Trouble Losing Weight? You Could Have Metabolic Syndrome?

Do you feel as though you eat less than others yet still weigh more? You might have Metabolic Syndrome. This article shows how to identify Metabolic Syndrome and break free of its clutches to experience successful weight loss and improved health.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Nutrition Review tells us that Metabolic Syndrome is also called "insulin resistance syndrome" or "pre-diabetes," the number one cause of type 2 diabetes, of which the vast majority of cases are preventable with proper diet and exercise. A person has Metabolic Syndrome if they have three or more of the following risk factors, according to Nutrition Review:

1. Obesity (especially in the stomach area)
2. Insulin resistance (causes high blood sugar)
3. High LDL (bad cholesterol)
4. Low HDL (good cholesterol)
5. High blood pressure (120/80 or higher)
6. Inflammation
7. One or more blood clots

25% of the US population may have metabolic syndrome, according to Wikipedia, who also indicates that those with metabolic syndrome also have insulin resistance to some degree, whether they realize it or not. People tend to grow more insulin resistant as they age, contributing further to the difficulties of the elderly and the aging population.

How does Metabolic Syndrome keep us fat?
The insulin resistance accompanied by Metabolic Syndrome causes its victims to crave refined carbohydrates, according to Nutrition Review. This causes frequent eating, which keeps leptin levels low, decreasing a person's metabolism, according to Orthopedic Surgeon Stephen C. Reed, creator of the "No-Crave Diet."

This is how a fat person consumes fewer calories yet remains heavier than their non-Metabolic Syndrome counterpart. The insulin-resistant individual's metabolism slows down with frequent eating, yet they continue to crave carbohydrates. In turn, the consumption of refined carbohydrates worsens the insulin resistance.

How does one break free of the Metabolic Syndrome cycle?
1. Stop eating more than three meals per day, and stop eating snacks between meals, in order to increase leptin levels, which increases metabolism, according to Dr. Stephen Reed. The body can only burn fat after it has gone without food for a certain period of time, usually a few hours (varies from person to person), according to Ray Burton, ISSA-certified trainer, bodybuilder, and author of "Fat To Fit." Eating frequently prevents the burning of fat.

2. Stop eating refined carbohydrates, which perpetuates insulin resistance and carbohydrate cravings. Eating only those carbohydrates classified as being low on the glycemic index (55 or lower) will ensure that no refined carbohydrates are consumed, according to the American Diabetic Association. A comprehensive list of foods with their corresponding glycemic index can be found at http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

Once the cycle is broken by following the above two steps, insulin resistance disappears along with the carbohydrate cravings and the desire to eat frequently. Thus, weight loss can occur.