Fact Check: Can Soleus Push Up lead to reduction of blood sugar 1 mg/dl in a minute?
An Instagram post claims that Soleus Push up can lead to reduction of blood sugar 1 mg/dl in a minute. The claim by the user is Misleading.
Claim
In an Instagram post, it is claimed that Soleus Push up which is a simple exercise can lead to the reduction of blood sugar by 1 mg/dl in a minute. The reel by the user, dr.biswarooproychowdhury is titled, "बिना दवाई ऐसे होगी Sugar Control - Dr. Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury" In the reel, the user says, "If you sit idle like this, it's known to be bad manners. If you keep shaking your leg for half hour while sitting like this, it will reduce 30 mg/dl of blood sugar. Now, if you keep doing this, your blood sugar will decrease by 1 mg/dl per minute. That means if you want your blood sugar to decrease by 60 mg per decimeter, do it for one hour straight. Check your blood sugar after that and see the result. There's no need for proof in this. You can try it yourself for one day and see."
The reel has garnered 25.2 million views, 600,900 likes, 1,298 comments, and 646,000 shares. It can be viewed here.
Fact Check
The claim by Instagram user is Misleading. Soleus Push-Up may aid in managing diabetes; however, no scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that it can lower blood sugar levels by 1 mg/dL per minute.
What is Blood Sugar?
Blood sugar, or blood glucose, refers to the amount of glucose present in the bloodstream, which serves as the body's main energy source. Its regulation depends on insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that enables glucose to enter cells. Persistently high blood sugar levels can result in a chronic condition known as diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or when the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. Poorly managed diabetes often leads to hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, which can, over time, cause serious harm to various body systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.
What are the Types of Diabetes?
Diabetes is classified into four primary types, as defined by the WHO:
Type 1 Diabetes: Also called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, this type occurs due to insufficient insulin production, requiring daily insulin administration. In 2017, it affected around 9 million people, primarily in high-income countries. The exact causes and prevention strategies remain unknown.
Type 2 Diabetes: This form affects the body's ability to utilize glucose for energy by disrupting insulin function, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, it can damage nerves and blood vessels. It is largely preventable, with key risk factors including obesity, inactivity, and genetics. Early detection through regular check-ups and blood tests is vital, as symptoms often develop gradually and may remain unnoticed until complications occur. Type 2 diabetes accounts for over 95% of cases and, although formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes, is increasingly diagnosed in children.
Gestational Diabetes: This type occurs during pregnancy and involves blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. It can lead to complications during pregnancy and delivery and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later for both mother and child. Diagnosis typically occurs during prenatal screening.
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) and Impaired Fasting Glycemia (IFG): These conditions are characterized by blood sugar levels that are elevated but below the threshold for diabetes. While they increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, progression is not inevitable.
Can Diabetes Be Cured?
While there is currently no cure for diabetes, many individuals can achieve diabetes reversal. This entails managing blood sugar levels so effectively that medication is no longer required, and sustaining this condition through a dedicated regimen of healthy eating and regular physical activity
What are Soleus Push-Ups?
Soleus push-ups are a simple seated exercise targeting the soleus, a deep calf muscle, to enhance metabolic health and circulation. Performed by rhythmically lifting and lowering the heels while keeping the balls of the feet on the ground. Ideal for people with sedentary lifestyles or limited mobility, soleus push-ups can be done anywhere without equipment, making them an accessible and effective way to boost circulation and support overall metabolic health.
Can Soleus Push Up lead to reduction of blood sugar 1 mg/dl in a minute?
No, Soleus Push Up cannot reduce blood sugar by 1 mg/dL in a minute. While Soleus Push-Up may lower blood sugar levels over time and help in managing and preventing diabetes, achieving a reduction of 1 mg/dL per minute consistently through simple exercise lacks scientific evidence or medical consensus.
The "Soleus Push-Up" is an exercise method that targets metabolic health. Marc T. Hamilton et. al.'s study demonstrated that performing this exercise may result in significant improvements in VLDL and triglyceride levels and enhanced glucose tolerance in participants.
Similarly, According to Dávid Elek et. al.'s research, Soleus Push-Up exercise offers a range of physiological benefits, such as better blood sugar regulation, improved blood flow, elevated energy generation, and more efficient metabolic activity.
Exercise also plays a vital role in diabetes management and prevention of diabetes. The study by Salwa J. Zahalka et. al. highlights exercise as a crucial element of lifestyle therapy for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes, showing positive impacts on disease prevention, treatment, and associated morbidity and mortality.
Engaging in Soleus push-ups and physical activity may help lower blood sugar levels over time, making it an effective strategy for managing and preventing diabetes. However, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that Soleus Push-Up leads to a reduction of blood sugar 1 mg/dl in a minute. Hence, the user's claim is MISLEADING.
In a conversation with Dr Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology, Zandra Healthcare and Co-founder of Rang De Neela Initiative he said, "Soleus push-up has been there in medical literature for quite some time. And soleus push-ups are known to cause a drop in postprandial blood sugars. An average Indian spends at least 8 to 10 hours sometimes sitting. And this can be done sitting on a chair, and it can help in controlling blood sugars. The The physiology behind it is the soleus is a muscle in the back of the knee, and it connects to the heel bone. By doing this soleus push-up, where you touch your feet are on the ground, then you lift your heel and then lift your toes, and it helps in a different metabolism of the soleus muscle. The soleus is the muscle which prevents you from falling forward. And so this soleus push-up helps the physiology better than the walking or running. That is what the scientists have suggested. And by doing this, you are using fuel not only from the intramuscular glycogen, which all other muscles use, but they are using some fuel from the blood, and it helps in reducing blood sugar. But it is also important to note that this Soleus push-up cannot lead to reduction of blood sugar 1 mg/dl in a minute. This is a highly exaggerated claim and does not provide such benefits."
Dr Mahesh D M, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Endocrinology), DNB (Endocrinology), Consultant Endocrinology, Aster CMI Hospital further said, "This question raises intriguing considerations about the relationship between physical activity and glucose metabolism. Engaging in even minimal exercise may trigger physiological responses that facilitate the utilization of glucose by the body's cells, potentially leading to rapid changes in blood sugar levels. Such exercises could include activities like brisk walking, light stretching, Soleus Push up, or even simple calisthenics. These movements may enhance insulin sensitivity and promote glucose uptake, suggesting that even short bursts of physical activity can have immediate effects on blood sugar levels. Understanding the mechanisms behind this phenomenon is essential for those looking to manage their blood sugar effectively. When the body engages in physical activity, it often requires more energy, prompting cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This process can lead to a measurable reduction in blood sugar levels, highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating regular, even brief, exercise into daily routines for better metabolic health. Soleus Push-Up exercise is beneficial for diabetic patient but cannot reduce blood sugar by 1 mg/dL within a minute. Blood sugar regulation is a gradual process influenced by multiple factors, including consistent physical activity and diet."
Health Dialogues Final Take
The claim that Soleus Push-Up reduces blood sugar by 1 mg/dL per minute is Misleading. While Soleus Push-Up is an effective and essential strategy for managing blood sugar, its effects are neither immediate nor as rapid as claimed. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to back the claim by the user.
Hence, the claim by the user is MISLEADING.