Metabolic Syndrome: Risk Factors, Diagnosis - Essay Example

?Metabolic syndrome History Metabolic syndrome is a complex of conditions which prove to be a risk factor for the development of Cardiovascular Diseases. Metabolic syndrome can be traced back to the findings of a renowned physician named Jean Vague. He found out that obesity was directly related to the metabolic disorders of the body. But these metabolic disorders were not related to the abnormalities of the cardiovascular system at that time. Gerald Phillips later on found out that the aspects of ageing, obesity, and diabetes were directly related to heart diseases. It was then in 1988 that Reaven found out a connection between hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and the cardiovascular diseases. This complex set of conditions was named as the Clustering Syndrome X. This clustering syndrome later came to be known as the metabolic syndrome (Das 2010). Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrome The World Health Organization (WHO) defined the metabolic syndrome as “a constellation of features that included impaired glucose regulation (includes diabetes mellitus) and/or insulin resistance: the 25% of subjects with the lowest insulin sensitivity (measured directly) (Das 2010).” Metabolic syndrome is basically a set of diseases which enhance the cardiovascular risk. The main characteristics of the metabolic syndrome which have to play a role in the heart diseases are abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, increased blood pressure, insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory state and prothrombin rate. All these diseases tend to occur at the same time in the onset of the metabolic syndrome which directly affects the heart of an individual. (Das 2010; Ulrig 2006). Causes of Metabolic Syndrome Obesity, hypertension and diabetes individually have their own adverse effects which can affect the systems of the body. But if these diseased states occur altogether then the person would develop severe complications. Metabolic syndrome has been known as the insulin resistance syndrome because the hormone insulin in these patients is found to be in high quantities. Metabolic syndrome is believed to be caused by different mechanisms which relate to dysfunction of the body. Insulin Resistance is considered to be one of the most important features of the metabolic syndrome. By insulin resistance here it is meant that the body is not able to respond to the normal levels of insulin and this is a primary reason because of which hyperinsulinemia is seen in the patients with metabolic syndrome. It is argued that both hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance play an important role in causing hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and reduced endothelial function which then poses risk to the cardiovascular system(Fan 2007; Das 2010). Leptin resistance is also considered to be a feature of this metabolic syndrome. Leptin resistance results in an increased quantity of leptin in the body. This increased leptin is considered to be a cause of reduced insulin sensitivity in the body. Research has shown that the rate of leptin and glucose disposal rate are inversely proportional to each other (Fan 2007; Ulrig 2006). Obesity is considered to be one of the main causes of the metabolic syndrome. It is related to insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, prothrombin rate, and pro-inflammatory states. Adipose tissue is an active metabolic organ which helps in secreting several substances inside the body. It secretes cytokines, inflammatory mediators, fatty acids, leptin, resistin and adiponectin. It also releases efferent signals which help in maintaining the hormonal systems of the body. Thus adipose tissue is involved in a lot of metabolic processes happening inside the body and maintenance of these metabolic processes is necessary in a normal individual. If the adipose tissue of the body undergoes massive changes as in obesity it can pave a way for the metabolic syndrome. In obesity it is seen that adipose tissue is also deposited on the visceras of the body and this proves to be a major determinant of the metabolic syndrome. The distribution of fat inside the human body determines as to if insulin resistance may or may not occur. In obesity the metabolic systems of the body are highly disturbed because of the abnormal functions of the adipose tissue which occur due to its accumulation inside the body (Fan 2007; Ulrig 2006). Beta cell dysfunction also plays a role in the progress of metabolic syndrome. Aging and lifestyle are some factors which decrease the sensitivity of insulin inside the body. As insulin sensitivity decreases in the body the beta cells tend to function excessively to produce insulin. The increased stress on beta cells reduces their function totally. This beta cell dysfunction itself contributes to the accumulation of adipose tissue in the abdominal region and thus increases the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Fan 2007; Das 2010). Endothelial dysfunction also leads to increased risks of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases and is a characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. Decreased amounts of nitric oxide are a main cause of the endothelial dysfunction in the human body. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator which is released to maintain the function of the smooth muscle cells. Because of the decreased endothelial function the vascularity of the smooth muscle is affected and this leads to the metabolic syndrome. The endothelial dysfunction on the arteriolar and capillary level results in insulin resistance along with other features of the metabolic syndrome (Fan 2007; Das 2010; Batone 2008). Neuroendocrine Factors Some also believe that the metabolic syndrome has neuroendocrine origins. Sympathetic over-activity has a direct role to play in the induction of the metabolic syndrome according to the researchers. The environmental factors of stress and depression induce the hyptothalamic pathway which further enhances the secretion of hormones like cortisol. This increased secretion of cortisol is believed to play a direct role in the induction of the metabolic syndrome. Research has been conducted to find out the effect of sympathetic activity on the induction of metabolic syndrome and up till now it has been found that it does have a role to play in the inducement. Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a newly found system which is believed to play role in the metabolism of the essential elements of glucose and lipids in the body. It helps in maintaining the level of glucose and lipids in the body and over-activity of this system is found to have a direct link with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance. Research has also been conducted to find out about the ECS system and it has been figured out that the system can be inhibited by certain substances. These substances also help in decreasing the weight of the individuals (Fan 2007; Batone 2008). Genetic Factors It is believed that the metabolic syndrome is also caused because of certain genetic factors. Certain characteristics of the syndrome are believed to occur in utero during the fetal life. Problems such as under nutrition during the fetal life can lead to the problem of metabolic syndrome in the future. Family influence and hereditary characteristics also play an important role in the onset of the metabolic syndrome (Fan 2007; Batone 2008). Preventing Metabolic Syndrome Several researches have been carried out to find as to how the onset of metabolic syndrome can be delayed. Lifestyle changes have been cited as a major factor which can help in preventing the metabolic syndrome. Obesity is one of the major characteristics of metabolic syndrome and losing weight by changing the lifestyle is a major factor which can help in preventing the syndrome. It is believed that exercise and diet both play an important role in slowing the onset of the metabolic syndrome. Exercise can greatly help an individual lose weight and hence decrease his chances of getting the metabolic syndrome. Similarly it has also been found that the Mediterranean diet is quite useful in slowing the progression of the metabolic syndrome. The Mediterranean diet consists of monounsaturated fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, cereals, fish, poultry, nuts and legumes. The diet helps in increasing the good cholesterol in the body which is easily eliminated from the body which therefore decreases the risk of atherosclerosis (Kastorini 2011). Many researches are being conducted these days to find out more about the metabolic syndrome and it is believed that these researches would help in decreasing the effects of the metabolic syndrome (Fan 2007; Ulrig 2006). Conclusion Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of disorders found to be affecting a large part of the population living in the developed countries these days. It is a condition characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Many researches are being conducted to find out a treatment for the metabolic syndrome as it increases the risk of the coronary heart disease along with several other heart diseases. The increased cholesterol in the metabolic syndrome is also a cause for atherosclerosis in individuals. As the world of science is advancing it is believed that a treatment for this syndrome would be offered soon (Fan 2007). References Top of Form Das, U. N. (2010). Metabolic syndrome pathophysiology: The role of essential fatty acids. Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. Bottom of Form Kastorini CM, Milionis HJ, Esposito K, et al. The effect of Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome and its components. J Am Coll Cardiol 2011; 57:1299-313. Top of Form Fan, A. Z. (January 01, 2007). Etiology of the Metabolic Syndrome. Current Cardiology Reviews, 3, 4, 232-239.Top of Form Batone, T. E. (2008). Metabolic syndrome research trends. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Top of Form Ulrig, G. T. (2006). Progress in metabolic syndrome research. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More