg/dL in men and 50mg/dL in women.
• High LDL "bad" cholesterol, which can foster plaque buildups in artery walls.
• High blood sugar – at least 110mg/dL after fasting.
• Elevated blood pressure of 130/85 or higher.
• Insulin Resistance or glucose intolerance – caused when the body can't properly use insulin or blood sugar.
• Prothrombotic state e.g., high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor1 in the blood.
• Proinflammatory state e.g., elevated C-reactive protein in the blood.

People suffering from Metabolic Syndrome are at greatly increased risk of coronary heart disease and other disorders related to plaque buildups in arterial walls e.g., stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

The imbalance of blood glucose and insulin levels called Insulin Resistance can underlie both diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. Other factors that link these disorders include physical inactivity, aging and genetic predisposition.

Inflammation can also be a factor in Metabolic Syndrome because it is linked to the development of artery damage known as atherosclerosis.

Defined as the body's defensive response to harmful stimuli, inflammation can range from an external example like the reddened skin around a splinter in your finger to a complex internal process linked to a harmful condition like high blood pressure - a classic symptom of Metabolic Syndrome.

In the case of diabetes, the harmful stimuli that can spark internal inflammation are thought to be elevated levels of insulin, often an underlying symptom of Insulin Resistance.

The medical profession is still studying and evaluating the role of inflammation on a wide variety of disorders that can be inter-connected like diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a leading cause of menstrual irregularity and infertility, as well as skin conditions, excess facial and body hair and female baldness. To learn more, click on Inflammation, Insulin Resistance and Diabetes.

Measures taken to increase the effective management of diabetes by improving glycemic control and insulin sensitivity can also reduce the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome.

Changes in lifestyle are crucial and include:

• Weight loss to achieve a desirable weight (a body mass index – BMI – of less than 25 kg/m2).
• Increased physical activity, with a goal of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most days of the week.
• A balanced, nutritious diet that includes reduced intake of saturated fat, trans-fat and cholesterol.

The Insulite Diabetes Advanced Management System is a scientific breakthrough that could improve your health by increasing the insulin sensitivity of your cells. Greater sensitivity can result in a huge improvement in the efficient processing of glucose and insulin, which may reduce the amount of insulin you require to manage your diabetes.

By lowering insulin intake and dependency through more effective management of your diabetes, you are likely to experience better long-term health and a greater sense of well being. You may also reduce your risk as a person with diabetes of developing such serious insulin imbalance-linked complications as failing eyesight, kidney and heart disease and the need for amputation.