Dr. Kendall at Colorado State says it way better than I can:
"From www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/co...22.html:
Syndrome X and Insulin Resistance
By Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D.
Food Science and Human Nutrition Specialist
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
October 22, 1997
You may recently have heard in the news about a sinister-sounding condition called Syndrome X. No, this isn't a newly discovered disease, but rather a new term for a cluster of conditions, that, when occurring together, may indicate a predisposition to diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
The term was first coined by a group of researchers at Stanford University to describe a cluster of symptoms, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, decreased HDL and obesity, which tend to appear together in some individuals and increase their risk for diabetes and heart disease. HDL, known as the good cholesterol, and triglycerides are components of fat found in the blood.
The term also has been linked with another term--insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone responsible for getting energy, in the form of glucose, or blood sugar, into our cells. A person who is insulin-resistant has cells that respond sluggishly to the action of insulin. Following a meal, this person will have elevated glucose circulating in the blood, signaling yet more insulin to be released from the pancreas until the glucose is taken up by the cells. Experts suggest that 10 to 25 percent of the adult population may be resistant to insulin to some degree.
People who are insulin-resistant often have elevated triglycerides. Elevated triglycerides usually coincide with low HDL. People who are overweight show signs of insulin resistance more often than people who are normal weight. So, although no cause and effect relationship can be clearly established--this is truly a case of the chicken and the egg--the association between these factors is a concern, especially because any of these symptoms, alone or in combination, increase one's risk for heart disease.
Ten to 20 people out of a hundred are resistant to insulin. So, what should you do if you suspect you're one of them? Or, what if you do have several of the cluster of conditions associated with Syndrome X? Because these conditions occur in a cluster, the steps you take to bring one of the conditions into a healthy range will likely improve the others. For example, if you're overweight, simply losing up to 10 or 15 percent of your current body weight can bring blood pressure down and increase your cells' sensitivity to insulin. Exercise is an important component of weight loss. It also raises HDL blood levels, even without weight loss.
Steps to help bring triglycerides down include a diet low in alcohol and refined carbohydrates like soda, table sugar and high fructose corn syrup, which is widespread in prepared foods and listed on labels. Contrary to what some think, this is not in conflict with the Dietary Guidelines recommendation to eat 55 percent of total calories from carbohydrates, primarily complex carbohydrates. The key words here are "complex carbohydrates," such as grains, beans and vegetables, rather than sweets and desserts, and the total number of calories being consumed--just enough to maintain or achieve desirable weight."
On this tribe, I hope to discuss what it is, what you can do about it, and even offer some recipes and health tips to help you out!
I encourage all people with a concern about this to join this tribe and contribute. This condition, in addition to defining some risks for heart and other organ problems, can also contribute to chronic pain conditions -- my pet area. So, I think providing information and some suggestions can only help the readership!
--shachick
"From www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/co...22.html:
Syndrome X and Insulin Resistance
By Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D.
Food Science and Human Nutrition Specialist
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
October 22, 1997
You may recently have heard in the news about a sinister-sounding condition called Syndrome X. No, this isn't a newly discovered disease, but rather a new term for a cluster of conditions, that, when occurring together, may indicate a predisposition to diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
The term was first coined by a group of researchers at Stanford University to describe a cluster of symptoms, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, decreased HDL and obesity, which tend to appear together in some individuals and increase their risk for diabetes and heart disease. HDL, known as the good cholesterol, and triglycerides are components of fat found in the blood.
The term also has been linked with another term--insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone responsible for getting energy, in the form of glucose, or blood sugar, into our cells. A person who is insulin-resistant has cells that respond sluggishly to the action of insulin. Following a meal, this person will have elevated glucose circulating in the blood, signaling yet more insulin to be released from the pancreas until the glucose is taken up by the cells. Experts suggest that 10 to 25 percent of the adult population may be resistant to insulin to some degree.
People who are insulin-resistant often have elevated triglycerides. Elevated triglycerides usually coincide with low HDL. People who are overweight show signs of insulin resistance more often than people who are normal weight. So, although no cause and effect relationship can be clearly established--this is truly a case of the chicken and the egg--the association between these factors is a concern, especially because any of these symptoms, alone or in combination, increase one's risk for heart disease.
Ten to 20 people out of a hundred are resistant to insulin. So, what should you do if you suspect you're one of them? Or, what if you do have several of the cluster of conditions associated with Syndrome X? Because these conditions occur in a cluster, the steps you take to bring one of the conditions into a healthy range will likely improve the others. For example, if you're overweight, simply losing up to 10 or 15 percent of your current body weight can bring blood pressure down and increase your cells' sensitivity to insulin. Exercise is an important component of weight loss. It also raises HDL blood levels, even without weight loss.
Steps to help bring triglycerides down include a diet low in alcohol and refined carbohydrates like soda, table sugar and high fructose corn syrup, which is widespread in prepared foods and listed on labels. Contrary to what some think, this is not in conflict with the Dietary Guidelines recommendation to eat 55 percent of total calories from carbohydrates, primarily complex carbohydrates. The key words here are "complex carbohydrates," such as grains, beans and vegetables, rather than sweets and desserts, and the total number of calories being consumed--just enough to maintain or achieve desirable weight."
On this tribe, I hope to discuss what it is, what you can do about it, and even offer some recipes and health tips to help you out!
I encourage all people with a concern about this to join this tribe and contribute. This condition, in addition to defining some risks for heart and other organ problems, can also contribute to chronic pain conditions -- my pet area. So, I think providing information and some suggestions can only help the readership!
--shachick
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Re: What is Syndrome X?
Fri, October 22, 2004 - 4:54 PMAlso, I had an endocrinologist who told me he's studying PCOS (poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome) in women becuase he thinks his dad died of Syndrome X.
This doctor said he thinks that P.C.O.S. and Syndrome X are like the male and femal version of each other. Insulin resistance and several other features are common to both...
cheers, gp -
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Re: What is Syndrome X?
Sun, October 24, 2004 - 10:56 AMThanks, gp. From what I understand, Syndrome X hits females and males as well. PCOS could be part of the female syndrome. It doesn't occur in all Syndrome X women, but it could occur in some.
Leane
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