Nomenclature: Metabolic Syndrome X, Dysmetabolic Syndrome, Syndrome X, Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Reaven's Syndrome.


Metabolic syndrome may not in the strict sense be a "real syndrome"; they are a cluster of conditions that co-exist together and have a common origin.

It is believed that a common causative factor maybe responsible for a group of life-style related problems. They are obesity, impaired fasting glucose, elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertension. A change in lifestyle, for example, loosing weight, can control the development of overt diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.

Why do these conditions occur together? And when they do occur together, why are they so much more dangerous than they are when they occur separately? Researchers do not know.They do not even sometimes agree on a single, common definition of the syndrome.

Most researchers say that waistline fat and insulin resistance—two important metabolic abnormalities associated with the syndrome—are of importance.Some consider insulin resistance to be the prime reason behind the occurrence of the syndrome.That is the reason why Metabolic Syndrome is also often called 'Insulin Resistance Syndrome'.

An apple-shaped body where the fat deposition is inside the abdomen leads to a higher chance of developing metabolic syndrome. If a man has a waist circumference of 40 inches or more and a woman 35 inches or more, they have an apple-shaped body.Prosperity in life often heralds a sedentary lifestyle and this can push a person towards the syndrome.

Are obesity and insulin resistance causes of metabolic syndrome or are they a consequence of deeper metabolic anomalies? Controversy rages!

No matter how the condition is defined, the key fact for patients to be aware of is that- ‘Metabolic Syndrome can be controlled by early diagnosis, aggressive treatment and a conscious change in lifestyle' and this can make a difference between early or sudden death or a normal life span.