What Causes Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome has several causes that act together. Some can be controlled, while others can’t.

Causes that can be controlled include overweight and obesity, lack of physical activity, and insulin resistance.

Some causes you can’t control are growing older and genetics. Your chance of developing metabolic syndrome increases with age. Your genes can increase your chances of developing insulin resistance, for example, which can lead to metabolic syndrome, even if you have only a little extra weight around your waist.

Two other conditions are often found in people with metabolic syndrome, although it’s not known if they cause it or worsen it. The two conditions are a tendency to form blood clots and a tendency to have a constant, low-grade inflammation throughout the body.

Additional conditions that are being studied to see whether they have links to metabolic syndrome include:

• Fatty liver (excess triglycerides and other fats in the liver)
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (a tendency to develop cysts on the ovaries)
• Gallstones
• Breathing problems during sleep such as sleep apnea