![](https://www.plusonline.nl/sites/plusonline/files/styles/pol_carousel/public/istock_000061747330_xxxlarge.jpg?itok=Yx72k2Vo)
Obesity often goes hand in hand with high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels and disturbed blood sugar levels in an almost unnoticed way. This is called the metabolic syndrome. Can you prevent it? And how do you get rid of it if you already have it?
The metabolic syndrome is a name for a series of health complaints that are closely related. The syndrome is caused by a combination of unhealthy eating and little exercise.
stealthy processes
The danger of the metabolic syndrome is the insidious process of weight gain and decreasing fitness. Together, like a Trojan horse, they entail new risks.
As the metabolism deteriorates, slowly but surely a series of health problems (the syndrome) unfolds. In addition to being overweight, these are elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar and poorer cholesterol levels. Research at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam has shown that the metabolic syndrome may be related to depression. This is probably because the syndrome also disrupts the hormone balance.
waist circumference
According to the applicable standards, men have the syndrome if the blood values have deteriorated and if the waist circumference exceeds 94 centimeters, measured at the height of the navel. For women, the limit is a waist circumference of 80 centimeters.
The combination of poor blood values and being overweight significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing cardiovascular disease is also greater. Vascular diseases can lead to a cerebral infarction or cerebral haemorrhage.
Pre-diabetes type 2
What is striking about the metabolic syndrome is that the different problems seem to maintain or reinforce each other. By eating high-calorie foods for years and exercising little, important organs such as the liver and pancreas become exhausted.
The metabolism is less efficient and fats and sugars are therefore less well removed than normal. As body weight increases, blood pressure rises and a pre-stage of type 2 diabetes develops. The body is less sensitive to insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.
vessel walls
The fat that accumulates around organs produces substances that further disrupt the regulation of blood sugar levels. The increased blood pressure, the poorer cholesterol levels and the too high blood sugar level subsequently affect the quality of the arterial walls. According to Professor Edith Feskens of Wageningen University, a quarter of people between the ages of 30 and 60 in the Netherlands have the preliminary stage of diabetes.
Children
The unhealthy Western lifestyle seems to be the main cause of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Scientists suspect a genetic cause is also at play. For example, in children around the age of 8 years it is already too much to predict whether the metabolic syndrome is predisposed.
Breaking metabolic syndrome
Fortunately, the downward spiral of health complaints from the metabolic syndrome can be prevented – and also broken – if it has come to that. This is apparent from several large studies, including from Leiden University.
The core of the problem needs to be addressed, and that is obesity. That simply means moving more, at least half an hour every day, and eating healthier. So enough vegetables, fish, chicken, fruit and whole grains.
According to recent scientific studies, metabolic syndrome can strike more quickly in people who don’t get enough vitamin D. The skin produces vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. Foods high in vitamin D are fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) and eggs.
fatters
Overweight should not suddenly be drastically, but permanently combated. Losing a lot of weight for a few months is counterproductive in the long run because of the Yoyo effect. It is better to get used to a healthy diet forever.
According to Professor Müller of Wageningen University, considerable health gains can be gained from severely restricting the most important fat people. These are saturated fats and the so-called simple carbohydrates. They are found in foods with sugar and refined grains: snack bars, white bread, white pasta, white rice, sweet spreads, soft drinks, pastries and cookies, candy, chips and desserts. Alcohol is also a fat maker.
Sources:
* Wageningen university
* Genomics
* AJCN