Diabetes & Weight Loss

Diabetes is a common health condition that affects people who have a higher blood sugar level than normal. Over 2 million people in the UK alone suffer from 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, which is usually seen in young people. Type 2 diabetes is usually non insulin-dependent diabetes. This often affects men and women over 40 and overweight people.

When it comes to diabetes, it is important that you diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If you are overweight or over 40 you should make sure your diet it is well balanced. You can consult your doctor or a nutrition specialist to help you to eat the right foods in order to control blood sugar levels. A pre-programmed ratio of carbohydrates, fat and proteins should be consumed on a regular basis every day.

What causes diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas gland in your abdomen and controls the use of glucose within your body. Your blood sugar level can rise if: your pancreas produces little or no insulin - type 1 diabetes; your pancreas produces insulin, but it is inadequate for your body’s needs meaning its effectiveness is reduced - type 2 diabetes. If you lead a typical Western lifestyle you are more likely to suffer from diabetes type 2, as it often affects people who are overweight and who don't get substantial exercise.

The most common symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes are:

• Passing of excessive amounts of urine
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent skin infections e.g. boils, thrush
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Itching and scratching

What are the risks of diabetes?

If you do not adapt your lifestyle to control diabetes, you may experience the following health problems:

• Blindness
• Kidney failure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Nerve damage that may lead to amputations

Diabetes/Glucose Control

Clinical research has shown that improved glycemic control can benefits you if you suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. For every 1 percent reduction in results of A1C blood tests, the risk of you developing microvascular diabetic complications - eye, kidney, and nerve disease - is reduced by 40 percent. It is recommended that you combine dieting with the right mixture of low and high glycemic index foods, and exercising regularly to control healthy glucose levels.

You can keep your blood glucose at a healthy level if you:

• Eat similar amounts of food at the same times each day
• Take medicines at the same times each day
• Exercise at the same times each day
• Limit the amounts of fats and sweets you eat each day
• Choose from these food groups: starches, vegetables, fruit, meat and meat substitutes, and milk and yogurt

Exercise helps diabetes

The more you exercise the more likely you are to lose weight. You can easily build muscle while burning calories by going for brisk walks, cycling or aerobic activity. Although this can take time to physically notice the differences, each activity will become easier as you become fitter. Always make sure the exercise you choose to perform is appropriate to your situation and does not cause immediate pain or damage.

Weight loss helps diabetes

Diabetes can be treated in 2 ways: You can adjust to a special diet or do away with foods that are bad for you that make you put on excessive amounts of weight. There are many resources both online and offline that can provide information on how to achieve a normal, well-balanced diet for diabetics. But calorie intake is still important. If you are overweight you need to think of weight loss as part of your treatment. Combining a healthy diet and exercise with weight loss tablets such as Xenical (Orlistat) or Reductil (Sibutramine) and/or insulin is proven to be effective in controlling diabetes.