5 Major Health Benefits of Safe Weight Loss

When it comes to losing weight, most people would like to see results immediately, not gradually over time. The thought of establishing new, healthy habits can be intimidating, especially when you’re entrenched in unhealthy routines like eating junk food or spending lots of time lounging around.

But as tempting as those quick solutions may be, the fast path to weight loss is rarely healthy — or safe. It’s also not realistic, and it doesn’t do anything to help you establish healthy patterns that can provide you with a lifetime of better health.

At Boost Hydro in Brooklyn, New York, our team helps patients achieve their weight loss goals with IV infusion therapies designed to support those healthy habits, improving the way your body uses food so you store less fat and have more energy to stay active. Check out these five benefits of safe, healthy weight loss that can help you enjoy a better quality of life.

1. Better heart health 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One of the best ways to protect your heart is to maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess pounds decreases your heart’s workload so it can function more efficiently and with less strain. 

You don’t have to lose a huge amount of weight to experience cardiovascular benefits, either. Even a 5%-10% loss can help your heart stay healthy. When you lose weight through a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, those benefits are magnified.

2. Improved blood sugar control

The number of people with diabetes is increasing in the United States, thanks to poor diets, reduced physical activity and, yes, weight gain. Being overweight interferes with production and activity of insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and prevent it from getting too high.

Losing extra weight is important for people diagnosed with diabetes and for those at risk for developing diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, weight loss can possibly help reverse the course of the disease, reducing the risks that go hand in hand with elevated blood sugar levels.

3. Reduced risk of joint problems

Just as carrying extra weight can increase the load on your heart, it also puts additional strain on your weight-bearing joints, including your knees, hips, ankles, and even your spine. For every 10 extra pounds you carry, the force on your knees is equal to 30-60 pounds every time you take a step.

Extra joint strain increases wear and tear on the layer of cartilage that protects your joints. Over time, excess wear and tear can lead to arthritis, permanent joint damage, and a loss of mobility. Even a relatively modest weight loss reduces joint strain and the complications it can cause.

4. Reduced risk of mood disorders and depression

The benefits of safe weight loss aren’t only physical. Losing weight in a healthy and safe manner also goes a long way toward improving your emotional health. Data show people who lose weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise experience improvements in mood, along with reductions in anxiety and depression. That’s thanks in part to the release of feel-good hormones associated with regular physical activity.

What’s more, losing weight in a healthy and intentional way boosts your feelings of accomplishment and helps you feel more empowered and in control of your life and your health.

5. Enhanced sleep quality

Poor sleep is one of the lesser-known problems associated with being overweight, but it can have serious effects in the body. Carrying extra pounds, especially in the upper body, lead to breathing problems, notably obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which causes dozens — sometimes even hundreds — of tiny interruptions in breathing while you sleep. 

Breathing problems result in fragmented sleep and lower quality of restorative rest. Without treatment, OSA can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and other chronic health problems. Losing weight helps reduce fat deposits in your neck, which improves breathing problems at night and during the day, too. 

Be patient

Losing weight isn’t a race — it’s a journey that takes time and patience. Safe, healthy weight loss helps you develop better habits that help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your life and health in other ways, too.

To learn more about weight loss and how our team can help you achieve your healthy weight goals, request an appointment online or over the phone today.