Weight loss, when attained through a combination of healthy diet and regular physical activity, offers an exceptional arsenal of benefits for managing and reducing the risk of various comorbidities or chronic conditions. Obesity is a common denominator in numerous health complications, including type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, certain types of cancer, and even mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
As excess weight is shed, the body’s overall metabolic health begins to improve, organ function is optimized, systemic inflammation is reduced, and the risk of chronic conditions significantly diminishes. Therefore, weight loss can serve as an important therapeutic strategy to combat these potential life-threatening diseases and improve an individual’s quality of life.
What is a Medical Weight Loss Plan?
A medical weight loss plan is a professionally supervised weight loss program conducted under the guidance of healthcare providers, such as physicians, dietitians, and physical therapists. It typically includes an individually tailored regimen of nutrition, physical activity, behavior change therapy, and may also include FDA-approved weight loss medications if deemed necessary. Here’s how a medical weight loss plan can help with reducing or removing comorbidity or chronic conditions:
Individualized Care
A medical weight loss program provides a personalized approach to weight loss that considers your medical history, current health status, lifestyle, and personal preferences. This personalized plan can help manage chronic conditions more effectively, taking into account how these conditions interact with weight loss and tailoring interventions accordingly.
Improved Management of Chronic Conditions
Medical weight loss can lead to significant improvements in the control of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Weight loss often results in lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the severity of these conditions or even leading to their resolution.
Professional Monitoring
Regular monitoring by healthcare professionals can help promptly identify and address any potential health concerns during the weight loss journey. This helps to reduce the risk of complications associated with both the weight loss process and pre-existing chronic conditions.
Psychological Support
Weight loss can be a challenging process that involves significant lifestyle changes. The emotional and psychological support provided in a medical weight loss program can help individuals cope with these changes, thereby aiding in the management of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Sustainable Weight Loss
Medical weight loss programs emphasize long-term lifestyle changes, which can lead to more sustainable weight loss and continued health improvements over time. This sustained weight loss can, in turn, lead to long-term improvement or resolution of chronic conditions.
Use of Weight Loss Medications
In some cases, weight loss medications might be prescribed as part of a medical weight loss plan. These medications can be particularly helpful for individuals who have struggled with weight loss in the past and can be used safely under the supervision of a healthcare provider, considering the individual’s overall health and comorbid conditions.
Although weight loss can be a beneficial part of managing chronic conditions, it’s important to pursue it as part of a broader plan for healthy living and to do so under the supervision of healthcare professionals who can provide guidance and support throughout the process.
How can Weight Loss Help with Chronic Conditions?
Weight loss can help improve or reverse chronic health conditions, including the following.
Type II Diabetes
Excess body weight is strongly associated with insulin resistance, which can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss can increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, reduce blood sugar levels, and even put diabetes into remission in some cases.
Heart Diseases
Overweight and obesity are linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and increased triglyceride levels — all risk factors for heart disease. Losing weight can help lower blood pressure, decrease cholesterol and triglycerides, and improve the overall health of your heart.
Stroke
Stroke risk is also linked with obesity due to similar risk factors as heart diseases, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. By maintaining a healthy weight, the risks associated with these conditions, and therefore the risk of stroke, can be reduced.
Risk of Cancer
Overweight and obesity can increase the risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colon, kidney, and esophageal cancers. Weight loss may help decrease these risks by reducing inflammation and cellular changes that can lead to cancer.
Sleep Apnea
Weight loss can have a significant impact on sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the most common type. Losing of about 15% of the extra weight can reduce the severity of OSA by 50% in patients with obesity.
Mental Health Issues
Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Weight loss can help to improve mental health by boosting self-esteem and body image, and by improving physical function. Additionally, the increased physical activity levels that often accompany weight loss can also have positive effects on mood and mental well-being.
Can FDA-Approved Semaglutide Help with Weight Loss?
Semaglutide is a medication that has been shown in clinical trials to aid in weight loss.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for chronic weight management in adults who are either obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related condition, like:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by mimicking a hormone in the body that regulates appetite and food intake. By activating the GLP-1 receptors in the brain, it helps people feel full sooner and thus consume fewer calories, leading to weight loss.
Based on the results of clinical trials, Semaglutide, in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, significantly reduces body weight compared to placebo (a substance that has no therapeutic effect).
Just as any other drug, Semaglutide should be used as a part of a comprehensive weight management program, not a standalone treatment, under direct supervision of a healthcare provider.
How We Can Help
At Bay Medical and Wellness Center, our team led by Dr. Alireza Zarrabi, can play a vital role in reducing chronic health conditions associated with obesity through weight loss. We can help manage obesity-related conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or certain types of cancer by assessing each patient’s:
- Health status
- Lifestyle
- Diet
- Existing conditions
We offer:
- A comprehensive weight loss strategy
- Recommended dietary restrictions.
- Physical activity guidelines
- Behavioral modifications
- FDA-approved medications for weight loss
With ongoing support and monitoring, we are here to ensure your safety and success in your weight loss journey, which can also help to reduce the risk of chronic health conditions. Reach out to us today to learn how you can improve your overall health and LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE.
This article was written by Ms. Courtney Cosby and edited by Dr. Alireza Zarrabi