Last Updated:June 06, 2025, 16:41 IST
Metabolic syndrome disrupts the body’s normal metabolism leading to insulin resistance and increased inflammation. It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
If you’re waking up tired, staying tired, and struggling to focus, it might be a sign of metabolic syndrome. (AI Generated Image)
Bloating, persistent cravings, and unrelenting fatigue are more than just everyday annoyances – they may be warning signs of a deeper health issue. Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, often presents subtly, making it easy to overlook. This condition can disrupt the body’s normal metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and increased inflammation. Metabolic syndrome is often linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity, but genetics can also play a role.
Recognising the early indicators is crucial for timely intervention. Dr. Arush Sabharwal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon at SCOD (Surgical Centre for Obesity and Diabetes) Clinic, Delhi, shares the five key signs that could signal the presence of metabolic syndrome and why addressing them matters.
Abdominal Fat: Not all fat is created equal. Visceral fat, the deep belly fat that surrounds your organs, is a major red flag. Dr Sabharwal mentions, “A waist circumference over 35 inches in women or 40 inches in men may indicate insulin resistance, a core driver of metabolic syndrome. This kind of fat is metabolically active and contributes to inflammation.”
Cravings for Sugary or Carbohydrate-Dense Food: Do you feel the need to snack on sweets or carbs throughout the day? This could mean your body isn’t processing glucose efficiently. Insulin resistance, when your cells stop responding to insulin, causes blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to intense cravings and hunger even after eating.
Lethargy and Brain Fog: If you’re waking up tired, staying tired, and struggling to focus, it’s not just poor sleep. In metabolic syndrome, the cells struggle to absorb glucose effectively, preventing them from getting the energy they need. This means that even with sufficient food intake, the body has difficulty converting it into usable energy.
Hypertension or Hypercholesterolemia: Elevated blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels (especially high triglycerides and low HDL) are core components of metabolic syndrome. Even if you’re not overweight, these markers can signal a deeper metabolic imbalance brewing beneath the surface.
Bloating and a Feeling of Uneasiness: While bloating can have many causes, poor gut health often goes hand in hand with metabolic dysfunction. An imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) or slow digestion can be both a symptom and contributor to inflammation and insulin resistance.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
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