Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
SENDROM, cilt.17, sa.10, ss.78-82, 2005 (Scopus)
Metabolic syndrome is an important cause of morbidity which affects increasingly more people worldwide and in Turkey. It is estimated that in Turkey 3 out of 8 adults have metabolic syndrome and 53% of cardiac patients will develop metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular risk factors that occur in individuals with impaired insulin sensivity. The major characteristic of metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure and lipid abnormalities (increased plasma triglyserides and lower HDL cholesterol levels), hyperuricemia and some independent factors (immunological, hepatic, and molecular factors). The treatment of diagnosed cases of metabolic syndrome aims to improve insulin sensivity and correct/prevent the associated metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities. All patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome should be encouraged to change diet and exercise habits as primary therapy. Weight loss improves all aspects of the metabolic syndrome, as well as reducing all cause and cardiovascular mortality. Spesific dietary changes that are appropriate for addressing different aspects of syndrome include reducing saturated fat intake to lower insulin resistance, reducing sodium intake to lower blood pressure, and reducing high glysemic index carbohydrate intake to lower triglyseride levels. The diet for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome should be limited to the intake of saturated fat while high fibre low glysemic index foods should be permitted as they do not induce detrimental metabolic effects.