Strength Training and Diabetes

[Guest guest]

(NaturalNews) Weight training may trigger metabolic changes in the

body that help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of Type 2

diabetes, according to a study conducted by researchers from the

Boston University School of Medicine and published in the journal Cell

Metabolism.

Scientists have long believed that only aerobic exercise that builds

up long-term endurance, such as running, has any notable effect on the

body's metabolism. This kind of exercise produces what is known as

" type I " muscle, which is designed for a long, slow output of energy.

In contrast, " type II " muscle, which is used for sprinting or lifting

heavy weights, is more powerful, but only in the short term.

Researchers genetically engineered mice so that their bodies would

produce more type II muscle when a specific gene was switched on. With

the gene switched off, the mice were fed a high-calorie, sugary diet

for eight weeks. As expected, the mice became obese, developed fatty

liver deposits and became insulin resistant, just like humans on a

similar diet.

When the researchers switched the gene on and the mice began to bulk

up with type II muscle, the animals quickly lost weight and were cured

of their insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. Significantly,

the mice did not increase their level of exercise and continued with

the high-calorie diet.

" We've shown that type II muscle does more than allow you to pick up

heavy objects, " said researcher Walsh. " It is also important

in controlling whole-body metabolism. "

While the animals did not remain fat as researchers expected, they

also did not become skinny like marathon runners; instead, they became

lean like sprinters. Significantly, the mice's long-term endurance on

a treadmill test was not improved after the gene was switched on.

" These data ... suggest that strength training, in addition to the

widely prescribed therapy of endurance training, may be of particular

benefit to overweight individuals, " the researchers wrote.

W.G.

Ubermensch Sports Consultancy

San Diego, CA