Reduce the Risk of Developing Metabolic Syndrome
By: Dr. Jen Maher – Island Chiropractic & Family Wellness
Metabolic syndrome, is the development of at least three of the five following medical conditions:
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central obesity / high waist circumference (over 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men)
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high blood pressure
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high blood sugar
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high serum triglycerides
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low serum HDL
In combination, these conditions contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that using vacation time could lessen the chances of developing metabolic syndrome. Interesting findings include:
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Each additional vacation reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome by 24%
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Those who took no yearly vacations had a 47% higher chance of developing one or more of the conditions of metabolic syndrome
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Those who took 5 vacations a year had a 16% chance of developing one or more of the conditions of metabolic syndrome
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Those who took 15 vacations a year had a 1% chance of developing one or more of the conditions of metabolic syndrome
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The number of vacations days doesn’t matter, it was the number of vacations that reduces the metabolic syndrome symptoms.
Other interesting findings include
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“Staycations” are just as good as going somewhere
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The number of vacation days taken isn’t as important as the number of vacations
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On average, participants used 14 paid vacation days a year
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Alcohol consumption was low
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Participants slept well during their vacations
So the next time you get the urge to book that flight or do an overnight trip to Chéticamp, do it! Where is your favourite play to escape to?
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