Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by modifying metabolism with physical activity
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that physical activity protects against type 2 diabetes by changing the body’s metabolic profile. The study included 7,000 men who were followed for 8 years. The researchers looked at the association of physical activity with metabolic profile, insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and the risk of type 2 diabetes in the men. None of the men had diabetes at the onset of the study.
The men were put into 4 categories:
Physically inactive
Physically active occasionally
Physically active twice a week
Physically active at least three times a week
Physical activity was associated with the levels of 198 metabolites (compounds formed as a result of metabolism). The study found that increased physical activity had the effect on some metabolites that had been previously seen with a healthy diet. The men that were the most physically active were found to have a 39% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and even the men who were physically active no more than twice a week were found to have 30% less risk than those men who were physically inactive.
