Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Conditions like increased blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal cholesterol levels are not diagnosed as metabolic syndrome, but they do contribute to the risk of a serious disease. If more than one of these conditions occur in combination, the risk is even greater.

Having metabolic syndrome means one has several disorders related to the metabolism at the same time, including:

ObesityHigh blood pressureHigh triglycerides and low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (also called the good cholesterol)Resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body

Risk Factors:

The following factors increase the chances of developing the metabolic syndrome:

1. Age – the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases with age.
2. Race – hispanics and Asians seem to be at a greater risk of metabolic syndrome than other races.
3. Obesity – a body mass index greater than 25 increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. So does abdominal obesity; having an apple shape rather than a pear shape.
4. History of diabetes, one is more likely to have metabolic syndrome if there is a family history of type 2 diabetes or a history of diabetes during pregnancy.
5. Other diseases – a diagnosis of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or polycystic ovary syndrome also increases the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Aggressive lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication can improve all of the metabolic syndrome components. Getting more physical activity, losing weight and quitting smoking helps reduce blood pressure and improves cholesterol and blood sugar levels. These changes are key to reducing the risk.

Exercise: 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, every day.
Lose weight: losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent of body weight can reduce insulin levels and blood pressure and decrease your risk of diabetes.
Eat healthy: a diet that limits unhealthy fats and emphasises fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains is ideal.
Stop smoking: smoking cigarettes increases insulin resistance and worsens the health consequences of metabolic syndrome.

It is important to monitor weight and blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels to ensure that lifestyle modifications are working. If you are not able to achieve your goals with lifestyle changes, medications may be prescribed to lower blood pressure, control cholesterol or help you lose weight.

Prevention:

Whether one has one, two or none of the components of metabolic syndrome, the following lifestyle changes will help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke:

1. A healthy diet – eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed or deep-fried foods. Eliminate table salt and experiment with other herbs and spices.
2. Get moving – get plenty of regular, moderately strenuous physical activity.
3. Schedule regular checkups – Check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels on a regular basis.

Having high levels of HDL, or "good" cholesterol, may help men reach their 85oy birthday, claims a new study.

According to the American Heart Association, HDL cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from the arteries, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, unlike the LDL or "bad" cholesterol that clogs the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Researchers found men with higher HDL CHOLESTEROL was more likely to turn 85 (i.e. 28% less likely to die), 28% as compared with men with the lowest levels of HDL.

Published in the American Journal of Cardiology, scientists analyzing medical records for 650 veterans at the age of 65, and then put them into groups based on their HDL levels. Researchers have found men with low HDL was 14% less likely to live in 85 years. 375 study participants survived 85.

In addition, evidence showed that fewer men with higher HDL cholesterol was overweight, drank alcohol (not more than 2 drinks per day), smoked, or cardiovascular disease.

However, the researchers point out that it is difficult to increase HDL levels, saying that a drug must eventually be developed.

However, some experts point to diet foods like avocados, peas, lentils, oatmeal, and foods containing soy, Niacin-like tomatoes, chicken and mushrooms-help raise HDL cholesterol. Naicin (vitamin B3) helps block production of cholesterol in the body.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. In 2004, the World Health Organization says 1.7 million people died from cardiovascular disease, such as stroke (5.7 million) and coronary heart disease (7.2 million).

There is a considerable amount of controversy surrounding the issue of saturated fats, cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases these days. Of course, it appears that the cholesterol itself is a predictor of heart disease developed.

And, just to add this confusing mixture, a new study published in the journal Annals of Neurology suggests that dietary cholesterol has little or no reason to play a role in the development of ischaemic stroke.

Contractual advice States that one of the risk factors for ischemic stroke (when blood supply to the brain is blocked by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the blood vessels), high cholesterol levels.

14,000 men and women were followed for more than 30 years. Researchers have examined the relationship between cholesterol levels and risk of ischaemic stroke. They found no relation at all to women, and increased risk of stroke in men, unless the cholesterol levels were raised 9.0 mmol/l (348 mg/dl) or greater.

Levels of triglycerides and stroke risk
The researchers also examined the relationship between triglyceride levels and stroke risk and discovered that when triglyceride levels were higher than the risk of stroke were higher, too.

Thus, it is most closely connected border with triglycerides of cholesterol, but if higher levels can cause stroke are still unknown.

Interestingly, previous evidence has linked the triglycerides with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers concluded that,

Reduce both lipids provide more benefit of the reduction of LDL-C only. Source file

So, how can you lower your triglyceride levels?

Maintaining a healthy body weight is more actively avoid intake of carbohydrate., particularly simple sugars. Limit your alcohol intake. Quit smoking.

Government guidelines recommend a diet lower in fat and high in carbohydrates, but if you avoid the intake of carbohydrates is beneficial for triglyceride levels, perhaps conventional diet advice needs a revamp--what I think?