Researchers from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy have discovered a promising new strategy in the fight against type 2 diabetes. Their study reveals that a single 30-minute session of exercise can significantly lower blood sugar levels and enhance insulin sensitivity. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease affecting millions worldwide.
The study involved 32 participants, comprising 18 men and 14 women aged between 20 and 35 years. The researchers observed that even a solitary exercise session could positively impact insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation. This finding is particularly significant for those already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, who struggle with low insulin sensitivity.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to use insulin effectively, a condition known as insulin resistance. This metabolic disorder is primarily driven by factors such as obesity, inactivity, poor diet, and aging. Currently, approximately 530 million adults globally are living with diabetes, with an overwhelming 98% of these cases being type 2 diabetes.
“Diabetes increases your risk of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and amputations,” said David Cutler.
The study’s findings suggest that incorporating brief, manageable sessions of aerobic exercise might improve glucose control and insulin response in diabetics. This could effectively manage blood sugar levels and enhance the effectiveness of drug therapies for the condition. Teresa Mezza, one of the researchers, emphasized this point.
“Although this study focused on healthy adults, the improvement in insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation seen after a single exercise session could also apply to those with type 2 diabetes. These findings suggest that incorporating brief, manageable sessions of aerobic exercise might improve glucose control and insulin response in diabetics, potentially helping to manage blood sugar levels effectively and potentiate the effect of drug therapies,” said Teresa Mezza.
Medications such as GLP-1 and SGLT-2 drugs are commonly used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. These medications, when used alongside other interventions like improved diet and regular exercise, can significantly aid in managing the condition. Drugs like Jardiance and Ozempic have been particularly successful when combined with metformin.
“We just always told people that exercise is good for you and that it most likely reduces your risk of developing type two diabetes,” said David Cutler.
The increasing utilization of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 agonists by primary-care professionals is anticipated to improve outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes on a broader scale. Since most patients receive treatment within primary-care settings, these medications play a vital role in enhancing glycemic control.
“This study highlights the importance of exercise and activity in maintaining glycemic control for patients with type 2 diabetes,” noted Cheng.
Despite the known benefits of exercise, motivating individuals to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine remains challenging. David Cutler acknowledged the difficulty in changing people’s behavior towards exercise due to the delayed gratification associated with its benefits.
“Changing people’s behavior is a really hard thing to do, and getting them to exercise can be a challenge sometimes, that there’s no immediate reward for it sometimes, and the benefits can take not days, but months or years before they’ll notice them,” said David Cutler.
However, studies like this one offer immediate positive feedback that could encourage more people to engage in regular exercise.
“So to have something like this where there’s some immediate positive feedback in it is a good way to entice people to exercise more,” added David Cutler.
Featured image made on Ideogram
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