Metabolic syndrome describes a set of symptoms that increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Those risk factors are:

• high blood pressure
• obesity, particularly extra weight around the waist
• insulin resistance
• low good cholesterol
• higher levels of triglycerides

Patients are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome when they have 3 or more of these symptoms.

There have been a number of interesting discoveries about metabolic syndrome in the news lately. Scientists have found a link between metabolic syndrome and kidney disease which could lead to early interventions to prevent the syndrome as well as diabetes and kidney disease. – Metabolic Syndrome May Cause Kidney Disease

Researchers from the Gladstone Institutes have discovered how a gene called SIRT3 increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. – Gene That Exacerbates Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Diabetes Identified

Metabolic syndrome is also associated with increased incidence of kidney stones. An article from Internal Medicine News provides some insight into statistics and a possible cause for kidney stones in obese individuals. – Kidney Stones Linked to CVD, Metabolic Syndrome

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Some interesting kidney-related research stories came out of last week’s American Urological Association Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Researchers have found that what’s good for the heart is also good for preventing kidney stones. And they believe that kidney stones may be an indicator of possible heart disease. – What Protects the Heart May Also Protect the Kidneys

Millions of American men suffer from enlarged prostate, but this study shows that many of them aren’t getting the help they need. Untreated enlarged prostate can lead to serious complications including kidney failure. - Fewer Men Having Surgery to Treat Enlarged Prostate: Study

Researchers from Duke University Medical Center have discovered that current and former smokers are 1.5 to 1.6 times more likely to have advanced kidney cancer than nonsmokers. – Heavy Smoking Tied to Advanced Kidney Cancer

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From Reuters
April 15, 2010
A new study shows that kidney stones are on the rise in children from South Carolina, most likely due to obesity, too much salt in the diet and not enough milk. It’s an alarming trend, but one that can hopefully be reversed with dietary measures, including drinking more water to stay hydrated.
Kidney Stones on the Rise in South Carolina Children

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