I Am a New Diabetic: Should I Lose Weight?

Studies have shown that becoming overweight or obese is a major risk factor in developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, about 30 percent of overweight people have been diagnosed as being diabetic, and 85 percent of diabetics are overweight.

Weight loss should be an important goal for those with type 2 diabetes who are obese or overweight. Losing just five to 10 percent of body weight can help improve insulin levels, lower fasting glucose concentrations and lessen the need for some diabetes medications.

You don’t have to diet yourself skinny, simply participating in regular exercise and being cautious about what you eat can help lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of developing serious complications – even if you don’t shed a lot of pounds. It is important to be particularly careful when eating out. If you know how to make good choices away from home, you will save yourself a great deal of anxiety.

If you lose weight, you’ll:

• Lower your blood glucose levels, which could allow you to delay, or decrease the amount of medication you take.

• Cut insulin resistance
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of kidney failure, heart attack and other serious complications.

According to David Marrero, PhD, president of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association, even “very modest” amounts of weight loss have a “huge reduction in risk” Losing just 7% of your body weight, cuts your risk of developing diabetes by 60%.

Modern science is finally catching onto our ancestors’ wisdom. Recent research proves that adopting some of their lifestyle can reverse type 2 diabetes. Your ancient ancestors didn’t use metformin — and they didn’t get diabetes. The way they lived prevented diabetes. Researchers have discovered that intermittent fasting — which mimics “feast and famine” — can turn around type 2 diabetes.

Intermittent fasting triggers the regeneration of key pancreas cells. Now, thousands of years later, this incredible healing power remains hardwired into your biological makeup. Start with one of the simple, yet safe intermittent fasting regimens outlined in the Diabetes Solution Kit.