Middle-aged Adults Melt Away Fat and Metabolic Syndrome (syndrome-x, hyperinsulinism) With Exercise

NIH.gov ^ | January, 2005

[Coleus]

Exercising, even moderately, can significantly reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases heart disease and diabetes risk, among older adults, according to a study.

The six-month study involved over 100 people between the ages of 55 and 75. Half were "prescribed" exercises ranging from weightlifting to walking, which were performed for one hour, three times a week. The other participants were given a booklet that encouraged increased activity to promote good health.

Some 43 percent of participants had metabolic syndrome when the study began. At the end of six months, the following results were observed among the exercise group:

• No new cases of metabolic syndrome developed
• Metabolic syndrome resolved in nine people for a total reduction of 41 percent

In the control group:

• Eight people had their metabolic syndrome resolve
• Four new cases of metabolic syndrome developed, resulting in a total reduction of 18 percent

Metabolic syndrome, to which older people are prone, involves a number of factors including:

• Excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen
• High levels of unhealthy cholesterol in the blood
• Raised blood pressure
• An inability to use sugar in the blood properly

Each factor increases the risk of disease, but when all the factors are combined they represent a significant risk for developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Researchers said the reduction in cases of metabolic syndrome was linked strongly to reductions in total and abdominal body fat and increases in muscle leanness, rather than to improved fitness.

They concluded that older people can reduce their risk of metabolic syndrome by adding exercise into their lives, and added that exercise can even be as effective as drugs in improving the condition.

American Journal of Preventative Medicine January 2005;28(1):9-18

 

1: Am J Prev Med. 2005 Jan;28(1):9-18.

Related Articles,

 
Exercise and risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in older adults.

Stewart KJ, Bacher AC, Turner K, Lim JG, Hees PS, Shapiro EP, Tayback M, Ouyang P.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

BACKGROUND: Older people with elevated blood pressure (BP) often have metabolic syndrome, a clustering of central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Exercise reduces many of these risk factors. This study examined whether the benefits of exercise on cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk factors are mediated by exercise-induced changes in fitness or body composition. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial, comprising 6 months of exercise training, conducted between July 1999 and November 2003. Participants included men and women (n =115) aged 55 to 75 years with untreated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 to 159 or diastolic blood pressure of (DPB) 85 to 99 mm Hg. Fitness measures included BP, lipids, lipoproteins, insulin, and glucose; peak oxygen uptake and muscle strength; and body composition measured by anthropometry, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: A total of 51 men and 53 women completed the trial. Exercise significantly increased aerobic and muscle fitness, lean mass, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced total and abdominal fat.

 

DBP was reduced more among exercisers. There were no associations among changes in fitness with risk factors. Reductions in total body and abdominal fat and increases in leanness, largely independent of weight loss, were associated with improved SBP, DBP, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), and insulin sensitivity. At baseline, 42.3% of participants had metabolic syndrome. At 6 months, nine exercisers (17.7%) and eight controls (15.1%) no longer had metabolic syndrome, whereas four controls (7.6%) and no exercisers developed it (p =0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Although exercise improved fitness, the reductions in total and abdominal fatness and increase in leanness were more strongly associated with favorable changes in risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, including those that constitute metabolic syndrome.

PMID: 15626550 [PubMed - in process]

[NonValueAdded]

Ya mean it isn't CortaSlim? :)

[BipolarBob]

But I'd have to get off the couch. And then diet.

[austinmark]

Hey, Suzane Sommers say's her THIGH MASTER is all I need.

Thank you thigh master. ;^)

[Coleus]

Yep, and turn off the computer and log onto fr less often.

[Coleus]

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1-3x True Food GTF Chromium, in divided doses
2 x Mega EPA 1000mg (EPA/DHA fish oil concentrate)
1-2 x Alpha Lipoic Acid (Solgar)
1x Advanced Antioxidant Formula
1-4x L-Carnitine, between meals
Fiber Formula
1-3 scoops Whey Protein Powder
Multivitamin
Glucobetics formula from a reputable vitamin company.