You walk every day. You quit sugar. So why is your blood sugar still rising? Doctor explains what people do wrong - The Times of India

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You’ve been told to walk more. Doctors say that’s not enough anymore

Doctors have now started to notice a pattern that shows up in many clinics. People walk every day, avoid sugar in tea, stay active at home, and still struggle with rising blood sugar, weight gain, or blood pressure. It feels unfair, almost confusing. In a recent post, Dr Sudhir Kumar put this into sharp words. The issue, he said, is not effort. It’s direction. Many patients believe they are winning the health battle, but their reports tell a different story. What he shared is less about blame and more about clarity. It helps explain why some habits feel healthy but fall short, and what actually moves the needle.

The illusion of “I walk every day”

Walking is good. It improves mood, keeps joints active, and supports heart health. But it has limits.

Dr Kumar points out a hard truth: walking alone does not build muscle in a meaningful way. And muscle is not just about strength or looks. It acts like a sponge that absorbs glucose from the bloodstream.

Without enough muscle, the body struggles to manage sugar efficiently. So even if someone walks 8,000 steps a day, their metabolism may still lag behind.

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The Guidelines released by WHO has highlighted that physical activity must include both aerobic and muscle-strengthening components to reduce lifestyle disease risk.

The silent loss after 30

After the age of 30, the body slowly begins to lose muscle mass. This condition, known as Sarcopenia, reduces strength, balance, and metabolic health over time. The numbers are striking. Muscle mass can drop by 3- 8% per decade. That means the body’s ability to handle glucose also declines. This is where many people get misled. Weight may stay the same, but body composition worsens. Fat increases, muscle decreases, and metabolic health slips.

Strength training is not about lifting heavy in a gym. It can be as simple as squats, resistance bands, or push-ups at home. But it needs to challenge the body. That challenge is what signals the body to preserve and build muscle.

Cutting sugar is just the beginning

Many people proudly say they have “quit sugar.” And that’s a good step. But it is only the first step. Dr Kumar highlights a common gap in Indian diets. Even without sweets, meals remain heavy in refined carbohydrates, rice, rotis, poha. These foods still raise blood sugar quickly.

The bigger issue is what’s missing: protein.

A low-protein diet does two things. It reduces muscle mass and increases hunger. That often leads to overeating carbs, creating a cycle that is hard to break. The National Institute of Nutrition under Indian Council of Medical Research recommends balanced macronutrient intake, yet surveys show protein consumption in India is often below optimal levels.

Dr Kumar’s advice is simple but powerful: aim for about 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. When protein intake improves, cravings often reduce naturally.

Why a neurologist is talking about muscles

This is where the conversation becomes deeper. Muscles are not just for movement. They act like an endocrine organ. When they are used during strength training, they release compounds called myokines. These molecules have far-reaching effects. They help reduce inflammation, support brain health, and may lower the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. That explains why a neurologist is concerned about squats and protein. The brain and body are not separate systems. They work together more closely than most people realise.

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