Metabolic syndrome is a combination of high risk symptoms associated with the onset of diabetes and heart disease. You can suffer the accompanying high risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, without having heart disease or diabetes. However, you are at higher risk of developing these diseases if you don't take steps to prevent or treat metabolic syndrome. The treatment for metabolic syndrome may also need to be slightly customized to help you reduce the risk factors without triggering gastrointestinal distress in patients who are also dealing with IBS or Celiac disease.
Tips for the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome
Here are a few ways to generalize and customize the treatment for metabolic syndrome, even when you have other health concerns that make it difficult to follow your doctor’s advice verbatim.
Stay Fit - Doctors advise 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. For people with mobility issues, they can still get a good workout by swimming or walking, even if they can't do an aerobics class. Don’t forget to include fun activities, like dancing or bicycling, as part of your fitness routine. If you can’t devote a half hour at one go, split up your exercise routine into mini-sessions throughout the day.
Eat Healthy - This can be hard when you have Celiac disease, IBS, or food allergies. The doctor will recommend that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and include grains, lean meat, and dairy in your diet for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. For many people with gastrointestinal issues, the dietary advice should be modified. Instead of wheat bran, try oats. People who have problems with milk can often digest yogurt more easily. Use unsaturated oils like olive oil in your cooking, instead of those with saturated animal fats like butter.
Cultivate Healthy Habits - Make sure to keep your doctor in the loop so they can let you know how these changes are affecting your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that lifestyle changes can give you a 40 percent chance of preventing metabolic syndrome within 3 years compared to those who do nothing, once they are advised of their condition. And, if your condition should worsen, there are also medicines that doctors can prescribe to help reduce sugar and cholesterol levels in those that have no other recourse.