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Metabolic effects of high altitude trekking in patients with type 2 diabetes
Pieter de Mol1, Marion J Fokkert, Suzanna T de Vries
1Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. p.demol@aig.umcn.nl
Objective:
Limited information is available regarding the metabolic effects of high altitude trekking in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Research Design And Methods:
Thirteen individuals with type 2 diabetes took part in a 12-day expedition to the summit of Mount Toubkal (altitude, 4,167 m), Morocco, after 6 months of exercise training. Energy expenditure, body weight, blood glucose, fasting insulin, lipids, and HbA(1c) were assessed.
Results:
Training reduced fasting glucose (-0.7 ± 0.9 mmol/L, P = 0.026) and increased exercise capacity (+0.3 ± 0.3 W/kg, P = 0.005). High altitude trekking decreased fasting insulin concentrations (-3.8 ± 3.2 μU/L, P = 0.04), total cholesterol (-0.7 ± 0.8 mmol/L, P = 0.008), and LDL cholesterol (-0.5 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P = 0.007).
Conclusions:
High altitude trekking preceded by exercise training is feasible for patients with type 2 diabetes. It improves blood glucose, lipids, and fasting insulin concentrations, while glucose control is maintained.
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