• Metabolic Syndrome (lnsulin Resistance and Hyperinsulinemia)
• Type II Diabetes
• Reactive Hypoglycemia.

NOTE: "Type 1 Diabetes" see Autoimmune Section

Metabolic Syndrome Definition:

Metabolic Syndrome describes a cluster of two or more related health problems. Central to the syndrome is insulin resistance, the inability to efficiently use insulin to help burn blood sugar. It is often accompanied by abdominal obesity.

Here's how it develops: The more refined carbohydrates you consume, the faster your blood sugar rises after a meal. In response, your body pumps out large amounts of insulin to help move that blood sugar into cells. But insulin (a powerful hormone) also promotes fat storage, increased blood pressure and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Approximately 55% of Americans are overweight, a sign of metabolic syndrome. In addition, 25% of thin people have insulin resistance, the cornerstone of metabolic syndrome. Based on these numbers, more that 65% of American adults either have or are at risk of metabolic syndrome.

All of this blood sugar and insulin generates large numbers of hazardous free radicals, which age the body and

set the stage for heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and other diseases.

How is Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosed?

There are no well-accepted criteria for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome. The criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program(NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III(ATP III), with minor modifications, are currently recommended and widely used.

The American Heart Association and the Nation Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend that the metabolic syndrome be identified as the presence of three or more of these components:

• Elevated waist circumference:

Men - Equal to or greater than 40 inches (102 cm) Women - Equal to or greater than 35 inches (88 cm)

• Elevated triglycerides:

Equal to or greater than 150 mg/dL

• Reduced HDL ("good") cholesterol:

Men - Less than 40 mg/dL Women - Less than 50 mg/dL

• Elevated blood pressure:

Equal to or greater than 130/85 mm Hg

• Elevated fasting glucose level

Equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL

Ideal Laboratory Indices

• Fasting Insulin 0-15 mcIU/ml
• Fasting Glucose 65-85 mg/dl
• Fasting Triglycerides 80-115 mg/dl
• Fasting Cholesterol 100-180 mg/dl
• 2-Hr Postprandial Insulin Less than 50 mcIU/ml
• 2-Hr Postprandial Glucose Less than 140 mg/dl

Diabetes Definition

A syndrome characterized by abnormal insulin secretion and elevated blood glucose levels, accelerated atherosclerosis, neuropathy and thickened capillary membranes, resulting from a variable interaction of hereditary and environmental factors.

NOTE: Diabetes Mellitus is classified as Type 1 (insulin dependent) or Type 2 (non-insulin dependent). As the Type 1 patient is treated, they should be warned that insulin requirements may diminish, and care should be taken to titrate the dose according to need, not habit.

Hypoglycemia Definition

A condition characterized by sudden drops in blood sugar, associated with symptoms such as fatigue, headache, irritability, depression, nausea, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, muscle pain, arthritis, or tinnitus.