Metabolic syndrome – a widespread health problem

Metabolic syndrome is a disease caused by various metabolic disorders. This combo of issues significantly ups the odds of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and strokes. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyles, with their off-kilter diets and lack of exercise, have made metabolic syndrome is no longer uncommon. 

It is important to recognize early warning signs and address them using innovative methods. A promising approach to support is breathing gas analysis. It can be used to detect metabolic disorders at an early stage, which means that it can have a preventive effect against metabolic syndrome.

What is metabolic syndrome?

If a set of symptoms or illnesses crops up simultaneously, you're dealing with what's known as metabolic syndrome. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Obesity (overweight)
• Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism disorder)
• Glucose metabolism disorder or type 2 diabetes

The presence of metabolic syndrome is assessed by evaluating HDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels, fasting blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and waist circumference. If three or more of these health indicators deviate from the normal range or necessitate medication for regulation, it signals the presence of metabolic syndrome. It's crucial to note that even if just one of these symptoms occurs in isolation, there is an elevated risk of serious illnesses.

Insufficient physical activity, alcohol consumption, stress, and smoking significantly contribute to the emergence of metabolic syndrome, also named as "affluence syndrome." These factors are also key culprits behind the growing incidence of metabolic syndrome among children and young individuals.

Obesity and other causes of metabolic syndrome

Obesity is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, as individuals with excess weight face an elevated risk of heightened blood lipid levels, elevated blood sugar, and high blood pressure. The majority of those afflicted by metabolic syndrome are found to be obese.

These individuals experience severe abdominal obesity, posing a threat to their well-being. The specific waist circumference at which this health risk arises can vary from person to person. Rather than conforming to the unhealthy standards perpetuated by the beauty industry, it is advisable to seek personalized clarification from a qualified specialist.

Other causes can include a lack of exercise and stress over a long period of time, too much food containing cholesterol and fat, excessive consumption of table salt and alcohol, smoking, certain previous illnesses and medication and hormone treatments.

Eating too much and not being active enough can make your blood sugar levels go too high. When this happens often, your body needs more insulin to bring the sugar levels down. If your body gets used to having a lot of insulin around, it might need even more over time. This can lead to a condition called insulin resistance.

Prevention and treatment options for metabolic syndrome

Preventing metabolic syndrome involves reducing risk factors, often requiring a lifestyle change. Regular check-ups with traditional methods like blood tests and blood pressure measurements help with early detection, but they can be inconvenient. A more comfortable diagnostic tool is breath gas analysis

As a result of the body's metabolic process, various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in exhaled air, revealing metabolic activity. People with insulin resistance or obesity show specific patterns of these VOCs. Breath analysis devices utilize these patterns to detect early metabolic changes, enabling timely intervention to prevent metabolic syndrome. This method is simple, quick, and non-invasive, eliminating the need for laboratory or specialized personnel to obtain results.

Our company is dedicated to creating advanced breath analysis devices with high sensitivity and precision. In the near future, these high-tech wearables will play a crucial role in transforming the way we diagnose and prevent metabolic syndrome.

Individuals already dealing with metabolic syndrome are primarily addressed through the reduction of underlying causes:

• Weight loss
• More physical activities
• Less saturated fatty acids, more fiber consumption
• Avoiding alcohol etc.

This is intended to bring the metabolism back into balance - if this is not enough, medications can be indicated to help on the treatment.

Regular breath analysis can assist in implementing the intervention plan. Our app (in connection with our device) does not only presents current health data in an easily understandable format but also generates personalized nutrition and training plans, simplifying the implementation of these measures.

Recognizing metabolic syndrome and reducing health risks

Metabolic syndrome is a widespread health risk that is particularly aggravated by modern lifestyles. In order to combat this and improve the general health of society, you will find innovative, modern methods that can be easily incorporated into everyday life. Awareness of this disease needs to be raised and appropriate prevention measures promoted. Our purpose is to bring a new way to help our world to be bit healthier.

Author: Lisa Schräder

Translation: Bruna Rocha