If you or someone you know suffers from obesity you need to know that there is a great probability that at some time you will get Diabetes. Scientists over the years have found that Obesity and Type II diabetes are connected. The current reasoning for the connection comes from the fact that scientists believe the extra weight you carry around while obese causes your body to change and part of that change is making your body and its cells resistant to insulin. Within the extra weight an obese carries is fat and it is that fat that causes the problem. Fat interferes with how a person’s body “uses” insulin. In an obese individual that has diabetes problems it indicates that their body cells, particularly fat cells, but liver and muscle cells also do not react the right way to insulin.

Now your body makes its own insulin through the pancreas. When your cells are not working correctly, your pancreas will produce too much insulin, which results in too much glucose staying in your blood instead of getting into the cells it needs to go to. When all of this happens, doctors refer to it as being “insulin resistant.”

Here is a list of symptoms you may experience with insulin resistance relating to diabetes:

· Fatigue – this is the number one feature, it could be tiredness in the morning, or afternoon, or both.

· Mental Fog – this comes as not being able to focus, poor memory, poor grades (if in school)

· Low Blood Sugar – this will also manifest itself by mental or physical tiredness, or by being jittery or jumpy, especially if you don’t eat on a schedule. Once you eat the symptoms go away immediately

· Bloating & Gas

· Sleepiness – this typically happens after eating a meal full of carbohydrates

· Increase in Weight & Fat – men will show it in their stomachs while women tend to show stored fat in their bottom.

If you have any of these symptoms and are obese, you will want to mention them to your doctor. It could mean that you have diabetes, but remember that these symptoms can be linked to other types of problems as well.

Obesity today is the number one risk factor for diabetes. The NCHS reports that at least 30% of adults are obese. In today’s numbers that is over 50 million people. Many doctors feel that by introducing a few life-style changes, a person can help reduce their body’s need for insulin.

A good way to start is with altering your diet to help you to eat better and to lose weight. In particular with altering your diet, pay attention to the carbohydrates you consume in your meals. Doctors and physicians suggest replacing white bread and corn products like French fries, doughnuts, potato chips/corn chips with high fiber foods such as whole grains, brown or wild rice. They also suggest eating vegetables such as spinach, carrots, and green beans. Always consult with your doctor when changing your diet or starting a new exercise program.

Tags: diabetes, obesity, weight loss