A study suggest that increasing muscle mass can help lower risk for type 2 diabetes. Globally as the obesity epidemic is on rise the prevalence of diabetes is anticipated to increase. Type 2 diabetes occurs when there is too much glucose in the blood either because of insufficient insulin production in the pancreas or cells becoming insulin-resistant. Individuals’ with insulin resistance are predisposed to raise blood sugar levels. Diabetes leads to inadequate blood sugar control, which can damage the kidneys and cause blindness, heart disease and strokes. Type 2 diabetes has been strongly linked to an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight.
This study was conducted to find out whether increased muscles, regardless of obesity levels, are associated with improved blood glucose control. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III between 1988 and 1994. Data from 13,644 adults were evaluated. The measurement used were homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood glycosylated hemoglobin level, prevalence of transitional/pre or overt diabetes (PDM), and prevalence of overt diabetes mellitus.
The researchers found that for each 10 percent increase in the skeletal muscle index/SMI (the ratio of muscle mass to total body weight) there was an 11 percent reduction in insulin resistance (insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes) and 12 percent reduction in pre-diabetes (a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels but not high enough to be diabetes). These relationships apprehended even after the researchers took into account other factors (age, ethnicity, sex, and generalized and central obesity) affecting risk for insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.
The findings suggest that higher muscle mass (relative to body size) is associated with better insulin sensitivity and lowers the risk of Diabetes Mellitus. Building muscle mass with resistance training exercise may play a role in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. Resistance exercise may help people with type 2 diabetes by better using the insulin that they produce.
The authors suggest that even though after starting an exercise program if you don't lose weight, never give up hope because your body fat still gets converted to muscle. We gain muscle loosing fat so even if the weight is the same, the balance shifts. The authors conclude that further research is needed to determine the effect of appropriate exercise interventions designed to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in at-risk individuals.
Reference: Srikanthan, Preethi and Karlamangla, S. Arun. Relative Muscle Mass Is Inversely Associated with Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes. Findings from The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, July 2011 jc.2011-0435
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