Anyone that has been diagnosed and treated for diabetes knows the importance of checking your blood sugar levels regularly throughout the day. It is important to maintain steady blood sugar levels to avoid adverse symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, and shakiness. Large variations in your blood sugar levels can cause fainting and possible coma as well. The effects of weight loss on blood sugar are dramatic. Here are some things you should know.
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar occurs when your body's blood sugar levels become lower than they should be. This can occur when your insulin levels are too high. People with diabetes can experience hypoglycemia when they are trying to lose weight if they don't make adjustments to their diabetic medications (like insulin). This happens because losing weight can cause your sugar levels to drop. If you don't reduce the amount of insulin you are taking (or monitor your sugar carefully) then you can become hypoglycemic.
Hyerglycemia or high blood sugar occur when your body's sugar levels become higher than they should be. This can occur when your insulin levels are too low to be effective in reducing your blood sugar levels. The amount of sugar in your blood will be affected by what you eat so it is important to monitor your sugar frequently as you are dieting to lose weight.
Knowing the effects of weight loss on blood sugar should help you understand the importance of careful monitoring of your sugar levels so you can adjust your insulin levels accordingly. Likely when you start dieting to lose weight you will start exercising as well. This is good and will have a "double whammy" effect on your sugar levels. Exercise can help lower your blood sugar levels just like weight loss can. In the long run exercising will help keep your sugar in balance throughout the day along with a proper diet.
Educating yourself on how weight loss effects blood sugar can literally save your life. People suffering from diabetes have this special challenge of finding the right combination of diet and exercise to control the dangerous effects of fluctuating sugar levels. Read all that you can and always consult your physician before starting any exercise plan or change in your diet. Never adjust your medications without first consulting your physician.
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