Fresh salad, fruits with sport and diet concept.
Umpaporn/Shutterstock

WELLthier Living and Aging

Article Abstracts
Jan 07, 2020

WELLthier Living and Aging

Diet and Exercise Can Prevent and Improve Metabolic Syndrome

Article Abstracts
Mar 11, 2025

There is what some medical professionals call a global pandemic facing the world today that is on the rise. This particular diagnosis is not a contagious disease that is running rampant through the population but a condition known as metabolic syndrome: several concurrent conditions, including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal body fat, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. The Institute for Functional Medicine reports that patients with metabolic syndrome are five times more likely to develop diabetes.

High-calorie diets consisting of low-fiber fast food coupled with a sedentary lifestyle have led to the rising occurrence of metabolic syndrome. Along with poor diet and lack of exercise, it has been found that stress levels, economics, and the health of the gut microbiota are factors in the development of metabolic syndrome.

However, studies show that many patients experience great improvement by making therapeutic lifestyle changes such as engaging in regular physical activity and following a diet that meets their specific needs. Nutrition plans like Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) work to reduce insulin resistance, improve circulation, and ease inflammation, resulting in better health. The Mediterranean diet of vegetables, olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and fish has also been found to help prevent or improve metabolic syndrome.

Therapeutic lifestyle changes used as an intervention can play a significant role in preventing and treating metabolic syndrome.

Physical activity is also a key component in improving the conditions associated with metabolic syndrome. Incorporating exercise into daily life has been found to greatly improve bodily function. Aerobic, dynamic resistance, and isometric exercises have been found to lower blood pressure and improve glycemic control.

Researchers suggest that early intervention can help prevent metabolic syndrome. Physicians are encouraged to screen for it using a waist-to-hip ratio. The waist of women should be narrower than the hips, and in men, the waist should be narrower or the same as the hips. This simple calculation can indicate increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other complications.

Therapeutic lifestyle changes used as an intervention can play a significant role in preventing and treating metabolic syndrome. As more and more patients are encouraged to adopt nutrition plans that support good health while incorporating physical activity into daily life, there is hope that the pandemic of metabolic syndrome can subside.

REFERENCES

The Institute for Functional Medicine. (n.d.). Lifestyle interventions for patients with metabolic syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/lifestyle-interventions-patients-metabolic-syndrome/

 

Other Articles in this category

Feb 26, 2025 | WELLthier Living and Aging
A study by the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and published in Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences quantified the effect…
Feb 24, 2025 | WELLthier Living and Aging
Imagine a toilet that not only cleans itself but also performs a urinalysis to detect hydration levels, urinary tract infections and kidney issues. A…
Jan 29, 2025 | WELLthier Living and Aging
The conventional treatment for concussions has been to rest in a dark room until symptoms go away. Research has consistently shown that strict rest…
Nov 29, 2024 | WELLthier Living and Aging
by Marlaina Donato   Winter urges us to schedule more downtime, but the festive season can sweep us into a whirlwind of time-sensitive preparations,…

Customer Service

KnoWEwell News Updates