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Losing weight may help overweight diabetics cure their metabolic problems

Category: Diabetes

Dropping some pounds may help diabetics improve their insulin blood test scores to the point where they can no longer be considered to have the metabolic condition, according to a new study from a team of Finnish researchers.

In an investigation of the effects of weight loss on diabetics and the obese, researchers from the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland found that many diabetics who decreased their body mass index by five points were able to send their disease into remission.

Furthermore, obese participants who lost this much weight were far less likely to develop the metabolic condition than those who did not lose any weight. The findings were consistent regardless of the individual's weight at the outset of the study.

The researchers said the findings may provide hope to overweight individuals who are struggling with diabetes or prediabetes.

"Dropping five BMI units is no mean feat, as the human body is not very good at losing weight. But patients of any weight should take encouragement that by doing so they can really improve their chances of a healthy future," said lead researcher Markku Peltonen.