Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Jose M. Baez, M.D., F.A.C.P., Board Certified by American Board of Internal Medicine
Formerly known as “adult-onset diabetes mellitus”, Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and a lack of insulin. As its former name suggests, Type 2 diabetes was once mostly only found to occur in adults over the age of 45. However, nowadays, with the increase in childhood obesity in America, Type 2 diabetes is regularly found in Americans of any age, though it is still most common in older adults.
What causes Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is generally caused by obesity and lack of exercise, though there are genetic factors at play as well. Due to the fact that it is mostly caused by controllable health issues (weight and exercise), this type of diabetes is largely preventable.
Here is a helpful list of ways that you can improve your chances of escaping a type 2 diabetes diagnosis:
1. Lose excess weight: The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with prediabetes lose 7-10% of their body weight. This can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by more than half. In short, the greater the weight loss, the higher the benefits will be.
2. Get moving: Exercise can help you lose the weight mentioned above, lower your blood sugar, and improve your body’s use of insulin. A good goal is to engage in 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day.
3. Eat healthy: Eating healthy should be a lifelong habit. Training your brain and body to choose healthy foods and control portions is a lifestyle, not a fad diet. One strategy that many dieticians recommend is to divide your plate in the following manner:
. Half the plate should be fruits and vegetables.
. One fourth of the plate should be whole grains.
. One fourth should be proteins such as fish or lean meat.
How can I treat my Type 2 diabetes once I have been diagnosed?
Treatment for type 2 diabetes means managing your blood sugar levels. Many patients are able to do this by employing the prevention steps listed above. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes eating properly, being physically active, and losing weight are all ways to treat the problem. However, when diet and exercise do not help, sometimes medications are necessary.
There are well over 100 different diabetes medications on the market. Metformin is an oral medication that has been used for decades and has been shown to treat type 2 diabetes quite well. When metformin is not adequate, other medications may be added. There is a very wide variety of oral and injectable medications out there. The new weekly injectable medications help you to lose weight and lower your hemoglobin A-1C.
Injectable medications
The latest in diabetes treatments is GLP-1 receptor agonists. These fairly new medications are non-insulin medications that, when used in combination and exercise, help to not only treat diabetes, but also aid in weight loss. They are prescribed as a means of lowering blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C and to help a patient lose weight, but they are also being shown to have other health benefits such as improving blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and beta-cell functions. (1)
These medications are usually prescribed alongside oral diabetes medications and insulin therapy. They aren’t necessarily first-line treatments, but rather a part of the overall management plan for type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes medications in the GLP-1 agonists class are generally taken as injections given daily or weekly. They include:
• Dulaglutide (Trulicity) (weekly)
• Exenatide extended release (Bydureon bcise) (weekly)
• Exenatide (Byetta) (twice daily)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic) (weekly)
• Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) (daily)
• Lixisenatide (Adlyxin) (daily)
• Semaglutide (Rybelsus) (taken by mouth once daily) (2)
Results
According to studies published by the Mayo Clinic, weight loss can vary depending on which GLP-1 drug you use and your dose. Studies have found that all GLP-1 drugs can lead to weight loss of about 10.5 to 15.8 pounds when using liraglutide. Studies found people using semaglutide and making lifestyle changes lost about 33.7 pounds versus 5.7 pounds in those who didn’t use the drug. (2)
As mentioned above, type 2 diabetes is largely caused by being overweight and lack of exercise. Many patients struggle to lose weight and control their blood glucose levels. These new medications are making it a little easier to achieve these goals, but we must remember that there is no substitute for diet and exercise. These medications are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
About Dr. Baez
José M Baez MD, FACP is a Board-certified Internal Medicine specialist with over 30 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He is a Graduate of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in NY. As a Ward Attending at Harlem Hospital, affiliate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, he served the Greater NYC community. Subsequently, he established a private practice in Fairfield County, CT. He was also Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Connecticut, School of Medicine. Dr. Baez has been a stable member of the Naples community for 10 years, a member in good standing with the Collier County Medical Society and voted Naples Illustrated Top Physician 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Call 239 777-0663 today to schedule your complimentary Meet and Greet visit with Dr. Baez and his staff. Also log on to JoseMBaezMD.com for more information.
11181 HEALTH PARK BLVD., SUITE 1180
NAPLES, FL 34110
(239) 777-0663
References:
1. Cervoni, Barbi MS, RD, CDCES, CDN. “GLP-1 Agonists for Type 2
Diabetes.” Very Well Health, 23 Jun. 2022, www.verywellhealth.com/
glp1-receptor-agonists-4134034.
2. Castro, M. Regina MD. “GLP-1 agonists: Diabetes drugs and weight
loss.” Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-
diabetes/expert-answers/byetta/faq-20057955.
