An active lifestyle can change the way your body burns saturated and unsaturated fats, according to new research from the University of Aberdeen.
In the study, funded by the British Heart Foundation and published in Nature Communications, researchers investigated how different types of fat are used in the body depending on an individual's fitness level. did.
The study did not look at diet, which is notoriously difficult to control, but looked at how fat is metabolized.
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Researchers analyzed the effects in two groups: “super-fit” male athletes and men with type 2 diabetes who rarely exercise. Both groups swapped exercise regimens over an 8-week period.
The athletes underwent “deconditioning,'' going from at least nine and a half hours of intense exercise a week to no exercise at all. In contrast, patients with type 2 diabetes underwent endurance training, exercising for 5 hours per week.
Before and after making the lifestyle change, the volunteers ingested small amounts of different fats intravenously and underwent MRI scans to see how the fat behaved within muscle cells.
Results showed that the type 2 diabetes group lost weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and lowered cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar levels.
The research team, led by Professor Dana Dawson, also found that in athletes, saturated fat is used intensively as a “preferred energy source” for physical activity.
Professor Dawson, head of the university's cardiology department, said: “We found that athletes store and utilize saturated fat heavily for high-performance physical activity, and conversely, people with type 2 diabetes primarily “Hoarding was observed.”
“We also showed that in patients with type 2 diabetes, endurance exercise training increased saturated fat storage and utilization within skeletal muscle cells, which after eight weeks of training was comparable to that of less conditioned athletes. .
“Overall, the most striking and completely new perspective we gained from this study is that one size does not fit all, and that depending on a person's cardiometabolic health, different fat It determines how efficiently it can be used as fuel.
“These results are completely novel and highlight how staying healthy and active can improve saturated fat metabolism as a direct benefit of exercise.”
Fergus McKiddy, 56, from Aberdeenshire, took part in the trials in the athlete category. Fergus, who works for NHS Grampian, is in peak fitness and leads an active lifestyle, including running, cycling and weight training.
That made him the perfect candidate for a replacement. Fergus said: “My mother-in-law had type 2 diabetes for many years before developing vascular dementia.
“So I felt like I had to help in any way I could to advance the understanding and treatment of this disease. Going from exercising every day to not doing anything at all is a bit of a shock to the system. It took some getting used to, but I'm glad I was able to contribute to this exciting result.
“It changed the way I look at food now. I don't worry so much about eating natural fats anymore because I have a better understanding of how my body processes and utilizes them. It also emphasized the importance of exercise, especially for everyone.'' I would like people with type 2 diabetes to know this.
“This has been a very interesting experience, with exciting results that potentially open up new ways to help the growing number of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It deeply touched my family.”
Ian Frizell, who has type 2 diabetes and participated in the exchange, added: “I enjoyed the experience and the results and certainly the health benefits.”
“After the exchange, I experienced weight loss, increased fitness levels, lower blood sugar levels, and improved cholesterol levels. Getting into the habit of daily, measured exercise was key to the program's success.”
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Professor Brian Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, supported the study, saying: “This small study confirms the benefits of keeping your heart healthy.
“The study compared two very specific groups, male athletes and men with type 2 diabetes, and the results show that being physically active changes the way your body uses different types of fat. It gave me reassurance that I could improve.
“Importantly, this study did not assess the impact of fat intake, and existing advice to replace saturated fat with unsaturated fat in the diet remains.
“Daily physical activity not only helps maintain a healthy weight, but also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar levels.
“To stay active, it's important to develop habits that you enjoy and stick to. Try increasing your moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, to 150 minutes a week.”