Studies by medical researchers on diabetes have proven the existence of a very strong relationship between weight loss and diabetes. It is important to note that the results have been reproduced in many different studies to the extent that diabetes is often mentioned in the same breath as weight loss. It is a known fact that incidences of type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle diseases have been on the rise in developed countries and even in some developing countries. The number of people who are overweight and obese has also been on the rise as well. It is against this background that researchers sought to expound on the relationship between weight loss and diabetes.
As would be expected, a strong link between weight loss and diabetes, and especially type 2 diabetes was established. People who are overweight and obese are more at risk of developing diabetes and type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed in people who are overweight and obese. Also, people who are diabetic and overweight or obese experience problems controlling their blood sugar. Even in the case of type 1 diabetes which is not caused by obesity, people who are overweight or obese will experience significant problems controlling blood sugar levels.
One of the studies that prove the relationship between weight loss and diabetes was carried out by the National Institute of Health. The study involved people who were overweight or obese and pre-diabetic. Weight loss via diet and exercise cut the risk of developing diabetes in these people by about 58%. For diabetic people, losing about 5 to 10% of the total body weight reduces blood sugar significantly. American Diabetes Foundation sates that even a loss of as little as 15 pounds will give many benefits such as blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol reduction.
In spite of the shared relationship between weight loss and diabetes, weight loss in diabetic people is not as easy. The first problem is caused by insulin. In the weight loss industry, insulin is known as a hormone that promotes fat storage. As such, the insulin medication that is used by diabetic people makes weight loss not as easy for them. In addition, they cannot just cut back on meals like a normal person would. This is because their meal intake is influenced partly by the blood sugar level.
When it comes to healthy weight loss and diabetes, there are guidelines that should be followed. First and foremost, you should not try to formulate a diet on your own if you are diabetic and more especially if you are on medication. Instead, work hand in hand with your physician and a nutritionist. Also, do not do low carbohydrate diets as they could affect the blood sugar level. A better approach is to cut calories across the all the major food groups. The weight loss plan will be even more effective if you combine it with exercise. On its own, exercise lowers blood sugar level and as such will work great in ensuring healthy weight loss in a diabetes case.