Metabolic syndrome is one of those phrases our doctors may have mentioned, but we were too embarrassed to admit we didn’t know what they meant. But don’t ignore this one—we will break it down for you because it can save your life.
For those who have been big girls, shopping for larger sizes and looking for aisle seats (with some extra room) has come with the territory. But bigger sizes don’t just mean more oversized clothes and chairs; they mean more strain on our bodies. Your knees may not be the only call you hear from your body. Pay attention to your numbers, too. That’s right, those dreaded numbers like blood pressure and cholesterol, and yes, that number is on the scale. As we get older, they are harder to control, but they are telling us something.
The American Heart Association states metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when someone has three or more of these risk factors:
- High blood glucose (sugar)
- Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol in the blood
- High levels of triglycerides in the blood
- Large waist circumference or “apple-shaped” body
- High blood pressure
Metabolic syndrome puts you at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious health problems. Focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes could pose long-term health benefits. You’ll notice the changes in your clothes, the lack of pain in your knees, and the comfort of those small middle seats.
Dr. Holly F. Lofton, MD, a Board-Certified Internist at NYU Langone Weight Management Program, has been a longtime pioneer in proper weight management and healthy living and has some initial strategies to help you manage your weight effectively.
- Practice mindfulness techniques: Dr. Lofton recommends acupuncture as a stress reliever but also suggests exploring other methods, such as hypnosis, meditation, or yoga.
- Introduce healthy coping strategies like regular exercise, journaling, or professional therapy to your everyday lifestyle.
- Seek a support system. In addition to board-certified professionals, a positive, supportive community of family and friends can help offset the urge to reach for comfort foods in stressful situations.
- If stress contributes to your weight, identify the situations or emotions that trigger your stress eating.
Getting to the Root Causes
According to Dr. Lofton, “The area of the brain that gets activated and traumatized is the mesolimbic system (or the brain’s pleasure center), signaling that whatever you do in excess, you will gain pleasure from it,” she adds. This excessive behavior looks different based on the individual, but if the signal is related to food consumption, therein lies the beginning stages of emotional or stress eating.
Her popular program, New You™, helps patients achieve results through scientifically proven weight loss techniques and medications, combined with proper nutrition education. Dr. Lofton begins her initial patient diagnosis with the question, “Are you physically hungry (points to stomach), or do you have the desire to eat (points to head).” From there begins the in-depth conversation and analysis around a patient’s stress eating and where the root causes are. “Environmental stress (family, work, etc.) can cause brain trauma that causes one to crave comfort foods.”
Dr. Lofton and her medical specialists monitor and address the behavioral challenges resulting from poor eating habits and keep them under control. Treatment methods include managing stress, planning a healthy diet, making recommendations, and prescribing medications when needed.
Dr. Lofton maintains extensive research regarding patients who experience weight gain after medical weight loss methods to identify successful, long-term solutions and treatments for patients living with obesity.
Breaking The Cycle – Regaining Control
Identifying healthy diet plans and working towards results seems simple, right? Not at all. Studies have shown that 80% and 85% of those who lose weight quickly will regain it.
High stress levels can significantly impact metabolism and fat storage. Elevated cortisol levels can slow metabolism, making it harder to burn calories. High cortisol levels also signal the body to store fat, particularly in the abdominal area.
Repeated cycles of weight gain and loss can also negatively impact overall health. Fluctuations in weight can often lead to elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood sugar levels, and other risk factors.
Dr. Lofton stresses the importance of consulting with your trusted healthcare provider. A trained medical professional who understands obesity can best support you with treatment plans to help you lose weight, keep it off, and break the cycle for good.
Identifying a program that works best for you is your best chance of combating the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome. Or working to reverse it.
