Learn the early warning signs and get tested now

By Natasha Turner, ND

It is estimated that by 2009, 40% of the US population will be obese. Along with this scary statistic comes the realization that our healthcare system as it is now will not be able to sustain the increased burden of illness associated with obesity—heart disease, diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure. Something dramatically different must happen for us to change this progression—our approach to health care must shift from disease treatment to disease prevention.

Educate yourself
I cannot encourage you enough to learn about the blood tests you should be requesting from your doctor. You should also know the optimal values for each risk factor. Early detection is the key, as many risk factors for heart disease and diabetes are modifiable. This means you can dramatically improve your health with the proper diet, exercise or supplements. You may even be able to correct imbalances evident on your blood analysis before the diagnosis of a disease.

Metabolic syndrome (also called Syndrome X) is a metabolic disorder that develops as a result of poor dietary habits (such as excessive intake of sugar and carbohydrates or insufficient protein intake) as well as stress, obesity or a lack of exercise.

Syndrome X is associated with: 

• Low levels of good cholesterol (HDL);
• High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL);
• Increased triglycerides;
• Increased waist to hip ratio;
• Increased blood pressure;
• Increased levels of insulin on blood tests;
• And finally, increased blood sugar levels as type 2 diabetes results.

The risk of certain types of cancer as well as heart disease is also increased with this syndrome.

What happens in metabolic syndrome?
The increased levels of insulin that occur in metabolic syndrome cause the negative changes in body composition associated with metabolic syndrome. Higher amounts of fat, particularly around the abdomen, are almost always associated with metabolic syndrome.

Insulin resistance is the process involved in the development of type 2 diabetes. Resistance to insulin forces the pancreas to produce more insulin than usual. Think of insulin as the signal for your body to store energy as fat; if it is present in higher amounts, you will store more fat. Higher insulin levels are also linked to increased LDL cholesterol and increased blood pressure levels, both of which are also typically associated with metabolic syndrome.

Blood tests to determine your risk level
Here is a list of blood tests you should request if you suspect you are at risk for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or heart disease. In general, levels in the bottom one-third of the reference range are considered optimal.

• Fasting glucose and insulin: Have these same two tests two hours performed later, after you have eaten (called post prandial glucose and insulin). Insulin is often abnormal long before blood sugars start to rise.
• Fasting triglycerides
• Fasting cholesterol (HDL and LDL)
• Blood pressure (optimal is 110/70 – not increasing with age!; good is 120/80)
• Check your waist measurement; men should measure much less than 40”; women less than 35”.

Because of the close association of heart disease with diabetes, you should also request:

• Fasting homocysteine (optimal value: < 7). Vitamin B12 (optimal value: >600) and folic acid (optimal value: >1000) are useful tests to do along with this as well.
• Highly sensitive C-reactive protein: Optimal value should be less than .05.

Signs of metabolic syndrome

You are at risk if you have the following signs:

1. Increased abdominal fat or “love handles”
2. Fatigue after eating, especially carbohydrates
3. Constant hunger or increased cravings for carbohydrates
4. Increased waist circumference and increased body fat percentage
5. High blood pressure
6. Family history of type 2 diabetes
7. Hypoglycemia symptoms—weakness, shakiness, headaches, irritability without eating every three to four hours
8. A history of skipping meals or breakfast (especially if you have signs of blood sugar imbalance). Risk of diabetes increases if you skip meals because it is a physical stress on your body that causes hormonal changes.
9. Women who have irregular periods, long cycles or who lack a menstrual cycle. Menstrual irregularities may also be associated with increased abnormal hair growth on the body and face, hair loss, acne and weight gain. A condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome is commonly associated with metabolic syndrome.

What can you do?
The solution is simple in theory, but the execution that takes commitment and perseverance! But realize this—as you make positive lifestyle changes, you will reap immediate rewards as your risk factors change relatively quickly.

1. Follow the Truestar weight loss diet plan and aim to never miss another meal ever again!
2. Exercise, but do not overdo cardiovascular exercise. Resistance training has been found to be more effective in improving insulin response in the muscles.
3. Check out the Truestar supplement plan for healthy blood sugars and consider relora to help control insulin and stress hormone levels.
4. Control your stress. See the Truestar stress page for ways to keep your stress hormones low.

If you have further questions regarding this or other natural health concerns you can contact me at doctort@truestarhealth.com.