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A recent study has found out exercise can help balance blood sugar levels and also boost brain health.
The study revealed how exercise can improves brain insulin response, aiding blood sugar management.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects how the body utilizes insulin, the hormone responsible for helping cells absorb glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream for energy. In individuals with type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond effectively to it, leading to high blood sugar levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia. Although type 2 diabetes commonly develops in adults over 40, it is increasingly being diagnosed in children and teenagers due to rising obesity rates and a lack of physical activity.
We are all well aware of the numerous health benefits of exercise, but a new study published in Aging Cell highlights another significant advantage: regular physical activity can enhance brain health by improving how brain cells respond to insulin. The research, led by Steven Malin from Rutgers University, examined the impact of exercise on brain insulin sensitivity, which plays a crucial role in cognitive function and memory.
“We believe this work is important because it suggests exercise may improve cognition and memory by enhancing insulin’s ability to act on the brain,” Malin explained, as quoted by PsyPost.
The study specifically examined neuronal extracellular vesicles—tiny sacs released by brain cells (neurons) that facilitate communication between cells. These vesicles function like delivery trucks, transporting proteins and other molecules to different parts of the brain, influencing its insulin response.
The study included 21 participants, primarily women around the age of 60, all diagnosed with prediabetes—a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. These participants were considered sedentary, exercising less than 60 minutes per week, and were non-smokers. Over two weeks, they engaged in 12 supervised exercise sessions, each lasting an hour, performing moderate- to high-intensity workouts on stationary bikes.
Before and after each exercise session, participants drank a glucose drink to trigger their body’s insulin response. Researchers collected blood samples before and after the two-week program to analyse changes in insulin-related proteins within the neuronal extracellular vesicles.
The results were significant. After the exercise program, there was a noticeable increase in the number of neuronal extracellular vesicles carrying Akt, a protein that plays a key role in how cells respond to insulin. This increase was particularly evident after participants drank the glucose drink which shows that exercise enhanced the brain’s insulin response when faced with a rise in blood sugar.
In simple words, the study found that exercise made brain cells more responsive to insulin, basically helping them do a better job at managing blood sugar. Participants also showed improvements in their overall blood sugar control.
“We showed for the first time that exercise impacts insulin signalling from neuronal extracellular vesicles about clinical improvements in blood sugar. And we use these neuronal extracellular vesicles as an indicator of brain insulin sensitivity,” Malin said.
The bottom line is that exercising regularly helps the brain and body work better together to manage blood sugar. For people with diabetes or those at risk, this can make a big difference in keeping blood sugar levels in check and improving overall health.
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This article was originally published by a www.news18.com . Read the Original article here. .