The biology of the metabolic syndrome and aging

Abstract

Aging of the world population is a major contributor to the growing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, as older persons are frequently affected by the constellation of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors that constitute the syndrome. The metabolic syndrome has been related to the increasing prevalence of obesity, which is escalating even among older age groups. The present review covers data on the novel proposed biological mediators of the metabolic syndrome, which are as well linked to the aging process.