Metabolic Syndrome: Understanding the Risks & Taking Control

February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, a good reminder to pay attention to your cardiovascular health. One risk factor for heart disease is metabolic syndrome. Although often underestimated, having an understanding of this condition is vital because it can help us prevent heart disease which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome isn’t a single disease but a combination of risk factors that may indicate the likelihood of developing heart disease, stroke, and/ or type 2 diabetes. It’s characterized by a combination of:

• Elevated blood sugar (even if not yet diabetic)
• Elevated triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol
• Increased waist circumference (abdominal obesity)
• High blood pressure
  

Are You at Risk?

Many people with metabolic syndrome are unaware they have it. The American Heart Association reports, “Underlying causes of metabolic syndrome include overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, physical inactivity, genetic factors and increasing age.”

Do you have a family history of heart disease or diabetes? Are you concerned about your weight, particularly around your midsection? If so, it’s worth exploring further because metabolic syndrome significantly elevates your risk of:

• Heart disease (heart attack, angina)
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
  

Treatment Options: Conventional vs. Naturopathic Approaches

Conventional medicine typically addresses metabolic syndrome with lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) and medications like:

• Statins (to lower cholesterol)
• Metformin (to improve insulin sensitivity)
• Blood pressure medications

At Neighborhood Naturopathic, we offer a natural and integrative approach to managing metabolic syndrome. This approach, which combines evidence-based natural therapies with lifestyle modifications, has been proven effective. We believe in addressing the root cause of the problem, not just masking the symptoms, and we start with functional testing to get a clearer picture of your symptoms and understand your cardiovascular risk. 

Functional Testing for Metabolic Syndrome

Our testing may include but is not limited to:

• Comprehensive Lipid Panel: Beyond HDL and LDL, we assess various lipid markers that tell us if you are at risk and if metabolic disease is worth worrying about.
• Lp(a): We look at genetic markers that might indicate an increased risk for heart disease.
• ApoA and ApoB: These apolipoproteins help determine the risk for plaque buildup in your arteries.
• Metabolic Panel: We evaluate fasting glucose and insulin levels (a key indicator of insulin resistance) to assess your metabolic health.
• HbA1c: While traditionally used for diabetes diagnosis, we may use this to control long-term blood sugar.
  

Lifestyle & Natural Therapies

We offer natural therapies that can be as effective as pharmaceuticals in managing metabolic syndrome, including:

• Nutritional Guidance: We can help you personalize meal plans to support healthy blood sugar levels, lipid balance, and weight management.
• Botanical Medicine: Evidence-based herbal remedies to address specific risk factors.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Guidance on exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene.
• Weight Management Support: Comprehensive weight loss programs, including GLP-1 medications when appropriate, to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Take Control of Your Heart Health Today

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to take control of your heart health. Whether you’re looking to prevent metabolic syndrome or manage existing conditions, we can help you develop a personalized plan to achieve optimal well-being.

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Questions? Neighborhood Naturopathic offers new patients a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and learn more about functional testing and how that might help us learn if you are dealing with metabolic syndrome. Schedule online or call (612) 259-8529.

Neighborhood Naturopathic is located in Edina and serves the greater Minneapolis/ St. Paul area in Minnesota.