Dangers of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
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The Unseen Dangers of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Weight gain can be caused by a number of things including an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and the natural aging process as our metabolism slows down and we lose lean muscle mass. Weight gain can also be caused by underlying health issues like resistance to insulin, a thyroid issue, hormonal imbalance, and more.

One in three Americans are considered obese, and one in five Americans have Metabolic Syndrome. Obesity can be measured by your BMI, or body mass index. If your BMI is 30% or over, you are considered obese. There are four levels of obesity, the first level falls between a BMI of 30 and 34.9, level two falls between a BMI of 35 and 39.9, and level 3, also called morbidly obese, is over 40% BMI.

One step further, Metabolic Syndrome, seen in people who are significantly overweight, is a combination of health disorders caused by obesity and other related factors. Metabolic Syndrome is present if you have three or more symptoms including, a large waist circumference 35-40 inches or more, low HDL cholesterol, blood pressure higher than 130/85mmHg, fasting blood pressure higher than 100 gm/dL, or triglycerides higher than 150 mg/dL.

While someone who is obese or suffering from Metabolic Syndrome may be easy to spot, there are many dangerous unseen side effects and symptoms that come along with it. The most common issues can be seen with how being severely overweight affects your bones, joints, and organs. The added weight can put stress on them and also makes them work much harder to do their job.

Other common symptoms include high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, raised cholesterol levels, and greater risk for heart disease and strokes. Being overweight can also lead to diabetes, has been linked to higher rates of cancer, and cause cells to become damaged due to inflammation. Obesity can also worsen other health issues like sleep apnea, back pain, osteoporosis, and asthma.

LongevityMed Centers specializes in treating obesity and related illnesses like Metabolic Syndrome. We can help you healthily lose weight, as well as help lower your blood pressure and get on the right track to a healthier lifestyle with diet, exercise, and supplementation. If you think you may be suffering from obesity or Metabolic Syndrome, take our weight loss test to get started, or Contact us today to schedule a consultation.