Reverse your sweet life! Are you experiencing the five major risk factors for metabolic syndrome? Beware of insulin resistance, a hidden killer

Be careful of metabolic syndrome if you eat and drink too exquisitely and lack exercise! Metabolic syndrome is a precursor to chronic diseases and is closely related to complications of cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of obesity, dyslipidemia, abnormal blood sugar metabolism and hypertension, just like the "imperial disease" generally known in ancient China. According to statistics from a health examination database, about 12% of people have metabolic syndrome problems, with the abnormal rate in men being higher than in women. In particular, metabolic syndrome has five major risk factors, among which insulin resistance is a hidden killer and requires special care.

Metabolic syndrome is a precursor to chronic diseases and is closely related to complications of cardiovascular diseases

According to the 2019 cause of death statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, heart disease ranked second. Metabolic syndrome is the predecessor of chronic diseases and is closely related to the complications of cardiovascular diseases. People who meet three of the five indicators of high blood pressure, excessive waist circumference, high fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low high-density cholesterol have metabolic syndrome.

Cathay Healthcare released 272,000 customer health checkup data collected over a three-year period. Statistics showed that about 12% of the patients had metabolic syndrome problems, with the abnormal rate in men being higher than in women. It is worth noting that women entering menopause have decreased estrogen secretion, and their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates are catching up with those of men. In addition, one in four men under the age of 50 has high fasting blood sugar and triglycerides, indicating a "greasy and sweet" health warning for men. Director Ye Xunlong of Cathay Health Check said that metabolic syndrome is related to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and reminded the public to have regular health checks and not to take it lightly!

High-risk groups for metabolic syndrome: those with a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and smoking habits

Director Ye Xunlong of Cathay Health Check said that according to health check statistics from 2018 to 2020, nearly half of women over 50 have excessively thick waist circumference, 22% of young and middle-aged men aged 20-50 have high blood pressure, and one in two men over 50 has abnormal fasting blood sugar, of which prediabetes (100-126) accounts for the majority. The data also found that one in four men under the age of 50 had high fasting blood sugar and triglycerides. Although abnormalities in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not obvious, more than 40% of men had abnormal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Metabolic syndrome cannot be detected through subjective symptoms. People with a family history of heart disease and high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and smoking habits are at high risk.

5 major metabolic risk factors Beware of insulin resistance, a hidden killer

Metabolic syndrome is not a disease, but a general term for a group of risk factors that easily lead to cardiovascular diseases, of which unhealthy lifestyle accounts for 50% and genetic factors account for 20%. President Ye Xunlong mentioned that insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar in the body. When cells become less sensitive to insulin, a large amount of glucose and insulin will remain in the blood, causing an imbalance in blood sugar concentration and insulin resistance, which will cause problems with body metabolism. He reminded that a fasting blood sugar value of 100-126 is the pre-diabetes stage, and if it is not improved through diet and exercise, it may lead to diabetes.

In addition, people with metabolic syndrome are 6, 4, 3, and 2 times more likely to develop diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and stroke in the future than the average healthy population. Director Ye Xunlong said that in addition to regularly checking the five major metabolic risk factors, the public can conduct cardiovascular risk assessments through health check-up items such as exercise electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound, carotid artery ultrasound, and peripheral arteriosclerosis assessment.

Cathay Healthcare Senior Nutritionist Wang Yingti shared a real case about a 35-year-old Mr. Kong who was busy with work and social events for many years, had an irregular diet, and loved to drink and eat sugary drinks, braised food, and midnight snacks. He once ordered an 8-piece fried chicken bucket twice a week. His weight was close to 110 kg, and his body fat percentage was 35%. After a health check, he was found to have obesity problems, and the health check report showed red numbers for waist circumference, triglycerides, and blood sugar before meals, which were consistent with metabolic syndrome. Moreover, his low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol) was too high and the values ​​were abnormal.

Under the professional advice of a nutritionist, I adjusted my lifestyle, changed my eating habits, and supplemented my diet with nutritional supplements. After 2.5 years of hard work, I lost 37 kg in the healthiest way, without relying on drugs, relying on perseverance and healthy eating. The fat reduction rate exceeded 65%. The health check-up report that was originally full of red marks turned into a health commitment to my family, getting rid of metabolic syndrome and reversing my greasy and sweet life.

Prevent metabolic syndrome by taking preventive measures with diet

Adjusting diet and lifestyle habits is the key to preventing disease! Senior nutritionist Wang Yingti recommends that you stay away from metabolic syndrome by following the three principles of "healthy diet", "maintaining exercise" and "regular health checks". A healthy diet requires one and a half bowls of vegetables every day. You should also avoid processed and fried foods. Use the "three lows and one high" standard of low oil, low sugar, low salt and high fiber to examine your daily diet. You can also replace meat with more plant protein, such as tofu.

In terms of exercise, it is recommended to do more aerobic exercise, mainly to increase muscle strength, muscle endurance, and improve cardiopulmonary fitness. Office workers can choose brisk walking as exercise, and each time can last for 30-60 minutes. At the same time, changing bad living habits, such as staying up late, smoking, drinking, etc., can greatly improve and avoid metabolic syndrome.