What is metabolic syndrome?

Why metabolic syndrome matters

Each sign on its own nudges up your risk, but together they raise your chances of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke much more.

The more of the five you have, the higher the risk. It's more common if you have:

• insulin resistance
• a parent or sibling with diabetes
• PCOS

The good news is that it's usually picked up from routine tests, well before serious problems start.

What helps with metabolic syndrome

Lifestyle change is the first and best treatment, and also the best way to prevent it.

What helps:

• Fill more of your thali with vegetables, dal and whole grains.
• Cut back on fried snacks, sweets and foods high in saturated and trans fats.
• Move most days, even a brisk walk after dinner helps.
• Working towards a healthy weight, managing stress and not smoking all count.

If these aren't enough, your doctor may add medicine for cholesterol or blood pressure.

Is there a test for metabolic syndrome?

There's no single test for it. Your doctor puts it together from your waist size, blood pressure, lipid profile and fasting glucose.

MedlinePlus lists these cut-offs:

• waist 35 inches or more for women (40 for men)
• triglycerides 150 mg/dL or higher
• HDL below 50 mg/dL for women (40 for men)
• blood pressure 130/85 mmHg or higher
• fasting sugar 100 mg/dL or higher

For Indians, the Indian consensus guidelines (2009) use a lower waist line: 80 cm or more for women and 90 cm or more for men. Other cut-offs can differ between guidelines and labs.