New Delhi: Groom-to-be and Jio heir Anant Ambani is all set to tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend Radhika Merchant. And while it has been a few months since the celebrations kicked off, the D-day is here for the couple. But for the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, life was not always as easy as health problems like ashtma and obesity occurred early on. In 2016, he surprised all by losing a whopping 108 kilos in 18 months. The transformation was a challenging and equally impressive one. It included yoga, weight training, cardio and walking 21 kilometres a day and dietary changes as well. However, he regained the same in the years to come. In an interview, Nita Ambani revealed that this was because of the steroids that Anant Ambani had to take for asthma.
How do asthma medicines lead to obesity?
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Shrey Kumar Srivastav, General Physician & Assistant Professor, General Medicine, explained the same.
“Anant Ambani is suffering from severe bronchial asthma and in case of severe asthma patients need to take steroids to battle against it. Steroids, particularly corticosteroids, are commonly prescribed for their powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. However, these medications can lead to significant weight regain, even in individuals who have previously lost weight, due to several factors,” said Dr Srivastav.
The expert went on to explain how these steroids work to cause weight gain.
First, corticosteroids can increase appetite, leading to higher caloric intake. This increase in appetite is linked to the drug’s effects on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls hunger and fullness. As a result, patients may consume more calories, which can lead to weight gain. Second, steroids can alter metabolism, causing the body to store more fat, particularly in the abdominal area. This change in fat distribution, known as central obesity, is a common side effect of prolonged steroid use. Additionally, steroids can cause muscle wasting or atrophy, further increasing the proportion of body fat.
Corticosteroids can cause fluid retention. They promote the retention of sodium and the excretion of potassium in the kidneys, leading to an increase in extracellular fluid volume. This fluid retention can appear as weight gain and swelling.
Finally, steroids can impact glucose metabolism, potentially leading to steroid-induced diabetes. This condition can worsen weight gain as insulin resistance increases, promoting fat storage and hindering fat breakdown. In summary, weight regain associated with steroid use is due to multiple factors, including increased appetite, metabolic changes, fluid retention, and altered glucose metabolism. Medical professionals must monitor these side effects carefully and manage them through dietary adjustments, exercise, and, when necessary, changes in medication dosage or type.
Anant Ambani is suffering from severe bronchial asthma and in case of severe asthma patients need to take steroids to battle against it. Steroids, particularly corticosteroids, are commonly prescribed for their powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
