Doctors Meet to Discuss Solutions to Metabolic Syndrome

September 8, 2003 -- "Metabolic Syndrome affects more than 47 million U.S. citizens(1)," says Mary Vernon, MD, a bariatrician and family physician in Lawrence, KS. "Imagine being able to cure a simple medical problem by changing what foods a person eats?"


Dr. Vernon and other researchers will be presenting solutions to this major medical epidemic this week at The X Factors - Metabolic Syndrome and Comprehensive Programming. The X Factors is a joint conference between the University of Kansas Conference on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity and the Region VII Cardiovascular Disease Conference. It will be held from Sept. 11 - 13, 2003 at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park, KS.


On Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, Dr. Vernon and Dr. Eric Westman of Duke University will jointly present "Metabolic Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet" which will contain long-term research demonstrating how the Atkins Nutritional Approach(TM) can help the health of millions of Americans by preventing Metabolic Syndrome.


According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), a person with Metabolic Syndrome will have 3 out of the following 5 symptoms:


* Abdominal obesity
* Elevated triglycerides
* Low levels of HDL "good" cholesterol
* High glucose (blood sugar) levels
* Hypertension (high blood pressure)


Patients with Metabolic Syndrome are more likely to end up with both heart disease and type 2 diabetes(2).


"The goal of our presentation is to show health care professionals how controlled carbohydrate approaches, like Atkins, are scientifically sound and useful in a society that is raging with obesity and its numerous medical side effects," Vernon continued. "In the treatment of Metabolic Syndrome, this dietary approach provides a management plan without the side effects and expense associated with the many drugs commonly used for these patients."


(1) Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2003.
(2) Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, July 14,
2003.

Contact:
Gina Mangiaracina
WWR Public Relations
212-714-9253

PRNewswire -- Sept. 8
Source: Atkins Health & Medical Information Services

and Univ of Kansas
http://www.kuce.org/kumc/mscp/