Diseases aren’t the only thing linked to family history - your metabolism could be too. (Patrick Heagney/Getty Images)
Do
you have Syndrome X? Although it sounds mysterious, or perhaps
experimental, Syndrome X is very common. Better known as metabolic
syndrome, it is a disorder characterized by central obesity (also known
as a spare tire), insulin resistance or glucose intolerance, blood fat
disorders, and high blood pressure. Having any one of these factors can
boost your chances of developing additional medical problems.
The good news is that with changes in diet and exercise habits, you can prevent, control, or even reverse metabolic syndrome. If you don’t, you could develop significant health risks related to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The
percentage of people who have metabolic syndrome increases with age, so
it’s important to start adjusting faulty health habits early on. Don’t
wait for the signs and symptoms, which may not even appear until damage
has already been done. And don’t wait for a diagnosis from your doctor;
some doctors may not even tell you about simple, subtle modifications
you can start making today. Here are 10 things you should know about
metabolic syndrome.
1. Metabolic syndrome is closely linked to your family history, so ask your family members about their medical histories. Your family’s medical history is yours, too. If one of your close relatives has diabetes or heart disease, you could be a candidate for having metabolic syndrome.
Related: Are We as Fat as We Think?
According
to Genetics Home Reference, a complete family health record includes
information from three generations of relatives, including children,
brothers and sisters, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews,
grandparents, and cousins.
It may sound like a daunting task to
collect this info, but questioning your family can evoke some
interesting and heartfelt conversation. It could also protect your
children and their children for generations to come.
