HELSINKI (Dispatches) -- According to a new study, being physically significantly changes the body’s metabolite profile, and many of these changes are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
The study population included more than 7,000 men who were followed up for eight years. During the follow-up, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was 39% lower for men who were physically the most active, and 30% lower even for men who were physically active no more than twice a week, when compared to men who were physically inactive. Lower fasting glucose and insulin levels, and better insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, were observed in men who increased their physical activity during the follow-up.
The association of physical activity with insulin secretion has remained unclear, despite several studies on the matter. The study published now confirms that increased physical activity improves insulin secretion.