Metabolic syndrome occurs due to a combination of health disorders consisting of high blood pressure, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol levels to name a few. It increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), stroke, type 2 diabetes, etc. Metabolic syndrome is also linked to insulin resistance. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas helps the sugar enter the cells for fuel.
For people experiencing insulin resistance, the cells will not be able to respond to the insulin and therefore the glucose can't enter the cells easily. This causes the blood sugar levels to rise and in response to that the body produces more and more insulin in an attempt to lower the blood sugar level.
Heart and Blood vessel disease: High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to the buildup of plaques in arteries. Plaques narrow and harden your arteries leading to a stroke or a heart attack.
Type 2 diabetes: If proper changes in diet to control the excess weight are not implemented, insulin resistance can develop leading to Type 2 diabetes.
According to expert organizations, the following criteria should be met to diagnose metabolic syndrome:
BMI above 25
High triglycerides
Abdominal obesity
High fasting blood glucose
Increased blood clotting
Low HDL cholesterol
Insulin resistance
Overweight, poor diet, and lack of exercise are underlying risk factors that contribute to the growth of metabolism. So, the first step to treating this syndrome recommended by doctors is to make healthy lifestyle changes.
For the general population, the target blood pressure is 140/90mmHg. For patients with diabetes mellitus, it should be less than 130/80mmHg. This target is set by the Joint National Committee (JNC). Their recent guidelines also indicated that for patients aged 60 or older, the target blood pressure must be below 150/90mmHg.
Tests should also include check-ups on the thyroid stimulating hormone level, full-flow analytic fat, liver function tests, and urinalysis in patients having hypertriglyceridemia caused by triglycerides being over 150 mg/dL. Patients must also withdraw from habits like smoking and drinking.
Initial treatments involve moderate to high-intensity statins. For hypertriglyceridemia, additional treatments such as fibrates, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids are available. It is also crucial to manage elevated LDL cholesterol, especially for patients with a 10-year ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) risk above 7.5%.The goal for these high-risk patients is to reduce LDL levels by 50% using high-intensity statin.
Medbound Times reached out to Dr. Ruchika Brahmmadandi, MD to give her expert opinion on how to treat metabolic syndrome from an allopathic perspective.
Since metabolic syndrome increases the chances of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, The treatment focuses on reducing these risks and addressing the factors contributing to metabolic syndrome. Most patients are advised to make lifestyle modifications, as these changes can significantly reduce risks and impacts. The patient is advised to exercise and incorporate dietary adjustments since excessive weight and a sedentary lifestyle can worsen insulin resistance. If patients fail to adhere to the recommended lifestyle changes or if these modifications are not sufficient to manage the condition, medications may also be added to the treatment plan. This includes statins for elevated cholesterol, and metformin which is frequently prescribed for diabetes. antihypertensives are also involved in the cases of hypertension.
Dr. Ruchika Brahmmadandi, MD
Yes, we can the following protocol must be followed to manage and treat metabolic syndrome :
Nidan parivarjana is the main therapy in managing various diseases according to ayurveda. It means "To avoid risk factors".
Yoga can be helpful to manage this syndrome as it created balance between the nervous and the endocrine system. This directly influences all the organs and the systems of the body. The main pathological factor in metabolic syndrome is the disturbance of agni (The entity that is responsible for all digestive and metabolic processes in the human beings). Drugs that pacifies agni should be used like Chitrakadi Vati, Trikatu Churna, and Pippali Churna etc.
MedBound Times reached out to Dr. Shelja Chauhan, BAMS, PGDCR to give her expert opinion on metabolic syndrome from an Ayurvedic perspective.
According to Ayurveda, imbalances in the body's doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), digestive fire (Agni), and body tissues (Dhatus) can be used to understand metabolic syndrome. Charak Samhita, Sutra Sthana 23/3-5, mentions santarpanajanya vyadhi which can be linked to the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome. Treating the underlying causes of toxic accumulation, weak digestive fire, and dosha imbalances can provide a complete approach to manage metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Shelja Chauhan, BAMS, PGDCR
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a medical system that originally started in Germany. It aims is to treat the whole person and not just the disease. All their medicines are naturally made of plants, minerals, animals, etc.
some homeopathic remedies for diabetes include:
Blood sugar levels: Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a plant that lowers sugar levels in the urine and blood in people with type 2 diabetes.
Numbness: hemlock, or conium, is a plant-based remedy. It helps with numbness in the hands or feet caused due to nerve damage due to diabetes neuropathy . All these symptoms may also be eased by Plumbum
MedBound Times also reached out to Dr. Sushmita Ganguli, BHMS to give her expert opinion on metabolic syndrome from an Homeopathic perspective.
Homeopathy helps in managing metabolic syndrome by addressing the underlying causes of the condition. Individualised treatment options in homeopathy combined with lifestyle modifications play a significant role in achieving optimal metabolic function. Furthermore, homeopathy remedies help in preventing complications of metabolic syndrome and improves the overall quality of life.
Dr. Sushmita Ganguli, BHMS
This content is purely informational and isn’t medical guidance. It shouldn’t replace professional medical counsel. Always consult your physician regarding treatment risks and benefits.
References
“Metabolic Syndrome.” 2024. Johns Hopkins Medicine. March 1, 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/metabolic-syndrome.
Shafeeq, N.K., Hussein, T.A.A. and Abass, E.A., 2021. Metabolic Syndrome. Ibn AL-Haitham Journal For Pure and Applied Sciences, 34(3), pp.26-38.
“Metabolic Syndrome - Symptoms & Causes - Mayo Clinic.” 2021. Mayo Clinic. May 6, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916.
Padhar, B.C. and Dave, A.R., 2016. Concept of metabolic syndrome in Ayurveda. Journal of Medical Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences (September_2016), 188, p.197.
By Gayatri Prakasan
