Avoiding metabolic syndrome

[Naveed Yaseen]

Metabolic syndrome occurs when being overweight or obese — combined with other risk factors — increase a person’s chances of developing heart disease and diabetes.

These risk factors include abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and a poor ratio of good-to-bad cholesterol.

The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests how you can help prevent metabolic syndrome:



* Maintain a healthy body-mass index (BMI) of less than 25.

* Keep your waistline at a healthy size. Less than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men is ideal.

* Maintain a healthy body weight. Talk to your doctor about the best weight for you.

* Stick to a low-calorie, low-cholesterol and low-fat eating plan.

* Get regular exercise. In general, 60 minutes worth, five-to-seven days per week, is recommended for most people.

* Visit your doctor regularly, and frequently test your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

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