Will Insulin Make Me Gain Weight?

October 21, 2024

Often, managing both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes requires a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Many people living with diabetes need insulin to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. But one of the most frequently asked questions about insulin therapy is: will insulin make me gain weight?

Yes, the short answer is that insulin can contribute to weight gain. While there are several reasons for this, you can take steps to try to minimise or manage this side effect. This blog will elaborate on the relationship between insulin and weight gain, what happens, and ways you can have a healthy weight even if you’re using insulin.

Understanding Insulin: What Is It and Why Is It Necessary?

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which helps the body use and store glucose from food. In healthy people, insulin keeps blood sugar levels in check. But in diabetics, the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use the insulin properly.

People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy because they don’t produce any insulin at all. People with Type 2 diabetes may also need insulin, particularly if other treatments such as oral meds, diet and exercise don’t bring blood sugars into a healthy range.

When insulin is not produced, the body’s ability to use glucose (sugar) is lost, and glucose begins to accumulate in the blood, causing dangerously high blood sugar levels. Doing so can result in many different health issues. With insulin therapy, blood sugar levels are lowered, and glucose is absorbed by the body, keeping cells supplied with the energy they need to work.

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Why Does Insulin Cause Weight Gain?

People who need insulin to manage their diabetes know that one of the most common side effects is weight gain. There are several reasons why insulin therapy might lead to weight gain:

Increased Glucose Absorption

Insulin can lead to weight gain because it allows your body to absorb glucose from your bloodstream back into its cells again. Before treatment with insulin, people with high blood sugar often lose weight, because the excess glucose is lost from the body through urine, rather than being used for energy. Once insulin therapy begins, however, the body once again begins to absorb and store glucose, which can result in weight gain.

Decreased Blood Sugar Loss Through Urine

The body may try to compensate for high blood glucose by excreting the glucose through urine before you start insulin therapy. It can result in rapid weight loss. When your blood sugar levels start to normalise and they begin to normalise when you start insulin, you stop losing this glucose (which are essentially lost calories) through your urine. Reduction of this caloric loss leads to weight gain.

Insulin as a Storage Hormone

Insulin is an anabolic hormone which means it promotes the storage of nutrients. While it allows glucose to enter cells for energy, it also encourages the storage of excess glucose as fat in fat cells. This means that people on insulin therapy may be more likely to gain fat mass when they consume more calories than they burn.

Increased Appetite

An increase in appetite could be another reason for insulin-related weight gain. Because others find that, after beginning on insulin, they feel hungrier. It might be because blood sugar levels are fluctuating or because the body is reacting to better controlled blood glucose. Of course, increased intake of food can lead to weight gain if it is not managed properly.

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Preventing and Managing Weight Gain on Insulin Therapy

Although insulin therapy may cause weight gain, this isn’t always the case. You can use several strategies to help you prevent or manage unwanted weight gain and still be able to manage your diabetes effectively.

Focus on Healthy Eating

People with diabetes, using insulin in particular, need a balanced, nutritious diet. A healthy eating plan can contribute to your ability to keep your blood sugar and weight under control. Focus on the following:

Eating more fibre-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes will help regulate your blood sugar and keep you feeling full.

Keep an eye on how much you are eating by monitoring portion sizes. A certain amount of healthy foods also counts towards weight gain, even if you’re not obese or overweight.

Limiting refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, pastries, and sugary beverages, can spike blood sugar and encourage fat storage.

If you can work with a nutritionist or diabetes educator, they can help you create a personalised meal plan that fits into your lifestyle and nutritional needs.

Incorporate Regular Physical Activity

Blood sugar levels and body weight are both controlled with exercise. Physical activity in regular amounts helps burn calories, lowers insulin resistance, and improves your body’s ability to use glucose. Try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week, which includes walking, swimming or cycling.

In addition to aerobic exercise, also include strength training exercises like weightlifting or resistance band exercises to build muscle. More muscle mass can help you burn more calories all day long.

Monitor Your Caloric Intake

Since insulin therapy can make us more efficient at using and storing calories, paying attention to caloric intake becomes important. A food journal or calorie tracker app can keep you aware of how many calories you’re consuming each day and whether adjustments are in order.

Adjust Your Insulin Dosage

Being overweight may also sometimes indicate that you are using too much insulin. If your doctor detects that your body isn’t reacting to the medication like they intended, they may be able to adjust your dosage so that it’s better suited for you. Reducing your insulin dosage without guidance from a healthcare professional can cause high blood sugar level and many other complications. If you gain a lot of weight, speak with your healthcare provider and they can help you safely adjust your insulin plan.

Other Considerations: Insulin and Weight Distribution

Some research even questions whether insulin therapy results in more than just overall weight gain — it may also lead to changes in where your body stores fat. For some, this might mean they gain more fat around their abdomen and this can increase the risk of other illnesses, like cardiovascular disease. People using insulin therapy, therefore, have an even greater need to maintain a healthy weight.

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Conclusion: Striking a Balance

Insulin therapy can cause weight gain, but it doesn’t mean you can’t stay at a healthy weight on insulin. So by mindful eating, regular exercise and proper insulin management, you can keep your body from gaining weight while still reaping the life saving benefits of insulin. Together with your healthcare team, including your doctor, nutritionist and diabetes educator, you can create a plan that works for you.

In the conventional medical community, insulin is such an important part of treatment for so many people with diabetes. While weight gain is a bad side effect, it’s important to remember that with careful planning and lifestyle changes, you can keep your diabetes and your weight in balance.

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