The Metabolic Syndrome: A Lifestyle Medicine Foe Worthy Of A Seek And Destroy Mission

The Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is comprised of dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, elevated plasma glucose, abdominal obesity and associated prothrombotic and proinflammatory states. It is accompanied by a life long twofold increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a fivefold increase risk for diabetes. Since cardiovascular disease and diabetes are predictable by modifiable risk factors, metabolic syndrome is a prime candidate for lifestyle modification utilizing the tools of Lifestyle Medicine (LM), (exercise, nutritional therapy and behavior modification). Such approaches can prevent the development of full blown Type II diabetes (5) and dramatically modify all of the components of the metabolic syndrome. This article discusses the definition and importance of MetS and how to screen for it and manage it using LM principles.