“I’ m a female with type 2 diabetes for over 10 years. I’m about three stone overweight and really want to lose this. I’ve heard that if I lose weight and change my diet then I might have to change my medication. I talked with a friend and she said when she lost weight her sugars actually went up. I want to feel healthier and fitter but not make my condition worse. What’s the best way for me to lose weight?”

Dr Kiran Rukadikar says: Yes, diabetes and obesity(excess fat) go hand in hand; in fact, obesity is the mother of many diseases. If you lose fat (weight) you will definitely require reducing the diabetes medicines either in number or its doses. Depending upon the method you follow for fat or weight reduction the body’s response changes. Always consult a qualified doctor or dietitian trained in management of obesity and diabetes. Most of the times people follow diets prescribed by non-medical persons, dietitians not trained in obesity and diabetes, from web or from hearsay. This will definitely harm.

The best way to lose weight is:

1- Dietary modification.

2- Physical exercise (walking is the best).

3- Behavioral modification.

4- Pharmaco-therapy(to be assessed by an Obesity Physician).

In general, the nutritional requirements differ from person to person hence exact treatment would be difficult to explain as an answer to this question without seeing or talking to you. Weightloss (fat loss) can only be achieved by access diet and proper exercise (I.e.a walk). In case of diabetes, this balance along with medication, Plays a key role in helping reduce the dosage of medications and also keeps you healthy.

Dr Kiran Rukadikar is a renowned Bariatric Physician & Obesity Consultant and outhor of the book-‘ In the spirit of slim’. He has authored many published articles and is a well-known lecturer. To get in touch with him visit- www.livenhealthcare.com