Tag: Obesity

Understanding Weight Loss As a Diabetes Management Strategy

Post author By Admin
Post date September 7, 2022
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Maintaining a healthy weight can yield a lot of health benefits. However, for people with diabetes, weight loss is not only a healthy practice but also an essential one. It is a strategy to manage diabetes and control its progression. There are also many more health benefits of losing weight in diabetes. You are at low risk of developing several diabetes complications like heart diseases, stroke, etc.

Let’s find out more about the benefits of losing weight if you have diabetes and understand how weight loss can be an effective diabetes management strategy.

Benefits Of Weight Loss In Diabetes

Improved Insulin Sensitivity

In type 2 diabetes, most of the time, the body does not respond to the insulin produced by the pancreas, causing the blood sugar levels to rise. This phenomenon is called insulin resistance and is closely connected with weight loss.

Weight loss helps improve insulin sensitivity by reducing the pro-inflammatory or stress response in the skeletal muscles.

Lower High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels

High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are common complications in diabetes patients. They are also closely linked to an increased risk of heart diseases. High blood pressure levels can damage artery walls and high levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides can cause fat buildup in these damaged artery walls. It can lead to further complications such as coronary artery disease. However, losing weight can lower this risk.

Reduced Risk of Vascular Damage

Both obesity and insulin resistance are associated with vascular inflammation. As obesity progresses, inflammation increases, eventually leading to atherosclerosis, a disease characterised by plaque buildup in the arteries. Weight loss is one of the best ways to reduce inflammation and lower insulin resistance in the body.

Lower Risk of Sleep Apnea

Diabetes also increases the risk of suffering from sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which abnormal breathing is experienced during sleep. Many studies have found that weight loss can improve obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, it has also been found that sleeping well helps regulate blood sugar levels properly, whereas irregular sleep or sleep loss can lead to increased insulin resistance.

Increased Mobility

Researchers have found that people with type 2 diabetes are more prone to developing mobility-related issues than people who don’t have the disease. It has been further noted that obesity and physical inactivity increases these problems. Obesity can also cause bone and joint issues and limit physical movements. Therefore, weight loss is considered an essential strategy to prevent mobility-related issues and manage diabetes.

Improved Energy Levels and Mood

When people lose excess weight, their energy levels rise, and their mood and self-confidence improve. Weight loss can also help motivate people to manage their diabetes better and continue following healthy self-care practices.

Delayed Diabetes Progression

If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, weight loss can help lower insulin resistance, thereby decreasing the risk of advancing to type 2 diabetes.

In case you are already diagnosed with diabetes, weight loss can help you put your diabetes into remission. Remission means that the blood sugar levels are below the diabetes range without any medication, thereby preventing the complications of diabetes and delaying its progression.

The Final Takeaway

Obesity or being overweight is closely associated with the increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In addition, obesity is also a risk factor for developing hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases, which are some of the major complications of diabetes.

Weight loss is considered a key strategy for diabetes management. It helps to improve insulin sensitivity, lower high blood pressure levels, increase mobility, improve mood and delay the progression of diabetes. Therefore, if you have diabetes, you must aim at losing excess weight and maintaining healthy body weight.

References

Tags Diabetes, Diabetes Management, Insulin Sensitivity, Losing Weight, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Weight Loss, Weight Loss in Diabetes

Diabetes Care

Dealing With Plantar Fasciitis In Diabetes Patients

Post author By Admin
Post date July 27, 2022
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Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common degenerative disorders that affect the plantar fascia ligament and causes sharp heel pain. This disorder is most common among runners, people who are overweight, diabetes patients, or older people between the ages of 40 and 60.

The initial management of plantar fasciitis usually includes physical therapy, stretching exercises or surgery. However, before dwelling more on the treatment options, let’s understand how plantar fasciitis is related to diabetes and what are its symptoms.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

The most common sign of plantar fasciitis is the stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel. It is usually noticeable in the mornings when you take your first steps. However, as you continue moving, the pain normally reduces. It might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting.

Connection Between Plantar Fasciitis and Diabetes

Diabetes patients are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis due to the following three main factors:

Obesity: Obesity is one of the main complications of both diabetes and plantar fasciitis. Being overweight increases the pressure on your feet and plantar fascia ligament more than you would normally have, eventually causing inflammation in the ligament.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Most diabetes patients are known to have a sedentary lifestyle. It is also a major cause of plantar fasciitis as it increases the chances of gaining weight. In addition, physical inactivity causes muscles, tendons and ligaments to become weak and incapable of supporting you.
Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar levels also increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. High blood sugar levels thicken the plantar fascia ligament and eventually cause inflammation and pain.

How To Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

There are many treatment options available to manage plantar fasciitis and relieve its symptoms. However, the best mode of treatment will be determined by the doctor based on the condition of your plantar fascia ligament and diabetes health.

Some of the common treatment options for plantar fasciitis include:

Physical Therapy

It is the first course of treatment in which the physical therapist helps you do stretches and exercises that support your plantar fascia ligament. They may also recommend some home remedies to manage plantar fasciitis, such as wearing supportive shoes, playing low-impact sports, using a cold compress, stretching, etc.

Night Splints

Night splints are braces or bands for your feet that help keep your foot and calf stretched out at night. They help to get up and take the first steps in the morning easily.

Orthotics

Orthotics are custom-made arch support to stabilise the plantar fascia ligament and give it time to heal properly. It is one of the most successful treatments for plantar fasciitis.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

This treatment option uses sound waves to stimulate healing and tissue repair in the plantar fascia ligament.

Ultrasonic Tissue Repair

This procedure uses a probe and ultrasound energy to stimulate the tissue in the plantar fascia ligament so that it can repair itself.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the last treatment option and is only used when all the other options fail to relieve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. In this surgery, the doctor detaches the plantar fascia ligament from the heel bone to relieve pain completely.

Complications of Plantar Fasciitis

If you ignore plantar fasciitis and do not get the treatment on time, it can result in chronic heel pain that may hinder your regular activities. It may also cause foot, knee, hip and back problems in the future.

In Summary

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot disorder that causes sharp heel pain, usually in the mornings. It is highly common in diabetes patients due to factors like sedentary lifestyle, obesity and hyperglycemia.

If ignored, plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic pain. Therefore, it must be treated on time. There are many ways to treat plantar fasciitis, such as physical therapy, ultrasonic tissue repair, surgery, etc.

References

Tags Diabetes, Diabetes Patients, Heel Pain, Hyperglycemia, Obesity, Plantar Fascia Ligament, Plantar Fasciitis, Sedentary Lifestyle

Latest Updates

Is Bariatric Surgery Viable For Obese Diabetes Patients?

Post author By Admin
Post date January 14, 2022
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Obesity is a leading risk factor for developing diabetes. People who are obese are more prone to suffering from insulin resistance and inflammation, which leads to high blood sugar levels and causes diabetes. People who continue being overweight with diabetes can adversely affect their diabetes management and increase the risk of diabetes complications. Therefore, maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial to managing diabetes. However, sometimes, diet and exercise are not sufficient to reduce weight. In these cases, weight-loss surgeries, also called bariatric surgeries, can vastly benefit.

How Does Bariatric Surgery Help Manage Diabetes?

Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure that helps a person lose weight. It changes their digestive system, typically by making their stomachs smaller or reducing the ability of small intestines to absorb calories from the food.

Apart from weight loss, bariatric surgeries are also beneficial in boosting metabolic activities and improving insulin sensitivity in the body. They also help lower cholesterol levels, regulate high blood pressure levels and enhance kidney functions, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes complications. Therefore, many healthcare professionals often recommend bariatric surgery for diabetes patients who are also obese.

Types Of Bariatric Surgery

There are many methods of bariatric surgery. Some of the most commonly used procedures are:

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass:

In this procedure, a small stomach pouch is created to limit the food you can eat. Then, this pouch is attached to the lower part of the small intestine to reduce the amount of time the food spends in the small intestine. As the food spends less time in the intestine, the absorption of food is limited, and weight is controlled.

The changes created in this procedure also tend to affect the way the gut and pancreas interact, and therefore, help to manage diabetes even before weight loss is achieved.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG):

In LSG, the size of the stomach is reduced to control the food intake. This procedure usually takes only one night, allowing the patient to get back to work within three to four weeks. LSG is a comparatively easy method of bariatric surgery and is generally preferred for patients with heart or lung problems.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding:

In this procedure, the doctor does not cut your stomach. Instead, they make a small incision in the abdomen and insert a laparoscope to attach an inflatable band to the upper part of the stomach. The tiny pouch so created fills up fast when you eat food and helps you feel full quicker.

What Are The Benefits Of Bariatric Surgery In Diabetes?

There are many long-term benefits of bariatric surgery, such as improved symptoms of type 2 diabetes, controlled blood pressure levels and low risks of heart and kidney diseases. It is also known to relieve joint and body pain, boost mental health and reduce the body’s requirement of insulin and other diabetes medications. Therefore, now bariatric surgery is increasingly recommended by healthcare professionals to obese diabetes patients.

However, to attain the benefits of bariatric surgery for a long time, you must continue to visit your doctor regularly after the surgery. Your healthcare team will help monitor your body weight and screen for any complications. It is also important to continue living a healthy lifestyle. You must eat a low-calorie diet and exercise regularly to manage your weight and diabetes well.

What Are The Risks Associated With Bariatric Surgery?

Some risks associated with the surgery are:

Dumping syndrome, which includes abdominal pain, sweating, nausea and vomiting after eating
Blockages in the intestine
Leaks in the gastrointestinal tract
Development of gallstones and kidney stones
Reaction to anaesthesia
Damage to other organs during surgery
Inability to absorb nutrients, causing malnutrition
Bleeding and formation of blood clots
Infections

Who Can Opt For Bariatric Surgery?

Although bariatric surgery is highly beneficial, it is usually the last resort for weight loss. Before opting for bariatric surgery, doctors generally recommend losing weight by changing the diet, using medications or modifying the exercise routine. If these methods do not work, then only they suggest bariatric surgery. The individual risks of the surgery also vary from person to person. Therefore, your healthcare team should also assess them before making a decision.

Usually, bariatric surgery is recommended for diabetes patients whose BMI are:

over 40, even when their blood sugar levels are well controlled
between 35 and 39.9 and they are not able to control diabetes even with medications
between 30 and 34.9 and they have not only uncontrolled diabetes but also major obesity-related health conditions

Doctors generally do not recommend this surgery for people with:

any inflammatory condition in the gastrointestinal tract
serious heart diseases, portal hypertension or a recent episode of heart attack
history of bowel surgeries or trauma
serious lung diseases
allergy to any material that will be used during surgery
serious illnesses such as cancer and pancreatitis
unstable mental health condition

Takeaway

Bariatric surgery is a viable option for diabetes patients who are also obese. However, you should only opt for it when all the other weight-loss methods are not working for you. The risk factors also differ from person to person. Therefore, consult your doctor and assess the pros and cons of bariatric surgery before making a decision.

References:

Tags Bariatric Surgery, Diabetes, diabetes complications, Diabetes Patients, High Blood Sugar Levels, Insulin, Obese, Obesity, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Surgeries

Diet

Measuring The Benefits Of A Healthy Diabetes Diet

Post author By Admin
Post date December 7, 2021
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Diet plays the most significant role in managing diabetes. With a healthy and nutritious diet, you can control your blood sugar levels more effectively. However, a healthy diabetes diet also offers you many other health benefits. It helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases, cancer, kidney diseases, etc. Even if you are not diabetic, eating a diabetes diet can help you stay healthy and prevent many diseases including diabetes.

What Is A Healthy Diet For Diabetics?

A healthy diabetes diet includes all the essential nutrients in a balanced proportion, such as proteins, fibres, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc.
It generally constitutes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
It does not include foods that have been processed or constitute added sugar.
It reduces the intake of carbohydrates and advocates the consumption of only healthy carbs.
A healthy diabetes diet also includes fewer amounts of saturated and trans fats.

Benefits Of A Healthy Diet In Diabetes

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

A healthy diabetes diet helps to control blood sugar levels in the body. It makes sure that you take all the essential nutrients in the optimal quantity, including carbohydrates. It also ensures that you do not consume foods that may spike your blood sugar levels such as packaged foods, sugary drinks, etc.

Reduces The Risk of Cancer

Diabetes increases the risk of many types of cancers. Eating a healthy plant-based diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, helps to not only manage diabetes but also prevent cancer. A diabetes diet also helps to maintain body weight, which is a major risk factor for cancer.

Prevents Heart Diseases and Strokes

Diabetes often leads to many cardiovascular diseases. A healthy diabetes diet includes foods such as leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, etc. These foods are highly beneficial in reducing cholesterol and boosting heart health, thereby helping in preventing heart diseases and strokes.

Reducing The Amount Of Insulin And Medications

A diabetes diet helps in regulating blood sugar levels and increasing insulin sensitivity in your body. It helps to reduce the amount of insulin and diabetes medications you may require to manage diabetes.

Maintains Healthy Body Weight

By cutting down on unhealthy carbohydrates and including high-fibre foods, a healthy and nutritious diabetes diet helps to maintain ideal body weight. If you are obese or overweight, this diet will help you lose weight. It helps to not only manage diabetes but also prevent many other metabolic disorders such as heart diseases, strokes, etc.

Prevent Diabetic Complications

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can result in many complications such as heart disease, obesity, hypertension, kidney diseases, skin disorders, nerve damage, etc. By eating a healthy diet, you may slow down the progression of the disease and prevent these complications. In addition, a healthy diabetes diet already includes foods that help reduce the risks of these diseases. For example, a diabetes diet generally has a low sodium content, which is important to prevent heart diseases, kidney diseases, etc.

Regulate Blood Pressure Levels

Diabetes and hypertension are closely linked to each other. Therefore, diabetes management also helps in regulating blood pressure levels in the body. A diabetes diet includes fewer amounts of saturated and trans fats as well as low sodium content, which is highly beneficial for people with high blood pressure levels.

Boosts Digestion

Poor management of diabetes can lead to various digestive disorders such as gastroparesis. A diabetes diet is rich in soluble dietary fibres, which not only helps to manage diabetes but also boost digestion. It is healthy and nutritious, which further strengthens your gut.

Improves The Quality Of Life

By preventing various diseases and maintaining the overall health of the body, a healthy diabetes diet helps to improve the quality of your life.

References:

Tags Benefits, Blood Sugar Levels, Diabetes, diabetics, Healthy Diabetes Diet, Heart Diseases, Nutritious, Obesity

Diet

Can You Consume Coconut Oil If You Have Diabetes?

Post author By Admin
Post date June 16, 2021
No Comments on Can You Consume Coconut Oil If You Have Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you surely have been through the overhaul when it comes to your diet. For instance, a strict no-no to white bread, full-fat cheese, and chips; and a high-five to celery sticks, tofu, and whole-wheat toast. Another area of concern for diabetics is the type of fat used during the cooking process.

You may have heard that coconut oil is a good substitute for refined cooking oil, but you may be unsure how it would potentially affect your diabetes. The pertinent question that you may ask is, “Is coconut oil better or worse for diabetics?” Here, we have included everything you need to know about coconut oil and your diabetes.

About Coconut Oil

The meat of mature coconuts is the source from where coconut oil is derived. This oil is a rich source of antioxidants and triglycerides, that boost energy. What’s more, it is significantly lower in cholesterol.

Coconut oil has a characteristic sweet and nutty flavour. Moreover, it leaves behind minimal grease. It is commonly used as a substitute for butter and olive oil as well as other vegetable oils during the process of cooking and baking.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Diabetics

For diabetics, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Moreover, a healthy weight is a vital component of a typical diabetes meal plan. This is more so true when it comes to type 2 diabetes, which is known to begin with insulin resistance in your body. Excessive weight has a direct impact on insulin resistance.

According to a 2008 study, individuals who consumed medium-chain fats such as coconut oil as an integral part of a weight-loss plan lost more fat in comparison with participants who consumed olive oil. Coconut oil is a rich source of medium-chain fats. This eventually means that coconut oil, which is a solid fat, is much harder to convert to stored fat. This makes it much easier for your body to successfully burn it off.

A separate study that was conducted in the year 2009 in lipids, too, corroborates the above findings. That said, more research needs to be conducted to support this claim definitively.

Research also indicates that virgin coconut oil possesses antioxidant as well as anti-stress properties. That said, an industry-standard is lacking when it comes to virgin coconut oil.

Are The Impacts Of Coconut Oil On Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes Different?

Some evidence suggests that coconut oil has the potential to lessen the symptoms of type 2 diabetes to a certain extent. A 2009 study carried out on animals found that consuming a diet rich in medium-chain fatty acids (such as coconut oil) could help in the prevention of obesity and combat insulin resistance, both of which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Further, a much more recent study involving rats showed that such consumption caused a reduction in blood sugar levels. Here, researchers also came to the conclusion that medium-chain fatty acids could help in lowering the buildup of fat and sustaining insulin action in both muscle and fat tissue. However, there is a downside. The rodents also demonstrated a greater buildup of fat and increased insulin resistance in the liver. Hence, much more research is required to know the precise relationship that exists between coconut oil and type 2 diabetes.

A distinct animal study that was published in the year 2010 found that diabetic rats that consumed coconut oil had lower levels of cholesterol and higher glucose tolerance.

Presently, research is lacking on the effects of coconut oil in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Potential Risk Factors

Despite its myriad benefits, coconut oil is considered unhealthy because it contains saturated fat. This fat can raise cholesterol levels, which can eventually lead to heart disease. What’s worse, individuals with diabetes have a greater chance of developing heart disease.

However, in the contrary, certain studies are beginning to show that coconut oil is a far better choice in comparison with other accepted oils. In comparison with sunflower oil, coconut oil did not alter the cardiovascular risk factors that were lipid related in those individuals who were receiving standard medical care.

The American Diabetes Association has advised individuals with diabetes to limit their intake of saturated fat to lower the risk of a heart attack. The organisation has recommended the substitution of coconut oil with what are considered to be healthier fats: safflower oil and olive oil.

If you have decided to use coconut oil in cooking, you must remember to do so in moderation. Consulting your healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet is also recommended.

The Final Word

Coconut oil does have its benefits; however, it is still a saturated fat, which means that when consumed in excess, it can lead to an increased risk of heart disease.

Despite animal studies demonstrating certain benefits, there is a lack of substantial research on how coconut oil impacts diabetes in humans. It might be safer to continue using healthy fats, such as olive oil, while consuming coconut oil in a small quantity.

Reference Links:

Tags Coconut Oil, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Saturated Fat