Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people around the world in different ways, including changes in body weight. For this reason, it's not surprising that many people wonder if diabetes causes weight gain or weight loss. The answer isn't simple, as diabetes can cause both weight loss and weight gain depending on the type of diabetes, the treatment, and the disease's management.
In this article, we'll explain how diabetes can affect weight, why some people lose weight and others gain weight, and how to manage these changes in a healthy way.
Weight Loss from Diabetes: Why Does This Happen?
In some cases, diabetes can cause significant, unintentional weight loss. This occurs because the body isn't properly using insulin , the hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose. When the body can't use glucose as an energy source, it begins to break down fat and muscle for fuel.
Insulin Deficiency
Insulin is key to the body's use of glucose for energy. In type 1 diabetes , the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, preventing glucose from entering the cells. As a result, the body begins to burn fat and muscle for energy, leading to rapid weight loss.
Kidney malfunction
In cases of uncontrolled diabetes , excess glucose in the blood is eliminated through urine, causing greater loss of essential fluids and nutrients. This process can lead to significant weight loss if not treated promptly.
Side effects of medication
Some diabetes treatments can affect body weight. Some medications can speed up metabolism or reduce appetite, leading to a decrease in body mass. It's important to follow medical advice and adjust your diet if necessary to avoid excessive weight loss.
Burning stored fat as fuel
When the body can't use glucose as an energy source, it turns to fat stores, resulting in weight loss. This process is more common in people with type 1 diabetes or those who aren't receiving adequate insulin .
Importance of weight loss control for Diabetes
Weight control in people with diabetes is essential to avoid complications and maintain a stable state of health. Unintentional weight loss can lead to muscle weakness, lack of energy, and additional health risks. Since diabetes can affect how the body processes glucose and uses energy, it is important to adopt strategies that help maintain a healthy weight.
Maintaining a balanced diet is essential. It's advisable to include healthy sources of protein, essential fats, and complex carbohydrates to provide energy without causing imbalances in glucose levels. Furthermore, managing insulin doses according to medical prescriptions helps regulate metabolism and prevent drastic weight loss.
Moderate exercise also plays a key role in weight maintenance, as it helps preserve muscle mass without causing excessive loss. Maintaining adequate hydration and ensuring you consume enough calories daily is also essential to prevent malnutrition and avoid metabolic complications.
If you experience drastic changes in your weight for no apparent reason, it's important to see a doctor or nutritionist to adjust your treatment and receive specialized recommendations.
Prevention and maintenance of weight loss
While weight loss can be a hallmark of diabetes, it's also possible to stabilize body mass with some healthy habits. To avoid excessive weight loss, it's recommended to:
- Eat regularly and choose nutritious foods. Include healthy proteins and carbohydrates in your daily diet.
- Follow a balanced diet, rich in complex carbohydrates and proteins.
- Adjust insulin and medication doses to avoid imbalances, according to medical recommendations.
- Stay hydrated and avoid excessive fluid loss.
- Perform moderate physical activity to maintain muscle mass.
- Consult a nutritionist to design an appropriate eating plan.
Gaining weight with diabetes
On the other hand, some people with diabetes may experience weight gain. This is especially true for those who use insulin to lose weight but don't properly control their dosage, which can lead to glucose accumulation in the form of fat.
Weight gain can also be caused by:
- Excessive calorie consumption to prevent episodes of hypoglycemia.
- Lack of physical activity.
- Use of certain diabetes medications that can cause weight gain.
- Insulin resistance, in which the body needs more insulin to regulate blood glucose.
Tips to avoid weight loss due to diabetes
If you want to avoid excessive weight loss due to diabetes, here are some tips that will be very helpful:
- Monitor your glucose regularly to ensure levels remain within normal limits.
- Adjust your diet with the help of a nutrition specialist.
- Maintain an exercise routine to strengthen your muscles without losing weight abruptly.
- Consult your doctor if you notice drastic changes in your weight.
Take care of your health with the support of Glucody
In short, whether diabetes causes weight gain or loss depends on each individual's body and how the disease is managed. But if you're looking for options for better disease management, at Glucody you'll find a selection of specialized products to improve your quality of life with diabetes.
We offer catheter protectors, silicone sleeves, protective bracelets, sensor patches, and decorative stickers to personalize and protect your diabetes devices . These products are designed to offer you comfort, security, and better diabetes management in your daily life. If you're looking to improve your quality of life and maintain a healthy weight, visit our online store and discover our solutions designed for you.
Don't let diabetes affect your weight and well-being! Consult a specialist and equip yourself with the best products at Glucody.