The Link Between Diabetes and Muscle Mass

If you have type 2 diabetes, building and maintaining muscle is more important than you may realize. Muscle plays a crucial role in burning calories and using up glucose. The more muscle mass you have, the less glucose stays in your bloodstream—helping you manage your blood sugar better.

Traditionally, walking has been the go-to exercise for diabetics. While it’s helpful, adding resistance training can be more effective. Resistance training boosts muscle growth, which increases your metabolism and helps improve insulin sensitivity.

With age, muscle mass naturally decreases. This can lead to reduced physical activity and a higher risk of diabetes. New research shows that proteins like WWP1 and KLF15 contribute to muscle loss in people with high blood sugar.

Insulin isn’t just for controlling blood sugar—it also helps build muscle. If your body doesn't make or use insulin properly, it can lead to muscle loss. That’s why many diabetics struggle with reduced muscle mass over time.

Top exercises to build muscle for diabetics:

• Resistance Training: Builds muscle through controlled stress and recovery.
  
  

• Bodyweight Exercises: Squats, push-ups, or exercises using resistance bands.
  
  

• Anti-Gravity Exercises: Stair climbing is simple and effective.
  
  

• Nitric Oxide Dump: A quick 5-minute routine of squats, arm raises, jumping jacks, and overhead presses that improves blood flow and muscle function.
  
  

In conclusion, reversing diabetes becomes easier when you work on increasing muscle mass. Programs like FFD’s Holistic Transformation Program have helped thousands reverse their diabetes through lifestyle changes.

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https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/the-connection-between-diabetes-and-muscle-mass%20/2925