1 Metabolic Syndrome - a Literature Review

Metabolic Syndrome is an aggregate of conditions that together increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. The commonly accepted underlying risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome include insulin resistance and abdominal obesity. Poorly understood biological mechanisms link insulin resistance with the other metabolic risk factors. Confusion about Metabolic Syndrome exists in part due to the lack of a consensus definition and the lack of a consensus treatment protocol. It is estimated that approximately 25% of the world's population has Metabolic Syndrome. In the U.S., Metabolic Syndrome is more common in males than females, more common in Hispanics and increases with age. Individuals that are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance combined with physical inactivity and obesity can elicit insulin resistance and the progression to Metabolic Syndrome Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome begins first with therapeutic lifestyle changes and then pharmacological treatment of the individual components of the syndrome.