Taking walks for an hour each day can slow non alcoholic fatty liver disease progression in obese individuals who have pre diabetes by stimulating metabolism, as well as decreasing the oxidative damage caused by non alcoholic fatty liver disease. The research showed that daily walks didn’t just increase insulin sensitivity in obese individuals who had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but also improved the PUI (polyunsaturated lipid index) of the liver, which is regarded as a marker of the health of the liver.[1]
The improvements are associated with increased adiponectin, which has an influence on insulin response and is linked to reduced heart attack risk due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, obese individuals usually have low adiponectin levels.
Individuals in the research walked on a treadmill at 85 percent of their maximum heart rate for 60 minutes each day for 7 consecutive days. Respiration, insulin sensitivity, body composition, and PUIs were measured before and after the 7-day program. Insulin, plasma glucose and adiponectin were also tested, and OGTTs (oral glucose tolerance tests) were given, which measure how fast glucose is cleared from the blood. Mononuclear cells from the blood were isolated during the OGTTs to analyze if these cells were producing molecules known as ROS (reactive oxygen species). High levels of ROS could cause oxidative damage to tissue.
By the conclusion of the study, PUIs had increased by an average of 84 percent. Adiponectin and insulin sensitivity also increased, the production of ROS decreased, even after their OGTTs. After exercising, the individuals were burning more fat, which is a positive reaction to exercise, a reaction that can defend against oxidative damage and consequently the damage of fatty liver disease.
Image Source – nature