The link between weight gain and blood sugar
“Weight gain contributes to blood sugar disorders primarily through insulin resistance,” said Dr. Ashok Kumar Jhingan, Senior Director, Diabetes, Thyroid, Obesity and Endocrinology Center, BLK-MAX Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi (India). Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels. When excess weight accumulates, especially in the abdominal area, fat cells release inflammatory chemicals that reduce the body’s sensitivity to insulin.”
Increased fat cells: Belly fat increases the production of inflammatory substances that affect insulin function, making cells less efficient at absorbing glucose.
Insulin resistance: As you gain weight, your body's cells become less responsive to insulin, making it harder for glucose to enter your cells. This resistance forces your pancreas to produce more insulin.
Pancreatic insufficiency: Over time, the pancreas becomes overworked, leading to a decrease in its ability to produce insulin, reducing the ability to control blood sugar levels.
Weight gain and complications of diabetes
According to Dr. Ashok Kumar Jhingan, weight gain aggravates several complications associated with diabetes.
Heart disease: People with diabetes are at increased risk of heart disease, and weight gain only makes it worse. Excess fat, especially belly fat, can increase bad cholesterol (LDL) and decrease good cholesterol (HDL), and increase blood pressure. This can lead to atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems.
Kidney disease: Diabetic kidney disease can become worse when you gain weight. Excess fat puts pressure on your kidneys, reducing their ability to filter blood. This can lead to poor kidney function, leading to serious problems such as kidney failure, which requires dialysis.
Neuropathy: Being overweight can increase the risk of nerve damage from diabetes. Excess fat causes inflammation and blocks small blood vessels, restricting blood flow to nerves. This can increase the risk of nerve damage, causing pain, numbness, or loss of feeling, especially in the hands and feet.
