Metabolic Syndrome

Our team at Malvern East Physiotherapy recently had the pleasure of assisting La Trobe University’s  research surrounding the impact and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in private practice physiotherapy. This opportunity not only assisted our team ensure that we’re at the forefront of current practice, but provided the opportunity for members of our Malvern East Physiotherapy to complete a comprehensive health check.

As part of the research, members of our community completed a number of tests including blood sugar levels, blood pressure and completed an in-depth survey around exercise and dietary habits.

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of conditions that have been linked to increase the likelihood of diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Current research has shown that individuals with metabolic syndrome are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease or have a stoke.

Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when an individual has three or more of the factors below:

• Increased weight around your stomach region.
• Increased blood pressure/currently taking blood pressure medication
• Increased triglycerides
• Increased cholesterol/currently taking cholesterol medication
• Raised blood sugar levels

Can you fix metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome may be reversed by implementing a combination of dietary and exercise changes. Reversing these conditions can significantly reduce the risk of developing more serious health conditions. It has been shown that a combination of diet and exercise can reduce the likelihood of metabolic syndrome by 40%.

What is the best exercise for metabolic syndrome?

A supervised and combined approach to exercise has been shown to be the most effect way to address metabolic syndrome. Ensure your exercise program includes both aerobic and strengthening exercises. Overall, the aim is to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.

A program that is supervised by a health professional can be a safe and effective way to exercise. Importantly, your trusted health professional is able to ensure you start an exercise program that is safe and specific for you.

Our team run a number of supervised exercise program including clinical strength and clinical pilates. To learn more, contact our team or book online.