When we talk about the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, we almost always think about weight.However, a recent study with almost 480,000 people followed for 14 years reminds us that there is another equally important factor that we often do not pay attention to: the health of our muscles.

The researchers analyzed the combination of two factors: excess body fat and loss of muscle mass and strength, a situation known as sarcopenic obesity.The results were very clear: people with this combination had more than three and a half times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who maintained a healthy body composition.

The most striking thing is that the risk was even higher than in people with obesity but with good muscle mass.That is, it is not enough to look at the number on the scale.The quantity and quality of muscle also plays a key role.

As a person with diabetes, these types of studies make me think.Many times we focus on losing weight, but we leave aside something that can be just as important: keeping our muscles active and strong.After all, muscle is one of the main tissues that uses glucose as a source of energy, and the better it works, the better our body responds.

This does not mean that you have to become an athlete.Activities such as walking, climbing stairs, doing strength exercises with your own body weight, elastic bands or simple dumbbells can make a big difference over the years.In addition, maintaining an adequate diet with sufficient protein intake also helps preserve muscle mass.

Another interesting fact from the study is that the effect was especially evident in women and people under 60 years of age, which highlights the importance of starting to take care of muscle health before metabolic problems appear.

Diabetes is a complex disease and we increasingly understand that it does not depend on a single factor.Weight matters, yes, but it also matters how our body is composed and how we take care of our muscles.


Do you do any type of strength exercise in your daily life?

Have you ever been told about the importance of muscle mass to prevent diabetes or improve glycemic control?


I would love to read your experiences and advice.