Posted By:Dr. Beth Browne, MD
Posted On:October, 01st 2008
Category: Health
More On Metabolic Syndrome This month, I would like to discuss the treatment outcomes of metabolic syndrome. In a previous tip of the month, I discussed the criteria for metabolic syndrome, which is meeting three of the following : * Central or abdominal fat, waist measurement > 40" in men and >35" in women * Triglycerides > 150mg/dL * HDL <40 (men, <50 (women) * Blood pressure > 135/85 * Fasting blood glucose > 110 Metabolic Syndrome increases your chance of developing diabetes, having a heart attack, or stroke, having increased lipid levels and interferes with fat metabolism ( makes it harder to lose weight). A study involving 3,234 people who met criteria followed these patients for 3.2 years and compared treatments for metabolic syndrome. The three treatment groups included one group treated with a medication (Metformin) to help with insulin sensitivity, one group that used lifestyle changes of weight loss and exercise and the final group was placebo ( no specific treatment). The group that made lifestyle changes, weight loss and exercise, had a 41% reduction in the incidence of metabolic syndrome compared to the medication group who only had a 17% reduction in the incidence of metabolic syndrome. More specifically, the “Lifestyle Changes” that had such remarkable results included: 7% weight reduction, 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity exercise (that’s only a little over 17 minutes a day!), and ate a healthy, low calorie, low fat diet. Taking your prescribed medication for the treatment of chronic medical conditions is very important, so don’t throw away your Rx yet. Start healthy lifestyle changes, see your primary care doctor regularly, and hopefully you can adjust or lower certain medication and prevent from adding new ones. Fall is here and the weather is cooling off! This is a great time to put on your pedometer and walk! Here are some new goals and classifications for activity: Based on the best evidence as of the end of 2003, Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke recommends the following:
Classification of pedometer-determined physical activity in healthy adults:
1) Under 5000 steps/day may be used as a "sedentary lifestyle index"
2) 5,000-7,499 steps/day is typical of daily activity excluding sports/exercise and might be considered "low active."
3) 7,500-9,999 likely includes some exercise or walking (and/or a job that requires more walking) and might be considered "somewhat active."
4) 10,000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as "active".
5) Individuals who take more than 12,500 steps/day are likely to be classified as "highly active".