Dr John Hawley, Professor of Exercise Metabolism, discusses exercise and type 2 diabetes. They explore the benefits of exercise snacking, intensity levels, muscle glucose uptake during exercise, and the challenges of following diets. They also touch on time-restricted eating, continuous glucose monitoring, circadian biology, and the individual nature of exercise. The podcast highlights the importance of breaking inactivity, the significance of intensity, and the potential benefits of afternoon exercise for glucose control.
Acute exercise improves glucose control in type 2 diabetes by reducing glucose levels and increasing muscle insulin sensitivity for 24-48 hours.
Exercise snacking, involving short bouts of exercise before and after meals, can be an effective way to accumulate exercise throughout the day.
Time-restricted eating, where meals are consumed within a specific window of time, may benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes by improving metabolic health.
Deep dives
Effects of Acute Exercise and Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetes
During acute exercise, glucose levels reduce and muscle becomes more sensitive to insulin for 24 to 48 hours. This can improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes. Exercise snacking, involving short bouts of exercise before and after meals, can be an effective way to accumulate exercise throughout the day. Time-restricted feeding, where meals are consumed within a specific window of time, may also benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring can provide valuable feedback on glucose levels and help individuals make informed decisions about their diet and exercise habits.
Balancing Diet and Exercise in Type 2 Diabetes
Diet and exercise are both important for managing type 2 diabetes. Most diets are unsuccessful in the long term, and a one-size-fits-all approach is not practical. Time-restricted meals, where eating is limited to specific hours of the day, show promise in improving metabolic health. However, it is important to consider individual preferences and lifestyle factors when recommending dietary changes. Exercise plays a significant role in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose control, and even moderate-intensity exercise like walking can be beneficial.
Taking a Real-World Approach to Exercise and Diabetes
The benefits of exercise and glucose control should be considered on an individual basis. Exercise is not a one-time fix, but rather a habit that needs to be incorporated into daily life. The timing of exercise also matters, with evidence suggesting that afternoon exercise may have more positive effects on glucose control, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring offers valuable real-time feedback and can help individuals understand the impact of their dietary choices and exercise habits on their blood glucose levels.
Time-restricted eating for metabolic health
Time-restricted eating, or reducing the daily eating window, has shown promising benefits for metabolic health. Instead of focusing on specific dietary restrictions, this approach suggests shifting breakfast to a later time and having the evening meal earlier, effectively shortening the eating window. Multiple studies have demonstrated that even without weight loss, participants experienced improvements in metabolic health markers. Implementing this approach, along with regular exercise and mindful consumption of discretionary foods, can have positive effects on glycemic control and overall health.
The importance of exercise and meal timing
Exercise plays a crucial role in improving insulin sensitivity and promoting muscle metabolism. Accumulating acute exercise bouts over time can lead to increased muscle mass, enhanced glucose transport, and improved glucose utilization. The combination of exercise and a well-timed meal schedule can provide optimal results. Shifting towards earlier evening meals and finishing eating by a certain time, combined with regular exercise, can lead to better glucose control throughout the night and improve overall metabolic function. It is essential to prioritize turning over fuel and maintaining a consistent exercise routine for long-term benefits.
Dr Glenn McConell chats with Professor John Hawley from the Australian Catholic University on Exercise and type 2 diabetes. John is one of the most recognized names in exercise metabolism. He has published over 300 journal articles (Google scholar: 40,000 citations, H index 113). We discussed many things (see time stamps below).
0:00. Introduction
1:34. Putting exercise and diet ahead of medical interventions
4:52. John’s background / the All blacks
6:14. Acute exercise in type 2 diabetes
8:28. Exercise snacking
11:16. Intensity of exercise
HIIT exercise increases glucose levels.
12:29. Don’t complicate it, just exercise
14:34. Take the stairs
17:02. Muscle glucose uptake normal during exercise in T2D
18:44. Genes haven’t changed environment has
21:45. Most diets unsuccessful
24:43. Time restricted eating
27:20. Continuous glucose monitoring
29:17. Circadian biology messed up
32:53. No national food guidelines consider the timing of meals
33:58. Inactivity and exercise resistance
34:53. Not a fan of intermittent/prolonged fasting
37:33. It’s an individual thing
38:00. Timing of exercise
39:07. Assessing glucose control over the day
45:58. Exercise and insulin sensitivity
50:28. What would be your dream study?
53:01. Most studies do not involve typical people with T2D
55:04. Need to stick to it, not quick fix
56:31. Mechanisms of exercise vs diet
Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.
The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.