Find out how your body reacts to diets: metabolic test

Health

Weight loss

Want to know your metabolic rate ? It's very simple: there are at least 3 proven methods that will clearly outline the state of your body. Each test can be done at home as often as you like.

Why is it important to know your metabolic rate? This indicator directly determines how quickly you will be able to lose weight and whether it is worth going on a diet at all (perhaps this is strictly contraindicated for you). Check right now to see if your metabolism is getting lazy.

Test No. 1. On oatmeal

To test this, cook a portion of oatmeal in water (200–250 g). Take the flakes for long cooking. Minute porridge in bags is not suitable: after processing, there is little useful fiber left in it, but harmful starch has been added.

It is also important to cook the oatmeal empty - without sugar, butter, salt, berries or jam. The porridge should be warm.

Eat the steamed cereal on an empty stomach, chewing thoroughly. After 10–15 minutes, listen to your body and evaluate the sensations.

Test No. 2. Weight control

1. Weigh yourself before bed. 2-3 hours before, do not eat, drink or exercise anything. Write down the result, labeling it A.
2. Re-weigh immediately after waking up, mark the weight with the letter B.
3. Subtract A from B. If the difference is 500 g , this indicates normal metabolism. If the indicator is less than normal or equal to zero (A equals B), your metabolism is slow.

Insulin resistance test

05.27.2021
Metabolic
syndrome
refers to elevated levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood at a stage when diabetes has not yet occurred, but the body’s condition precedes it.
Metabolic syndrome
is not a disease, but precedes it. Hence its important diagnostic value. Its diagnosis will make it possible, if not completely prevent, then at least slow down the onset of diabetes and hypertension. Of course, this is only possible if the patient is ready to change their lifestyle, diet, sleep and rest patterns.

The term “metabolic syndrome” began to be used in the 80s and, at that time, it was a pathology of older people. Now he is rapidly “getting younger.” The pathology has a pronounced geographical distribution, which is associated with diet and the average age of the population. In developed countries and world leaders in obesity, the number of people with metabolic syndrome exceeds 25-30%. Typical distribution is the USA, Latin America and Asian countries with an average standard of living.

Current state of research

Metabolic syndrome linked to daily sugar consumption

.
Genetic predisposition
also plays a certain role (it most often affects people who are constitutionally predisposed to obesity). Men and women get sick equally often, but due to the increasing prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic syndrome occurs earlier in women, despite the fact that their overall life expectancy is higher. Researchers are establishing a connection between the frequent occurrence of metabolic syndrome in women of reproductive age and the use of oral contraceptives.

The most typical diseases into which metabolic syndrome develops

• Diabetes mellitus type II (the most typical disease);
• Hypertension and atherosclerosis;
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis;
• Oncological diseases.

A connection has been identified with a more frequent occurrence of psoriasis in people
suffering from metabolic syndrome. As medical statistics accumulate, new data appears that proves a connection with other diseases, but it is not possible to establish the exact causes of the appearance of the metabolic syndrome itself. A treatment method has not been developed, other than general recommendations for reducing sugar in the diet, physical activity and other rules of a healthy lifestyle.

Synonyms

• Insulin resistance syndrome;
• "New World Syndrome";
• Riven syndrome;
• Syndrome X;
• Reaven syndrome, dysmetabolic syndrome, etc.

Diagnosis
The main symptom of metabolic syndrome is high blood sugar.
However, the diagnosis can be made without this sign, if there are other, at least three, signs from the list below:

• an increase in blood glucose levels above normal;
• persistent blood pressure above 130/80;
• abdominal obesity (waist circumference more than 94 cm for men and 80 for women);
• increased levels of cholesterol (cholesterol);
• increased triglyceride levels.

If three or more indicators from this list match, the diagnosis of “metabolic syndrome” is practically established. Abdominal obesity

has become typical not only for men, but also for women. In both cases, it indicates profound hormonal imbalances and decreased fertility. General obesity is tolerated by the body much more easily, and the abdominal variant is the most severe, as it leads to the deposition of visceral fat, which is much less easily broken down by the body. Impaired functioning of adipose tissue, leading to insulin resistance, is considered a major factor in the development of metabolic syndrome.

Mechanism of development of insulin resistance

Insulin is produced by beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin secretion is time limited. Pancreatic cells cannot produce an infinite amount of it, but the development of resistance is not at all associated with a lack of its secretion, the mechanism here is completely different. Glucose from food is converted by insulin into the body's main source of energy. Glucose consumption increases with physical and mental activity. If excess food continues to be consumed, it is deposited in the form of glycogen in the liver and serves as a building material for the synthesis of fatty acids, the same fat that is stored in fat cells. As fat accumulates, cells become increasingly insensitive to insulin. The pancreas “knows nothing” about this and continues to secrete insulin. As a result, both the glucose level and the level of insulin, which should break it down, rise.

Increased sugar and insulin in the blood lead to damage to the walls of blood vessels, and cholesterol is deposited at the sites of damage. Plaques appear, blood pressure rises, the vessel continues to deform and even changes its appearance. Visible sclerotic changes in the temporal artery on the face are known. An additional mechanism for the mutual aggravation of hypertension and diabetes is sodium retention in the body due to excess insulin. Thus, metabolic syndrome has many biological mechanisms for gradual worsening.

Numerous studies have noted different adipose tissue dysfunction for abdominal and subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat contributes to the development of insulin resistance to a much greater extent than subcutaneous fat. An increase in fat cells leads to the release of cytokines, adiponectin, resistin, laptin and others. Adipose tissue becomes an endocrine organ. Finally, insulin can accumulate in fat cells.

Risk group

Metabolic syndrome is closely related to adipose tissue, so people with
abdominal obesity
are without exception at risk, even at a very young age.
An examination by an endocrinologist is necessary, since obesity is the most common hormonal pathology. Polycystic ovary
syndrome has different phenotypes. They can lead to both piriform and abdominal obesity. After examination and checking hormone levels, specific treatment is prescribed, if necessary.

Relatives of people with diabetes are at risk

. Actually, in most cases, diabetes begins with metabolic syndrome. Gradually increasing insulin resistance eventually leads to diabetes. Since the liver is actively involved in glucose metabolism, patients with liver diseases are also at risk.

Age over 60 years, sedentary lifestyle, patients with hormonal imbalances, thyroid diseases should also be promptly checked for the possible onset of metabolic syndrome.

Laboratory research

Persons from the risk group, both those with clearly visible factors and those referred there based on the results of a blood test, undergo laboratory blood tests. All of the following laboratory tests are not complex and are carried out in standard diagnostic centers in regional centers or even hospital districts.

1. Plasma glucose level (the most important measurement). Metabolic syndrome can also be present when glucose levels are normal.
2. Insulin in the blood. Due to the accumulation of insulin in adipose tissue, and most importantly, the emergence of resistance to it, an increase is typical.
3. Low-density lipoprotein (quantitative measurement of LDL). An increase is typical. They are a component of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
4. High-density lipoproteins (cholesterols that prevent the growth of cholesterol plaques). A decrease is typical.
5. Triglycerides. They are formed in the intestines during the digestion of fats. The accuracy of the test depends on your diet. MS is characterized by an increase.
6. Microalbumin in urine is a standard “renal” test. This is done just in case to rule out unexpected diabetic nephropathy.
7. C-peptide, it is an indirect indicator of insulin levels, as it is involved in its secretion.
8. Homocysteine. Its level is used to assess the risk of blood clots and their complications: heart attacks and strokes.
9. C-reactive protein. Increases in metabolic syndrome. The concentration depends on anti-inflammatory cytokines.
10. Total cholesterol (including very low, low and high density lipoproteins). The level is usually elevated (but due to low-density cholesterol).

These ten tests are done in one blood and urine draw, which is easy for the patient.
The diagnosis is made taking into account concomitant diseases, age, gender and diet of the patient. Other diagnostic methods

Patients have their
blood pressure
. With the advent of inexpensive and very easy-to-use portable blood pressure monitors, self-monitoring over several days or weeks can be recommended. The diagnostic criterion for metabolic syndrome is a persistent increase in blood pressure above 130/85.

Patients are sent for electrocardiography. In people over 60 years of age with obesity, signs of healed microinfarctions are found extremely often. ECG

identifies pre-existing disorders, represented by scar changes, as well as current pathologies. This is a very simple and effective test, so it is recommended for wide diagnostics.

If the ECG reveals disorders that require treatment, more complex visual methods for diagnosing blood vessels are prescribed: CT or even MRI, contrast angiography. As the diagnosis becomes more precise, research methods are changed.

Treatment and prevention

Specific treatment

metabolic syndrome has not been developed. It is not yet known how to stop the increasing insulin resistance of tissues that will lead to diabetes. Just like with diabetes, the exact mechanism of development of these pathologies is not known, which makes it difficult to find a treatment method. Due to the lack of specific treatment, prevention is effective. First of all, the patient is required to normalize weight. It should be taken into account that for people with abdominal obesity, losing weight is very difficult. Visceral fat is much more difficult to absorb than subcutaneous fat.

Compliance with the basic requirements of a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, physical activity and normalization of sleep and rest patterns can significantly delay the onset of diabetes for many years to come, and these methods are even more effective for lowering blood pressure. Select an address for analysis

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