Energy balance
Calorie restriction (diet alone or combined with exercise) improves whole-body insulin sensitivity in overweight, glucose-tolerant subjects primarily through the reduction of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and total fat mass, rather than through changes in fat cell size (FCS) or ectopic lipid deposition in muscle (IMCL).
To improve insulin sensitivity, focus on creating a caloric deficit through diet. Whether you add moderate exercise or not, the metabolic benefits regarding insulin sensitivity are largely equivalent because the primary driver is the loss of visceral fat and total body fat. You do not need to over-exercise to see these specific metabolic improvements.
Together the improvements in Si were related to loss in weight, fat mass, and VAT, but not IHL, IMCL, or FCS.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with metabolic kitchen control and gold-standard insulin sensitivity testing (FSIGT), though underpowered for some subgroup differences.
Source
Effect of Calorie Restriction With or Without Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity, β-Cell Function, Fat Cell Size, and Ectopic Lipid in Overweight Subjects
D. Enette Larson‐Meyer et al. · Diabetes Care · 2006
DOI 10.2337/dc05-2565
Related findings · Energy balance
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