“Syndrome X" or Metabolic Syndrome:
Do You Have Them?

Syndrome X. The big key to identification and diagnosis of Syndrome X is finding a pattern of excessive fatigue, weight gain with difficulty losing that weight, even though you had no problem losing it previously. Another aspect is finding a steady raise in your cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure.

Metabolic Syndrome can also include signs like gaining a spare tire around the waist, early menopause, eating disorders, delayed puberty, asthma, irritable bowel…

Then there may be mood swings and depression. Doctors say these two symptoms are often created by low levels of serotonin. In fact, low levels of serotonin have also been attributed to low pain tolerance, low self-esteem, and impulsiveness. Often, many patients with Syndrome X are given an antidepressant due to the severity of their symptoms.

But what exactly is Syndrome X, or Metabolic Syndrome?

Syndrome X has also been called metabolic syndrome. It’s been called insulin resistance, too.

The bad news to our nation is that it’s reaching epidemic proportions. Syndrome X has become a major health concern because it is occurring in younger people. Approximately one out of three individuals is affected; sometimes its victim can be as young as 25 years of age.

One of the quickest ways to assess Syndrome X is to obtain a blood glucose test along with a fasting lipid level and an insulin level. The ratio of blood glucose to lipids is crucial. As we age, it’s easy to develop higher blood glucose levels and higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels if we eat a processed diet. Those with Metabolic Syndrome will show high blood glucose levels, high lipids, and high insulin levels.

High insulin levels are produced by the pancreas that’s overactive from eating processed foods in high amounts or a particularly high carbohydrate diet with little protein.

After secreting large amounts of insulin repeatedly, your cells in your body become “numb” to the insulin, requiring higher and higher amounts to become activated by the hormone. Insulin’s function is to take the sugar out of the blood after a meal and get it into the cells. When insulin can’t perform what it’s meant to do, the body suffers and the Syndrome X victim finds it difficult to get energized during the day. Literally, there’s a sugar starvation, so the person runs for more sugar, which only makes the scenario worse.

Prevention
The best way to prevent syndrome X is to balance your blood glucose levels by eating foods that don’t make the blood sugar level rocket up. This means limit simple and complex carbohydrate foods such as baked potato, fried foods, cakes, candies, and jello.

A basic hypoglycemic diet may be the doctor’s order. This is a high protein diet, eaten in four or five small meals during the day. It’s essential to limit the amount of grains and excessive carbohydrates.

By utilizing a hypoglycemic diet you will help steady your blood sugar levels, thus giving you better energy, more cognition, and more motivation. But remember, the biggest culprit is foods with a high glycemic index, or ones that release a lot of sugar into the blood quickly, only to leave your blood sugar levels crashing within an hour or two.

What about Fats?
For good health even if you don’t have Metabolic Syndrome, it’s imperative to avoid hydrogenated fats at all costs. You’ll do better with the saturated fats, surprisingly. That means use coconut and butter in moderation! Moderation means 1-2 tablespoons a day, period.

You’ll always want to add the essential fat, omega-3 fats, in your diet as a supplement. When cooking, use olive oil.

Keep your body fat percentage below 30% when it’s easy to gain weight just by catching an aroma of food when you have Metabolic Syndrome. You must make time to exercise and strategically plan your day to eat right; it’s essential to decrease your risk of additional health problems.

In closing, it is CRUCIAL to treat Syndrome X in its early phases, thus avoiding the negative consequences of type I or type II diabetes.

Dr. Bruce Sadilek is Medical Director of Integrative Medical Center, offering alternative healthcare with traditional care in Tucson, Arizona. His range of services can benefit baby boomers, such as thyroid management, hormone balancing, metabolic weight loss, effective hair restoration, skin care, nutritional services, and a complete range of primary care medical services. See www.DrSadilek.com for more info about obtaining a hair analysis or other laboratory tests that provide suggestions that can create the foundation for your body to heal itself quickly from many diseases. Call 1-520-297-9664 for more information.