|
 Metabolic
Syndrome can damage the cardiovascular system via Insulin
Resistance-related obesity and hypertension (high blood
pressure) brought on by stress. Over-eating may cause decreased
insulin sensitivity and is often associated with aspects of a
stressful lifestyle such as one which includes work pressures.
Eating to excess is often a comfort for some people during times
of stress. But the end result can be obesity leading to
Metabolic Syndrome, a disorder also known as Syndrome X, which substantially increases the
chances of damaging the cardiovascular system. This, in turn, may lead to
a heart attack or stroke.
 Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome include excess abdominal fat, high LDL "bad"
cholesterol levels, low HDL "good" cholesterol levels, high levels of blood fats called triglycerides and high blood pressure (hypertension). Metabolic Syndrome can also lead to liver and kidney disease.
While the
underlying cause of Metabolic Syndrome is very often Insulin
Resistance, the disorder is also influenced by such factors as
poor lifestyle choices and sedentary habits.
Reversing the symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome can be crucial for
heart disease prevention.
As
glucose levels in the body rise, they stimulate increased
insulin production, which has a number of negative effects:
- it raises noradrenalin levels which, in turn, can induce Insulin
Resistance
- it promotes the synthesis of atherogenic lipids
(cholesterol)
- it is associated with kidney dysfunction and hypertension
- it favors atherosclerotic plaque formation
- and it
stores fat.
| "The impact of fat on insulin
resistance is even more pronounced during periods of stress,
which releases the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline in turn stimulates the hydrolysis of fat in fat
tissue, raising the amount of free fatty acids in circulation,
which eventually end up in the liver. On the other hand,
cortisol builds back the fat in fat tissue."
|
| - |
A. MAUREEN ROUHI, Chemical and Engineering News. November
22, 2004 Vol. 82, No.47 |
|
|
In people who are "stress-eaters", particularly women, the more
they eat high-fat, high-sugar, high-carbohydrate foods in
response to stress, the more fat they store and the more insulin
they secrete. This, in turn, elevates glucose levels, causing
even more fat to be stored, thus starting a vicious cycle that
contributes to the development of Metabolic Syndrome.
 Interestingly,
noradrenalin (the hormone that increases in response to excess
levels of insulin in the body) is a stress-response chemical,
released under conditions of emotional upset. Further,
glucocorticoids (such as cortisol) are also stress-response
chemicals in some women and these hormones are also responsible
for increased storing of abdominal fat and raising blood glucose
levels. One study demonstrated that persons with elevated levels
of serum cortisol (caused by chronic stress) developed abdominal
obesity, Insulin Resistance and lipid abnormalities.
Clearly, management of stress factors is a critical component to
addressing the symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome. But, just as
clearly, no single approach will effect all the components of
this syndrome.
We feel that what's needed is a complete system, including nutraceuticals
(vitamins, herbs and minerals that are disease specific), a
realistic exercise program combined with nutritional guidance,
advice on combating carbohydrate addiction and a support network that will help you change unhealthy lifestyle choices to lose weight.
Click here
to read about the scientific breakthrough called The Insulite
MetaX System, which is designed to reverse
Insulin Resistance-linked
Metabolic Syndrome, often an underlying
cause of stress. The new system aims to
reverse Metabolic Syndrome with numerous formulations,
including MetaOmegaX, which features omega-3 fatty acids
that can help improve mood.
You may be interested in some of our Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) about Metabolic Syndrome and the Insulite
MetaX System.
Click here to read
about
Metabolic Syndrome and Mental Disorders
|
