Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X

Would you like to know what a metabolic syndrome or syndrome X is and who is likely to have it?

Metabolic syndrome affects women in menopause

Syndrome X, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are names for a number of health problems with metabolism that largely affect women in menopause. Menopause is a difficult transitional period of life for every woman. Along with all the other problems, muscle mass starts diminishing which increases the percentage of fat in your body. More fat you produce in your body, more insulin receptors you have, and you need more insulin to metabolize blood sugar. You can gradually develop insulin resistance because the pancreas can no longer meet the requirements for the production of insulin. In severer cases, you can develop type 2 diabetes and insulin injections are needed.

Insulin resistance is related to many different health problems combined under the name syndrome x, which was used by Dr. Gerald Reaven, an internationally recognised endocrinologist.

Problems connected with syndrome x:

1. increased risk of type 2 diabetes
2. abnormal quantity of cholesterol
3. high blood pressure
4. heart diseases: coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease
5. obesity
6. anovulation
7. excessive stimulation of testosterone from the ovaries
8. ovarian disease
9. growth of hair on the face, hair loss or male baldness in women
10. acne

In addition to the above problems, women with insulin resistance are more likely to have breast cancer and ovarian diseases.

Insulin resistance can be avoided, above all, by an appropriate diet which should include foods with a low or medium glycaemic index (index which tells us how much and how fast blood sugar levels will be raised after eating certain foods). You have to avoid alcohol, starch and sweet foods, pastries, cakes; therefore, everything that is good. Sparkling sweet beverages, candies, white bread and many other foods that are prevalent in the diet of an average Western person also have a high glycaemic index.

Read more about women's intimate health in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality.