Did you know that there is an estimated 4 million people in the UK with diabetes? That’s 6% of the population. Today is World Diabetes Day and we have some facts about diabetes to educate you about how weight gain and diabetes are linked. The Slimming Clinic can help you prevent type 2 diabetes, reverse type 2 diabetes or reduce your insulin resilience by helping you manage your weight.
To find out if you are overweight, you need to figure out your BMI.
Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is one way to tell you if you are overweight. To figure it out, you only need your height, weight and the The Slimming Clinic BMI calculator, which can be found here.
If your BMI is:
From 18.5- 24.9 your weight is normal.
Between 25-29.9 you are classed as being overweight.
A result of 30 + and your BMI is telling you that you are obese.
Being overweight or obese can make you at risk of type 2 diabetes as low exercise, poor diet and excess body weight around the waist are all risk factors. Insulin is released in the body to carry sugar from the blood to cells. The cells use the sugar for energy to function. Obesity is believed to account for 80-85% of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and if you are aged 45 or older; you should consider being tested for diabetes, particularly if you are overweight.
However, research suggests that being overweight can change the structure of these cells to change as the fat cells release pro-inflammatory chemicals. This makes the body less sensitive to insulin by disrupting the function of insulin responsive cells and their ability to respond to insulin, therefore making them resistant to insulin. When a person becomes insulin resistant, the sugar in their blood can’t be taken up by the cells resulting in high blood sugar levels.
The progression to diabetes among those with prediabetes is not inevitable, meaning it can be reversed. Prediabetes is when someone has blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. Usually there are no symptoms from insulin resistance and prediabetes but there is a higher risk of heart disease. Increased physical activity among people with prediabetes prevent or delay diabetes and may return blood glucose levels to normal.
Weight loss can help reduce the effects of prediabetes by:
- Delaying the onset of diabetes.
- Reducing the amount of diabetes medication you take.
- Preventing or delaying further health problems like heart attack, kidney failure and other serious health complications.
- Help you control your blood sugar level.
Dramatic weight loss can reverse type 2 diabetes but it is more likely to occur in younger, obese patients who start to shed their pounds soon after diagnosis.
You can help yourself by making some small lifestyle changes as exercising and watching what you eat can help to lower your blood sugar, even if you don’t lose a lot of weight. It can:
- Lower your blood sugar
- Delay or help you cut back on taking medication
- Cut your insulin resistance
- Curb blood pressure and cholesterol which will reduce the risk of heart attack, kidney failure and other serious health complications.
- Losing just 5-7% of your weight is associated with low blood pressure, low cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels and a reduced insulin resistance.
Even if weight loss doesn’t help cure your diabetes, as there are many contributing factors to the disease, such as genetics and ethnicity, losing weight can still:
- Boost your energy levels
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Protect your heart
- Make it easier to help you control your blood glucose level
This can be achieved by making some small lifestyle changes:
- Portion sizes
- Reduce snacks
- Reading the The Slimming Clinic blog for tips, recipes and articles on health and weight loss
View our Obesity and Diabetes page on the The Slimming Clinic website here.
The team here at The Slimming Clinic are here to help and support you in now is the right time for you to get slimmer and healthier. With our team of experienced doctors, dietitians, and a plethora of weight loss medication options including the ground-breaking Wegovy, you can feel confident knowing you’re in capable hands.
Getting started is a breeze – just choose the option that suits you best. Let’s make this month your time to shine!
Sources:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-obesity.html
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/diabetes-weight-loss-finding-the-right-path#2
https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/type-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-how-lose-weight
https://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188784,00.html