by Keshia Lewis

Created on: May 30, 2011

To cut your risk of heart disease in half, avoid metabolic syndrome which is a combination of health issues including belly fat, hypertension and cholesterol. Here’s how you can prevent or reverse it.

1. Blood can be improved by eating berries

Blueberries along with strawberries and raspberries are all packed with antioxidants that help open blood vessels, allowing for smoother circulation. So simply enjoying two cups of blueberries each week could lower your risk of high blood pressure which contributor to metabolic syndrome.

2. Avoid foods loaded with trans fats

Margarine, fast food and popular packaged foods like cake mixes, and frozen dinners are loaded with trans fat. Unfortunately, consuming them can double your risk of metabolic syndrome. So the best way to prevent this is by avoid trans fats altogether. Don’t rely on the nutrition labels that promise no trans fat, instead check the ingredients list for the word “hydrogenated.”

3. Drink orange juice with your dinner and prevent inflammation

Dinner is typically the heaviest meal of the day and that means it’s most likely trigger the inflammatory stress that can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. However, drinking orange juice with your dinner can help prevent this from happening. University at Buffalo endocrinologists  recently discovered that the juice is full of antioxidants that stop inflammatory compounds form being released after high fat, high-carbohydrates meal.

4. Reduce belly fat and stress by watching TV

Spending a little time each day watching TV can fend off stress, reducing your levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The body can handle brief surges of cortisol but if cortisol constantly stays high, it increases the formation of belly fat. So cutting cortisol levels helps reverse metabolic syndrome.

5. Stay fit and cut your overall risk

You don’t have to be skinny to protect yourself from metabolic syndrome. Staying strong and fit can lower your risk of heart disease. You don’t have to hit to achieve that, just one hour of weight training weekly can strengthen your muscles and firm you up!
 
Belly fat is where most people hold their weight and is often the hardest area to reduce. However, if you eat the right foods and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you’ll be able to get rid of that belly fat for a healthier heart. Also getting out your chair often can help trim your waist and lower your glucose levels.

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