It’s time we had the ‘talk’. No, not that one, but one that might just help to save your life. It’s time we talk about …. metabolic syndrome.
Pre-Existing Conditions
When applying for health or life insurance, we’re often asked to describe any pre-existing conditions. Why, because having chronic health issues puts us more at risk than someone who has none. When several NCDs (non-communicable diseases) are present together in the same person, they are referred to as comorbidities and represent an increased risk of serious health complications. This is a factor not only in our life expectancy but in our health expectancy.
Why is this important, especially now?
Coronavirus
With all my years spent coaching and teaching others on the benefits of diet and lifestyle changes to overcome chronic health conditions, I was immediately curious when the pandemic took hold, would our diet be protective? I turned to the evidence-based science, of course.
A recent Lancet study found those hospitalized with COVID-19 were much more likely to suffer from comorbidities. A study of 113 New York hospitals during the pandemic peak found 96% of those admitted due to COVID suffered from at least one chronic health condition. Another study showed that (82%) suffered from more than 1 chronic illness, or comorbidities.
So what does that have to do with Metabolic Syndrome? Glad you asked.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is the medical term for when 3 or more of the following chronic health conditions are present together: increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and excess body fat, especially around the waist. These conditions, on their own and especially in combination, increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Each contributes to a chronic state of inflammation and alters our immune system. Your risk is higher if you’ve ever had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, or sleep apnea.
According to Mt Sinai hospital in NY, you’ll likely be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following signs:
- Blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/85 mm Hg or you’re taking medicine for high blood pressure
- Fasting blood sugar (glucose) between 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 7 mmol/L) or you’ve been diagnosed with and are taking medicines for diabetes
- Large waist circumference (length around the waist): For men, 40 inches (100 centimeters) or more; for women, 35 inches (90 centimeters) or more [for Asians 35 inches (90 cm) for men and 30 inches (80 cm) for women]
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol: For men, less than 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L); for women, less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) or you’re taking medicine for reduced HDL
- Fasting levels of triglycerides equal to or higher than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or you’re taking medicine to lower triglycerides.
If this sounds like you, you are not alone. Up to one third US adults have metabolic syndrome, and only 12% of American adults are actually considered metabolically healthy.
We still have much to learn about COVID-19. New information is reported every week including how to stay safe using masks, distancing, and soap. But what if we could also protect ourselves from the inside out? What if we could reverse the chronic health conditions putting us most at risk for serious complications and build up our immune defenses?
Masks, Plus Lifestyle
We have worked hard these past few months to take many needed precautions and are seeing results unfold real-time as to what may be working While there are no guarantees that changes to our diet will protect us from being exposed or infected with this or any future pandemic, here is what we do know:
- Those with comorbidities and especially Metabolic Syndrome are more at risk of serious complications for COVID-19 hospitalization.
- Medications and surgeries that help us manage symptoms often do not address the underlying cause nor do they reverse these conditions.
- Lifestyle changes have been proven to slow, stop, and reverse many chronic health conditions. Through diet changes, we can reduce our risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke and build up our immunity. Shifting to a plant-based diet is a great place to start. Other helpful lifestyle changes to reverse Metabolic Syndrome include quitting smoking, losing weight, and regular exercise.
Eat More Plants.
We lower our risks of COVID each time we choose to wear a mask, be socially distant, and use soap.
We lower our risk of metabolic syndrome, and therefore the likelihood of complications from COVID, depending on what and how we choose to eat.
It is never too late to choose plant-based, especially when your health may depend on it.
There has never been a more important time to reverse underlying comorbidities at the source, your plate. I’m putting the finishing touches on my first online course. I designed it specifically for those looking to improve their health, and soon, but still need help making plant-based lifestyle changes that fit into their life to get results. If you want to be among the first notified when enrollment opens in August, let me know! Class size will be limited.
