This article discusses the link between diabetes and obesity and how reducing weight can help in controlling blood sugar level. Diabetes can attack the heart, kidneys and any of the vital organs of the body. Since most diabetic are overweight, reduction in weight is advisable. This can be done by reducing the number of calories consumed per day. This will benefit to decrease the sugar level in blood. Exercise will be an added advantage as it increases the use of calories and reduction of weight will be faster.

If you take fewer calories than normally required you will reduce the weight. It is always advisable not to cut down calories drastically. It is better to have a slow weight loss for a prolonged period than to reduce drastically in a short period. The diet should be restricted in calories but full of vitamins and minerals.

Generally the diet recommended should contain a lot of green vegetables, fruits, salads, sprouted grains, curd, pulses and chapattis. Concentrated high calorie food should be avoided like cheese, butter, ghee, sweets, sugar, ice creams, cold drinks and alcohol.

Let us discuss how the low calorie diet brings down blood sugar. As the patient loses weight, the production of glucose by liver is slowed down. Insulin resistance comes down with the increase in the number of insulin receptors. The insulin action becomes more effective and the secretion of β cells is increased.

When the patient is given a low calorie diet, the calories are distributed throughout the day, evenly in major meals. The body should not be loaded with calories in one meal. This is essential as the metabolic activity of the body is impaired in diabetes.

If the blood sugar is high, insulin or other anti-diabetic drugs may be needed and then the time of meals should be adjusted according to medication. The quantity of drug is gradually reduced as the blood sugar level goes down and in most cases it can be completely withdrawn. A regular check of blood sugar level and regular consultation with a physician will be necessary for this purpose.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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