A new study has found strength training can reduce fatty liver disease, improve blood glucose regulation and improve heart health.
Researchers from the University of Campinas in Brazil conducted a study on obese mice.For the study, the team examined the effects of strength training exercises on obese mice. They examined how it impacted the liver, blood glucose and inflammation markers.
In just a short amount of time of performing these exercises, the results showed the mice had less fatty livers and there was an improvement in their blood glucose regulation. The team also saw a reduction in the levels of inflammatory markers.
Based on the results, strength training could be an effective and quick strategy to reduce the risk of diabetes and fatty liver disease in people that are overweight or obese.
"That these improvements in metabolism occurred over a short time even though the overall amount of body fat was unchanged, it suggests strength training can have positive effects on health and directly affect liver's function and metabolism," study author Pereira de Moura told a news portal. Adding, "It may be a more effective, non-drug and low-cost strategy for improving health."
Further research is needed to understand how strength training impacts liver metabolism in humans.
Obesity is becoming a growing epidemic around the world. The need to tackle the issues is urgent as it can lead to serious complications like diabetes, heart disease and kidney damage.
The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of Endocrinology.
