A growing number of studies are dedicated to the medical condition known as metabolic syndrome. This mysterious malady may be particularly harmful for overweight and obese adults. But there may be good news. Recent studies find that regular exercise and a healthy diet may actually reduce the risk of this condition.

In a new study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, a program of daily exercise, along with a diet rich in calcium, were found to reduce the risks of this condition. Metabolic syndrome is actually a group of potentially harmful symptoms, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, large abdominal girth, and insulin insensitivity. When combined, these symptoms may increase patients’ risks for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

With this study, 5,077 Illinois adults provided information about such health matters as: chronic health conditions, exercise habits and their intake of fruit, vegetables and other sources of calcium. The study revealed that this condition was more common in certain groups,. including:

• Older, less affluent people
• People with less education, and
• People who engaged in less physical activity, consumed calcium-rich foods less frequently and had hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels)

It’s estimated that 23.7-34.5% of the nation’s adult population suffers from metabolic syndrome. The study’s findings showed that those adults who reported little or no daily exercise were at risk for almost double the risk of developing the condition. Adults not consuming calcium-rich foods regularly were shown to have about 1.5 times the risk of developing metabolic syndrome as those consuming calcium-rich diets.

It’s important to note that a diagnosis of  metabolic syndrome does not mean a definite future of diabetes or heart disease.  Instead,  this diagnosis is an opportunity to reduce or even prevent the future likelihood of heart disease or diabetes, which are irreversible, but manageable.