Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome: symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment in the best clinics

Metabolic syndrome brings together five pathological conditions that can lead to heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other serious health problems. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a patient has three or more of the following risk factors:

• high blood glucose levels;
• low HDL – high density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol);
• high triglyceride levels;
• large waist circumference or apple-shaped body type;
• increased blood pressure.

Each of these risk factors by itself increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. When a person has three or more factors, doctors diagnose metabolic syndrome. This, in turn, makes the likelihood of developing the disease even higher. For example, high blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart and vascular disease, but when combined with high blood sugar and abdominal obesity (a lot of belly fat), this risk increases several times more.

Metabolic syndrome in women

Although the individual components that define the metabolic syndrome are the same in women and men, there are some differences in how they manifest themselves and affect the risk of developing cardiovascular disease:

• Women are more likely than men to be extremely obese, and an increase in waist circumference increases the risk of metabolic syndrome to a greater extent.
• Dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of fats in the blood) is associated with a higher risk of coronary disease in women.
• Hypertension in women is more likely to lead to the development of congestive heart failure.
• In women, glucose levels are more likely to increase after a carbohydrate load than on an empty stomach. For men, the opposite happens.

In addition, women have unique risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome, which include:

• weight gain associated with pregnancy;
• the use of hormonal contraceptives;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• gestational diabetes;
• preeclampsia during pregnancy;
• menopause.

Understanding the characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in women helps doctors select the most effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Metabolic syndrome in men

Men also have some features of the course of the metabolic syndrome. These include:

• Higher triglyceride levels and lower levels of “good” cholesterol compared to women.
• Men with metabolic syndrome are more likely to have an increase in blood pressure, as well as insulin resistance.
• Metabolic syndrome in men can lead to erectile dysfunction (difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection).

Low testosterone levels due to metabolic disorders cause symptoms in male patients such as: decreased muscle mass and bone density, decreased libido, depression, night sweats.

Causes of the metabolic syndrome

To understand the causes of the development of the disease, it is necessary to know what the word “metabolic” means. Metabolism is the process of generating energy from the food that a person consumes. Accordingly, metabolic syndrome is a complex of symptoms associated with metabolic disorders.

The exact reasons for its development are still unclear. However, known risk factors are: family history, poor diet, and insufficient exercise. The two mechanisms that have led to the global spread of metabolic syndrome are the increased availability and consumption of high-calorie, low-fiber fast food, and the reduction in physical activity caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

Related factors include:

• insulin resistance;
• dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin;
• chronic inflammation in the body;
• disruption of the circadian rhythm, increased stress;
• intestinal microbiota imbalance.

Understanding risk factors helps to adjust the patient’s lifestyle in order to avoid the development of diseases associated with metabolic disorders.

Metabolic syndrome symptoms

The clinical manifestations of the metabolic syndrome are:

• hypertension (high blood pressure);
• hyperglycemia (increased sugar levels);
• hypertriglyceridemia (increased triglyceride levels);
• lowering the level of “good cholesterol” (high-density lipoprotein);
• abdominal obesity (a large amount of fat in the abdomen);
• chest pain or shortness of breath;
• acanthosis nigricans (hyperpigmentation of skin folds), hirsutism (excessive growth of body hair), peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy in patients with insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, or diabetes mellitus;
• xanthelasma (yellowish plaques around the eyes) in patients with severe dyslipidemia.

The risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases with age – it affects 40% of people over 60 years of age. However, it can also affect children: some studies show that 1 in 8 schoolchildren have 3 or more components of the syndrome.

Diagnostics of the metabolic syndrome

Diagnostics includes a comprehensive assessment of several parameters:

• Waist circumference: more than 102 cm for men, for women – more than 88 cm.
• Blood pressure: 130/85 mm Hg or higher.
• Blood glucose level: over 5.6 mmol/l on an empty stomach or over 7.8 mmol/l after a meal.
• Triglyceride levels: above 1.7 mmol/l, and the level of “good cholesterol” below 1.03 mmol/l in men and 1.3 mmol/l in women.
• The general health of the patient: the presence of additional risk factors such as age, diabetes, smoking, lack of physical activity, etc.

If a patient has 3 or more of the above parameters, they are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome treatment

The therapeutic strategy, first of all, includes lifestyle correction: switching to a balanced diet and increasing physical activity. In addition, drug therapy for comorbidities such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease may be required. Treatment of the metabolic syndrome should be carried out under the supervision of a physician and be individually adapted to the needs and characteristics of each patient.

Drug treatment includes taking drugs to control blood pressure, drugs for diabetes, lipid-lowering drugs. Much attention is paid to the treatment of obesity. Currently, surgical interventions for metabolic syndrome are not widely used. However, studies on the effectiveness of bariatric surgery (stomach reduction surgery) in patients with morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome have shown positive results, including reduced insulin resistance and lower levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Latest treatments for metabolic syndrome

Unfortunately, today medicine cannot offer effective solutions for patients with metabolic syndrome. Standard treatments are aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms, and do not address the underlying causes of metabolic disorders. Apparently, this is due to the fact that the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome is very complex, and the exact mechanisms linking each of the pathological conditions to each other remain unclear.

The inefficiency of classical methods of treatment has become an impetus for the search for new strategies, and cell therapy has turned out to be one of the most promising areas in this area. First of all, scientists paid attention to mesenchymal stem cells. They are abundant in various tissues such as fat, skin, bone marrow, dental pulp, and peripheral blood. Mesenchymal cells are not only able to replace damaged body cells, but also have unique anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Numerous studies have shown that MSC therapy is able to improve various disorders that are associated with the metabolic syndrome, such as:

• abdominal obesity;
• increased blood sugar levels;
• increased levels of triglycerides in the blood;
• high blood pressure.

In addition, cell technologies have proven their safety: no serious side effects of MSCs have been identified during clinical trials.

The effect that patients with metabolic syndrome can expect from stem cell treatment:

• normalization of metabolism, weight loss;
• improvement of general well-being;
• energy boost;
• lack of chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats;
• improvement of erectile function in men;
• prevention of the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

For stem cell therapy, stem cells are extracted from a patient’s adipose tissue, bone marrow, or blood, multiplied in a laboratory, and then injected back into the bloodstream. Stem cells recognize molecular signals that send damaged tissues and are sent to the pathological focus. There, they act by releasing so-called paracrine factors – substances that cause damaged cells to change their behavior, initiating the regeneration process.

The MedTour company closely follows innovations in the field of medicine. Currently, cell therapy is becoming an increasingly popular method of treating a wide range of diseases. Using the body’s own regenerative resources shows a good result and allows you to succeed where standard methods are powerless. MedTour offers patients a unique opportunity to treat metabolic syndrome with stem cells. To find out more about the treatment, get a free consultation with the medical coordinator of MedTour.

What is the best nutrition protocol to use when overweight?

There is no single nutritional protocol that would achieve results in all patients. The diet is selected individually for each person, taking into account many factors, such as age, level of physical activity, the presence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, hyperglyceridemia, etc.

Recently, dietary modification has been increasingly combined with alternative therapies for obesity, such as cell therapy. Research has shown the potential of regenerative medicine in the treatment of metabolic complications associated with being overweight. These include type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, infertility, vascular disorders, and systemic inflammation.

The mechanisms by which MSCs have a beneficial effect on the body in obesity include their ability to differentiate and replace liver cells, pancreatic islet and endothelial β-cells, and release a wide range of biomolecules that can restore liver function, improve resistance to insulin, reduce inflammation and cell death.

Best clinics for metabolic syndrome treatment

MedTour cooperates with the world’s best clinics that provide services in the field of treatment of diseases associated with metabolic disorders. We are now also offering a unique opportunity to treat metabolic syndrome and its consequences with stem cells. Sign up for a consultation by phone or using the feedback form. Our medical coordinator will contact you as soon as possible and help you arrange treatment at a clinic that best suits your individual needs free of charge.

The best doctors for the treatment of metabolic syndrome

MedTour cooperates with the best doctors involved in stem cell treatment. One of them is Andriy Kovalchuk, surgeon, candidate of medical sciences, has extensive experience in the use of stem cells in various fields of medicine. In his interview, Dr. Kovalchuk talks about the development of regenerative medicine and the specifics of using cell technologies.

Frequently asked questions

Can metabolic syndrome be cured?

Standard methods of treatment (lifestyle correction and drug therapy) can only stop the development of the metabolic syndrome and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. New therapeutic strategies, such as stem cell therapy, increase the chances of a complete cure for conditions that lead to the development of the metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and hyperlipidemia. Find out the details by getting a free consultation from a MedTour coordinating doctor.

Why is metabolic syndrome dangerous?

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health threat as it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke. It can also lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, obesity and other health problems. Cell therapy is an innovative treatment for metabolic syndrome and its consequences. Get a free consultation from a medical coordinator of MedTour.

How to avoid metabolic syndrome?

To reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and its consequences, it is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, and not smoking. If you have risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor and get advice on lifestyle changes.

Published: 09.05.2023

Updated: 08.06.2024

Medical author, Medical editor:

Olena Kursabaieva

Medical author, Medical editor:

Natalia Segen

Information on this webpage verified by the medical expert

Medical Doctor, oncologist, PHD student

Kateryna Maliarchuk