awakening
   


METABOLIC SYNDROME

BY NARELLE STEGEHUIS ND ANPA


Weighing you Down?

Professional Woman    

Metabolic syndrome is the core cause of many health disorders such as, weight gain, migraines, hypertension, acne, depression and imbalanced female hormones.

Metabolic syndrome is the core cause of many health disorders such as, weight gain, migraines, hypertension, acne, depression and imbalanced female hormones.

Many suffers present with a cluster of these symptoms. Disturbingly, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is soaring, paralleling that of other chronic disease epidemics.

All the below symptoms of metabolic syndrome are related to three key factors: insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance, weight gain and cellular dysfunction. One of the major contributing factors to these imbalances is free fatty acids’ found in processed foods.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS TO LOOK FOR

• Weight accumulation (especially around the stomach)

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

• Impaired fertility

Daytime fatigue

Anxiety or Depression

Acne/Poor Skin

History of failed diet attempts

Migraines

Carbohydrate cravings

High Cholesterol

“Metabolic Syndrome may be the condition which best illustrates the long-term effects of our Western lifestyle habits.”

The usual suspects are responsible: high calorie, high carbohydrate diets, lack of exercise, hormonal imbalances and chronic stress are a few of the major causes of metabolic dysfunction.

METABOLIC SYNDROME MAIN CAUSES

Stress

Sedentary lifestyle

High glycaemic diet (processed foods)

High calorie diet

High saturated fat intake

Toxicity

Inflammatory disorders

Hormones

GRAB A TAPE MEASURE AND

Professional Woman

MEASURE YOUR WAIST

Studies have shown that the waist circumference is a useful measurement to predict accumulation of visceral fat and to monitor its change over time. The cut-off values for the waist circumference and the HDL cholesterol may vary among ethnic groups.

Generally values greater than 90cm in men & 80cm in women should be considered overweight. Measure your waist circumference at your bottom rib.

Although genetic and environmental factors contribute to metabolic syndrome, obesity and physical in-activity are the most important.

The problem is, often people try hard to lose the weight often to find that they either can’t lose it – or it rebounds once they complete their diet. “It is always important to identify & treat the causes of the weight gain.

This can be caused by hormonal influences such as endometriosis, fibroids PCOS, Cysts, menopause etc that once addressed, make it so much easier to lose weight … & keep it off.” Even the modest weight loss (7% to 10% of body weight) results in decreased fat mass, blood pressure, glucose & lowered cholesterol levels. These benefits can also translate into improved long-term outcomes, especially if weightloss and lifestyle alterations are maintained.

SO HOW DO YOU LOSE WEIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE METABOLIC SYNDROME?

One of the most important things to remember is that we are all different – what foods to eat vary according to what your individual hormonal influences are. The best approach is to adopt a lifestyle system that improves hormonal balance resulting in metabolic health, allowing you to lose fat, keep it off & improve overall metabolic health.

It is important for you to:

Identify hormonal imbalances

Implement a low glycaemic diet

Exercise regularly

Implement nutritional support

SOME HORMONAL INFLUENCES

The thyroid gland plays a vital role in regulating your metabolism, temperature control and therefore your entire hormonal system. Diet plays a significant role in supporting your thyroid gland. Experiencing tiredness and lowly moods? This could be associated with a low/poor thyroid function. You may have undiagnosed mild hypothyroidism, especially if you have a weight problem. Sub-clinical or mild hypo-thyroidism is an under- active thyroid not severe enough for blood test identification and therefore left undiagnosed. Sadly, from my experience such conditions are often misunderstood or overlooked by many health practioners.

“Your adrenal glands provide you with crucial hormonal support needed to get through the day with energy, enthusiasm and efficiency. Adrenal hypersensitivity means you are much more likely to suffer from fatigue, forgetfulness, mood swings and sleep disturbances. Living in the ‘fast’ world of today exposes you to unavoidable levels of stress – and with that stress comes elevated cortisol levels”.

Resistance exercise (building muscle tone) is associated with a significant improvement in insulin resistance. However, a lack of muscle tone can contribute to metabolic syndrome. Exercise is something that you will need to work on.

Supportive nutrition is important to assist in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Magnesium has been shown to improve glucose & insulin balance. Chromium, taurine & zinc deficiency can also lead to metabolism imbalances.

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can switch on the enzymes specifically involved in oxidising or burning of fat. To switch on these pathways, they require a driver (for example exercise), to increase the metabolic rate in order to lower body fat.

NEED HELP?

Remember, your health reflects the way you live – so isn’t it time you started making some healthy changes?

 

Narelle Stegehuis specialises in the successful natural treatment of hormonal imbalances. Her health programs have been reviewed by the Australian College of Natural Medicine – they work, where generic diets fail. If you, a friend or family member are struggling with weight or health generally please call her clinic on 1300 133 536 or visit www.massattack.com.au to join her program. Mention this article, and if you are one of the next 30 people to join, you will receive a complimentary recipe book.

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