It’s common knowledge that any diabetic who is overweight can decrease their medications and control their diabetes better if they lose weight. Also, obesity in general is associated with an increase incidence of diabetes even without a known family history.That said, it is clear that any diet that can allow a person to lose weight is important. However it is also known that hormone imbalances in both men and women make it more difficult for someone to lose weight. Problems such as thyroid deficiency, estrogen dominance, testosterone insufficiency, adrenal dysfunction, insulin resistance including polycystic ovaries, pituitary and parathyroid disorders can all influence weight reduction.
Weight Loss & Diabetes In the Clinic
At NBH Lifetime health we highly recommend that patients with type I or II diabetes lose that amount of weight to produce a normal BMI and % body fat. The only issue associated with any diabetic on a diet, particularly a 500 calorie diet is the development of hypoglycemia. Because of the limited amount of carbohydrates on the diet, blood sugar monitoring is extremely important.
We prefer to work closely with the patient’s provider on a weekly or daily basis in order to adjust the patient’s medications as the blood sugars decrease and the need to reduce medication. For either type I or type II diabetics the following recommendations should be closed adhered to:
1. Blood sugar monitoring with a finger stick at least five times a day
- Fasting: less than 120
- 2 hour post prandial: less than 180
- Before lunch: less than 120
- Before dinner: less than 120
- Bedtime: between 120 to 140
- Any readings below 60-70 should be reported to your primary care provider and NBH.
2. Always have available either orange juice or another sugar containing beverage to counter act any hypoglycemia below 60 or 70.
3. Your primary care provider will alter the dosages or stop the appropriate medications.
Usually when desired weight is reached and you resume a 1200 or more diet with carbohydrate limitations, you may require and increase some of your medications. We have found that many type II diabetics will even stop all their medications but will need to continue monitoring their blood sugars. Remember, you never cure diabetes but control it.
Following the achievement of your weight control and many times during the early part of the diet program, we would recommend a complete hormone blood profile for the purpose of making adjustments in your hormones or even starting some of the hormones that are not normal as long as they won’t interfere with the weight loss. This will also decrease your cost for the hormones program.
Note that the hormones labs are done independent of the hormone program.
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