If you’re living with diabetes, Dr. Juan Zubieta at North Houston Diabetes Institute in Humble, TX can help develop a customized weight management plan for your needs.
Guide to the Connection Between Weight and Diabetes
Most people have heard or read that excess weight is directly connected to many cases of diabetes. The question many people ask, though, is how? For most people, just knowing that something is causing a problem isn’t enough to influence change. There needs to be an understanding of why it’s true. As such, Dr. Zubieta and our team at North Houston Diabetes Institute in Humble, TX explain the connection between excess weight and diabetes.
Understanding What Diabetes Actually Means
Diabetes – in the simplest terms – means that you have too much sugar or glucose in your bloodstream. The body needs glucose for your muscles and for energy, but it needs to be in the right amounts and in the right place.
In a healthy body, the pancreas creates insulin that takes glucose from the blood. It then transfers it to the muscles and the liver to be stored as energy for when it’s needed.
Unfortunately, an overweight body leads to insulin resistance, which prevents glucose from entering the cells. And as the liver is full of fat, the glucose can’t be stored for use later. It has nowhere to go, so it stays circulating through the blood.
It doesn’t stop there, though. The pancreas is still trying to do its job, so it creates more insulin to move the glucose. However, the insulin cannot be used. The glucose remains in the blood and the pancreas continues to overwork. Eventually, it wears down and doesn’t produce enough insulin – hence, diabetes.
Importance of Managing Weight When Treating Diabetes
As you can see above, carrying excess weight can eventually lead to the body not producing the insulin you need. If this is the case, you’ll likely be put on medication to produce more insulin.
While this might seem like a great solution, there is still a big problem: excess weight means the insulin isn’t being used properly and there is nowhere for the glucose to be stored. Without addressing the excess weight, it is a constant battle.
You don’t have to worry about dropping too much weight, though. Any reduction – even a 5% reduction – in weight is beneficial. And you don’t have to do it alone. Our team is here to help you lose weight in a healthy way and take control of your condition.
Schedule your weight management appointment with Dr. Zubieta at North Houston Diabetes Institute in Humble, TX by calling (832) 644-9595 today.