| Syndrome X or the X factor as it is sometimes | | | | abdomen?do you have high blood pressure?do you |
| known was first described in 1988 by Professor | | | | suffer with cholesterol problems?do you have high |
| Gerald Reaven , an endocrinologist at California's | | | | levels of insulin?do you have problems with blood |
| Stanford University after twenty years of study. | | | | sugar levels?do you have a family history of |
| Since this first identification the understanding of | | | | diabetes? |
| Syndrome X has come a long way. | | | | Conservative estimates say one in four, others say |
| Before we define Syndrome X we need to clarify | | | | two thirds of the Western world has Syndrome X. |
| the role of insulin in the body. When we eat | | | | According to the conservative estimate this would |
| carbohydrates - which are basically sugars, the | | | | mean 4 million Australians and 60 million Americans are |
| glucose levels in our blood start to rise. In response | | | | affected. |
| to this,the pancreas gland produces insulin. The insulin | | | | Long term, insulin resistance causes weight gain, high |
| takes the glucose and changes it into glycogen, which | | | | blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, |
| it stores in the muscles and liver cells for future use | | | | hypertension, Type II diabetes and even some kinds |
| as energy. When the muscles and the liver cells are | | | | of cancer. |
| full, the glucose is converted into fat and stored in | | | | Is there a way to reverse Syndrome X? Yes, there |
| the fatty tissues. | | | | is! First we have to eliminate refined and high GI |
| Syndrome X is caused when the body becomes | | | | carbohydrates such as white bread, white flour, |
| resistant to insulin and so higher and higher levels of | | | | white rice, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, |
| insulin need to be produced to have any effect. So | | | | sugar and other sweeteners. Eat as many of your |
| what causes this insulin resistance to happen? A diet | | | | fruits and vegetables raw and make non-starchy |
| high in refined carbohydrates such as white flour, | | | | vegetables your main source of carbohydrates. Avoid |
| white bread, sugar, cakes and biscuits in conjunction | | | | soft drinks, fruit juices, alcohol and coffee if possible. |
| with large amounts of trans fatty acids which are | | | | Avoid processed foods as they contain processed |
| used to bulk up processed foods is one of the major | | | | vegetable oils instead use extra-virgin olive oil and |
| causes of Syndrome X. Other causes are excess | | | | flaxseed oil. Do not eat deep fried foods, margarine |
| weight, hormonal imbalance, some genetic factors, | | | | or ay other foods containing partially hydrogenated |
| lack of exercise and some medications. | | | | oils. Eat good quality sources of protein such as fish, |
| When insulin resistance has developed, the ingestion | | | | chicken, eggs, organic meat and soya products at |
| of more refined carbohydrates causes the release of | | | | every meal and snack. Protein produces a moderate |
| higher and higher levels of insulin. The insulin does not | | | | amount of insulin and also maintains blood sugar levels. |
| work as effectively as it used to; it is still capable of | | | | You should also take a multi vitamin with antioxidants |
| depositing the glucose as fat, but not so capable of | | | | every day. If at all possible an exercise program |
| putting glucose into the muscles and liver cells to be | | | | should be started; walking for 20 to 30 minutes a |
| used as energy. So more glucose becomes fat and | | | | day and strength training for 30mins a day four times |
| less is used up as energy. | | | | a week enhances your lean body mass and helps |
| So, how do you know if you have Syndrome X? | | | | burn even more fat. |
| To have Syndrome X officially diagnosed would | | | | Perhaps the ultimate source of protein can be found |
| require a blood test by your doctor. Among the | | | | in soya. It is low in fat and high in essential amino |
| many things to be tested would be cholesterol levels, | | | | acids. In fact half the calories in soya beans comes as |
| triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting | | | | protein and the rest of the calories come from |
| blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance. Perhaps an | | | | desirable complex carbohydrates. Start your day with |
| easier approach is to consider the following list of | | | | a soy-based protein shake and have another for |
| symptoms - if you answer yes to three or more it is | | | | lunch and you have already taken in two thirds of |
| very likely that you have Syndrome X:do you find it | | | | your daily protein requirement. Combine that with a |
| impossible to lose weight?do you find low-fat | | | | third meal of low fat protein (e.g. chicken or turkey) |
| low-calorie diets don't work?are you a yoyo | | | | and low glycaemic vegetables to give the ideal |
| dieter?are you hungry all the time, even shortly after | | | | program to lose weight, gain energy, lower |
| eating?do you crave carbohydrates and sugary | | | | cholesterol and blood pressure, reverse Syndrome X |
| foods?do you tend to put on weight around your | | | | and avoid Type II diabetes. |