Health Information
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Understanding This Symptom
Medical Definition
Subject Matter Expert Verified
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interconnected metabolic disorders that significantly increase cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk.
It is diagnosed when three or more of the following criteria are present: abdominal obesity (waist circumference >102 cm in men, >88 cm in women), elevated triglycerides (>=150 mg/dL), reduced HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL in men, <50 mg/dL in women), elevated blood pressure (>=130/85 mmHg), and elevated fasting glucose (>=100 mg/dL).
The syndrome represents a state of chronic metabolic dysfunction driven primarily by insulin resistance and visceral adiposity.
Quick Facts
What Optimal Health Looks Like
Understanding how your body functions when healthy helps identify dysfunction
In optimal metabolic health, the body maintains precise energy homeostasis through coordinated hormonal signaling.
Insulin efficiently facilitates glucose uptake into skeletal muscle and adipose tissue via GLUT4 translocation, while suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis.
Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ, secreting balanced levels of adiponectin (insulin-sensitizing), leptin (satiety signaling), and inflammatory cytokines.
The liver maintains lipid homeostasis through regulated VLDL secretion and beta-oxidation.
Healthy Function
Your body is designed to maintain balance and self-regulate
How This Develops
Visceral Adiposity - expansion of intra-abdominal adipose tissue releases excess free fatty acids (FFAs) into the portal circulation, causing hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance; (
Insulin Resistance - ectopic lipid deposition in skeletal muscle and liver impairs insulin receptor substrate-
phosphorylation and PI
Adipokine Dysregulation - decreased adiponectin and increased leptin resistance further impair insulin sensitivity while promoting inflammation; (
Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation - adipose tissue macrophages (ATM) shift from M
Endothelial Dysfunction - reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and increased endothelin-
Dyslipidemia - hepatic overproduction of VLDL and impaired lipoprotein lipase activity create atherogenic lipid profiles; (
Oxidative Stress - mitochondrial dysfunction generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular components and activate pro-inflammatory pathways
Understanding the mechanism helps us target the root cause rather than just treating symptoms.
What Happens If Left Untreated
Understanding the consequences helps you make informed decisions about your health
Short-Term Consequences
Days to weeks
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Time Matters
Don't wait for symptoms to worsen. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.