Healthy Lifestyle Changes is the First and Most Effective Treatment

Insulin Resistance and Obesity:

Does insulin resistance or obesity come first? It is thought that both are true in different people. What is known is that each of these conditions makes the other worse. Both conditions are usually present together. The longer and more severe each becomes, the more risk factors for serious life-threatening disease associated with the Metabolic Syndrome become present. The Metabolic Syndrome is the result of learned unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

Risk Factors:

These risk factors include high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, high insulin and glucose levels, inflammation in the heart and blood vessels and a build up of fatty plaques in the arteries. All of these lead to heart disease which includes heart attacks as well as strokes and diabetes.

The Most Important Treatment:

To prevent and reverse these conditions the number one treatment is weight loss, healthy diet, exercise and smoking cessation. This involves great changes in every area of your life. In order to be successful, you start with a physical assessment with your doctor.

Assuming Responsiblity for Your Health:

We know that those living with chronic conditions like diabetes, have long term success when they assume responsibility for their own treatment. This means, you need your doctor to advise and follow your care, but no one can make permanent changes for you but you. We have all heard that knowledge empowers us, and it really is true. We have learned unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. It is not too late at any age to learn healthy new behaviors.

Healthy Lifestyle Information Links:

To help you understand how lifestyle changes can make dramatic improvements in your health, proceed through the following links. Post any questions you have on the site. The forum is a great place to post questions, share successes you have realized and to give and receive support from others who are making similar changes in their lives.

Diet and Nutrition:

Metabolism of Food
Metabolism of Cholesterol
Try the DASH Eating Plan for Combating High Blood Pressure and Metabolic Syndrome
Understand the Role of Salt and How to Make Better Food Choices.

Exercise:

Dangerous Abdominal Fat and Metabolic Syndrome - Exercise Is An Effective Treatment
Total Energy Expenditure and the Metabolic Rate
Why Exercise is Important
Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise - Getting Enough Exercise When You Have Metabolic Syndrome

High Risk Groups:

Exercise in the Elderly
The Importance of Exercise for Post-Menopausal Women

Smoking Cessation:

Quit Smoking.About.com-Your Quit Smoking Toolbox.