Mixed
A 6-month lifestyle intervention combining caloric restriction and moderate-intensity exercise significantly improves macrovascular endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation) and reduces markers of endothelial activation (sICAM, PAI-1) in obese subjects with insulin resistance syndrome, regardless of glucose tolerance status.
For obese individuals with insulin resistance, a 6-month program of moderate exercise (150 minutes/week) combined with a modest 500-calorie daily diet deficit significantly improves blood vessel health (endothelial function) and reduces inflammation markers. This benefit occurs regardless of whether you have normal blood sugar, pre-diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, and is strongly linked to the amount of weight you lose.
We conclude that 6 months of weight reduction and exercise improve macrovascular endothelial function and reduces selective markers of endothelial activation and coagulation in obese subjects with IRS regardless of the degree of glucose tolerance.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial design with a specific intervention group, though the text notes a lack of a concurrent control group for the primary analysis (using baseline vs post-intervention comparison), which is a limitation.
Source
Lifestyle Modification Improves Endothelial Function in Obese Subjects With the Insulin Resistance Syndrome
Osama Hamdy et al. · Diabetes Care · 2003
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