TeamFLEX Newsletter

Weight Loss Spotlight

Weight Loss & Diabetes

The Connection Between Weight Loss and Diabetes

Diabetes can be divided into two different types of diabetes, diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. The diabetes mellitus is the more common form that also is divided into insulin-dependent diabetes or type I and type II diabetes, which is diabetes onset during adulthood.

In type I diabetes mellitus your body's pancreas don't produce an efficient amount of insulin. When there isn't enough insulin in your system your body cannot utilize glucose properly, which creates high levels of glucose in your blood.

The second type of diabetes, type II is most likely to occur in a person with a family history of diabetes. This type of diabetes is also called maturity-onset diabetes because it could be a late onset in life. Obesity is a major factor in this type of diabetes. Diet can often control this type of diabetes which means insulin is usually not required to treat type II diabetes.

Those who are overweight face the greatest risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the United States today.

A weight reduction program or a diet and exercise are usually all that is required to control a type II diabetes. Keeping the weight off by learning how to make the right food choices and working out eliminates the chances of the diabetes to get out of hand again.

Diabetes is also associated with arteriosclerosis, which is the build up of calcium deposits on the inside of the artery walls, which causes the thickening of the arteries. This condition can cause a stroke, coronary disease and high blood pressure. In severe cases of clogged arteries the person suffers a myocardial infarction or a heart attack.

Do you understand now how it all is connected to your diet and exercising?

Gaining weight can lead to a lot of different condition much worse then just being overweight.

Insulin efficiency is intimately connected with protein synthesis and the use of body fat for fuel, which only proves that doing cardiovascular exercise increases the ability for the body to use fat as fuel and therefore aids in keeping the insulin level efficient. The whole idea of exercising for weight loss in diabetic individuals is also strengthened by these facts.

Supplements that might be of beneficial use for diabetic persons is Chromium which helps stabilize the blood sugar level in your body. L-Carnitine and L-Glutamine, both help to mobilize fat in your body and Copper is a great aid in metabolism.

Certain herbs have also been known to help if you suffer from diabetes. Uva Ursi, Buchu leaves, dandelion root and golden seal. Ginseng tea is believed to lower the blood sugar levels.

A diet rich in fiber and carbohydrates reduces the need for insulin for anybody who is diabetic. Avoiding white flour, salt and fish oils since these products result in an elevated level of your blood sugar.

Olive oil may also help adult-onset diabetes. Spirulina is another healthy food that helps stabilize the blood sugar level and in combination with raw fruits and vegetables it will help reducing the sugar in the urine.