Insulin in the blood pushes glucose into cells for the body to use as energy and for storage. The body typically converts the excess glucose in the tissues to fat, which it stores in the liver, muscles, and tissue spaces.
When insulin levels rise, the body produces and stores fat, resulting in potential weight gain. If you lose weight, keeping blood insulin levels low might help maintain weight loss by preventing the production and storage of fat.
Can you use insulin for weight loss?
A 2017 review study revealed that a moderate reduction in blood-insulin levels could lead to weight loss.
Generally, insulin causes weight gain by stimulating fat production and storage.
It may be possible to use insulin for weight loss, but scientists must do more research to confirm the possibility and understand how insulin could work this way.
What is the best way to improve insulin levels?
Diet is one of the best ways to manage insulin levels. Eating fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help stabilize blood glucose levels, which affects insulin secretion. Insulin levels in the blood will typically remain stable if blood glucose levels do not fluctuate.
An older 2013 review study found that eating vegetables before carbohydrates reduced the risk of fluctuations in the study participants’ blood glucose and insulin levels.
Eating a balanced diet containing fiber-rich foods can improve insulin levels, prevent fat production and weight gain, and reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when tissues do not respond to insulin, leading to high blood insulin levels and weight gain.
Other ways to improve insulin levels include:
- getting enough sleep
- reducing stress levels
- engaging in regular physical activities or exercises, if possible
Is it dangerous to take insulin if you don’t have diabetes?
Injecting insulin is dangerous if you do not need to because it can cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.
Insulin is the primary hormone responsible for tissues getting glucose from the blood. Taking insulin causes a dose-dependent decline in blood glucose levels, which may cause hypoglycemia. This can be life threatening, especially if blood glucose drops rapidly below the threshold level of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- dizziness
- confusion
- extreme weakness
- nervousness or anxiety
- hunger
- sweating
- loss of consciousness in some cases
- seizures
Using insulin injections requires strict professional supervision. If you do not have a diabetes diagnosis, a doctor will typically advise you not to use insulin because it is often unsafe.
Always consult a doctor or healthcare professional if you need help with your blood glucose levels.
Learn more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes here.
Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss
Ozempic and Wegovy are medications with the same active ingredient, semaglutide.
Findings from a 2021 clinical trial study found that participants who took Wegovy had an average weight loss of 14.9% compared to participants taking a placebo.
Doctors typically prescribe Wegovy to manage chronic obesity, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug for this use in a weight loss setting.
The FDA also reports that Wegovy may not suit everyone, especially people with a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer, which is a type of thyroid cancer. It is also unsuitable for people with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), a rare condition that causes thyroid and parathyroid gland tumors.
Semalgutide, under the name Ozempic, is not yet FDA-approved for weight management in people with obesity.
Learn more about Wegovy here.
Learn more about Ozempic here.
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Get free cardContacting a doctor
Consult a doctor or healthcare professional if you have concerns about your blood sugar levels or need help managing your weight.
Many weight loss medications are available, but research is yet to show whether most are safe and effective.
Seek qualified medical advice if you intend to lose weight or gain optimal control of your blood sugar.
Summary
Insulin is a hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat. It helps to drive glucose into cells for energy use and stores excess glucose as fat. As your insulin level increases, body weight typically rises too.
You should not use insulin if you do not have a diabetes diagnosis due to the risk of hypoglycemia. No medical professional will prescribe insulin for people who do not have diabetes.
Using Wegovy to treat obesity requires close medical follow-up to monitor for possible side effects.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes but not for obesity alone.
Contact a doctor or healthcare professional if you have concerns about your weight or blood glucose level.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.