Many people wonder if diabetes and weight loss affect each other in any way. The short answer is yes. They can affect each other. The next question might be, “How do they affect each other?”
The answer to that question depends on the type of diabetes diagnosed, and the recommendations made by your physician. In regards to weight loss, there are two different types of diabetes we should address.
Type I diabetes, also referred to as insulin dependant or juvenile onset diabetes, is typically diagnosed in childhood or as a young adult. This condition occurs when the pancreas does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin to metabolize blood sugar properly. Treatment for this condition requires insulin injections several times per day or an insulin pump.
Type II diabetes, also referred to as insulin resistant or adult onset diabetes, occurs when the body is unable to utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas to metabolize sugar. In this case, the body produces insulin but it is not absorbed and used. This condition is often treated with weight loss recommendations and oral medications.
Is There a Diabetes Weight Loss Diet?
As previously stated, it depends on the type of diabetes being referred to. Let’s start by talking about type I (insulin dependant) diabetes.
There is a new “eating disorder” becoming more common in people with type I diabetes. This condition has coined the name “diabulimia” and is most common in young women with type I diabetes.
Since the body does not make the insulin necessary to metabolize blood sugar with type I diabetes, it is necessary to take insulin via injection or a pump after consuming food. If the insulin is not taken, the kidneys have to work much harder to rid the blood of excess sugar. When this happens, the kidneys are pulling sugar, calories, and nutrients out of the blood and discarding them into the urine. This leads to rapid weight loss.
This condition is very dangerous and unhealthy. It does lead to rapid weight loss, but the side affects can be fatal. This process of weight loss can lead to kidney damage, organ damage, nerve damage and even death. This condition is as dangerous as anorexia or bulimia.
If you have been using this method to loose weight, contact your physician immediately to get help correcting this disorder and getting back on track.
Does Diabetes Cause Weight Loss?
As previously stated, diabetes can cause weight loss if there is not enough insulin or the insulin is not being used properly and the kidneys start “spilling or purging” sugar into the urine. This condition, known as diabetic ketosis, is not healthy and can cause major damage. If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss, contact your physician to make sure your insulin dosage is correct or your oral medications are correct if you suffer from type II diabetes.
Weight loss is often times recommended for people with type II diabetes. Many people with type II diabetes suffer from obesity. Type II diabetes is often times a side affect of obesity. Due to the amounts and types of sugars and carbohydrates consumed, the body is unable to utilize insulin properly. After a little while of not being able to affectively use insulin, the body naturally becomes insulin resistant. In this case, weight loss using a sensible diet and healthy activity plan is highly recommended.
Can Weight Loss Cure Diabetes?
The quick answer to this question is yes, for type II diabetes. If type II diabetes is essentially a side affect of obesity, it can be cured by taking off the extra weight. In some cases, severely obese people who are unable to control their diabetes well might be encouraged to consider weight loss surgery. Diabetes and weight loss surgery often result in curing diabetes.
It is important to remember that weight loss surgery is major surgery, and it comes with pro’s and con’s. If you are considering this option to cure diabetes, be sure to consider all your options. Remember, weight loss surgery requires major life changes. If you do not make these life changes the results can be devastating and you can gain all the weight back.
Other options include implementing a healthy diet and exercise program and taking the weight off a bit more slowly, but in a healthy manner. Talk with your physician about sending you to a dietician, nutritionist or diabetic specialist to set up a natural program to control and possibly cure your type II diabetes.
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