Those who adhere to this simple rule will get a grip on type 2 diabetes

Most diabetics have type 2 diabetes. You don't have to swallow tablets or inject insulin straight away. The following simple measure alone can help those affected to achieve normal blood sugar levels.

People with type 2 diabetes have a good chance of getting their illness under control by changing their diet and exercising more. Above all, obese diabetics should lose weight, explains the diabetologist Prof. Knut Mai from the Charité in Berlin. Because obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely related.

Greasy organs can also cause type 2 diabetes

In people with type 2 diabetes - the most common type of diabetes - the body produces the hypoglycemic hormone insulin, but it no longer works properly in the cells. This so-called insulin resistance can also occur due to fatty organs.

If type 2 diabetics lose weight and move more , they burn fat and the organs and muscles respond better to insulin. Those affected should therefore always strive for a healthier lifestyle. Medications are only used if this does not lead to the goal.

Losing weight quickly works with a formula diet, among other things

In order to achieve almost normal blood sugar levels, a rather large weight loss is helpful, emphasizes Prof. Andreas Pfeiffer from the German Institute for Nutritional Research (DIfE) Potsdam-Rehbrücke. According to a study from Great Britain, those who lose at least 15 kilograms within the first six years after diabetes became known have the best chance.

The easiest way for extremely overweight patients to lose weight from Prof. Mai is with the help of a so-called formula diet. Meals are partially or completely replaced by powder dissolved in liquid. " The patient consumes only 800 kilocalories a day for about eight weeks, " explains Prof. Mai.

A 220-kilo man loses over half of his weight - that's what he looks like now .

Important for type 2 diabetes: maintain normal weight

It is important that this happens under medical supervision. Why? " Usually, rapid weight loss also lowers blood pressure , which means that the medication has to be adjusted accordingly." According to Prof. Mai, patients on a formula diet can quickly lose around 8 to 15 percent of their body weight.

According to Pfeiffer and Mai, it is more difficult to maintain the weight. "Unfortunately, we can see that the patient will gain weight again very soon," says Mai. His tip: In a nutritional consultation you can learn what an optimal diet could look like . "Studies suggest that it should be protein-rich and should have a low glycemic index."

Mother loses half of her weight thanks to a little trick .

Exercise in diabetes is just as important as proper nutrition

Mai recommends that relatives of those affected move along . First, it is difficult to eat healthy when others around the table don't. Second, a balanced diet is healthy for everyone.

In addition, exercise is important so that as much fat as possible, but little muscle mass is lost during weight loss. Mai's experience is best done in a group . "Find a training partner or an entire running group," is his advice. So the inhibition threshold is higher not to go to training. Finally someone is waiting.

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