Delhi Man’s Persistent High Blood Sugar Despite Regular Walks Highlights Importance of Strength Training for Type 2 Diabetes
A Delhi resident’s struggle to control his Type 2 diabetesโข through โwalking alone underscores a critical, frequently enoughโฃ overlooked component of โmanaging the condition: strength training. While walking offers significant cardiovascular benefits, experts say building muscle mass is key to improving insulin sensitivity and long-term blood sugar regulation.
Type 2 diabetes arises when the body either doesn’t respond effectively to insulin or doesn’t produceโ enough, leading to elevated blood sugar. Exercise is vital, but the type of exercise matters. Walking primarily utilizes fat as fuel and doesn’tโค substantially build muscle. โStrength training,however,directly stimulates muscle fibers,increasing glucose absorption both โฃduring and after workouts as the body repairs and strengthens muscle tissue.
“Strength training builds leanโ muscle, and muscle is a metabolically active tissue that โฃacts โlike a sponge for glucose,” explains Dr. โWangnoo,senior consultant,Endocrinology,Indraprastha Apollo hospitals,delhi. “After aโ workout, muscles continue to absorb sugarโข from the blood for repair and recovery. Over time, as muscle mass โคincreases, so does the body’sโข ability to regulate blood sugar levels efficiently.”
Beyond glucose uptake, strength training reduces visceral fat – the perilous fat surrounding internal organs that worsens insulin resistance – improves hormonal balance,โ and lowers chronic inflammation, all contributing toโ better glucose control.โค It also boosts resting metabolic rate, meaning the body burns more calories and โคglucose even at rest.While walking remains a valuable, low-risk exercise, particularly for beginners, Dr. Wangnoo emphasizes that incorporating strength training โcan be “transformative”โค for those seeking lasting control over Type 2 diabetes. โขWalkingโฃ improvesโ circulation, reduces stress,โข and can aid in mild weight loss, but it doesn’t offer theโฃ same metabolic advantages as โbuilding muscle.
(Dr Wangnoo is senior consultant,Endocrinology,Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals,Delhi)