Metabolic Syndrome in Kingston WA

Metabolic Syndrome is a term used to describe the presence of certain risk factors including hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and central obesity. Metabolic Syndrome is associated with a state of chronic inflammation and an increased risk of type II diabetes mellitus1 and cardiovascular disease.2

The National Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) defines Metabolic Syndrome as the presence of 3 or more of the following criteria:

• Blood pressure >130/85 mm Hg
• Plasma triglycerides > 150 mg/dL
• HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) <40 mg/dl in men and <50 mg/dL in women
• Waist circumference >40 inches in men and >35 inches in women
• Fasting blood glucose > 110 mg/dL

Metabolic Syndrome is associated with insulin resistance, which occurs when cells fail to respond to insulin at its normal circulating levels. Insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells. Insulin resistance is one of the first measurable abnormalities in people who later develop type II diabetes. Physical inactivity, hormonal imbalance, and genetic predisposition contribute to insulin resistance and abdominal obesity, and hence to the development of Metabolic Syndrome in Kingston WA.

Learn From A Naturopathic doctor in Kingston WA

Exercise and dietary modifications are foundational aspects of the treatment of metabolic syndrome. When exercise and dietary changes alone are not sufficient to decrease the risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome, herbs and nutritional supplements can increase insulin sensitivity, support healthy blood glucose levels, decrease blood pressure, and support healthy lipid levels. Herbs that have been researched with human studies and trials regarding their blood glucose lowering effects include Cinnamon,3,4,5,6 Gymnema7,8, and Momordica9. A review of fifteen clinical studies on the effect of magnesium supplementation on hypertension found that 67% of studies showed a statistically significant decrease in blood pressure10. These are just a few of the herbs and nutritional supplements that can support healthy blood sugar levels and decrease chronic inflammation. Naturopathic medicine and functional medicine use herbs and nutritional supplements along with lifestyle modifications to decrease the risk factors associated with developing Metabolic Syndrome.

References

• Ford ES, Li C, Sattar N. Metabolic syndrome and incident diabetes: current state of the evidence. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:1898-1904.
• Giugliano D, Ceriello A, Esposito K. The effects of diet on inflammation: emphasis on the metabolic syndrome. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48:677-685.
• Magistrelli A, Chezem JC. Effect of ground cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose concentration in normal-weight and obese adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112(11):1806-1809.
• Solomon TP, Blannin AK. Changes in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity following 2 weeks of daily cinnamon ingestion in healthy humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009;105(6):969-976.
• Wang JG, Anderson RA, Graham GM 3rd, et al.The effect of cinnamon extract on insulin resistance parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study. Fertil Steril. 2007;88(1):240-243.
• Qin B, Panickar KS, Anderson RA. Cinnamon: potential role in the prevention of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2010;4(3):685-693.
• Baskaran K, Kizar Ahamath B, Radha Shanmugasundaram K, et. al.. Effects of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharmacol. 1990;30(3):295-300.
• Shanmugasundaram ER, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, et al. Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol. 1990;30(3):281-294.
• Tsai CH, Chen EC, Tsay HS, Huang CJ. Wild bitter gourd improves Metabolic syndrome: a preliminary dietary supplementation trial. Nutr J. 2012;11:4.
• Fox C, Ramsoomair D, Carter C. Magnesium: its proven and potential clinical significance. Southern Medical Journal. 2003;94(12):1195-201.