Muscle Mass Protects Against Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes
How can more muscle help you look good and feel strong, as well as improve your health and quality of life?
This study explored the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and insulin resistance, particularly in the context of prediabetes and diabetes.
The Study
Study Design: The research utilised data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), analysing 13,644 adults aged over 20 years. The study aimed to assess how variations in muscle mass, measured as the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI), correlate with insulin resistance and the prevalence of diabetes.
Key Findings
There is a significant inverse relationship between relative muscle mass and insulin resistance. Specifically, for every 10% increase in SMI, there was:
An 11% relative reduction in the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).
A 12% relative reduction in the prevalence of prediabetes (PDM).
The prevalence of diabetes decreased by 63% from the lowest to the highest quartile of SMI (14.5% to 5.3%).
These associations were stronger in individuals without diabetes, indicating that higher muscle mass contributes to better insulin sensitivity.
Statistical Analysis: The study adjusted for various factors, including age, sex, ethnicity, and obesity measures, confirming that increased muscle mass is beneficial for metabolic health across a broad range of muscle mass levels, not just in cases of sarcopenia.
Related
Key Takeaway
These findings emphasise the importance of monitoring muscle mass for assessing metabolic health. Increased muscle mass can be a protective factor against insulin resistance and diabetes.
Reference
Srikanthan P, Karlamangla AS. Relative muscle mass is inversely associated with insulin resistance and prediabetes. Findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Sep;96(9):2898-903. doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-0435. Epub 2011 Jul 21. Erratum in: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Jun;97(6):2203. PMID: 21778224.