The E-Z way to fight metabolic syndrome
I'm not going to sugarcoat it.
Many patients don't always like the straight talk I deliver, but I've always believed in telling the truth... even when it hurts a little.
And friend, if you've got metabolic syndrome, the truth is you've got some work ahead of you if you want to save your own life.
But not all of the work has to be hard.
Some of it's downright simple -- and the latest research reveals an incredibly easy step you can take right now that can help stop the damage of this disease and put you back on track.
All you have to do is boost your vitamin E intake!
This simple, common, easy-to-obtain nutrient is a powerful antioxidant that can protect cells from the damage that leads to disease.
That's the upside.
The downside is the new study shows how you're almost certainly not getting nearly enough to make a difference.
Of course you're not. Nutritional surveys show that up to 96 percent of Americans don't even get the minimum recommended intake.
The new study shows how even if you meet that target, it's not enough.
Not if you have metabolic syndrome.
It's not just that you're in rougher shape and need more of it. The problem is that as metabolic syndrome kicks in, your body can't use vitamin E as effectively or as completely.
Blame the triglycerides for that.
By definition, metabolic syndrome means you have high levels of triglycerides.
That's a blood fat that can increase your risk of heart disease, and the new study finds one more reason it's so dangerous: It can trap vitamin E and practically hold it prisoner in your blood.
Instead of going into the places it's needed to help repair the damage of metabolic syndrome, it sticks to those triglycerides.
Ready for the worst part?
Because it's there in your blood -- clinging to those triglycerides -- blood tests will show you have normal or even "high" levels of vitamin E.
But you really don't.
It's just the opposite: You're falling well short, and the new study finds you need between 30 percent and 50 percent more of this essential vitamin than everyone else as a result.
Your best source of vitamin E is sunflower seeds, but let's face it: Most of us aren't going to eat those regularly.
But you CAN eat spinach and other greens such as Swiss chard as well as asparagus, broccoli, and even chili peppers.
If you have metabolic syndrome, you may need more than you'll get regularly from diet alone; so, speak to your doctor about a full-spectrum vitamin E supplement or an antioxidant blend that contains E.