Building Muscle Helps Prevent Diabetes

Staying on top of your fitness will always yield benefits for your health, but those that are at risk for type 2 diabetes should have a stronger focus on building muscle mass. This article on US News shares information on the benefits of gaining muscle for those in this position. The results of this analysis illuminate the importance of these findings.

"Researchers analyzed data from 13,644 adults who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III between 1988 and 1994. They found that for each 10 percent increase in the skeletal muscle index (SMI) -- the ratio of muscle mass to total body weight -- there was an 11 percent reduction in insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.There was also a 12 percent reduction in pre-diabetes, a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, said the researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles."

So pay special attention to building your muscles if you're concerned or at risk for type 2 diabetes. It'll keep your body strong and help you stay healthy.