Weight loss for people with Diabetes: Why is it so beneficial?
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Written By
Marija Nestorovic
Marija Nestorovic
Marija Nestorovic has been a health and diet enthusiast for as long as she remembers. She's passionate about questioning every new dietary trend that comes up and determining whether it's scientifically proven or just another fad diet. She enjoys spreading her knowledge on the subject and helping people kick-start their weight loss healthily and sustainably.
Fact Checked By
Chris Stocker
Chris Stocker
Chris Stocker is a financial services professional and licensed insurance agent. He's also Owner and author of The Life of a Diabetic as well as Type 1 Detour. He's been writing about Diabetes related topics for over 10 years, and has been featured in HealthLine, Diatribe, Diabetes Advocates and JDRF.. He's been writing about Diabetes related topics for over 10 years, and has been featured in HealthLine, Diatribe, Diabetes Advocates and JDRF.
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Last Updated on November 15, 2024
Losing weight is beneficial to your health if you have diabetes, and you do not need to have unrealistic goals, as you can start small with about a 5% target. If you achieve the first milestone, you can set more as you progress. Weight loss is vital for a diabetic person as you can reduce the risk of heart disease and regulate blood pressure. It also makes it possible to reduce the number of medications that one takes, making it an excellent way to lead a high-quality life. If you need help, you can always consult a weight loss clinic. Let’s take a look at weight loss for diabetic people and how it is beneficial.
Weight loss improves insulin sensitivity
Insulin resistance occurs when you have type 2 diabetes, leading to increased blood glucose levels leading to weight gain. If you decide to embark on a weight loss journey, your body can respond better to insulin, utilizing it better to break down glucose, and you can maintain a lean body. The sensitivity increases because of a decrease in muscle inflammatory responses. It allows for better management of the condition, as one gets a room for insulin medication.
It lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels
When individuals have high cholesterol and blood pressure, they are at risk of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. High blood pressure is not artery-friendly as it corrodes the walls, favorable for cholesterol build-up. It is a risk to other health conditions besides diabetes, and weight loss helps cut the levels of cholesterol in the body and ease blood flow. If one has diabetes, they can manage their condition better as they are at less risk of additional complications from high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
It decreases vascular damage
Vascular inflammation is one of the side effects that come with diabetes, and you can control it by losing weight. Having lots of fat in the body stresses the adipocytes, which store them, and it can easily lead to inflammation. It is a condition called atherosclerosis, as the adipocytes hold more fat than expected in the arteries. When you lose weight, insulin sensitivity increases and the body can burn more fat and regulate blood sugar levels.
It helps avoid sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is one of the conditions that come with diabetes. When one is sleeping, it can cause abnormal breathing, and it is common among type 2 diabetes patients. Weight loss obstructs the occurrence of sleep apnea, and it leads to other benefits, such as better insulin resistance, getting enough sleep, and better control of blood glucose levels. An individual with sleep apnea has a disruptive rest, and they may feel more hungry and will lack the motivation to exercise. One may end up having poor dietary decisions as they have interrupted sleep, and it will affect their blood sugar levels.
It reduces mobility problems
It eases mobility issues as diabetes can cause joint and bone issues. It leads to physical inactivity, which contributes to weight gain and, in severe cases, obesity. With weight loss, one can improve their movement, contributing to better life quality. Statistics show that with every 1% body weight loss, there is a 7% increase in mobility. Mobility issues are more severe with type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes, but they all need to prioritize weight loss for a good quality outcome.
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Do diabetes medications affect weight loss?
Taking diabetes medicines does not necessarily lead to weight loss, as it also depends on how you are eating. They help control blood sugar levels, but if you are intaking more calories, your body will retain more glucose, making it unsustainable as a weight-loss option. It is because your body will continue storing more fat. Some medications may also limit the amount of glucose your body is excreting; hence, your body will still store excess fat. Others can lead to increased appetite and fluid retention, boosting weight gain.
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Do you need to lose a lot of weight?
No, you don’t. Losing weight is not an instant process, and it is not always about how you look but how healthy you live. Even losing 10% of your weight is significant, and you can take it from there to achieve your long-term goals. There are indirect ways to lose weight and lead a healthy life, such as taking an appropriate diet and eating less. Here are some weight loss tips you can use:
Adhere to your meds
If you are under medication, adhere to the prescription to the latter. It is essential to prioritize your diabetes treatment plan, even if losing weight will make you healthier. Having an inconsistent medication plan may lead to diabetes complications, and you won’t be able to control your blood sugar levels well. If you have any concerns, you should always consult your physician before acting, and they can suggest other medications you can use to lose weight and still control diabetes.
Increase physical activity
The conventional way to lose weight is to exercise, and you should consult your physician to know the safe levels. You can do resistance and moderately intense activities bi-weekly. You need to know precautions, and you can inquire about them in a weight loss clinic.
Take all your meals
It is common for people to assume that skipping meals makes them lose weight as they cut calories. However, it destabilizes your eating plan, and you might not make the most appropriate diet choices when you are hungry. It disrupts your body’s blood sugar levels, and you will need extra insulin shots.
Plan your diet
Your meal should have a good balance of healthy oils and fats, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Examples of good carbohydrates are noodles, wholemeal bread, or brown rice, while proteins include dairy products, milk, beans, tofu, or fish. Watching your diet is a great way to help control your diabetes.
Wrapping up
When you lose weight, you enjoy many benefits, and it is a good diabetes management strategy. It would be best if you visited a weight loss clinic today to get guidance on managing your cargo. It can be an intimidating process because of the level of care one needs. Still, it is worth trying, as it allows for control of other conditions, such as blood pressure, obesity, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular issues.
The key target is regulating blood glucose levels, a primary problem arising from diabetes. Also, losing weight increases sensitivity to insulin, which is a crucial remedy. Therefore, one can lead a good quality of life.
Marija Nestorovic
Marija Nestorovic has been a health and diet enthusiast for as long as she remembers. She's passionate about questioning every new dietary trend that comes up and determining whether it's scientifically proven or just another fad diet. She enjoys spreading her knowledge on the subject and helping people kick-start their weight loss healthily and sustainably.
