A new study at UCLA found that having more muscle mass reduces the risk of developing diabetes. Previous studies found that less body fat reduces the risk of diabetes, but now having more muscle mass has been linked to lower risk of diabetes.
This study suggests that people who are at risk for diabetes should focus on maintaining fitness and building muscle, instead of focusing solely on losing weight.
In the study, 13,644 adults were enrolled and observed to see if there was a correlation between higher levels of muscle mass and lower levels of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can be examined as a precursor to diabetes. After adjusting for age, race, and other contributing factors for diabetes, the researchers found that for each 10 percent increase in skeletal muscle index, there was an 11 percent decrease in insulin resistance and a 12 percent decrease in pre-diabetes.
This study did not look specifically at certain muscle building activities to see if there was difference between the types of activity. So the result only demonstrate that extra fat increases the risk of diabetes and more muscle reduces the risk.
It is important to keep in mind that this study was observational only, so it is hard to determine if findings are a correlation or an effect that more muscles reduces the risk for diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 79 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes, meaning their blood glucose levels are higher than normal.
Diabetes is a chronic disease marked by high levels of blood sugar, due to the body either not producing enough insulin, or due to the body not respond effectively to insulin present. In both cases, blood sugar levels skyrocket, causing frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. There are methods for managing blood sugar levels, but it affects the person for the rest of their life.
This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
