Evolutionary Mismatch and Lifestyle-Related Diseases: A Study of a 6-Month Intensive Lifestyle Intervention

Christopher Scott MacDonald*, Mia Aagaard Bennekou, Sabrina Mai Nielsen, Anders Ellekær Junker, Tor Biering-Sørensen, Henning Langberg, Robin Christensen, Daniel E. Lieberman, Claus Zachariae, Jannik Langtved Pallisgaard

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

Chronic medical conditions caused by the inadequate adaptation of the body to modern lifestyles, such as physical inactivity and unhealthy diets, are on the rise. This study assessed whether a comprehensive lifestyle intervention, including high volumes of supervised exercise, could improve health outcomes. Eight volunteers with lifestyle-related diseases received a 6-month lifestyle intervention consisting of 8000–10 000 steps/day, 6 moderate-intensity endurance and 3 resistance training sessions per week, a 5-week long hike, and dietary advice. This was followed by 7 months of limited remote supervision, ending 13 months from baseline. The participants (3 females, 5 males; mean age 42.9 years) had conditions including type 2 diabetes (T2D), depression/stress, and metabolic syndrome (MS). After 6 months, body weight decreased significantly by 23 kg (95% CI; −33.7 to −12.2), with a minor non-significant decrease in lean body mass of 1.96 kg (95% CI; −4.34 to 0.27). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) increased by 18.5 mL/O2/kg/min. (95% CI; 13.8–23.1) and systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased by 33 (95% CI; −39 to −26) and 18 mmHg (95% CI; −23 to −14), respectively. Three of the 4 participants with T2D had normalized glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and all showed improved 2-h oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) without pharmacological treatment. Participants with T2D continued to lower HbA1c during the 7-month follow-up period. This 6-month lifestyle intervention restored metabolic health and improved cardiovascular health in 8 participants with lifestyle-related diseases while reducing the need for pharmacological treatments. These findings suggest that comprehensive lifestyle changes can reverse several medical conditions caused by evolutionary mismatch.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummere14770
TidsskriftScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Vol/bind34
Udgave nummer12
ISSN0905-7188
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
Funding: This work was supported by TrygFonden, The Oak Foundation (OCAY-18-774-OFIL). We are indebted to the participants in this study. In addition, Stine Kirkegaard Pehm\u00F8ller aided by conducting Beck Depression Inventory scores. This study was funded by the TrygFonden. The funder supported it financially; otherwise, it had no role or competing interest. Section for Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Research, the Parker Institute is supported by a core grant from The Oak Foundation (OCAY-18-774-OFIL), a group of philanthropic organizations giving grants to not-for-profit organizations around the world.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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