What is Syndrome X and why should you care about it?
The answer is simple. You may already have it and it could be ruining your health. Syndrome X is also known as insulin resistance or metabolic resistance and is estimated to affect more than 1 in 3 people, with the figures rising year on year.

Just Can’t Shift That Weight?
If you suffer from difficult-to-shift abdominal weight, despite sticking to a low calorie diet, then Syndrome X could be the reason. Syndrome X is a cluster of symptoms including obesity, high blood pressure and high blood glucose that was identified and named in 1988 by Dr Gerald Reavan of Stamford University. It is considered to be a metabolic disorder that could lead to future heart problems, Type 2 diabetes, strokes and diseases that affect the blood vessels and circulation.

What are the symptoms?
Syndrome X is often associated with abdominal fat deposition which can result in a waist that is nearly as large or larger than the hips giving the typical ‘apple shape’. Other indicators include a moon-shaped face, thick neck or double chin; cravings for sweet foods or addictions to carbohydrates; skin tags in the neck, groin or armpit area; and puffy hands and feet.

It’s in the Blood
Syndrome X is also linked to low levels of cholesterol in the blood and high levels of another sticky substance called triglycerides. Insulin-resistance, where insulin does not work correctly, can also cause raised levels of blood glucose. Some people with Syndrome X have cells that have been shown to be resistant to the effect of the hormone insulin. The resulting excess insulin triggers a cluster of abnormalities in the blood, increasing the risk of heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Causes
Research has indicated that obesity, a diet consisting largely of carbohydrates, sugars and processed foods, or lack of physical activity can trigger the onset of Syndrome X. Other scientists have also found that glucose generates the production of free radicals which attack and break down the cells of the body.

Good News
The good news is that Syndrome X can be controlled with a change in diet, as it is believed to be a direct result of nutritional deficiency.

What Can You Do Next?

• Consult your GP and talk through the options listed below.
• Reduce your sugar intake both as table sugar and in the hidden sugars in processed foods. The more sugar we eat, the more insulin our bodies have to produce.
• Avoid high glycaemic carbohydrates and opt for low Gi ones that release their energy slowly over time. This way you will be less likely to experience sugar spikes and crashes.
• Replace saturated fats and trans-fatty acids with mono- or poly-unsaturated fats but watch out for low-fat foods with a high sugar content.
• Increase the fibre in your diet and try to take some exercise. Walking, swimming, gardening and cycling are excellent for this.
• Add a high-quality vitamin and mineral enriched Slimavite shake as a meal replacement to your diet. Slimavite is a low Gi meal replacement shake which can effectively help you to lose weight in a natural and easy way, as part of a low GI calorie controlled diet.