Excess weight wears on the joints, causing the cartilage to become damaged and inflamed. Losing weight helps reduce this wear, particularly in the weight-bearing joints in the knees and hips. If you are suffering from excessive pain, you can glance at this hip replacement guide and gain insights into the right treatment. Losing excess weight also helps reduce the likelihood of developing conditions such as osteoarthritis, a painful ailment that causes the cartilage in a joint to deteriorate to the point of having the bones themselves rub against each other. With the reduction in pain resulting from weight loss, you will be even more able to partake in physical exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
1. Better Blood Sugar Regulation
Too much body fat causes the body to contain higher amounts of adipose tissue, which results in inflammation and hinders the healthy function of insulin and the regulation of blood sugar. When you lose weight and lower those adipose tissues, insulin sensitivity is improved and the body is better able to manage blood sugar levels. Blood sugar regulation is crucial for people with type 2 diabetes, and significant weight loss amounts are not required to start seeing benefits in blood sugar levels. To further assist in regulating your blood sugar levels, eat a balanced diet that includes:
- Vegetables such as mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, and zucchini
- Dark, leafy salad greens like spinach, chard, and kale
- Whole grains that are high in fiber
- Lean proteins such as Greek yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, or tofu
2. More Restful Sleep
Being overweight increases the chances of someone suffering from sleep apnea, a sleep disorder where breathing is repeatedly stopped and then started again. These pauses in breathing can cause the person with the condition to regularly wake during the night, leading to a low-quality night’s sleep and daytime fatigue. Three common types of sleep apnea are:
- Central sleep apnea, which is characterized by the brain not sending the correct signals to the muscles that regulate breathing
- Obstructive sleep apnea, which is defined by having the throat muscles relax and obstruct breathing
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome, which is the diagnosis given when someone has both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea
Being overweight increases the chances of having this disorder partly due to the accumulation of fat deposits in the neck, which can obstruct the air passages. Fortunately, many tools and apps like GoEatRightNow.com can help you lose weight and improve your quality of sleep.
3. Lessened Joint Pain
Excess weight wears on the joints, causing the cartilage to become damaged and inflamed. Losing weight helps reduce this wear, particularly in the weight-bearing joints in the knees and hips. Losing excess weight also helps reduce the likelihood of developing conditions such as osteoarthritis, a painful ailment that causes the cartilage in a joint to deteriorate to the point of having the bones themselves rub against each other. With the reduction in pain resulting from weight loss, you will be even more able to partake in physical exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
4. Reduced Cancer Risk
Losing weight can lower your risk of developing certain cancers, such as kidney, liver, and pancreatic cancer. Losing weight is thought to lower cancer risk due to the reduction of visceral fat, or the fat that surrounds the organs, that comes with a healthy and sustained weight loss.
5. Improved Cardiovascular Health
One of the primary motivators for many people to lose weight is to see a resulting improvement in heart health. With less weight, the heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood to the body while engaging in daily activities. People who lose weight and start healthier habits usually see a decrease in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
If you need to lose weight, these are some of the many benefits you might see after weight loss.