People who have a group of symptoms, which may include carrying excess weight in the belly or upper body, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL, are considered to have metabolic syndrome. It is estimated that 43.6% of Americans over the age of 50 have metabolic syndrome. and over 30% of all adult Americans have the condition. Other names for the condition include dysmetabolic syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome, and syndrome X.

Specifically, people who have 3 or more of these symptoms have metabolic syndrome:

1. Waist larger than 40" for men, and 35" for women.
2. Triglycerides over 150.
3. HDL less than 40 for men, and less than 50 for women.
4. Blood pressure greater than 130 systolic and/or 85 diastolic.
5. Fasting blood sugar (glucose) greater than 100.

Conventional advice to eat a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet will probably aggravate this condition. A plan that contains moderate protein, moderate carbohydrates, and moderate fats is more appropriate to improve this condition.

Goals for managing and reversing metabolic syndrome include weight loss (especially belly fat), increased exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and stopping smoking. Our "low carb" plan (which is actually low only in empty-calorie "junk" carbs, and is rich in nutrient-dense, high fiber carbs) is helpful for people who are struggling with metabolic syndrome.

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