N u t r i t i o n   N e w s l e t t e r
"equipping you for better health choices"

Summer  2003

Recipe For Syndrome X 

What is Syndrome X? Syndrome X is a collection of health related disorder, due in most cases to bad lifestyle choices. The fruit of these unwise actions gives rise to a recipe for: obesity, high blood cholesterol, blood glucose imbalances, and high blood pressure. On of the most alarming traits of this combination is the glucose intolerance or insulin resistance factor. New data supports the links of this insulin disorder to a whole complex of diseases. These disease touch our very day, such as female infertility, joint and tissue inflammation, immune impairment, cancer and of course the big killer, heart disease (Holt Stephen, Combat Syndrome X, Y and Z. p. 17). Syndrome X was termed in 1965, by Dr. Gerald Reaven, MD, of Stanford University, California. Syndrome X was first ignored. Even today some physicians are still in doubt of the X factor. But look around and you will find the typical X person. 

Are you brewing a recipe for Syndrome X? 

Recipe for Syndrome X 

• overweight (apple shape) 

• Sedentary lifestyle 

• Excessive amounts of refined, processed sugar 

• Excessive amounts of salt and saturated fat  note: Fish fat is a good fat, all other animal fats not good. 
  Lack of Fiber 

• Fried foods, junk foods in any amount are not good 

Confirmation of Syndrome X 

Researchers have provided a clear definition of this 
metabolic syndrome. They are as follows: 

1. Abdominal obesity: waist circumference greater than 102cm in men and women 88cm. 

2. Blood Triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL. 

3. HDL Cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL in men, 50 mg.dL in women. 

4. High Blood pressure greater than 140/85 

5. High fasting glucose greater than 110g./dL 

(Holt Stephen, Combat Syndrome X, Y, and Z.. pp.34-35). 

Syndrome X is a new classified syndrome, although the epidemic of these collection of disorders cannot be ignored. One of the most important factors to understand that a recipe for X, lies in the resistance of the action of insulin. In a state of insulin resistance, insulin levels have damaging effecting on the body. This chain of events is recipe for premature death, which could have been prevented. Cardiovascular Disease is the number one killer in Western cultures. Cardiovascular disease has even been detected in children, especially overweight children. 

A must read book on this topic is: "Combat Syndrome X, Y, Z." by Stephen Holt. M. D." It will hopefully encourage you to change your lifestyle! 

Supplements to combat Syndrome X 

1. Fish Oils, reduces LDL cholesterol 

2. Alfalfa, this humble food, lowers cholesterol in animals. 

3. Garlic, the king of herbs, protects whole cardiovascular system, has lowering effect of bad blood fats. 

4. Milk Thistle, contains silymarin, combats a fatty liver, thus has good effect of cholesterol 

5. Bromelain, anti-flammatory, inhibits platelet aggregation, vasodilator, antianaginal. 

6. Ginger, inhibits platelet aggregation. 

7. Bilberry, reduces platelet aggregation, protect eyes, too. 

8. Grape Seed and Pycnogenols, combats cholesterol. may protect blood flow. 

9. Chromium supports glucose regulation. 

10. Vitamin E, a mighty vitamin! Improve blood flow, thus has healthy effect on entire body. 

Note: This information in not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or any disease.