“M.S.” – yet probably not the M.S. you think I’m blogging

Multiple Sclerosis is a relevant human condition for our Well Past Forty Project which merits mention – and I’ll take that for action.

A Master of Science graduate degree?  Not “that” M.S.”

“M.S.” as the subject of this post, is a rather ominous sounding condition for far too many folks – METABOLIC SYNDROME.

Too many Americans – as in three (3) million each year become part of this infographic’s terrible statistics (Thank you, Dr. Axe).  OY!

And, if age 60 is indeed the new 40, we’ve got a major societal problem.

Aussies label Metabolic Syndrome as “CHAOS” – for good reason! “It affects one in five people, and prevalence increases with age. Some studies estimate the prevalence in the USA to be up to 25% of the population.”

Are there markers for  a “3 outta 5” cluster on which your Primary Care Physician will alert?

Definitely – review entries in this American Heart Association table for five (5) possible eye-opener ELEVATIONS or epiphanies:

1. Elevated waist circumference:

• Men — Equal to or greater than 40 inches (102 cm)
• Women — Equal to or greater than 35 inches (88 cm)
• (I’ll blog more about pear- and apple-shaped silhouettes in a future post – visceral and subcutaneous fat locations matter!)

2. Elevated triglyceride levels:

• Equal to or greater than 150 mg/dL

3. Reduced HDL (“good”) cholesterol:

• Men — Less than 40 mg/dL
• Women — Less than 50 mg/dL

4. Elevated blood pressure:

• Equal to or greater than 130/85 mm Hg, or use of medication for hypertension

5. Elevated fasting glucose:

• Equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), or use of medication for hyperglycemia

(Our American Diabetes Association is in stride with these AHA markers above).

Americans – We HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS here!

Is there hope for millions of us?  It depends, regrettably.

If a person chooses to break away from CHAOS, a statistical answer is YES                            (if and when he or she complies with lifestyle, diet and fitness improvements).

Organicfacts.net offers these simple unmedicated steps to counter MS:

It is NOT my intent to advocate any of these remedies.

YET…prudent people may wish to check some MS remedies out, (as they stay in touch with their MDs/ health care professionals).

In closing, here is my 3-M big bet for current and future sufferers of MS in this national pandemic:

1. Medications which may be prescribed / required :(.
2. Move! 
3. Minimize portions, maximize low-glycemic foods in healthier diets.

This MS – aka SYMPTOM X, or CHAOS is far scarier than Friday the 13th horror movies, in my opinion.

Be well.

df