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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sarah Sloat

What is metabolic syndrome – and do we really need to worry about it?

a 3D image of an ATP Synthase Protein
Metabolic syndrome refers to having multiple conditions that increase the risk of health problems like diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Photograph: koto_feja/Getty Images

Metabolic syndrome is trending online. On TikTok, thousands of videos dissect the subject, also referred to as metabolic dysfunction or disorder. These often come with claims that healing mitochondria, often called the “powerhouses of cells”, is key to restoring metabolic health.

The concept was popularized by Calley and Casey Means’ bestselling book Good Energy. Some consider the Means siblings – Casey is Donald Trump’s surgeon general pick, and Calley is an entrepreneur and lobbyist – architects of Make America Healthy Again.

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