Many people who are being treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, or another type of chronic arthritis are put on a prednisone (also known as a steroid) drug as a part of their treatment plan. If you’re one of these people, then you know how frustrating it can be to try and lose weight while on a steroid. While getting on and off of these drugs can be tricky, there are ways that you can still lose weight while taking a steroid – if you know how. Here are some of the best ways to lose weight while on prednisone – and hopefully, you’ll find a way that works for you.
Eat Healthy Foods
As discussed in the article “What to Eat in a Pandemic – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Causes and Treatment,” there are certain foods that are excellent for helping you to lose weight and while on a steroid. These include tomatoes, strawberries, and avocados. These foods contain high amounts of lycopene, which has been shown in studies to both prevent and treat various types of cancer. What’s more, these foods are high in fiber, which helps to keep your digestive system functioning optimally, preventing constipation that can make you feel sluggish.
Along with fruits and vegetables, these are the types of food that you should aim to incorporate into your diet if you want to benefit from the antioxidants and phytonutrients that they contain. If you want to learn more about the connection between food and cancer, then read the article discussed above – it’s a great introduction to the subject.
Take Advantage Of The Free Zones
One of the major difficulties that people have when on a steroid is gaining weight, especially in the case of those who are also undergoing chemo treatment for cancer. One of the reasons for this is that many of the healthy foods that you might normally eat are restricted in some way – either by government guidelines or by the side effects of the medication. However, there are ways around this problem and one of the best things that you can do for yourself while on a steroid is to take advantage of the free zones that are available in most supermarkets.
In a supermarket that supports the community, you will often find that some foods are sold at a cheaper price in the freezer section, and this is because there’s usually a lull in the shopping during the day when the freezer section is thawed rather than cooled down from the ambient room temperature. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where this is an option, then all of the food that you could want or need is often available for cheaper prices in the freezer section.
The important thing to remember here is that while you’re on a steroid, your body produces more insulin, which makes you want to eat more. However, because there’s more competition for the food supplies in the freezer section, this increases the chance of you getting healthier food at a cheaper price. You should look for this type of supermarket as much as possible if you’re on a budget – and the fact that it’s free will certainly make it even more attractive.
Use Exercise
If you want to lose weight while on a steroid, then one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to exercise. While exercise can have many different effects on the body, it has been proven to both reduce inflammation and improve the body’s ability to metabolize certain hormones, which in turn helps to shed off those extra pounds. Even if you’re unable to leave the house due to physical limitations or health concerns, there are still ways that you can work out at home. If you have a TV, then you can get an excellent workout simply by stepping up to the box and putting your hands on the remote. Simply changing up your routine can help to shed off those extra pounds, so don’t be afraid to try something new – especially if it works for you.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
There’s also evidence that alcohol can cause you to gain weight, and while you might think that this could be a good thing – as long as you stay hydrated – it can actually do more harm than good. It’s important to limit your alcohol intake as much as possible while on a steroid, especially if you’re already taking medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. One of the reasons for this is that alcohol inhibits an enzyme named cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which in turn can cause your serum cholesterol to rise. As discussed in the article “What to Eat in a Pandemic – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Causes and Treatment,” the cholesterol in your blood is important because it allows your cells to function and reproduce, leading to heart disease and other ailments. If you’re already taking medication for heart disease or diabetes, then it’s even more important that you limit your alcohol intake while on a steroid, as this can interfere with the medication that you’re already taking. In some cases, people have even had to stop taking their medication altogether to avoid dangerous side effects.
There’s also the fact that alcohol can cause your liver to become weaker, which leads to problems with liver function that might require a transplant. In some cases, the damage that alcohol does to the liver is so severe that it leads to the patient needing a liver transplant. A lot of damage can happen here, so it’s important to limit your alcohol intake as much as possible while on a steroid.
Consult With Your Doctor
While it’s always best to learn about the side effects of a medication from experienced patients who are already taking it, it’s also important to remember that these drugs aren’t always meant to be a weight loss remedy. For some people, it simply isn’t effective and could even cause them to gain weight. If you’re one of these people, then it would be best to consult with your doctor about other options – as long as they’re safe for you to try. In the meantime, try to eat healthy foods and get some exercise in order to help your body in its quest for optimal functioning while on a steroid.