New Study Brings Glimmer of Hope for Type 2 Diabetes Risk

The health care community, both the public and private sectors, have been emphasizing the health benefits of both eating a healthy, balanced diet and participating in regular physical activity. A new study suggests an additional health benefit for strength training in particular.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism published the results of a study that examined the effects of increasing muscle mass on the body's insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is the basis of Type 2 diabetes; if this resistance can be lowered, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes is also lowered.

The conclusion reached was that as muscle mass increased to both average and above average ranges, there were improvements in blood glucose levels, indicating a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes. As the study authors note, more research needs to be done in this area so appropriate exercise recommendations can be developed.

The study examined more than 13,000 adults, reports HealthDay via Yahoo! News, and found that for every 10 percent increase in skeletal muscle mass, there was a corresponding decrease of 11 percent in insulin resistance.

One of the two study authors, Dr. Preethi Srikanthan, explained in a UCLA news release that the study's findings suggest that maintaining fitness is just as important as weight loss and signals positive news for people having trouble losing weight, in that concentrating on building muscle mass may be as useful as weight loss.

The study seems to point to the fact that one important factor in your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the ratio of skeletal muscle mass to total body weight. Strengthening exercises can aid in the development of such muscle mass. Even though you may not be losing weight, as you exercise your body builds muscle. The muscle weight begins to take the place of fat weight -- so, while you may not see a difference in the number on the scale, there are still positive benefits to building muscle.

Baby boomers, the largest single age segment of the population, are well-represented in the 24 million Americans who currently have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association advises that number could double within the next 25 years if healthy lifestyle changes aren't instituted soon. Even though that figure is staggering to consider, the ADA also advises that the costs of treating diabetes in that same time period could triple from the current amount to $336 billion dollars.

For baby boomers alone who would be on Medicare in that time period, the costs for diabetes-related care to Medicare would increase from the current $45 billion to $171 billion.

Whatever the reason in you choose to make healthier lifestyle choices--appearance, health, stamina or medical costs--the sooner you can reap the benefits.

Smack dab in the middle of the baby boomer generation, L.L. Woodard is a proud resident of "The Red Man" state. With what he hopes is an everyman's view of life's concerns both in his state and throughout the nation, Woodard presents facts and opinions based on common-sense solutions.