For healthy people whose blood sugar levels are normal, losing weight without special diets and regular exercise is not so easy. If a person does not pay attention to his diet and exercise, but at the same time begins to quickly lose weight, then this should be a serious reason to consult a doctor.
Since sudden and rapid weight loss is one of the signs of many diseases, including diabetes. And since the main factor provoking the development of this disease is excess weight, the question of why people lose weight with diabetes worries many people.
What are the reasons for weight gain?
The main reason for gaining extra pounds is a disruption in the process of glucose utilization, as a result of which it is converted into glycogen and fats. Before losing weight with type 2 diabetes, it is necessary to create favorable conditions in the body for the utilization of glucose from food. The accumulation of fatty tissue in the anterior abdominal wall negatively affects the process of insulin production, which contributes to the progression of the disease.
In addition, obesity in combination with diabetes is fraught with the development of complications such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and thrombophlebitis. The main feature of losing weight in type 2 diabetes is a gradual change in diet and a gradual refusal to eat certain foods. It is important to remember that losing weight through fasting is categorically unacceptable for losing weight with diabetes.
Timely diagnosis of late complications
It has been noted that among the early manifestations of angiopathy there is a feeling of pain in the legs when walking. A diabetic develops a special gait called intermittent claudication. Gradual muscle atrophy can be independently determined by measuring the volume of the legs and hips with a soft centimeter.
Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) and smoking play a huge negative role in the progression of angiopathy symptoms. Damage to large and small vessels leads to disruption of the function and structure of joints:
- cartilage tissue wears out;
- salts are deposited;
- “thorns” grow;
- mobility of toes and knees is limited;
- pain appears.
The prospects for angiopathy differ in different types of diabetes. The main means of compensating for high sugar levels are insulin and diet. If they do not help a patient on insulin therapy to cope with hyperglycemia, this is a great tragedy. A patient using glucose-lowering drugs in the form of tablets still has hope for hormonal correction.
There are cases when patients are afraid to switch to insulin replacement therapy and wait for severe complications in the form of gangrene of the legs. If it is possible to achieve decent compensation, after 1–2 years there is an improvement in the lower extremities, and the feeling of cold disappears.
How to lose weight with type 1 diabetes?
The main source of energy in the human body is glucose. In type 1 of this disease, pancreatic cells do not produce the hormone even in minimal quantities, as a result of which the process of glucose utilization is disrupted. Against the background of this process, the body begins to look for alternative sources of energy, which are muscle and fat tissue. This process is the main reason for sudden weight loss in type 1 diabetes. Despite weight loss, diabetics must follow dietary recommendations that exclude the consumption of sugar-containing foods, fried, smoked, spicy, fatty foods, and alcohol.
Difficulties after surgery
After removing part of a leg or finger, there are various complications - from sutures that do not heal for a long time to inflammation and swelling. To prevent undesirable consequences, you need to wear compression bandages that stabilize blood circulation and lymph flow. They should be tight, in the lower part of the stump they are wound tightly, towards the upper part the tension weakens.
Regular massage of the stump and adjacent muscles - kneading, rubbing, tapping - is mandatory, as it allows you to restore atrophied tissue.
It is important to know that:
- All patients suffer from phantom pain. In this case, a psychologist and analgesics will help you come to terms with the loss.
- Therapy is used both with medication (in the acute phase) and physiotherapy.
- Positive dynamics are observed with good physical activity and all types of massage, including self-help. After healing, you can take warm baths.
If the stump is poorly cared for, relapses of tissue necrosis with wound infection are possible. A repeat, more serious operation will be required.
Some patients experience certain complications after having their legs amputated. They can be expressed, for example, in prolonged healing of sutures, the formation of inflamed areas and swelling of the stump.
In order to eliminate such complications, it is strongly recommended to use special compression bandages. The fact is that they make it possible to stabilize the process of blood supply and lymphatic flow in the area of damaged vessels after removal.
Formations on the legs of any kind must be carefully monitored. Avoid scratching, such as insect bites and scratches. The slightest microtrauma threatens to turn into gangrene.
Trophic circulatory disorders and tissue infection ultimately lead to the following consequences:
- necrosis (cell death);
- change in skin color on the legs (from a painful, pale shade to darkening);
- the appearance of swelling on the foot.
If a person undergoes amputation, the following may be noted:
- Poisoning of healthy tissues is not allowed, since nothing interferes with the beneficial effects of external microflora, since the lesion has been formed;
- legs in most cases are subject to amputation because they need a full blood supply;
- the walls of blood vessels quickly become thinner, as a person quickly develops diabetes mellitus.
How to lose weight with type 2 diabetes?
A diet for weight loss for type 2 diabetes has the following characteristic features:
- The calorie content of the daily menu is reduced.
- Meals are taken at the same time, with the frequency of meals being 4-5 times a day, fractionally, in medium portions (about 250-350 g).
- The last meal should be taken no later than 2 hours before bedtime.
- The diet should contain fresh vegetables and fruits rich in fiber.
- Reducing to a minimum or completely eliminating foods rich in simple carbohydrates from the diet.
The recommended ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for type 2 diabetes is as follows:
- Carbohydrates - from 40 to 60%.
- Proteins - from 15 to 20%.
- Fats - from 25 to 30%.
Food products such as sugar, fatty fish and meats, carbonated drinks, puff pastries and pastries are absolutely prohibited.
It is also recommended to exclude from the daily menu canned meat and fish, beets, raisins, dairy and fermented milk products with a high percentage of fat, pasta, butter, rich broths, dates, pickles, sausages and cheese with a fat content of more than 15%.
List of allowed products for type 2 diabetes:
- Green and white beans, young green peas, lentils.
- Raw carrots.
- Cucumbers.
- Grapefruit.
- Zucchini and asparagus.
- Eggplant.
- Mulberry.
- Broccoli.
- Apples.
- Oranges.
- Dietary (veal, rabbit meat, turkey, chicken fillet).
- Bread made from rye flour or with added bran.
It is recommended to heat food by boiling, baking or steaming. The frying process should be excluded, since fried foods not only have a high glycemic index, but also contain carcinogens that cause cancer. The answer to the question of whether it is possible to lose weight with diabetes is affirmative, since a balanced diet can maintain weight even with serious metabolic disorders.
Diet for diabetics losing weight
A special diet involves eating the following type of food: wholemeal bread, low-fat fermented milk products, whole grain cereals, such as pearl barley or buckwheat. In addition, you should not give up vegetables and legumes. This list includes beans, lentils, as well as cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and lettuce.
Treatment and symptoms of diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities
Unsweetened fruits, such as oranges or lemons, can also be consumed. In addition, the list includes pomelo, figs and green apples. Please note that the menu may be as follows:
- for breakfast you can prepare 100 grams. millet porridge with milk, drink 100 ml of yogurt, and also eat five hazelnuts and tea, preferably without added sugar;
- for lunch use 250 gr. chicken soup, 100 gr. ravioli made from potatoes, as well as one bell pepper and cucumber. Don't forget about tea or jelly;
- 75 g is perfect as a snack. yogurt, 100 gr. strawberries or other berries, as well as a glass of fruit juice. Each of the presented titles will be equally useful;
- 150 gr is perfect for dinner. omelette with cheese, tomatoes and ham. You can also use 100 g. cookies and milk with honey.
Experts also point out that walking for up to 30 minutes a day will only benefit a diabetic. Constant movement will fully contribute to improving muscle structure and normalizing the functioning of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. All this will allow you to optimize and increase body weight to normal levels.
Is it possible to exercise if you have diabetes?
Speaking about whether it is possible to lose weight with diabetes by increasing physical activity, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of exercise. In case of diabetes, it is important to observe dosed physical activity, which has a beneficial effect on general metabolism and glucose metabolism in particular. In order for physical activity to bring benefits, it is recommended to follow these rules:
- The level of physical activity should be increased gradually, starting with simple exercises.
- It is not recommended to perform gymnastics on an empty stomach or with a full stomach. After eating, 40-50 minutes should pass.
- It is recommended to perform gymnastics every other day.
- The duration of the gymnastic session is 25-30 minutes.
- If the blood glucose level exceeds 14 mmol, physical activity should be temporarily abandoned until sugar levels normalize.
Symptoms
Advanced cases of the disease can lead to kidney failure, heart attack, blindness, and diabetic coma, requiring emergency medical attention.
To prevent this from happening, you should consult a doctor promptly if you experience the following symptoms.
- Constant thirst;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Itching and long-lasting wounds;
- Frequent urge to urinate;
- Blurred vision;
- Constant hunger;
- Tingling or numbness in the arms and legs;
- Sudden weight loss;
- Memory impairment;
- Smell of acetone in mouth.
Additional recommendations
For diabetes mellitus, the recommended sleep duration for men and women is at least 8 hours. Depending on age and body weight, the daily volume of water consumed should be from 1.5 to 3 liters. The optimal temperature of drinking water is 33-35 degrees. In addition, diabetics should regularly replenish the deficiency of individual vitamins and microelements by taking pharmaceutical multivitamin complexes. Vitamins A, E, H, C, B1, B6, B12, magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid, manganese, succinic acid are of particular value.
Products for weight loss and lowering blood sugar levels
There are products that help patients with type 2 diabetes both lose weight and reduce blood sugar:
- Garlic. It must be added to various dishes as often as possible. This product helps normalize metabolism, reduce sugar levels, and lose extra pounds.
- Lemon. The substances it contains help fight excess weight and sugar. This product should be added to tea.
- Hard cheeses. Break down glucose. You are allowed to eat up to 200 g per day.
- Cabbage, greens. They contain coarse fiber, which destroys some of the sugar.
- Unsweetened pears, apples. Able to lower sugar levels when consumed regularly.
- Cranberry, raspberry. Promote the breakdown of glucose. It is allowed to be consumed both fresh and in the form of compotes and tea.
You can lose weight and control sugar with the following diets:
- low carb,
- table No. 9,
- table number 8.
