Eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
There is evidence that a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet is at least as effective for losing weight as a traditional low-calorie diet that's low in fat and portion-controlled. A high-protein diet may also help suppress appetite.
It takes approximately 16.5 to 22 hours for Prednisone to be out of your system. The elimination half life of prednisone is around 3 to 4 hours. This is the time it takes for your body to reduce the plasma levels by half. It usually takes around 5.5 x half-life for a drug to be completely eliminated from your system.
Fortunately for most people, as prednisone is tapered and stopped, the weight gain will stop and reverse. However, since everyone is different, it is difficult to say how long it will take to achieve prednisone weight loss. Learn More: What Is Body Mass Index?
Fat redistribution will only go away after tapering off prednisone. Weight gain is more likely to happen when prednisone is taken in high doses or for a long time. If weight gain is bothersome, talk to your doctor about modifying your drug regimen.
A gradual reduction in prednisone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their usual function. The amount of time it takes to taper off prednisone depends on the disease being treated, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. A full recovery can take a week to several months.
Weight gain from prednisone is usually caused by water retention and an increased appetite. Some people also experience body fat redistribution, a symptom that is characterized by fat deposits collecting in unusual areas like the base of the neck or back.
The extra weight, water retention, and moon face puffiness will begin to fade once they stop taking corticosteroids. However, it may take up to six months to a year for the body and face to return to their pre-corticosteroid states. Moon face is one of the symptoms; it usually goes away with proper treatment.
The appearance of moon face can start to fade when you stop taking steroids, but it may take several weeks or even months for your face to return to normal. To prevent steroid withdrawal, do not suddenly stop taking them.
When a person stops taking prednisone, the body cannot immediately produce enough cortisol to make up for the missing drug. It may take several days or weeks before the body's cortisol production levels return to normal.
If you have to take prednisolone for more than a few weeks, it's likely that you'll put on weight. Prednisolone can make you hungrier and also can make you retain more water in your body. Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.
Fluid retention is one of prednisone's most famous side effects. “'Moon face' is common, which is swelling in the face that can occur after you've been on steroids for a long time,” Dr. Ford notes.
Most short-term prednisone side effects, like headaches, nausea, and weight gain, go away once the dose is lowered or the steroid is stopped altogether. Other potential side effects—like vision problems and osteoporosis —may be permanent.
Sleep disturbance: Prednisone keeps some people awake. This is because it affects the hormones that help you feel energized (cortisol) and sleepy (melatonin). So it's common for people to report difficulty sleeping while they're taking prednisone.
This involves gradually reducing the dose over days, weeks, or months. Some typical recommendations for prednisone tapering include: Dosages above 40 milligrams (mg) per day: Decrease by 5 mg at a time until you reach 20 mg per day. Dosages of 20 mg: Decrease in 2.5-mg increments until you reach 10 mg per day.
Prednisone can have a negative effect on metabolism. Cravings seem to be heightened so drinking water, eating fruits and vegetables can help. Sometimes fruit or vegetable smoothies can fill us up. Protein in the morning (eggs and cheese – flavored soy cheese is good) might help with cravings during the day.
Because prednisone may also increase blood sugar levels, you should avoid foods with simple carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, and candy.
Corticosteroids may increase the body's loss of magnesium. Some doctors recommend that people taking corticosteroids for more than two weeks supplement with 300–400 mg of magnesium per day.