Lifestyle Tip - Goals need to be owned by you. Write them down & put them somewhere you see them everyday. I put them in my phone so when I turn it on every morning & get to see them. Tell your family & friends what they are & put some pressure on yourself to see the goal through!
Syndrome X is also known as the "Metabolic Syndrome”. The two terms can be used interchangeably. Rather than being a condition per se it is the term used to describe what happens when a number of risk factors combine greatly increasing the possibility of heart disease and other related maladies as plague builds up in artery walls (e.g. Stroke and peripheral vascular disease), kidney and liver disease as well as Type 2 diabetes.
What is Syndrome X or Metabolic Syndrome?
Syndrome X is also known as the “Metabolic Syndrome”. The two terms can be used interchangeably. Rather than being a condition per se it is the term used to describe what happens when a number of risk factors combine greatly increasing the possibility of heart disease and other related maladies as plague builds up in artery walls (e.g. Stroke and peripheral vascular disease), kidney and liver disease as well as Type 2 diabetes.
Syndrome X is characterized by a combination of abdominal obesity combined with any two of the following:
Most health professionals include some (or all) of the following list of factors when making a diagnosis of Syndrome X (or Metabolic Syndrome):
Abdominal obesity (also known as elevated levels of “visceral” fat) – excessive fat around the abdominal region.
Hypertension (high blood pressure).
Low HDL (good) cholesterol in combination with high LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Insulin resistance.
Abnormal liver function.
Protein evident in the urine.
Those that suffer from Syndrome X are 2 times more likely to suffer coronary heart disease (CHD) and 3 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes!
Who suffers from Metabolic Syndrome?
Approximately 30% of Australian adults over 25 suffer from Syndrome X with that figure jumping to more than 40% by age 40 or older, with middle age men being those most at risk.
You’re more likely to suffer from Syndrome X if you:
Have poor lifestyle habits such as being physically inactive, smoke, consume excessive amounts of alcohol, are obese and eat a diet high in saturated fat and refined sugar.
Are over 40 years of age.
As a female you suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome.
Effective Ways to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome?
Change your lifestyle!
Change your dietary habits and eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and lean protein whilst at the same time lowering alcohol consumption and saturated fat intake.
Lose some weight by a combination of dietary changes and moderate levels of exercise. Exercise will help increase your HDL cholesterol levels.
Stop smoking.
Medication may be required – speak to your doctor.
Risks if Metabolic Syndrome is not Controlled
If the Metabolic Syndrome is allowed to develop unabated in time you may experience some (or all) of the following maladies:
Tiredness and fatigue.
Sleep apnoea.
Head aches and vision problems – due to the elevated blood pressure.
Heart and peripheral vascular disease due to the build up of plague within your arteries.
Stroke.
Full blown Type 2 diabetes.
A premature death.
Who can help?
Your doctor.
Your diabetes management team – specially qualified dieticians and exercise physiologists.
Health Resources 
