Cardiovascular Health - Metabolic Syndrome (Sarah Myhill) Flashcards
Q: What is metabolic syndrome?
A: Metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, cardiometabolic syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome, and CHAOS (Coronary artery disease, Hypertension, Atherosclerosis, Obesity, and Stroke), is a combination of metabolic abnormalities that can accompany abdominal obesity, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, increased fasting blood glucose levels, and high blood pressure, which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is often treated piecemeal with drugs for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control. However, the cause of metabolic syndrome is not typically addressed.
Q: How is metabolic syndrome related to type 2 diabetes?
A: Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are both clinical manifestations of a carbohydrate-based diet. The mechanism involves elevated fasting blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and abdominal obesity.
Q: What role does insulin resistance play in metabolic syndrome?
A: Insulin resistance occurs when the body struggles to control blood sugar due to excessive carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrates are digested into sugars that pass into the bloodstream, causing the body to release more insulin to manage the sugar. Over time, this leads to elevated blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, which can result in diabetes and increase the risk of arterial disease, cancer, and dementia.
Q: How is blood sugar controlled in the body?
A: Blood sugar is controlled by glycogen in the liver and muscles, which acts like a sponge to absorb excess sugar. Insulin helps convert sugar to fat. However, when glycogen stores are full, the body increases insulin production to manage the sugar. This can lead to insulin resistance, and as blood sugar rises, diabetes develops.
Q: How does high blood sugar affect blood pressure?
A: Elevated blood sugar triggers insulin release, which rapidly lowers blood sugar levels. This causes adrenaline to be released, which increases blood pressure. Both high blood sugar and high blood pressure are damaging to the arteries because they can create advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and cause turbulence in blood flow, leading to artery damage.
Q: How does dyslipidaemia relate to metabolic syndrome?
A: Dyslipidaemia is a condition where cholesterol levels are abnormal. Cholesterol is essential for healing and repair in the body. LDL cholesterol delivers cholesterol to damaged areas, while HDL cholesterol helps remove the “mess” from this repair process. High HDL cholesterol is an indicator that the arteries are not being damaged. The ratio of HDL to total cholesterol can be an indirect measure of arterial health.
Q: How is abdominal obesity connected to metabolic syndrome?
A: Abdominal obesity is linked to metabolic syndrome because the immune system requires fat as a fuel source, especially when fighting infection. A high carbohydrate diet can lead to gut issues, such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), which causes the immune system to become active, leading to the “dumping” of fat in the abdominal region.
Q: What tests can be used to diagnose metabolic syndrome?
A: Tests for metabolic syndrome include glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), HDL percentage (on a ketogenic diet, HDL should make up about 40% of total cholesterol), liver function tests (e.g., GGT, AST, ALT), fasting triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels.
Q: What are effective ways to prevent or treat metabolic syndrome?
A: The prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome involves cutting out carbohydrates, adopting a ketogenic diet, and incorporating fasting to reverse diabetes. However, it is challenging because sugar is addictive and people often struggle to resist temptations.
Q: What are common myths about metabolic syndrome and diet?
A: Common myths include:
High-fat diets cause high cholesterol and heart disease (not supported by evidence).
The “five-a-day” advice to eat fruits and vegetables (fruits, especially modern, sweetened varieties, spike blood sugar and are addictive).
The “food pyramid” that places carbs at the base and fats at the top (biologically implausible).
The myth that sugar gives you energy (it causes a temporary spike, followed by a crash).
Q: What diseases are associated with metabolic syndrome?
A: Metabolic syndrome is associated with various conditions, including cancer, arterial disease, dementia, accelerated aging, obesity, gum disease, osteoarthritis, kidney failure, heart failure, immune suppression, acne, eye diseases, hearing loss, anxiety, depression, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Q: Why is the Paleo-Ketogenic diet recommended for metabolic syndrome?
A: The Paleo-Ketogenic diet is recommended because it mimics the diet humans evolved on for millions of years. It involves consuming fats and fiber, avoiding carbohydrates, and promoting ketone production for energy. This diet helps address metabolic syndrome by stabilizing blood sugar levels and encouraging fat burning.
Q: What are the “Groundhogs” in treating metabolic syndrome?
A: The “Groundhogs” are different treatment protocols:
Groundhog Basic – what we should do all the time.
Groundhog Acute – for the first sign of infection.
Groundhog Chronic – for treating chronic infections and living to full potential.
Q: How can you determine if you’re in ketosis?
A: Ketosis can be determined through three types of ketones:
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid – measured in blood, the most accurate test.
Acetoacetate – measured in urine.
Acetone – measured in breath.
Q: How does fasting help reverse metabolic syndrome?
A: Fasting is one of the fastest ways to reverse metabolic syndrome and restore insulin sensitivity. It helps with weight loss, detoxification, and supports conditions like cancer, dementia, and infections.
Q: What is autophagy, and how is it related to fasting?
A: Autophagy is the process where the body recycles old, worn-out cells for fuel, leading to cellular renewal and repair. Fasting induces autophagy, which has anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating, anti-cancer, and healing properties.
Q: How does fasting contribute to self-renewal?
A: Fasting activates stem cells, leading to the renewal of the immune system, brain, and other body systems. It encourages the production of new, young cells in tissues like the gut, liver, heart, and muscles, aiding in healing and preventing disease.
