More Muscle Mass Leads to Better Blood Sugar Control
Muscles are big consumers of blood glucose. Every time we are active physically, our muscles keep devouring blood sugar. As a result, we have less glucose circulating in our blood vessels.
At the same time, having more muscle mass seems to protect us against insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes high levels of blood sugar, the foundation of diabetes.
“Relative muscle mass is inversely associated with insulin resistance and prediabetes”
A study conducted by UCLA finds that the more muscle mass we have, the more we are protected from the risk of developing insulin resistance, a leading cause of Type 2 diabetes. Senior author Preethi Srikanthan, MD, of the University of California Los Angeles, and colleagues, reported online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM) the findings of the study.
To determine whether increases in muscle mass are associated with improved control of blood glucose, the researchers reviewed data on 13,644 patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, conducted from 1988 to 1994.
The study looked at the muscle mass of these individuals and compare them against insulin resistance and blood-glucose disorders. The study found that the higher the muscle mass, the better the insulin sensitivity. This would lower the risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The results of the study
The results show that every 10% increase in the ratio of skeletal muscle mass to total body weight is associated with an 11% reduction in risk of insulin resistance and a 12% drop in the risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Dr. Srikanthan said that the results of the study suggest that fitness and muscle building should be incorporated as part of the way to improve metabolic health. Weight loss is most often encouraged.
Dr. Srikanthan suggests that more research needs to be completed to further understand how much and which kinds of exercise are most beneficial at improving insulin sensitivity. Additionally, the researcher suggests health care professionals should add the tracking muscle mass changes for at risk patients.
Source reference:
Srikanthan P, et al “Relative muscle mass is inversely associated with insulin resistance and prediabetes: Findings from the third NHANES” J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011.
Final word
I know sometimes is hard to make a commitment to exercise, but this study shows that the effort is definitely worth it. In this case, by putting a little effort on our part to build some muscle we could prevent diabetes type 2. Isn’t it great!
To your exercise success!
Emilia Klapp, R.D., B.S.
www.TheDiabetesClub.com
www.Discussion.TheDiabetesClub.com
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