• Are you searching the web for ways to lose weight?
• Do you have weight around your tummy or upper part of the body?
• Do you prediabetes, or cholesterol abnormalities such as elevated triglycerides or low good cholesterol?
• Were you told to be prediabetic or have a history of borderline blood sugars?
• Do you have health insurance?
• Do you know that your insurance might cover the cost of the weight loss physician visits?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are not alone and you might have what is called “metabolic syndrome” or insulin resistance that increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers. Affecting one in three Americans, metabolic sydrome is a common problem that in fact might be causing your weight gain.

Also read: secrets of losing weight by a weight loss doctor.

Causes of weight gain

How can metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance cause weight gain?

If you are insulin resistant, your basal insulin levels will be high as the body compensates for insulin resistance by increasing the production of insulin.

Metablic causes of weight gain

Since Insulin is the principal anabolic(body building) hormone in the body, people with insulin resistance tend to gain weight, especially in the belly and upper part of the body, one area not good for the body to have a lot of fat! As per research from Mayo Clinic and other places, belly fat produces harmful chemicals that raise body’s inflammation which in turn raises the risk of many health problems including cardiovascular disease. In fact, most human disease starts with inflammation including that of Cancers. No wonder, obese people have higher risk of overall disease risk including that of cancer. Watch this excellent Youtube video to understand insulin resistance.

Watch this youtube video to understand insulin resistance.

The Epidemic of Prediabetes and Diabetes!

According to a new study, investigators say diabetes and prediabetes will also account for an estimated 10 percent of total health care spending by the end of the decade at an annual cost of almost $500 billion. That’s up from an estimated $194 billion in 2010.

The report, “The United States of Diabetes: Challenges and Opportunities in the Decade Ahead,” was unveiled this week, because November is National Diabetes Prevention month. The study offers solutions designed to improve health and life expectancy, while also saving up to $250 billion over the next 10 years.
Read this report on CNN titled Diabetes or prediabetes predicted for half of Americans by 2020

What is Prediabetes and why is it important to reverse it for weight loss, and prevention of diabetes?

Prediabetes is a serious health condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Yet the vast majority of people with prediabetes do not know they have the condition, according to CDC research.

• Just 7% of people with prediabetes are aware of their condition.
• 79 million Americans—35% of adults aged 20 years and older—have prediabetes.
• Half of all Americans aged 65 years and older have prediabetes.

What is prediabetes?

People with prediabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. They are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, including heart disease, and stroke. Without lifestyle changes to improve their health, 15% to 30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.

How can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

Research shows that modest weight loss and regular physical activity can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by up to 58 percent in people with prediabetes. Modest weight loss means 5% to 7% of body weight, which is 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. Getting at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity, such as brisk walking, also is important.
Lifestyle change programs offered through the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which is led by CDC, can help participants adopt the healthy habits needed to prevent type 2 diabetes. Trained lifestyle coaches lead classes to help participants improve their food choices, increase physical activity, and learn coping skills to maintain weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes.

Who Is likely to have prediabetes?

People with the following risk factors are more likely to develop prediabetes and type 2 diabetes:

• 45 years of age or older.
• Overweight.
• Have a parent with diabetes.
• Have a sister or brother with diabetes.
• Family background is African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander.
• Developed diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes), or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.
• Physically active less than three times a week.

How to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

• Fasting glucose test. This measures blood glucose in people who have not eaten anything for at least eight hours. Fasting glucose levels of 100 to 125 mg/dL are diagnostic of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), also called prediabetes. People with IFG often have had insulin resistance for some time and are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes
• Glucose tolerance test. This test measures blood glucose after people fast for at least eight hours, and two hours after they drink a sweet liquid provided by a doctor or laboratory. A blood glucose level between 140 and 199 mg/dL is called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) also called prediabetes. Like IFG, it points toward a history of insulin resistance and a risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Hemoglobin A1c test. This test measures the amount of glucose that is on the red blood cells. Fasting is not necessary. An A1c value of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes.

*People whose test results indicate they have prediabetes should have their blood glucose levels checked again in 6 months to 1 year.

Can We Reverse This Epidemic of Diabetes and Prediabetes?

Good news is that we can reverse insulin resistance with physician trained in the new field of Obesity Medicine that specializes in preventing and reversing insulin resistance. According to a new study co-authored by a University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researcher and published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), has shown that intensive lifestyle interventions, including diet and exercise, have the potential to put Type 2 diabetes into remission and eliminate the need for medication in some cases.

 “Reversing diabetes through weight loss and exercise is a much less invasive approach and may be a more attractive option for many people. This is very exciting news for supporters of public health policies that encourage people to lose weight and increase their physical activity.”

W8MD physicians have specialized obesity medicine training and are well versed with  managing insulin resistance and other metabolic effects of weight. W8MD physicians can help you lose weight safely, effectively using proven non surgical methods. Use this free W8MD’s Insulin Resistance Calculator and see if you might be insulin resistant that may be causing your weight gain?

Call (800)W8MD-007 for more information or visit W8MD website for locations, insurances, and appointments.

Insulin Resistance Calculator

 About the Author – Prab R. Tumpati, MD

Weight Loss Testimonials and Success Stories

I spotted a pamphlet in a doctor’s waiting room on W8MD. This peeked my interest and I read on. “Are you tired of being overweight?” I was! As I read further I discovered that not only was this a center for weight loss but also for sleep problems. My husband had told me that I was snoring very loudly at night and that it seemed I stopped breathing at times.