Metabolic syndrome: are we at risk?

The metabolic syndrome also called syndrome X, is a constellation of interrelated risk factors of metabolic origin--metabolic risk factors--that appear to share insulin resistance as a possible pathogenetic factor that directly promote the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and increase the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The recommended first step for treatment of metabolic syndrome is lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, aerobic exercise, smoking cessation, and improved diet which independently improve insulin resistance and slow progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Even though success achieved through lifestyle modification is limited, the significance of it cannot be overemphasized. Specific dietary changes that are appropriate for addressing different aspects of the syndrome include reducing saturated fat intake to lower insulin resistance, reducing sodium intake to lower blood pressure, and reducing high-glycemic-index carbohydrate intake to lower triglyceride levels. Furthermore, drugs able to reduce insulin resistance, such as metformin and thiazolidinediones, already in the therapeutic armamentarium of type 2 diabetes, could be used in subjects with the metabolic syndrome as a preventive measure.