The term “metabolic syndrome” probably sounds like a term that is best left in the circle of the medical elite.  Well, I think it’s a concept that should be better understood by all Americans.  Metabolic Syndrome is a very American disease, for lack of a better term.  It only occurs in affluent nations.  Approximately 50 million Americans have this syndrome.  To understand this syndrome is to understand a major sickness affecting our nation today.

Increasing in Frequency

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.  One focus of ATP III is the management of metabolic syndrome (syndrome X). Metabolic syndrome is a combination of risk factors such as high blood sugar levels, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, obesity and high blood pressure. This syndrome is becoming more common in America and is being given more attention by the American Heart Association and other leading organizations.

There’s Still Hope

Metabolic syndrome is highly influenced by diet and life style choices.  Because it’s based on America’s bad diet, it’s necessary to include a variety of whole foods such as beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, whole fruits,  and vegetables.  The only sure way to avoid Syndrome X is to lead a healthy life.

Syndrome X, now known as metabolic syndrome, is a combination of high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol and insulin resistence.  Over 27 million Americans are believed to have metabolic syndrome.  This syndrome can contribute to many diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. 

The best prevention and treatment of Syndrome X seems to be diet and exercise.  The research seems to lean toward a diet high in whole foods to combat metabolic syndrome.  One of the best studied diets is the Mediterranean diet.

A Taste of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet is high in grains, beans, vegetables and fruit.  The main animals foods are fish and poultry.  It is a diet higher in fat than the American diet with olive oil as a main source of fat.  With a concentration on whole food and fish, the diet is higher in many of the nutrients needed for heart health such as: omega 3, beta carotene, vitamin C and E, potassium and maganesium.

Beneficial Foods

Nuts and seeds also show benefits against the metabolic syndrome.  One study showed that nuts combined with the meditteranean diet could be a useful tool in managing metabolic syndrome.  Nuts and seeds can be great snacks and help you avoid nutritionally devoid snacks like chips and high sugar snacks.