Medical Bulletin 13/March/2026

Here are the top medical news for today:

Researchers Identify Unexpected Strategy to Make Exercise More Effective

Regular exercise is widely known to improve overall health, but people with high blood sugar may not always experience its full benefits. A new study suggests that dietary changes-particularly increasing fat intake through a ketogenic diet-may help restore the body’s ability to respond to exercise. The research was published in Nature Communications.

Exercise normally improves the body’s capacity to absorb and use oxygen to produce energy, a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness and long-term health. However, individuals with Hyperglycemia often struggle with reduced oxygen uptake during physical activity. High blood sugar is associated with a greater risk of Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, and other metabolic complications.

The study, led by researcher Sarah Lessard from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, examined how diet influences exercise response. In experiments involving mice, the researchers found that animals placed on a Ketogenic Diet—a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet—experienced a rapid drop in blood sugar levels. Within a week, their blood glucose returned to normal levels despite previously showing signs similar to diabetes.

Over time, the ketogenic diet also caused significant changes in the animals’ muscles. The muscles developed more slow-twitch fibers, which are associated with greater endurance and improved aerobic capacity. As a result, the mice became more efficient at using oxygen during exercise, indicating improved metabolic and cardiovascular function.

The ketogenic diet works by inducing Ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy. Although the diet has long been used to treat Epilepsy, researchers are increasingly exploring its potential benefits for metabolic disorders such as Diabetes.

Scientists emphasize that diet and exercise work best together. While further studies in humans are needed, the findings suggest that improving blood sugar control through diet may enhance the body’s ability to gain health benefits from physical activity.

REFERENCE: Pattarawan Pattamaprapanont, Roberto C. Nava, Rea Grover, Mia Formato, Eileen M. Cooney, Ana Paula Pinto, Ana B. Alves-Wagner, Anamica Das, Yuntian Guan, Meghana Annambhotla, Saanvi Acharya, Donato A. Rivas, Sarah J. Lessard. A ketogenic diet enhances aerobic exercise adaptation and promotes muscle mitochondrial remodeling in hyperglycemic male mice. Nature Communications, 2026; 17 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69349-5

Hormone Asprosin Linked to Long-Term Weight Changes After Menopause: Study

A new study suggests that the hormone Asprosin may play an important role in long-term weight changes among postmenopausal women. Researchers from the University of California, Irvine found that this fasting-induced hormone could influence body composition and weight stability, potentially offering a new target for preventing obesity and related metabolic diseases. The findings were published in The Journal of Nutrition.

Weight gain after menopause is a major health concern because it increases the risk of cardiometabolic conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes. However, the biological factors driving long-term weight changes during this stage of life are not fully understood. Asprosin, which is produced mainly by fat tissue, helps regulate energy balance by stimulating the liver to release glucose and signaling the brain to increase appetite.

The research team, led by Simin Liu, analyzed data from more than 4,000 postmenopausal women participating in the Women's Health Initiative, a large national study involving women aged 50 to 79 across the United States. Scientists measured baseline asprosin levels in blood samples collected between 1993 and 1998 and monitored participants’ body weight, fat mass, and lean body mass over a three-year period. Some participants also underwent detailed body composition analysis using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scans.

Among women without obesity or diabetes at the start of the study, those with the highest asprosin levels gained significantly less weight over three years compared with those with the lowest levels. They were 43% less likely to experience major weight gain and 83% more likely to achieve significant weight loss, although some weight loss involved reductions in lean muscle mass.

Researchers suggest that asprosin may help maintain weight stability when metabolic health is intact. However, its effects may weaken in the presence of insulin resistance or early diabetes. Further studies are needed to determine whether modifying asprosin levels could help develop targeted treatments for obesity and metabolic disorders.

REFERENCE: Ng, S., et al. (2026). Circulating Asprosin Levels and Body Weight Changes in Postmenopausal Women: Findings from the Women’s Health Initiative. Journal of Nutrition. DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101441. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022316626000908?via%3Dihub

Early Daytime Eating Linked to Lower Nighttime Glucose in Gestational Diabetes: Study

A recent study published in Diabetologia suggests that the timing of the first meal of the day may influence blood sugar patterns in pregnant individuals with Gestational Diabetes. The findings indicate that eating earlier in the day could help improve nighttime glucose control during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes affects roughly one in ten pregnancies in the United States and is associated with complications such as Pre-eclampsia, high birthweight, and neonatal metabolic problems. Managing blood glucose levels is therefore essential for protecting both maternal and fetal health. While dietary advice traditionally focuses on the type and amount of carbohydrates consumed, scientists are increasingly investigating how meal timing may affect metabolism.

The study analyzed data from pregnant individuals between 20 and 35 weeks of pregnancy who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Participants were recruited at Oregon Health & Science University between 2021 and 2023. Researchers used Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) along with self-monitored blood glucose readings to examine 24-hour glucose patterns.

Participants were divided into two groups based on when they ate their first meal. Those who ate before 9:56 a.m. were classified as early eaters, while those who ate later were considered late eaters. The analysis included 71 participants after excluding incomplete or irregular data.

Both groups showed normal daily glucose rhythms, with levels rising during the day and falling overnight. However, people who ate earlier in the day had an earlier glucose rhythm and lower nighttime glucose levels. Late eaters had about 0.26 mmol/L higher glucose levels during sleep, suggesting that later meal timing may affect overnight glucose regulation.

Although overall daily glucose averages were similar between groups, the results highlight the potential importance of meal timing. Researchers note that earlier eating could become a simple lifestyle strategy to support gestational diabetes management, though further studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate pregnancy outcomes.

REFERENCE: Cunningham, H. A., Ward, L., Butler, M. P., & Valent, A. M. (2026). Early meal timing improves nocturnal glucose in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes. Diabetologia. DOI: 10.1007/s00125-026-06701-w, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-026-06701-w