Dr Arien van der Merwe

Speaker : Dr Arien van der Merwe (www.DrArien.co.za)

Presentation Title : Metabolic Syndrome - Threat to Workplace Productivity

Metabolic Syndrome incl. Insulin Resistance& Diabetes

Presenter: Dr Arien van der MerweMBChB FRSPH MISMA NHA

www.DrArien.co.za

Outline

• Statistics, definition, diagnosis• Symptoms, causes, HbA1c• Anatomy, Physiology 101• Hormones• Inflammation• Emotional component • Solutions: Food as medicine Exercise Stress management, releasing trapped emotions Nutriceuticals, Herbal remedies

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Statistics

• >3.5 million diagnosed diabetes SA

• 2010 - 150 million people diagnosed with metabolic syndrome

• <50% actually diagnosed - utmost importance of regular health, wellness screenings

• Increase to 300 million by 2030

• Compare: 35 million HIV+ people globally, 22 million of those in Africa

• Metabolic syndrome much bigger health challenge -integrative medical and wellness solutions essential

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Metabolic Syndrome

• Waist circumference: abdominal circumference > 102 cm men, > 88 cm women.

• Triglycerides: 1.7mmol/L or >

• HDL: < 1.0 mmol/L men; < 1.3 mmol/L women.

• Blood pressure : 130 mmHg systolic; 85mmHg diastolic or >

• Fasting glucose >5.5 mmol/L

• Insulin resistance

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Definition & Diagnosis

• Fasting blood sugar finger prick test

• High: glucose tolerance test (GTT)

• Values over 5.5 mmol - high

• > 5.0 high normal, addressed as high blood sugar -lifestyle changes

• To prevent levels from rising even more – true preventative medicine

• Fasting insulin test part of regular screening, esp. > 50

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Symptoms of MetS

• High blood sugar, blood pressure might be present for years without any symptoms

• Early symptoms might include extreme thirst, frequent urinating, headaches, fatigue, nausea – non specific

• Frequent candida (thrush) or other infections, or sores on skin that don’t heal

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Causes of MetS

• Genetic predisposition

• Longterm disstress

• Environmental triggers:

diet

obesity - carbohydrate intolerance, high insulin levels, insulin insensitivity or resistance

Nutritional deficiencies – soil content / intake

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Energy metabolism: glucose & insulin

Common denominator: Increased insulin – Insulin resistance! Inner milieu: Stress filled – chronic trigger

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Unhealthy food, high refined sugar, flour, trans-, hydrogenated fats, alcohol, artificial

ingredients - artificial sweeteners aspartame.

Packaged, processed, foods loaded with hormones, antibiotics, colourants, preservatives

Marginal nutritional deficiencies: B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, E, D, minerals chromium,

zinc, boron, selenium, calcium, magnesium, fatty acids

Prolonged emotional stress (causing distress chemicals to continuously flood the body as a

fight-flight demand, as the body tries to fend of the imaginary ‘enemy’ to its survival) - toxic

inflamed & trapped emotions act as triggers for inflammation

Environmental allergens - pollen, moulds (mildew/fungi), dust. Harmless substances trigger

hyper-reaction immune system - cause exaggerated inflammatory response.

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Common triggers/causes chronic inflammation

Environmental toxins - mercury, pollution, pesticides

Food allergens - immediate & delayed allergies - wheat (gluten), dairy, eggs, yeast, corn,

peanuts, citrus, soy, shellfish, nuts

Repeated infections or chronic low grade infection with viruses, bacteria, yeast (Candida),

parasites

Sedentary lifestyle with lack of exercise

Excess weight around the abdomen

High cholesterol, especially triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, with low HDL-cholesterol

High C-reactive protein (CRP)

Prolonged physical trauma and injury

Sleep deficit Chronic disease related tissue breakdown

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Secret to Longevity: Eating Lightly, Featherheart Living

Sunlight, vitamin D, fresh, raw, wellness

food garden, intermittent fasting

Superfoods

• Berries

• Nuts, seeds

• Cereal grains, grasses –wheatgrass, brown rice, oats

• Oils – ref. coconut oil

• Raw honey

• Pulses/legumes

• Garlic

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• Mushrooms• Bee pollen• Sprouts• Aloe ferox –

smoothie• Seaweed• Raw cacao – beans,

nibs, powder, butter

Feel good / long life: Serotonin, Dopamine

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• Rice, potato, pasta

• Bananas, hot peppers

• Legumes/beans

• Walnuts, almonds

• Sesame, pumpkin seeds

• Negative ionizer bedroom

• Exercise, making love• Kissing: oxytocin• 10-20 minutes sunlight

per day - early am, late afternoon

• 5 HTP, St John’s wort• Oils: lavender, rose,

orange blossom• Feelings of peace, joy,

bliss

Wellness definition of fitness:

• Ability to meet the needs of your lifestyle with ease

• Exercise improves insulin sensitivity in muscles, better glucose uptake, more energy/fuel in muscles, drop in blood glucose levels. Interval training.

• Do something you enjoy – many health benefits: dance, yoga, swimming, tai chi, walk. Music & mood

• Healthy spine, core: pelvis, chest, head

Regular physical activity

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Basic 31.Antioxidant 2.Calcium and

Magnesium 3.Omega- 3,6,9

Add system – e.g.Glucose Balance

Support Physiology - Optimal Nutrition

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Herbal remedies

• Gymnema sylvestre: enhances blood sugar control, assists regeneration pancreas tissue

• Cinnamon: reduces serum glucose, TGL, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol levels type 2 DM

• Fenugreek: reduce fasting blood glucose levels type 2 DM, improve glucose tolerance

• Bilberry: treatment for diabetes in adults, eye protection

• Milk thistle: detoxification liver

• Hawthorn berry: normalizes blood pressure

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Stress Management

Step 1: Improve Oxygen Supply - optimal cellular function & energy generation

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Step 2: Sleep Restoration

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Step 3: relax at least twice a day

Daily Relaxation for Optimal Resilience and Wellbeing

• Start, end day in alpha-theta mode:

stretch, tune in, connect to core – 10-

20 minutes

• Set intentions

• Tune in to emotions - reset

• Journaling

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Support

• Books, CD’s, Workshops, Wellness Educator Training, Health Coaching

• Nutriceuticals, herbal remedies

• Online courses

• Support group sessions

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Books / Relaxation CD / Online Health Courses