By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Metabolic syndrome is more than a buzzword in medicine. It is a crucial concept. It is a term that has grown in popularity in recent years and one that doctors use to see if people are on the path to high blood pressure, diabetes and other heart risks.

Not surprisingly, people with metabolic syndrome carry too much weight.

Now a report in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism finds that people who drink too much have increased odds of developing metabolic syndrome. The report defines excess drinking as more than two drinks per day for men or one drink for women. Binge drinkers are also considered to be at an increased risk. It’s important, in fact, more important than ever, that people carefully monitor the amount of alcohol they drink.