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Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors including increased waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol and high fasting glucose levels. When three or more of these factors are present, it increases a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

What contributes most to metabolic syndrome?

Diet.

What you eat is the primary influence in your risk of having metabolic syndrome. Studies have shown that the most significant factor is today’s Western Diet of mainly processed foods, soda, meats, fried foods and fast foods. In fact, those eating two or more servings of meat a day (equivalent of 2 burger patties) increase their risk of metabolic syndrome by 25%.

Lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, water and natural grains in our diet contributes significantly.

The research has shown that after 9 years of following up with study participants, 40% had three or more of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Also, 60.5% of the study participants had metabolic syndrome when they began or developed it during the research period.

The only way to reduce or eliminate your risk of metabolic syndrome is to make simple lifestyle and eating habit changes:

• getting plenty of sunshine daily
• removing animal products from your diet
• removing processed foods from your diet
• staying active daily for at least 30-60 minutes
• maintain a diet rich in fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, especially fresh, organic leafy green vegetables, broccoli and tomatoes
• keep a positive outlook on life
• maintain an attitude of gratitude
• reduce or eliminate the effects of stress in your life

To your best health!

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