Metabolic Syndrome Definition:

Metabolic Syndrome describes a cluster of two or more related health problems. Central to the syndrome is insulin resistance, the inability to efficiently use insulin to help burn blood sugar. It is often accompanied by abdominal obesity.

Here's how it develops: The more refined carbohydrates you consume, the faster your blood sugar rises after a meal. In response, your body pumps out large amounts of insulin to help move that blood sugar into cells. But insulin (a powerful hormone) also promotes fat storage, increased blood pressure and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Approximately 55% of Americans are overweight, a sign of metabolic syndrome. In addition, 25% of thin people have insulin resistance, the cornerstone of metabolic syndrome. Based on these numbers, more that 65% of American adults either have or are at risk of metabolic syndrome.

All of this blood sugar and insulin generates large numbers of hazardous free radicals, which age the body and

set the stage for heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and other diseases.