Metabolism: How to Identify a Disease of an Advanced Civilization

Metabolism is a complex of various chemical reactions that occur during the life of an organism. And a change in the rate of transformation of complex substances into simple ones can indeed lead to changes in weight. The development of civilization and the acquisition of various benefits have relaxed the human body. You no longer need to work hard to get your lunch, or mobilize all your strength to warm up in frosty weather. The body begins to convert excess food into fat deposits, which provokes the appearance of excess weight.

“I decided to take care of myself - I quit drinking and smoking, went on a diet, stopped eating heavy food, and in two weeks I lost exactly 14 days” (Oscar Levant)

But in addition to problems with large body weight, civilization has brought other dangerous pathologies, united by the term “metabolic syndrome”. This diagnosis is given to patients with obesity, tachycardia, hypertension and diabetes.

Causes of metabolic disorders

The main source of negative changes is an unhealthy lifestyle. Unhealthy diet, increased comfort of city life, bad habits become the first steps on the path to insulin resistance syndrome. This is proven by statistical studies conducted among residents of villages and megalopolises. People who spend most of their lives in nature and engage in physical labor are practically not susceptible to the described disease.

Factors such as pregnancy, the onset of menopause, impaired sensitivity of receptors interacting with insulin, and a failure in lipid metabolism can also provoke the onset of the disease. In this case, the body requires a large amount of glucose, obesity develops, and heart disease or diseases associated with blood pressure appear.

Symptoms of metabolic syndrome

It is quite difficult to independently identify the first signs of metabolic pathology. Often people attribute the alarm bells of the body to banal fatigue or the influence of urbanization. It is necessary to consult a doctor if such signs of poor health as chronic lethargy, migraines, a sharp increase in heart rate, increased sweating and disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract often occur.

There are also external changes characteristic of a person with insulin resistance syndrome. This is an increase in waist circumference and reddish spots that appear on the body (most often in the neck and chest area) during strong emotional experiences or worries.

To dispel or confirm concerns about your health, you should undergo an examination at a medical institution. Consultations with a therapist and nutritionist will help to understand the cause of the discomfort. Laboratory tests are prescribed to clarify the diagnosis. An indicator of the development of the disease is a high level of insulin, glucose, cholesterol, lipoproteins, leptin, triglycerides in the blood or adipose tissue.

Treatment of the "disease of advanced civilization"

The choice of therapeutic actions largely depends on the severity of the disease. First of all, doctors recommend changing the diet. Often, following a prescribed diet can significantly reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms of the disease.

People with metabolic syndrome should reduce the amount of foods containing fast carbohydrates. They are often responsible for weight gain. But when planning a transition to a low-calorie diet, it is necessary to remember that a significant reduction in the intake of essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other necessary elements of the diet can affect the state of the immune system and susceptibility to infectious diseases.

It also wouldn’t hurt to increase physical activity. Sports activities reduce the likelihood of health problems several times. It is not necessary to go to extremes. Regular walking, swimming, dancing or doing gymnastic exercises will be quite enough.

“Sports activities are never superfluous. But it is better to understand this now, and not at that moment when half a dozen zombies will be chasing your fat, heavily breathing body" (Woody Harrelson)

In the case when the disease has already caused negative consequences - pharmacotherapy is prescribed. Depending on the pathology, medical workers prescribe drugs that normalize blood pressure, stimulate the natural production of insulin, restore lipid metabolism or suppress appetite. It is important to remember that the use of any drugs should be agreed with the attending physician.

But the most effective treatment is prevention. Watch your lifestyle. Move more, eat right, get rid of bad habits, play sports - and metabolic syndrome will pass you by.