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The truth about weight management and diabetes: providing real solutions for real results
by IDS Diabetologist & Weight Management Specialist, Dr Paula Diab
In today’s world, it’s easy to get lost in the noise and confusion of advice on weight loss. From social media to celebrity influencers to the word on the street….where exactly does the truth lie? With so many conflicting opinions and fad diets, it can be hard to know what really works and who to believe.
But here’s the truth: weight management is not about willpower or motivation or a flaw in your character.
It is not about finding the perfect diet or workout routine. These are important but they are NOT the cause nor are they the only solution to the problem. The latest research tells us that obesity is a chronic disease, primarily driven by genetics and centered in the brain, with environmental factors playing a significant role. What this means is that by addressing obesity as a chronic disease with the correct medication, we can suddenly begin to manage it more effectively.
When a child is having an asthma attack, we don’t tell them to breathe deeply and expect that will solve the problem. We give an inhaler with medication and THEN ask them to take a deep breath and together the medication and the lifestyle intervention can make a difference.
In a similar way, what you eat and the physical activity you do on a daily basis are not effective alone to reduce your weight in the long term. But in combination with the right medication and advice, and medication that is taken appropriately, weight management suddenly becomes so much more effective.
An additional concern for people with diabetes is that frequent low glucose levels can have a significant impact on how your body interprets and responds to messages about hunger. It is important that we don’t complicate the problem by sending our brains even more conflicting signals. Even high glucose levels can be as a result of inadequate insulin in the body and result in the various organs being ‘starved’ of fuel which in turn, will also be interpreted as hunger.
Diabetes can also affect the rate that food passes through the stomach and the manner in which it is digested. Again, this will result in inadequate glucose being absorbed and the body interpreting this as “HUNGER”.
Have you ever tried a “diet” only to find you put the weight back on again? Ever signed up for an intensive physical activity regime and found that only worked for a short time too? This is exactly what it means to have a chronic disease!
At Integrated Diabetes Services, we aim to empower people to achieve their personal goals, not just with regard to their diabetes, but in all aspects of health care.
Dr Paula Diab is a qualified Family Physician and Diabetologist (South Africa) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (USA) who has many years of experience in diabetes and obesity management. She is able to offer medically sound advice and treatment options that are rooted in the latest scientific findings.
Just as with all services at IDS, you are able to access this service from the comfort and privacy of your own home. You’ll receive individualized assessments and realistic strategies tailored to your unique needs.
Learn more about Paula’s Downsizing with Diabetes program
Our approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and designed to help you manage your weight effectively, without the guilt or confusion that everyone seems to be facing.
If you’re ready to take a step towards better health, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Even if you’re not ready to take that first step and more medication sounds like just too much, contact us anyway and let us just give you some good information and help clear up the confusion.
To schedule, please call 877-735-3648 or outside North America call 610-642-6055
if you have questions, email: paula@integrateddiabetes.com
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