How The Medifast For Diabetes Program Works
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both are managed with proper food choices, physical activity and (in some cases) oral medications or insulin injections. There is also a condition called pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is characterized by blood glucose levels which are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Changes in diet and level of physical activity can delay or even prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. Remember, the best medical treatment or plan is only as good as your ability to follow it.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It can occur at any age, even during childhood. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin; or the fat, muscle or liver cells do not use insulin properly. Being overweight significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, losing just five percent of your body weight can help control the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, improve health indicators (glucose, hemoglobin A1C, cholesterol, blood pressure) and may reduce the need for medication. Medifast is an effective weight loss and weight maintenance tool for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
What is Type 1 Diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes)?
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. It occurs when beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin, resulting in blood sugar levels that stay too high. Insulin must be administered daily (by injection or pump) to bring down blood sugar levels and the diet must be carefully planned. If there is too much insulin (or not enough glucose coming from the digested food), blood sugar levels will fall too low glycemia). For this reason, we do not recommend our weight-loss program for individuals with type 1 diabetes. However, Medifast products can be used for weight maintenance as a healthy alternative to regular foods, in conjunction with a daily meal plan.
The Medifast for Diabetes Program Manual is designed with special care to help guide individuals with diabetes on the Medifast Program. The Medifast for Diabetes Program is different from the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan that’s described in your Quick Start Guide. Please read the Medifast for Diabetes Program Manual carefully; it provides all the information you need to get started.
Take Shape For Life can help you achieve a healthy body. A healthy body begins with a healthy weight, and maintaining a healthy weight allows you to live life to the fullest. Successfully lose weight and improve your health with more than 60 Medifast Meals to choose from. The Medifast for Diabetes Program is convenient and simple to follow, emphasizing portion controlled eating at regular intervals throughout the day!
Medifast Is Clinically Proven
Medifast has been proven in multiple clinical studies and recommended by over 15,000 physicians.
Researchers from a major medical center conducted an 86-week diabetic weight loss study comparing the Medifast weight loss program to the standard American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet plan. Participants randomized to receive Medifast lost twice as much weight and were twice as compliant with the diet as participants following a standard diet based on the dietary guidelines of the ADA. Approximately 40% of the Medifast participants lost ≥5% of their initial weight compared with 12% of those on the standard ADA diet.
Additionally, 24% of Medifast users decreased or eliminated their diabetes medication compared to 0% on the standard ADA diet. Participants in the Medifast group achieved significantly lower levels of fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c, lipids and blood pressure after losing weight.
This study affirms that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to stick with the Medifast Program, lose more weight and improve their health.
Medifast for Diabetes Program
Diabetes is a growing health concern, affecting about 21 million Americans.
Having diabetes means the body cannot properly use energy from food. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health consequences. For many people, diabetes can be prevented or delayed by understanding its risk factors and making important lifestyle changes.
Along with participating in regular physical activity, following a healthy meal plan is one of the most important steps you should take to manage your type 2 diabetes.
Medifast has created a weight loss program and has formulated a special line of “diabetes friendly†nutritional products to help individuals with type 2 diabetes lose weight safely and effectively. The Medifast for Diabetes Program provides fewer calories, carbohydrates and sugars than the standard American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet. This may affect dosage requirements of insulin and oral diabetes medications.
The Medifast For Diabetes Program
It is essential that you see your physician or diabetes specialist prior to beginning the Medifast for Diabetes Program to discuss monitoring your blood sugar, potassium and medication dosages. Because the Medifast for Diabetes Program is low calorie and low glycemic, you may have to adjust your diabetes medications prior to starting the program.
It is important to control blood sugars to help reduce health risks. Medifast recommends careful blood sugar monitoring (3–4 times daily) and lowering your oral agents as you start the program to avoid hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor about lowering the dose of your medication. If you are on multiple agents, talk to your doctor about removing one at a time until you know how you will respond to this improved dietary regimen. For individuals taking insulin, it is imperative that you talk to your doctor about reducing your insulin requirements when beginning this program.
Click Here to Read the Medifast for Diabetes Program Guide in full to find out how Medifast products from Take Shape Life can help you deal with this horrific illness.
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