6 consequences of excess weight (obesity)

Author: Margarita Kuts - doctor-dietitian, gastroenterologist, and body mesotherapist.
2013-12-12

Obesity, as I mentioned in my previous article, is a systemic disease. And any systemic disease affects all vital organs. Their damage occurs gradually and often proceeds completely asymptomatically. But then a huge number of clinical manifestations of this disease suddenly overwhelms a person.

Now I want to present to your attention the consequences that excess weight leads to. I think this will be interesting, especially since many people were not even aware of it before. So, let's start in order:

I. Type 2 diabetes. Did you know that in Russia alone, 15 million people suffer from this insidious disease? Not long ago, scientists proved that the development of type 2 diabetes is promoted by fat cells, rather than the immune system, as previously thought. This is particularly evident with the accumulation of visceral (internal) fat. I mean those so-called "beer bellies" or fatty tissue that accumulates in the abdominal area. Due to excess weight, the cells lose their sensitivity to insulin - the hormone produced by the pancreas. Consequently, glucose is not properly absorbed by tissues. The excess glucose is converted into fat by insulin through complex biochemical processes. This is how the gradual accumulation of new and more fat stores occurs.

It is noteworthy that once patients with such a pathology lose weight along with correcting hyperinsulinemia (increased insulin levels) and insulin resistance (insensitivity to insulin by tissues), the blood sugar level normalizes and the disease recedes. Of course, this applies only to type 2 diabetes, where the cause was the gradual decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin. If, however, the pancreatic cells have already died due to chronic poisoning of the body with fats and carbohydrates, it is unfortunately impossible to fully recover from diabetes.

Without exaggeration, I can say that in my practice, every second patient who comes for a consultation, regardless of age and gender, suffers from hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, and every fourth patient has pronounced type 2 diabetes. In our clinic, the approach to treating such patients is quite different. Together with endocrinologists and other specialists, we not only lower blood sugar levels but also normalize all metabolic processes in the body with the help of a specially formulated diet for this type of disease, necessary medications, and required procedures. As a result, the patient not only loses weight but also recovers!

II. Radiculitis and intercostal neuralgia. These diseases are also characteristic of those with voluptuous forms.

III. Arterial hypertension. This condition is often directly related to the presence of excess weight in patients. Once they adjust their diet and lose weight, the problem disappears by itself; believe me, I witness this "miracle" every day!

IV. Elevated cholesterol levels in the blood. Here, I want to note that not all cholesterol is the same! There is high-density cholesterol (HDL) - this is the good cholesterol. It cleans the walls of blood vessels and participates in many biochemical processes in our body. Then there is bad cholesterol - low and very low-density cholesterol (LDL and VLDL). These two types are the ones that accumulate on the walls of blood vessels, turning into cholesterol plaques. As a result, the lumen of the vessel narrows and can completely close - leading to a heart attack (if it's a heart vessel) or a stroke (if it's a vessel in the brain). A grim prospect, isn't it?

V. Cholelithiasis. Dietary disturbances (consumption of very fatty food, fried foods, frequent overeating, especially in the evening and at night) are certainly not the only, but a very serious risk factor for the development of cholelithiasis. This is the formation of cholesterol stones in the gallbladder.

VI. Disorders of menstrual-ovarian function in women. Infertility and development of feminization in men. In obesity, the hormonal balance is disrupted. As a result, overweight women more often experience problems with conception and carrying children. Conversely, in men, testosterone levels decrease by 10-20%. The outcome is that the figure becomes more feminine (the buttocks spread, the breasts grow, and hair disappears in places where it used to be).

In conclusion, I want to add that we are the creators of our destiny. And our life and health depend solely on us. Remember that early diagnosis and identification of the causes of excess weight greatly facilitate the treatment of complications from this ailment or can altogether prevent their occurrence. Take care of yourself, love your body - you only have one.