According to research, one in three Americans suffer from metabolic disorder, a group of risk factors that often lead to heart disease and diabetes.
Having a metabolic disorder makes it difficult to manage your weight and maintain your energy levels. People dealing with a metabolic disorder often lack the energy to do what they need to do most: stay active and exercise.
You are considered to have a metabolic disorder if you display three or more of the common risk factors.
What are these factors? Read on as we discuss the five most common signs of metabolic syndrome.
Unhealthy Waist Circumference
A large waistline can be a risk factor for metabolic disorder.
Many taller people have larger waistlines and that may be natural and healthy. But studies show that waistlines above 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women are usually problematic. For most people, it’s a sign of where you carry extra weight.
It’s possible to have a larger waist circumference due to height or ethnic differences. So you should include this risk factor only as part of a larger group of symptoms to help make a proper risk determination.
If you’re carrying extra fat around your midsection, learn weight loss secrets that will burn fat to reduce your chances for metabolic disorder.
High Blood Pressure
When your heart pumps blood it can put pressure on your artery walls. Having a blood pressure higher than 130/85 can damage your heart. Higher blood pressure also leads to lower blood flow and plaque buildup.
Higher blood pressure is considered a sign for metabolic disorder and it leaves you at risk for a heart attack, stroke and vision loss among other problems.
Also, be mindful of stress. Stress disorders, such as pyrrole disorder, can have an adverse effect on your metabolism as well.
High Blood Sugar Levels
If your blood sugar levels are consistently too high or too low, it could be an important indicator you have metabolic disorder. Consult a doctor immediately in this case, as your levels could also be an indicator of diabetes or pre-diabetes.
As a rule, your blood sugar levels should not be over 240 or below 70. After a meal, a healthy blood sugar level should be 150.
High Triglyceride Levels
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. They are stored in fat cells and transported throughout your body in your blood. If you have high triglyceride levels, it means your body is not utilizing fats correctly.
Get your triglyceride levels tested, and if they are between 150mg/DI and 500, you could be at risk for not only metabolic syndrome but also heart disease and stroke.
Abnormal HDL Cholesterol Levels
HDL cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol because it cleans up the good cholesterol in our bodies. You need to have enough HDL cholesterol to do its job, which is typically 40 mg/DI or higher.
Bad cholesterol, or LDL, can result in plaque build-up around your heart and in your blood. LDL readings in the range of 160-190 mg/DI usually signal high cholesterol levels and could lead to a host of health problems, including metabolic disorder.
Final Thoughts on Metabolic Disorder
Doctors will usually diagnose you with metabolic disorder if you possess three or more of the risk factors listed above. The more risk factors you have, the greater the risk for heart disease and diabetes.
Even without a metabolic disorder diagnosis, these risk factors are serious health problems on their own.
If you think you may have metabolic syndrome, be proactive in diagnosing and treating the disease so you can lead a healthier life. And if you’re concerned that extra weight is at the heart of the matter, get on a weight loss plan that really works.
