If you haven’t heard of metabolic syndrome, you will. Fully one third of American adults have it now, and those numbers are going up. Very briefly, metabolic syndrome is a clustering of at least three of the following five signs/symptoms:
-High visceral (abdominal) body fat
-High blood pressure
-High blood sugar
-High blood triglycerides
-High cholesterol
Men and women with metabolic syndrome are more likely to have strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, organ failure, and yes, chronic pain. While it’s hard to break down human misery into dollars and cents, the health insurance industry has no choice but to put a price tag on metabolic syndrome. The projected costs are staggering.
Metabolic syndrome is rarely the result of genetics or injuries from tragic accidents. Rather, it’s the result of bad choices. Some of these choices are made on an individual level, some are made on a societal level. In the end, here’s the equation at its most basic:
Too much bad food+ too little exercise = metabolic syndrome
The simplest explanation is often the best, but the above equation needs some elaboration, and with this in mind, I recommend you read Metabolical by Dr. Robert Lustig. The book is a scathing indictment of both our food industry and the FDA. Be forewarned, you’ll be outraged by what you learn in the first few chapters. However, the rest of the book offers encouraging steps that you can take during your grocery shopping that will at least partially protect yourself and your family.
As for exercise, less than a quarter of Americans are consistently getting enough of it, and metabolic syndrome is one of the consequences. If you’ve not made strength training a part of life, there is no time like the present to change this. At Revive, we strongly promote beginning with resistance bands. Inexpensive, safe, and compact, bands will let you ease into training with minimal risk of irritating joints and tendons. We’ll help you get started. If despite all precautions, you find that pain significantly impedes your progress, we will find and implement the answers you need here as well.
A clean(er) diet combined with a solid strength training protocol is not a 100% guarantee against metabolic syndrome, but the chances of success increase dramatically if you can embrace healthy living with vigor, ambition, and enthusiasm. In your most honest assessment, is your energy level up to the task? If it’s not, you may well be fighting a losing battle against suboptimal hormone levels. Before you become frustrated and disillusioned, schedule an evaluation with us. Revive Pain Solutions Grand Rapids may be just what you need.