During this time, diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, and stroke can occur. Throughout the world, the number of people who are overweight or obese is increasing at epidemic levels and with it the incidence of type 2 diabetes patients. Obesity is an increase in body fat that is dangerous for health. The severity of excess weight and the degree of health risk are recorded by what is called body mass index (BMI). Although the exact relationship is not yet known, we now know very well that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with increasing body weight. Conversely, losing weight reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
The cerebral cortex constantly requires energy from the body. The amount of energy needed can of course be adjusted to various pressures in life. It is even possible that the brain has learned throughout life how to use energy optimally for each particular life situation. There is a special group of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that performs this learning task
However, disturbances in these nerve cell associations can occur, which can be caused by the following things:
- genetic changes (which are rare),
- prenatal changes (due to disease in the womb or stress in the mother) or
- changes obtained such as through psychological disorders (trauma, stress, depression), through poor physical health
If this group of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex is disrupted, the brain cannot allocate enough sugar for itself and instead secures its supply in a different way: the brain increases appetite and food intake. However, when the brain uses this evasive strategy, body mass inevitably increases – obesity results.
As soon as the body mass exceeds a critical size, subordinate centers in the diencephalon intervene and then take over the task of allocating sugar to the brain: blood sugar levels rise. Sugar is excreted in the urine, preventing further increase in body mass. This last condition is similar to type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The first and most important treatment action is to change your diet and lose weight slowly. This can often achieve complete normalization of blood sugar levels. Current recommendations for proper nutrition are the same as those for any overweight person. It’s about switching to a healthy diet, which means eating less high-fat foods and consuming more plant-based products such as vegetables and fruit. Overall, portion sizes should be chosen wisely. Simply divide your food into 3 to 4 meals a day. It is also important for people with diabetes to limit foods that cause a rapid increase in blood sugar.