The medical medley of metabolic syndrome
Virtually all of us have heard about the obesity “epidemic” (it’s not contagious, by the way), but what about metabolic syndrome? A lesser-known phenomenon, metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions related to obesity that are typically treated separately with prescription drugs. Metabolic syndrome is almost as common in the US population as obesity: in 2023 it was reported to be 38.7% for adults[i]. And just like obesity, rates have grown parallel with poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
In order to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, 3 of the following 5 conditions must be present[ii]:
· Blood sugar higher than 100
· Blood pressure higher than 130/85
· Triglycerides higher than 150
· HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) lower than 40 in men or 50 in women
· A waist circumference greater than 40” for men or 35” for women (slightly less for Asian men and women)
Why is waist circumference mentioned rather than obesity? Body fat in the abdomen area is considered more dangerous than fat distributed elsewhere because vital organs like the liver and pancreas are located in the abdominal cavity.
Metabolic syndrome is strongly related to insulin resistance, which occurs when cells in the muscles, body fat and liver start ignoring the signal being sent out by the hormone insulin to pull glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells.
Why should metabolic syndrome be addressed early on?
A large study of more than 27,000 individuals published in 2018 found that insulin resistance was evident more than 20 years before an eventual diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes[iii]. This means that if you have metabolic syndrome, even without a current diagnosis of pre-diabetes you are likely on the path to pre-diabetes and diabetes. So the time to act is now! (For more on this, check out the blogpost: “The Long Road to Type 2 Diabetes”).
How is metabolic syndrome treated by conventional medicine?
Early treatment of metabolic syndrome usually includes a recommendation to modify diet and lifestyle. However, occasional and very brief visits to the doctor are typically not the best context for conversations about these important steps. This is because many people face major challenges with modifying their eating and exercise habits. Change is hard!
With progression of metabolic syndrome, as many as 5 conditions may be involved, so each tends to be treated with separate medicines. This means people diagnosed with metabolic syndrome may be taking multiple prescription drugs for each of blood sugar management, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol.
A word on the “miracle” GLP-1 weight loss drugs that have come onto the market in the last several years. Like all new drugs, time is needed to learn more about side effects and adverse effects. The most common side effects of these drugs are gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. Less common side effects include brain fog, dizziness and fatigue, as well as headache, abdominal pain and rapid heartbeat. Rare and more serious adverse effects include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), thyroid cancer, diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina of the eye) and kidney damage [iv]. But perhaps most concerning about these drugs is not a side effect: even when they work well without side or adverse effects, they must be taken for the rest of your life, as soon as they are stopped, the weight comes right back.
In addition to prescription drugs, bariatric surgery is increasingly being recommended as a treatment for obesity, even for children and teens[v]. It goes without saying that major surgery like this comes with inherent risks.
Drugs and surgery: not the only solutions
There is growing evidence that metabolic syndrome can be reversed, mainly through long-term weight management and lifestyle changes. That’s the good news. But of course this is not a quick-fix solution.
Many with metabolic syndrome have tried every “diet”, having lost and regained the excess weight over and over again. This is because unless insulin resistance—the underlying cause of metabolic syndrome-- is halted, the weight creeps back because the original metabolic imbalance has not been addressed.
There is also growing evidence indicating that success in weight management is increased with a personalized approach that takes into account eating patterns, preferences, metabolic goals and comorbidities (or other conditions).[vi]
Homeopathic medicines, which are federally recognized in the US, can help address the medical medley of metabolic syndrome by targeting the multiple body systems involved such as the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, along with long-term weight management and lifestyle changes.
Call me for a free 15-minute consultation or schedule one on the online scheduler to learn more about how I can help you address your metabolic syndrome.
[i] Abohashem, S, I Hassan J Wasfy (2025) “Trends and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among US adults” Journal of the American Medical Association 335(3): 274-7 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2842706
[ii] Wang, S , Y Ali (2026) “Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome”, https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/165124
[iii] Diabetologia. "Diabetes may begin more than 20 years before diagnosis." ScienceDaily, 4 October 2018. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181004192202.htm
[iv] Abdelrahman, R, T Musa I Arbab E Ahmed S Gasmallah M Jalal C Mbgechidinma W Ahmed (2026) “Adverse effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists: clinical implications, regulatory perspectives and future directions” Obesity Medicine 61 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2451847626000175
[v] Mitra, A, O Wing B Das N Fakih-Gomez H Khwaja C Parmar M Fehervari (2025) “Impact of metabolic and bariatric surgery on the pediatric and adolescent metabolome: a systematic review and meta-analysis” Scientific Reports 15:36169: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-20078-7
[vi] https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2213-8587%2819%2930149-4