For every 1% rise in body weight, the pressure on knee, ankle, and foot joints escalates by 4%. Consequently, excessive body weight, whether from obesity or mere overweight, takes a toll on the longevity of these joints. Moreover, the accumulation of body fat can instigate a chronic inflammatory state, inflicting harm on various organs, including the joints.
Shedding just 5% of body weight can alleviate the joints’ ‘high-stress’ status, and sustained weight loss can further decrease the likelihood of developing arthritis in middle-aged and older adults.
Improving Insulin Sensitivity
If you have a family history of diabetes, currently have diabetes, or exhibit impaired glucose tolerance (with elevated blood sugar levels but not meeting the criteria for diabetes diagnosis), embarking on a weight-loss journey is advisable. The balance of blood sugar levels in the body is primarily maintained by insulin (lowering blood sugar) and glucagon (raising blood sugar). Excess fat, particularly around the abdomen, can induce substantial insulin resistance, rendering insulin ineffective in lowering blood sugar.
Thus, weight loss can alleviate insulin resistance, potentially reducing the reliance on hypoglycemic medications when coupled with dietary control.
Optimizing Cholesterol Profile
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), or ‘good’ cholesterol, facilitates the removal of harmful cholesterol from the body. Conversely, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides pose detrimental effects, participating in arterial plaque formation, thereby elevating the risk of heart disease and stroke.
While medications can effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels, they do not directly boost HDL cholesterol. Remarkably, weight loss not only decreases LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels but also elevates HDL cholesterol, enhancing the overall lipid profile.
Lowering Blood Pressure
Weight gain constitutes a significant risk factor for elevated blood pressure. The type of obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is closely tied to hypertension development. Individuals with central obesity are more prone to hypertension.
Each kilogram of weight lost translates to a 1mmHg reduction in blood pressure. Coupling weight loss with a low-sodium, low-fat diet, increased intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and diligent blood pressure monitoring can effectively manage hypertension.
Reducing Cancer Risk
Excess body weight may elevate the risk of cancer in specific organs, such as the breast, colon, liver, kidneys, as well as the ovaries, uterus in women, and prostate in men. Although definitive evidence linking weight loss to cancer prevention is yet to be established, some studies suggest that weight loss in overweight individuals can mitigate the risk of hormone-related tumors, influenced by hormones like estrogen, androgen, and insulin.
Mitigating Sleep Apnea
Overweight or obese individuals often accumulate fat in their necks. During sleep, when neck muscles relax, this fat and other tissues lose support, compressing the airway and disrupting breathing. Inadequate oxygen intake can impair multiple organs and tissues, particularly the heart and brain.
Weight loss can significantly improve nighttime sleep apnea, enhance overall sleep quality, enable better bodily rest, and aid in restoring and maintaining various physiological functions, with a minimum 5% weight loss typically required.
