Weight loss: Three reasons why it's difficult to lose weight for diabetics

One of the first pieces of advice that people suffering from diabetes are given is to lose weight. A healthy BMI and healthy weight can help a great deal in controlling diabetes. However, weight loss is a little more tough for people suffering from diabetes. Here are three reasons why.

A meal rich in carbohydrates can lead to a spike in the blood sugar level. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas to help get glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it can be used to produce energy.

However, in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, the process doesn't work well. Their body becomes resistant to the action of insulin and thus insulin is not as effective at moving the glucose out of the blood. Therefore, one ends up with a blood sugar spike in their blood after eating carbohydrates.

To reduce the high blood glucose, the body makes more insulin. Insulin has one more function, which is to store fat and block the release of fat from fat storage. Thus, it becomes difficult for diabetics to lose weight.

People with diabetes are given various diet-related advice like keeping control of their calories, reducing carb intake and eating small meals. Sometimes following this advice leaves them hungry resulting in cravings.

Carb rich meals lead to a blood sugar spike followed by a drop, which variation stimulates frequent hunger. A hungry person eats more, which results in weight gain.

Insulin helps store fat and thus taking insulin for treating diabetes can also cause some weight gain. Some diabetes and oral medications work by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin, which can lead to weight gain too.

The best way to decrease blood sugar levels is by decreasing carbohydrate consumption. You can take the help of a nutritionist to get a customised meal plan.