LIFT WEIGHTS & AVOID METABOLIC SYNDROME

Frequently influenced by diet and lifestyle, Metabolic Syndrome is a collection of conditions that a person has that increases the risk for several diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and a list of others. A diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome is made when a person has any of the following risk factors:

1.Waist circumference of at least 35 inches for women and at least 40 inches for men.

2. Fasting blood glucose of at least 100mg/dl.

3. Serum Triglycerides of at least 150mg/dl.

4. Blood Pressure of at least 135/85mm/Hg

5. HDL (good cholesterol) lower than 40mg/dl for men or 50mg/dl for women.

Weight training has many benefits. Warding off Metabolic Syndrome may be one of them, suggests a recent study by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The findings were reported that among men and women, weight lifting was twice as common among men as it was among women and White Americans were more likely to lift weights than Hispanic Americans. Rates of Metabolic Syndrome were lower among those who lifted weights than those who did not. It is my personal and educated belief that lifting weights does play a role in reducing the prevalence and risk of Metabolic Syndrome among all people. All exercise professionals should strongly encourage the activity of lifting weights among adults of all ages to promote metabolic health. This does not mean you must become a body builder. A weight training program should be designed around you and your fitness goals.