The Link Between Your Weight and Diabetes

Diabetes is a major cause of illness and death in the United States. Take a look at the relationship between your weight and diabetes. This chronic condition causes high blood sugar, putting you at risk for other health problems such as:

• Heart disease, such as a heart attack or stroke
• Damage to the nerves, kidneys, and eyes
• Foot issues
• Skin problems
• Impaired hearing
• Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder

Diabetes comes in a variety of forms and causes, but Type 2 is the most common. This type is directly related to lifestyle factors such as obesity.

Dr. Carlton and our team at LoneStar Bariatrics help patients understand the role between weight and diabetes. Even if you’ve had previous failures at losing weight, we can help you finally achieve your goals with nonsurgical and surgical options so you can get your diabetes under control.

Diabetes and obesity

A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, on the other hand, is a significant risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes and a BMI of greater than 40 defines morbid obesity. Morbid obesity statistically reduces your life expectancy.

Obese people are up to 80 times more likely than those with a normal BMI to develop this type of diabetes, according to studies. Inflammation is one of the reasons for this link. This is due to the fact that carrying extra abdominal fat can alter your metabolism and cause your fat cells to release more inflammatory chemicals into your system. This process disrupts how your body produces and responds to insulin, resulting in insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance occurs when your cells do not respond properly to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. The end result? Sugar accumulates in your system, resulting in high blood sugar. And, as your body becomes more insulin resistant, it attempts to compensate by producing more insulin.

Hyperinsulinemia occurs when your body produces more insulin than usual. This condition is also associated with health risks such as Type 2 diabetes and weight gain.

How losing weight can help

Now for the exciting news. Diabetes is a long-term and chronic condition, but the relationship to obesity suggests that weight management can help, even if only a small amount of weight is lost in a short period of time.

When you lose weight, your body’s insulin sensitivity improves. It also lowers your chances of developing other health problems, such as heart disease. In fact, losing weight is so effective in treating Type 2 diabetes that even a 5% reduction in body weight reduces your risk by more than half.

If you need assistance reaching your goals, our team provides a variety of weight loss solutions. Nutritional counseling and medical interventions can be provided for your weight loss and diabetes journey.

Obtaining weight loss outcomes

We know firsthand how difficult it is to lose weight for good. That is why we provide a variety of solutions to assist people in achieving a healthy weight and managing weight-related conditions such as diabetes. Bariatric Surgery is the best option for long term success and weight loss control.

We also recognize that each of our patients vary, so we take a personalized approach to achieving results. Among these strategies are:

• Nutritional Education
• Medical Weight Loss Management programs
• Gastric Balloon
• Bariatric Surgery – Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass, and Duodenal Switch

We can assist you if you have diabetes as a result of your weight. Call us today to schedule an appointment at our Plano or Waxahachie location.