Improve Your Future Health With Weight Loss
By Rachel Carver
People decide to lose weight for many reasons. Some have clothes that no longer fit. Others want to have more energy to keep up with their kids.
It can be hard to think too far into the future. We have long to-do lists for one week, let alone trying to think about five or 10 years from now. But deciding to lose weight now can set you up for a future of better health.
Excess weight becomes more problematic as we age. It can increase your risk of cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. However, losing excess weight helps the body's important systems function better together, which can give you multiple health benefits. Here are a few examples.
Immune Health
Too much weight can raise the body's inflammation levels. This can increase inflammatory cytokines, which are small proteins released during an infection. If too much inflammation goes on too long, it can decrease the effectiveness of your immune system.
Your immune system is a machine that needs to be maintained. Healthy habits will help your body fight disease and infection.
Brain Health
A study conducted on women who lost weight after bariatric surgery found that participants performed better on executive function tests after the procedure. The study suggests this happens because of the way the brain metabolizes sugar. Too much weight can cause the brain to metabolize sugar faster, leading to more inflammation. Weight loss may decrease your future risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's.
Metabolic Health
Our habits now can influence factors such as our blood sugar and blood pressure as we age. Medical professionals are starting to see metabolic syndrome in younger adults, which can lead to several serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. Risk factors that make up this syndrome include:
- Elevated blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Increased triglyceride levels
- Excess weight
Taking proactive steps now with healthy habits can decrease your risk of developing serious health complications as you age.
See the Big Picture
Your future is never certain. But you can establish life-long habits now to give yourself the best chance at staying healthy. Don't think of your weight loss in terms of a diet that will end when you lose the weight. Make sustainable changes that will stay with you, such as reducing added sugar and consuming lots of fruits and vegetables. These habits will not increase your to-do list and will prepare you for the future.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rockville, Md.