Metabolic syndrome is the core cause of many health disorders
such as, weight gain, migraines, hypertension, acne, depression and
imbalanced female hormones.
Metabolic syndrome is the
core cause of many health
disorders such as, weight
gain, migraines, hypertension,
acne, depression and
imbalanced female hormones.
Many suffers present with a
cluster of these symptoms.
Disturbingly, the prevalence
of metabolic syndrome is
soaring, paralleling that of
other chronic disease epidemics.
All the below symptoms
of metabolic syndrome are
related to three key factors:
insulin resistance or impaired
glucose tolerance, weight
gain and cellular dysfunction.
One of the major contributing
factors to these imbalances
is free fatty acids’ found
in processed foods.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
TO LOOK FOR
• Weight accumulation (especially
around the stomach)
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Impaired fertility
Daytime fatigue
Anxiety or Depression
Acne/Poor Skin
History of failed diet attempts
Migraines
Carbohydrate cravings
High Cholesterol
“Metabolic Syndrome may
be the condition which best
illustrates the long-term effects
of our Western lifestyle
habits.”
The usual suspects are responsible:
high calorie, high
carbohydrate diets, lack of
exercise, hormonal imbalances
and chronic stress are a
few of the major causes of metabolic dysfunction.
METABOLIC SYNDROME MAIN CAUSES
Stress
Sedentary lifestyle
High glycaemic diet (processed foods)
High calorie diet
High saturated fat intake
Toxicity
Inflammatory disorders
Hormones
GRAB A TAPE MEASURE AND
MEASURE YOUR WAIST
Studies have shown that
the waist circumference is a
useful measurement to predict
accumulation of visceral
fat and to monitor its change
over time. The cut-off values
for the waist circumference
and the HDL cholesterol
may vary among ethnic
groups.
Generally values greater
than 90cm in men & 80cm in
women should be considered
overweight. Measure
your waist circumference at
your bottom rib.
Although genetic and environmental
factors contribute
to metabolic syndrome,
obesity and physical in-activity
are the most important.
The problem is, often people
try hard to lose the weight
often to find that they either
can’t lose it – or it rebounds
once they complete their diet.
“It is always important to
identify & treat the causes of
the weight gain.
This can be caused by hormonal
influences such as endometriosis,
fibroids PCOS,
Cysts, menopause etc that
once addressed, make it so
much easier to lose weight … & keep it off.”
Even the modest weight
loss (7% to 10% of body
weight) results in decreased
fat mass, blood pressure,
glucose & lowered cholesterol
levels. These benefits
can also translate into improved
long-term outcomes,
especially if weightloss and
lifestyle alterations are maintained.
SO HOW DO YOU LOSE
WEIGHT WHEN YOU
HAVE METABOLIC
SYNDROME?
One of the most important
things to remember is
that we are all different –
what foods to eat vary according
to what your individual
hormonal influences
are. The best approach is to
adopt a lifestyle system that
improves hormonal balance
resulting in metabolic health,
allowing you to lose fat, keep
it off & improve overall
metabolic health.
It is important for you to:
Identify hormonal imbalances
Implement a low glycaemic diet
Exercise regularly
Implement nutritional support
SOME HORMONAL INFLUENCES
The thyroid gland plays a
vital role in regulating your
metabolism, temperature
control and therefore your
entire hormonal system.
Diet plays a significant role in
supporting your thyroid
gland. Experiencing tiredness
and lowly moods? This
could be associated with a
low/poor thyroid function.
You may have undiagnosed
mild hypothyroidism, especially
if you have a weight
problem. Sub-clinical or mild
hypo-thyroidism is an under-
active thyroid not severe
enough for blood test identification
and therefore left undiagnosed.
Sadly, from my
experience such conditions are often misunderstood or overlooked by many health practioners.
“Your adrenal glands
provide you with crucial hormonal
support needed to get
through the day with energy,
enthusiasm and efficiency.
Adrenal hypersensitivity
means you are much more
likely to suffer from fatigue,
forgetfulness, mood swings
and sleep disturbances. Living
in the ‘fast’ world of today
exposes you to unavoidable
levels of stress – and
with that stress comes elevated
cortisol levels”.
Resistance exercise
(building muscle tone) is associated
with a significant
improvement in insulin resistance.
However, a lack of
muscle tone can contribute
to metabolic syndrome. Exercise
is something that you
will need to work on.
Supportive nutrition is
important to assist in the
treatment of metabolic syndrome.
Magnesium has
been shown to improve glucose
& insulin balance. Chromium,
taurine & zinc deficiency
can also lead to metabolism
imbalances.
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish
oil can switch on the enzymes
specifically involved in
oxidising or burning of fat.
To switch on these pathways,
they require a driver (for example
exercise), to increase
the metabolic rate in order to
lower body fat.
NEED HELP?
Remember, your health reflects
the way you live – so
isn’t it time you started making
some healthy changes?
Narelle Stegehuis specialises in the
successful natural treatment of hormonal
imbalances. Her health programs
have been reviewed by the
Australian College of Natural Medicine
– they work, where generic diets
fail. If you, a friend or family member
are struggling with weight or
health generally please call her clinic
on 1300 133 536 or visit
www.massattack.com.au to join her
program. Mention this article, and if
you are one of the next 30 people to
join, you will receive a complimentary
recipe book.
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