Complications

Having metabolic syndrome can increase your risk of developing these conditions:

Diabetes. If you don’t make lifestyle changes to control your insulin resistance, your glucose levels will continue to increase. You may develop diabetes as a result of metabolic syndrome.

Cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can contribute to the buildup of plaques in your arteries. These plaques can cause your arteries to narrow and harden, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Tests and diagnosis
Several organizations have criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome.
According to guidelines used by the National Institutes of Health, USA you have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of these traits:

Large waist circumference. This is defined as a waistline that measures at least 35 inches (89 centimeters) for women and 40 inches (102 centimeters) for men.

High triglyceride level. Count this trait on your checklist if your triglyceride level is at least 150 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL, (1.7 millimoles per liter, or mmol/L), or if you’re receiving treatment for high triglycerides.

Reduced HDL cholesterol. Tally another mark on your checklist if your levels of this “good” cholesterol are less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men or less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women, or if you’re receiving treatment for low HDL.

Increased blood pressure. This condition is met if you are taking blood pressure medications or if your blood pressure is at least 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Elevated fasting blood sugar. Count this trait if you have a blood sugar level of at least 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or if you take medications to control your high blood sugar.
CHECK -THIS MONTH-FEB 2015 ,IN FORUM FOR COMPREHENSIVE ADVISE ON DIABETES -THE ESSENTIALS.

Treatments and drugs
If aggressive lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor might suggest medications to help control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood glucose.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Aggressive lifestyle changes are usually required to prevent serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. These changes include:

Exercise.
Doctors recommend getting 30 or more minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, every day, and for the elderly atleast 3 to 4 times weekly.
Lose weight.
Losing weight can reduce insulin resistance and blood pressure and decrease your risk of diabetes.

Eat healthy. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet, like many healthy-eating plans, limit unhealthy fats and emphasize fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains. Both of these dietary approaches have been found to offer important health benefits — in addition to weight loss — for people who have components of metabolic syndrome.
The best evidence is for the Mediterranean diet- Check the forum for content

Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes worsens the health consequences of metabolic syndrome. Talk to your doctor if you need help kicking the cigarette habit.

G Mohan.