Syndrome X or
X factor as it is sometimes known was first described in 1988 by Professor Gerald Reaven , an endocrinologist at California’s Stanford University after twenty years of study. Since this first identification understanding of Syndrome X has come a long way.Before we define Syndrome X we need to clarify role of insulin in body. When we eat carbohydrates – which are basically sugars, glucose levels in our blood start to rise. In response to this,the pancreas gland produces insulin. The insulin takes glucose and changes it into glycogen, which it stores in muscles and liver cells for future use as energy. When muscles and liver cells are full, glucose is converted into fat and stored in fatty tissues.
Syndrome X is caused when body becomes resistant to insulin and so higher and higher levels of insulin need to be produced to have any effect. So what causes this insulin resistance to happen? A diet high in refined carbohydrates such as white flour, white bread, sugar, cakes and biscuits in conjunction with large amounts of trans fatty acids which are used to bulk up processed foods is one of major causes of Syndrome X. Other causes are excess weight, hormonal imbalance, some genetic factors, lack of exercise and some medications.
When insulin resistance has developed, ingestion of more refined carbohydrates causes release of higher and higher levels of insulin. The insulin does not work as effectively as it used to; it is still capable of depositing glucose as fat, but not so capable of putting glucose into muscles and liver cells to be used as energy. So more glucose becomes fat and less is used up as energy.
So, how do you know if you have Syndrome X? To have Syndrome X officially diagnosed would require a blood test by your doctor. Among many things to be tested would be cholesterol levels, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance. Perhaps an easier approach is to consider following list of symptoms – if you answer yes to three or more it is very likely that you have Syndrome X:
do you find it impossible to lose weight? do you find low-fat low-calorie diets don’t work? are you a yoyo dieter? are you hungry all time, even shortly after eating? do you crave carbohydrates and sugary foods? do you tend to put on weight around your abdomen? do you have high blood pressure? do you suffer with cholesterol problems? do you have high levels of insulin? do you have problems with blood sugar levels? do you have a family history of diabetes?
