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