Regular monitoring of Metabolic Syndrome required for Effective treatment

Metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly common. The causative factors are the combination of insulin resistance and central obesity.

The need of early diagnosis and treatment is imperative.

For effective treatment of metabolic disease, several tests are essential to treat and monitor the individual using evidenced-based medicine tests.

The tests and parameters confirming Metabolic Syndrome as set out by the International Diabetes Federation are as follows:

BMI greater than 30kg/m²
plus any two of the following four factors:
1)  Raised triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)
2)  Reduced HDL cholesterol :
< 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) in males
< 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in females
3) Raised blood pressure –
systolic BP ≥ 130 or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mm Hg or previously diagnosed hypertension
4) Raised fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), or previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners should use the above tests to regularly monitor the progress of treatment advices e.g. pharmaceuticals and/or best quality vitamin and supplements.

Iodine- rich foods

Doctor with female patient

Many are not aware of the importance of iodine in the diet. See ‘The importance of iodine’ discussion.

In order to increase iodine levels, CAM practitioners may advise the following lifestyle advice:

• Have foods from each of the five food groups
• Increasing the consumption of seaweed vegetables (best form of iodine)
• Consume bread that uses iodised salt
• Consume dairy products
• Sushi (containing seaweed)
• Oysters
• Fish e.g. snapper, salmon, cod

Key factors to remember:

• Adults require around 150 micrograms of iodine per day
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women need up to 200 micrograms of iodine daily
• Children and infants have somewhat lower requirements
• Two to three servings of seafood a week provides sufficient iodine to meet the requirements of most people

For individuals who have high iodine requirements e.g. pregnant or lactating women or those that do not eat seafood or may be vegans should consider taking iodine supplements, but only under the guidance of CAM practitioners and family physicians as there may be underlying thyroid conditions or bromine – iodine balance is compromised.