Dr. Alok Purohit, Health Coach, Obesity & Diabetes Educator

In my previous blog, I introduced metabolic syndrome as the new pandemic that is an agglomeration of one or more of five conditions, usually others follow the first, one by one in most cases over time, if not intervened well in time. These five conditions include;

1.High blood glucose

2.Low levels of HDL

3. High levels of triglycerides

4. large waist circumference

5. High blood pressure

Most of these conditions had higher prevalence among 55-60+ age group just two decades ago and in current times, age has no more remained sacrosanct and people are being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome even in their active teens. So, what has changed? Human genome hasn’t, at least in last three decades¹. There is something else coming into play.

Rapid urbanization, economic boom leading to higher incomes, higher stress levels, sedentary lifestyles and above all, too many options, too much to eat and the advent of rather hazardous industrial foods either packaged or retailed. Eating has become innate part of daily routines and categorized as main meals, snacking, tidbits, sugar in all forms and drinks (sodas/Juices/alcohol/Energy drinks/Dairy products), making the system work hard, and, over time, causing a condition called insulin resistance².

There is enough evidence that indicates emergence of metabolic syndrome as the blue zones opened up, became industrialized, lifestyles changed and specially the food habits changed drastically. China, Japan and other Asian countries, secluded from western lifestyles for long rapidly adopted it with its incursion and the result was massive increase in rates of metabolic dysfunction. Also, consumption of  commercial dairy, meat and other animal  products contributed significantly to it³.

While the conventional premise holds true as law of energy, calorie input/output model gains newer dimensions as the mechanism of metabolism for each macro nutrient varies significantly within human body. For instance, a glass of sweet soda or alcohol may have similar calories as that of a full meal but it cannot substitute it for reasons for longevity, glycemic index and ability of the metabolic system to deal with it. On the contrary both are dealt with in completely different ways causing metabolic dysfunction depending on what forms part of routine eating habits. Other vices like sedentary lifestyle, high stress, inactivity can add fuel to the fire.

Metabolic dysfunction is like a hydra, a multi headed serpent. Any of these can emerge first and subsequently may be, or may not be teamed up by the others. It is important to be watchful and get at least an annual track of the critical indicators to avoid aggravation.

Many of these symptoms can remain undetected for years, slowly causing inflammation, oxidation internally. Tread with caution if any of the five get noticed. It is possible to immediately control, reverse most of them with non medicinal interventions if detected, diagnosed well in time.

References:

1. Agata Blaszczak, 2022, Livescience
2. Cleveland Clinic review ,13/04/2019
3. China Study, T. Colin Campbell, 2004