We have just welcomed 2024 and have made our resolutions for the new year which more than likely include health-related goals with the top two being losing weight and increasing fitness. The gym is full of many well-meaning people who have made this commitment. Some will remain dedicated to their commitment throughout the year while others will have either already quit or will make it a few months more before quitting.
The obesity epidemic has become a real problem in the US and is associated with a significant increase in mortality and morbidity increasing health risks for diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and heart disease (Perreault & Apovian, 2023). Lifestyle modification is essential to prevent or reduce these health risks which of course include making healthy modifications in diet, increasing physical activity, and increasing water intake. No program is complete without incorporating some elements of all three of these but sometimes to no avail losing weight can still be difficult for some people due to physiologic barriers including metabolic and hormonal changes that can affect our ability to lose weight. Insulin resistance is one of the most common metabolic changes that can make losing weight difficult.
Insulin resistance is defined as an abnormal glucose response to insulin which can include endogenous or exogenous insulin. Patients who are diabetic on insulin at times require a ridiculously high amount of insulin due to this level of resistance and in turn, end up dealing with obesity even more so after initiating it. The most common risk associated with insulin resistance is obesity, but insulin resistance can also result from stress, taking certain medications, genetics, and antibodies that disrupt the insulin receptor sites. Lifestyle management through diet, exercise, and stress reduction can most certainly improve insulin sensitivity, but at times medical assistance is needed to help insulin do its job appropriately and maximize the patient’s capability of losing weight (Mantzoros, 2022).
My preferred method is a modality that helps the patient target not only insulin sensitivity and glycemic management but also assists the patient in achieving weight loss that will significantly reduce their risk factors and improve their insulin sensitivity. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide once weekly injections are two options that achieve this effect and assist with appetite suppression. The ideal candidates for both of these drugs are those individuals with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 and those with a BMI greater than 27 with weight-related comorbidities (Perreault, 2023).
At Optimal Family Health, we provide weight loss consultations which will include a thorough review of your medical history, diet history, complete review of systems, and determination of risk factors. We can help you determine which medical weight loss option is best for you. We also have partnered with a registered dietitian as an add-on service if you need that extra support and accountability. Call and schedule your consultation today! 321-342-2555
References from UpToDate