Big Health Benefits To Small Weight Loss (nytimes.com)

schwit1 writes: Obese individuals who lose as little as 5 percent of their body weight can improve their metabolic function and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, a new study has found. Many current treatment guidelines urge patients to lose between 5% and 10% of their body weight in order to experience health benefits, but the recommendations were based on earlier studies that didn't distinguish between participants who lost only 5 percent of their weight and those who lost more.

Comments

Re:Of course

[snowgirl]

As I noted on the FB page, Type 2 Diabetes tends to be caused by a feedback loop of insulin insensitivity increasing insulin secretion causing increased insensitivity.

Just a little nudge out of that feedback loop can do incredible amounts of good. All you have to do is just break that cycle, and you can potentially walk away from having to constantly worry about your blood sugar. (But of course, much like weight loss, T2D requires a lifestyle change to keep away. It's not a 'take this pill, you're cured!' it's more of a 'pay more attention to your diet regardless, and eat better for the rest of your life.' ... which as the argument I've seen goes, it's a question of which is better or worse.

This reminds me that a T1D can get a pancreas implant, and then no/reduced need of insulin for years... but then you have to take antirejection drugs and all the wonderful side effects of transplants... so which is worse, the cure or the chronic pedantic busy work being your own pancreas...

The Western Lifestyle

[jmd]

In 1999 I had a minor heart attack. Docs put me on cholesterol meds and beta blockers. This was the beginning of the end. Statins caused a lot of problems, cramps, constipation and likely memory loss to name a few. The beta blockers assured me I would stay in good shape through exercise because I could not get my heart rate up to aerobic levels. I worked in construction and this would cost me a couple of jobs over time as I could not do the work. I quit both statins and beta-blockers in 2008-9. But by this time I was up 30lbs and taking high blood pressure meds.

Fast forward. I retired and moved to Thailand. At age 60 I lost the 30 lbs, stopped taking high blood pressure meds and now I'm pretty damn happy living a relatively stress free life and walk most everywhere I go. 5 miles or so a day. Fresh food. The chicken I'm are eating was killed yesterday not 2 weeks ago. The mango was picked yesterday, not 1 week ago.

Best of all.... I have morning erections again.

Re:The Western Lifestyle

[DNS-and-BIND]

You could have tried walking 5 miles a day in the West. Fresh food is available as well. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and making you eat that Big Mac. You can say no.

Re:Of course

[Anonymous Coward]

It's less clear cut than that.

Most of the morbidity/mortality stats don't differentiate between morbidly obese and being overweight. Turns out carrying a few extra pounds doesn't substantially alter life expectancy.

Same with exercise. Newer research suggests as little as 20 minutes of moderate exercise gets most of the same benefits as gym rats.

Bottom line is the margins of what constitutes good health is fuzzier than expected.

Re:Zero carbs = magic

[FatdogHaiku]

That won't help me much (for example), because besides having metabolic syndrome I also have a hyperuricemia problem: too much protein and some fats will lead me to gout.

So basically I can drink water. For the moment...

You might want to check with a Nephrologist. My GFR was down to 44 (not good) and seeing a kidney specialist and his dietitian put me on the right track. They are chemists, and they explain things from that point of view... it's really helpful. My GFR is now back in the safe zone but I'll be babying my kidneys from now on. I also have gout and take allopurinol and watch out for trigger foods, pork fat and something in Wyler's light drinks are two of mine. Too much protein is bad, and vegetable protein is better than animal as far as my kidneys are concerned. Beans with rice or lentils with barley give a complete protein and are much easier on the body, more on that here: http://www.wikihow.com/Combine-Food-to-Make-Complete-Protein. Good Luck.