Diabetes news: Even just small amounts of exercise 'can offer health benefits'

The findings show that even a little exercise wards off insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes which can result from a high-fat diet. 

The study, published in the journal Experimental Physiology, also casts doubt on the previously held view that increasing the quantity of mitochondria, the tiny structures in cells that convert glucose and fats to energy, would help fix some symptoms of a high fat diet. 

The researchers found that the benefits from physical activity were not affected by the quantity of mitochondria.

Insulin is a hormone used to control blood sugar levels.

High-fat diets contribute to the development of insulin resistance, which is when their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin and leads to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Study lead author Megan Rosa-Caldwell, a doctoral student at The University of Arkansas in US, found that mice genetically engineered to have higher quantity of mitochondria were not more protected against high-fat diet induced insulin resistance. 

The researchers fed all the mice in the study a diet that mimics Western diets high in fat. 

The genetically engineered and control mice were further divided into a group that was allowed to exercise, and a sedentary group.

Their results showed that physical activity, regardless of the amount of mitochondria, offered similar health benefits against insulin resistance. 

The researchers said that it appears that exercise’s ability to help remove damaged cellular materials and enhance the quality of the mitochondria may be more effective for preventing insulin resistance. 

But they said these aspects need to be further tested.

Ms Rosa-Caldwell said that with rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes continuing to increase, understanding the cellular processes that help or hurt insulin resistance can help doctors better tailor effective preventative measures such as exercise.

She added: “For now, physical activity is the greatest protection, but further research may enable us to prevent and treat insulin resistance, and subsequent diabetes, more effectively.”