Brain Insulin Sensitivity Can Be Restored - With Cardio!

BY CHAEMIN LEE

Obesity is a major health problem that many modern people face in the world today. Obesity is often simplified to just being fat or overweight but only part of that is true Obesity is a complex disease that occurs when one’s weight is over what is considered for their age and height. There are many factors that contribute to obesity, such as genetics and sleeping patterns, not just physical activity levels or eating habits. Taking certain medications can also be a cause of obesity.

Obesity can be a very serious disease, as they can cause many health complications. Obesity can lead to high blood pressure, heart diseases, strokes, and so on The next is a list of complications that can occur with obesity, according to the CDC.

All-causes of death (mortality).

High blood pressure (hypertension).

High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (dyslipidemia).

Type 2 diabetes.

Coronary heart disease.

Stroke

Gallbladder disease.

Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint).

Sleep apnea and breathing problems.

Many types of cancer

Low quality of life.

Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.

Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning

(For further information: CDC. “Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity.”)

Another complication that can occur due to obesity is insulin resistance Insulin resistance is a phenomenon where your liver, fat, and muscles don’t respond well to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted from the pancreas, which gives signals to the liver to store glucose(sugar) for later use. This is the most crucial role of insulin in the human body because it is directly connected to regulating the glucose levels in the bloodstream Due to this fact, insulin resistance can raise glucose levels, and lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Since insulin resistance can be so damaging, it has been a mystery whether insulin resistance in the brain can be reversed back to normal However, a study that was conducted shows a suggestion that exercise might be the key to the solution. (For further information: JCI insight, “Exercise Restores Brain Insulin Sensitivity in Sedentary Adults Who Are Overweight and Obese ”)

This study was an experiment of 26 healthy, but sedentary individuals doing 8 weeks of aerobic training exercises and examining responsiveness to intranasal insulin(a method of delivering insulin using a spray device through the nasal cavity) after Showing results of improved brain insulin action, the study suggested that insulin resistance may not be a fixed trait but a treatable target that can be dealt with. This also suggests that one can ultimately avoid the more devastating effects of obesity with cardiac activity