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How to Lose Weight After Taking Prednisone | livestrong.
Your body makes steroids naturally. These chemicals — typically hormones — are used by your organs, tissues and cells to carry out their functions. Steroids like prednisone can also be man-made. This potent drug is given to people whose bodies can't make enough steroids and is also used to treat illnesses like lupus, multiple sclerosis, cancer and severe allergic reactions. The long list of potential prednisone side effects includes weight gain, so if you're taking the drug, follow steps to combat prednisone weight gain and lose some of the weight you've put on.
Weight gain is a widespread effect of prednisone. In a study in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatismweight gain was the most commonly reported side effect among the 2, participants on long-term steroid use. According to UCSF Healthprednisone weight gain is usually due to an increase in appetite — and therefore an increase in calorie intake — and fluid retention. Additionally, other side effects of the drug, including extreme fatigue and muscle weakness, may make it more difficult for you to exercise and burn off extra calories.
Prednisone side effects, including weight gain, are dose-dependent, according to a study in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Although any dose could potentially cause weight gain, doses of 5 mg or more per day were most likely to cause an increase in weight. Additionally, long-term use will cause more marked weight gain than short-term use. According to UCSF Health, the higher the dose and the longer the duration, the worse the side effects.
Your diet is a very powerful tool when it comes to fighting weight gain while on prednisone. To reduce fluid retention, UCSF recommends reducing your sodium intake and increasing your potassium intake. Eating too much salt raises your blood sodium level and makes it hard for your kidneys to remove excess fluids. The electrolyte mineral potassium helps flush sodium out of the body to create a more balanced environment and reduce fluid retention.
Current dietary recommendations advise keeping salt intake below 2, mg per day. However, prednisone causes your body to be more sensitive to salt's effects, and it's a good idea to go even lower, limiting salt intake to 1, mg daily. High-sodium foods to avoid while taking prednisone include junk foodsfast food, prepared foods, restaurant foods and a lot of boxed and packaged products. Eat primarily fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats prepared at home with herbs and spices instead of salt.
When choosing packaged foods, read the nutrition label and choose brands with the lowest amount of sodium per serving. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will automatically increase your potassium intake. Some of the foods highest in potassium include:.
A low-sodium, high-potassium diet has dual benefits for prednisone weight gain. Not only does it help reduce fluid retention, but it tends to be lower in calories and higher in fiberwhich can help keep you feeling fuller longer and reduce food cravings. UCSF Health also recommends eating smaller meals more frequently, focusing on lean protein from chicken, fish and beans and reducing your intake of carbohydrates — except those from fruits and vegetables.
Although you don't have to keep track of everything you eat, you need to keep your calorie intake below your calorie expenditure to create a calorie deficit. Taking in more calories than you burn leads to weight gain. It's hard to exercise when you don't feel well, but any amount of activity is better than none. Take a walk every day for as long as you're able. As you start to feel better, increase the frequency, duration and intensity of your exercise activities.
Focus on cardio at first, but then work in some strength training exercise, which will help replace body fat with lean muscle mass and strengthen your bones. Read more: Prednisone Side Effects. Nutrition Diets Special Dietary Considerations. Prednisone and Weight Loss. Video of the Day. Prednisone Weight Gain. Dose and Duration. Prednisone and Diet.
Controlling Hunger and Reducing Calories. Get Regular Exercise.
❾-50%}7 Ways to Lose Weight Gain Caused by Medication
Additionally, other side effects of the drug, including extreme fatigue and muscle weakness, may make it more difficult for you to exercise and burn off extra calories.
Prednisone side effects, including weight gain, are dose-dependent, according to a study in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Although any dose could potentially cause weight gain, doses of 5 mg or more per day were most likely to cause an increase in weight.
Additionally, long-term use will cause more marked weight gain than short-term use. According to UCSF Health, the higher the dose and the longer the duration, the worse the side effects.
Your diet is a very powerful tool when it comes to fighting weight gain while on prednisone. To reduce fluid retention, UCSF recommends reducing your sodium intake and increasing your potassium intake.
Eating too much salt raises your blood sodium level and makes it hard for your kidneys to remove excess fluids. The electrolyte mineral potassium helps flush sodium out of the body to create a more balanced environment and reduce fluid retention. Current dietary recommendations advise keeping salt intake below 2, mg per day.
Drinking water is a great way to help you feel full and can help prevent over eating. Drinking water also can help flush unwanted toxins from your body. While you are making your diet more prednisone-friendly, you can slowly begin to exercise. To begin, pick an easy activity that does not put too much stress on your body. Check out some sarc-inspired yoga tips if you need a starting point!
Sarcoidosis, like many chronic diseases, wears down your psyche. Walking is an exercise that nearly anyone can do. Start with feet the first day. The key is movement instead of sitting. Finding a workout buddy can also help keep you motivated- sarc warrior Gretchen found that by teaming up with her friend to start working out, she had more confidence and accountability. Not to mention, it also makes exercising more fun! How to control weight gain caused by medication. Make conscious choices about sodium.
Increase potassium in your diet. Ask your doctor about your options. Eat small, frequent meals. Stay active. Try intermittent fasting. Get some quality shut-eye. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Apr 24, Written By Meagan Drillinger. Share this article. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Does Phentermine Work for Weight Loss? According to a study published in January in the journal Lung , participants taking prednisone reported increased appetite resulting in weight gain.
And a review published in February in the journal Obesity noted that long-term prednisone use affected body weight, appetite, and body composition. Why does this happen? In addition to prednisone increasing appetite, Dr. Bedford says the drug also causes fluid retention , which leads to swelling, often of the hands, legs, and feet, along with the face.
Prednisone may also interrupt a normal sleep-wake cycle, leading to inadequate sleep and a disruption of the hormones that help regulate appetite, says Kate Scarlata, RDN , a Boston-based dietitian who lists inflammatory bowel diseases like UC as one of her specialties.
If weight gain is particularly bothersome, talk to your doctor about modifying your drug regimen. You should never stop taking medicine on your own.
The steroid prednisone may make you pack on pounds. According to a study published in January in the journal Lungparticipants taking prednisone reported increased appetite resulting in weight gain.
And a review published in February in the journal Obesity noted that long-term prednisone use affected body weight, appetite, and body composition. Why does this happen? In addition to prednisone increasing appetite, Dr. Bedford says the drug also causes fluid retentionwhich leads to swelling, often of the hands, legs, and feet, along with the face. Prednisone may also interrupt a normal sleep-wake cycle, leading to inadequate sleep and a disruption of the hormones that help regulate appetite, says Kate Scarlata, RDNa Boston-based dietitian who lists inflammatory bowel diseases like UC as one of her specialties.
If weight gain is particularly bothersome, talk to your doctor about modifying your drug regimen. You should never stop taking medicine on your own. According to the Hospital for Special Surgeryrapid withdrawal of steroids may cause fatigue, joint pain, muscle stiffness, or fever.
Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different corticosteroidlike budenoside. Additional reporting by Jordan M. Health Conditions A-Z. Health Tools. See All. DailyOM Courses. Ulcerative Colitis. Reviewed: May 10, Medically Reviewed. But prednisone comes with a range of unwelcome side effects, one of which is weight gain.
How to Control Weight Gain on Prednisone If weight gain is particularly bothersome, talk to your doctor about modifying your drug regimen. Minimize canned and processed foodssoy sauce, cold cuts, chips, and other salty snacks, because high-sodium foods contribute to water retention. Choose low-calorie sources of calcium. Another prednisone side effect is the risk for bone mineral loss, so boosting calcium intake is important.
Some, like whole milk, also contain a lot of fat. Instead, try lower-calorie sources of calcium, like low-fat dairy, broccoli, kaleand chia seedssays Scarlata, and consider a supplement. Consume more potassium. Increased potassium intake can combat water retention, notes Bedford.
Good sources of this important mineral include oranges, grapefruit, bananas, kiwifruit, spinach, collard greens, and tomatoes.
Opt for healthy fats. Small portions of healthy fats boost nutrition and help control hunger between meals. Stick with a schedule. For this reason, you should try to eat regularly-timed meals, she says.
Choose low-calorie sources of calcium. Consume more potassium. 7 Ways to Lose Weight Gain Caused by Medication. Medically reviewed by Debra Antidepressants and steroids like prednisone often lead to extra pounds. Consume more potassium. Gaining weight while on prednisone is commonly caused by fluid retention. One way to limit the amount of water you retain, is to eat a low sodium diet. Sodium. Your diet is a very powerful tool when it comes to fighting weight gain while on prednisone. Patients at peak risk years after taking the drugs. Not only does it help reduce fluid retention, but it tends to be lower in calories and higher in fiberwhich can help keep you feeling fuller longer and reduce food cravings. Yet some of the common drugs for these issues — like prednisone and other corticosteroidsand paroxetine Paxil and other antidepressants — have less-than-desirable side effects. Additionally, long-term use will cause more marked weight gain than short-term use. A lot of doctors find resource this useful for choosing a treatment method other than long-term use of steroids like prednisone.Yet some of the common drugs for these issues — like prednisone and other corticosteroids , and paroxetine Paxil and other antidepressants — have less-than-desirable side effects. One major side effect of these drugs is weight gain. Antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants , and mood stabilizers are common drugs that have the most potential to increase weight gain. All 12 of the leading antidepressants, including fluoxetine Prozac , sertraline Zoloft , and escitalopram Lexapro , make gaining weight more likely.
Steroids like prednisone may also have similar effects. For some of these medications, nearly 70 percent of users reported weight gain as a side effect. People taking antidepressants are most at risk for weight gain two to three years into treatment. Many people taking steroids report increased fat in the abdomen, face, and neck. Antidepressant-induced weight gain is tied to appetite changes. Armed with that knowledge that gaining weight is a potential side effect, you can make more conscious choices when it comes to meals and exercise.
Avoiding too much sodium in your diet is smart for anyone looking to eat healthier. But patients on steroids or antidepressants might want to consider paying extra close attention. Reduce these foods that have naturally a ton of sodium. Choose low-calorie foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, eat fiber-rich and slow-to-digest complex carbohydrates, and drink lots of water. People taking antidepressants should also be aware of hyponatremia, which is low sodium in the blood.
This is especially important in the first 28 days of starting antidepressants, as low sodium levels can lead to more severe health problems. Eating a potassium-rich diet is great for people who are looking to lose weight gained because of medication — potassium flushes out sodium. And a potassium-rich diet is linked to other health benefits, such as reduced blood pressure, protection against stroke, and osteoporosis prevention.
Managing your condition is a priority, so there may not yet be any options that cause little to no weight gain. Still, ask your doctor if there are any alternative medications or treatments that would maintain your health without the extra pounds. Experiment beyond cut-up carrots: try veggie soups and salads.
Staying active is important for overall health as well as weight loss or maintenance. Depending on your level of health or current symptoms, you may want to consult your doctor first.
Here are 10 ideas for natural ways to sleep better. Meagan Drillinger is a travel and wellness writer. Her focus is on making the most out of experiential travel while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Visit her blog or Instagram. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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How to control weight gain caused by medication. Make conscious choices about sodium. Increase potassium in your diet. Ask your doctor about your options. Eat small, frequent meals. Stay active. Try intermittent fasting. Get some quality shut-eye. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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