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Understand how Losing weight can lead to this Disease

Understand how this life threatening disease can be caused by weight loss

By AvijeetPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Understand how Losing weight can lead to this Disease
Photo by Matt C on Unsplash

Millions of people throughout the world have diabetes, a chronic metabolic illness. Because of the body's inability to create enough insulin or utilize it efficiently is characterized by excessive levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Diabetes frequently causes weight loss, especially in type 1 diabetes, where the body generates little insulin.

Thus, what causes weight loss in people with diabetes, and how does it impact the body?

We must examine the function of insulin in the body in further detail to comprehend this. The pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, which aids in controlling blood sugar levels. When we ingest carbs, our bodies convert them to glucose, which is absorbed into our bloodstream. As a key, insulin unlocks the body's cells, allowing glucose to enter and be utilized as energy.

Insulin is either absent or inadequate in people with diabetes, preventing glucose from entering cells and causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream. Many symptoms, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, exhaustion, and weight loss, may result.

Because the body can not use glucose as an energy source in diabetes, it begins to break down fat and muscle as a substitute. This procedure, known as catabolism, can result in the loss of both strength and fat mass.

As the body can not create any insulin, weight loss is frequently one of the first indications of type 1 diabetes. As a result, the body begins to break down muscle and fat for energy since glucose can no longer enter the cells. Those who have type 1 diabetes may lose weight quickly, even when they usually eat even more than usual.

Weight loss in type 2 diabetes can happen for a variety of causes. Although the body continues to manufacture insulin, it may not be adequately utilized, which results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body may create more insulin to compensate for this, resulting in weight gain. Yet over time, the pancreas can wear down and stop producing enough insulin, which could result in weight loss.

Diabetes can cause various changes in the body that can affect weight in addition to weight loss. High blood sugar levels, for instance, may result in increased urine, which can cause dehydration and a loss of water weight. In diabetics, this might help with initial weight loss.

Changes in body composition may result from diabetes' impact on how the body stores fat. Visceral fat, which covers the organs in the belly, may be more prevalent in people with diabetes. Increased risk of heart disease and other health issues are linked to this type of fat.

So, how can diabetic weight loss be managed?

First and foremost, keeping blood sugar levels under tight control is crucial. To assist in controlling blood sugar levels, this may entail taking medicine, such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic medications. To better manage their blood sugar levels, diabetics may also need to modify their food and lifestyle.

In addition to promoting weight loss, a balanced diet high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can assist in controlling blood sugar levels. Sugary and processed foods should be avoided because they might raise blood sugar levels suddenly and lead to weight gain.

Exercise is crucial for managing weight reduction in people with diabetes. Regular exercise can enhance insulin sensitivity, allowing the body to use insulin more efficiently. Both weight loss and blood sugar regulation may benefit from this.

Medications: People with diabetes can take various drugs to help them lose weight. For instance, several diabetes drugs, such as SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, can also aid in weight loss and decrease blood sugar levels. Additional methods can be utilized to manage weight reduction in diabetes besides diet and exercise:

Bariatric surgery: For persons with diabetes with a Body Mass Index (BMI)of 35 or above, bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy, can be a successful alternative. These operations may result in considerable weight loss and better blood sugar regulation.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of behavioral therapy, can help people with diabetes change their eating habits and strengthen their connection with food. Treatment of this kind can assist in addressing emotional and psychological issues that could be responsible for overeating and weight gain.

Support groups: Being a member of a support group for diabetics can inspire and motivate you to transition to a healthier lifestyle. These groups might provide a venue for exchanging weight loss advice and experiences.

If you like this article and want to know more, Please follow me for regular updates for better health and happy life.

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