National American Diabetes Association Alert Day
Today is National American Diabetes Association Alert Day – a national “wake-up call” to the American public about the seriousness of diabetes and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. The primary initiative of the American Diabetes Association is the diabetes risk test; all are encouraged to take the short questionnaire to determine level of risk. Some questions involve medical history. One question in particular asks about physical activity, which is one of the biggest contributing factors to obesity and diabetes.
With such busy schedules, many people find it difficult to exercise daily, if at all. However, this inactivity is proving detrimental to the health of Americans as it contributes to both obesity and diabetes. Incorporating physical activity not only decreases the risk of obesity and diabetes, but it also offsets the negative metabolic effects of each condition.
Prevent Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity with Whole-Body Vibration
In theory, incorporating the recommended weekly dose of exercise (2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week) seems doable; practicing and remaining dedicated to the theory is where many Americans have difficulty. In some cases, health even prevents people from exercising. Fortunately, a new study, published in the Endocrine Society’s journal Endocrinology, found that whole-body vibration (WBV) mimics the muscle and bone health benefits of regular exercise. Less strenuous than other forms of exercise, WBV simply consists of sitting, standing, or lying on a vibrating machine platform. When the machine vibrates, it transmits energy throughout the body causing the muscles to contract and relax in quick succession.
“Our study is the first to show that whole-body vibration may be just as effective as exercise at combatting some of the negative consequences of obesity and diabetes,” said the study’s first author, Meghan E. McGee-Lawrence, Ph.D., of Augusta University in Augusta, Ga. “While WBV did not fully address the defects in bone mass of the obese mice in our study, it did increase global bone formation, suggesting longer-term treatments could hold promise for preventing bone loss as well.”
Study Proves WBV Combats Metabolic Dysfunction
The study involved 5-week-old mice split into two groups. While the first group consisted of normal mice, researchers genetically altered the second group of mice to be unresponsive to the hormone leptin, which triggers the feeling of fullness after eating. Both groups were then further categorized into three groups: sedentary, WBV, or treadmill exercise. After becoming familiar with the equipment, the mice were then subjected to a 12-week exercise program (or, in the case of the sedentary group, no exercise at all) and then weighed weekly.
Both WBV and treadmill exercise showed to have significant metabolic benefits int he genetically obese and diabetic mice. WBV and treadmill exercise not only reduced weight gain in the obese/diabetic mice, but it also enhanced muscle mass and insulin sensitivity. Ultimately, the study suggests that WBV is a useful supplemental form of exercise that combats metabolic dysfunction for those morbidly obese.
Most importantly, the best way to combat diabetes is with a qualified health plan. Contact a licensed agent today to discuss your health plan options today!
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