Mediterranean Diet for Weight Loss and to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is the presence of three or more of the following conditions…

• Fasting blood sugar of 100 mg/dl or higher
• Systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure 85 mm Hg or higher
• HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dl in men or 50 mg/dl in women
• Triglycerides of 150 mg/dl or higher
• Waist circumference 40 inches or greater for men and 35 inches or greater in women in the US

This “cluster” of factors known as metabolic syndrome doubles heart disease risk with a five-fold risk increase of developing Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome has also been connected to cancers, including prostate, breast, endometrial, colorectal, and liver.

Metabolic syndrome affects 35 percent of US adults and 10 percent of adolescents.

Here are three steps to counteract metabolic syndrome:
Continue reading →