Researcher discovers a muscle that can promote glucose and fat burning to fuel metabolism for hours
Last edited Thu Sep 22, 2022, 05:24 AM - Edit history (1)
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-muscle-glucose-fat-fuel-metabolism.ampFrom the same mind whose research propelled the notion that "sitting too much is not the same as exercising too little," comes a groundbreaking discovery set to turn a sedentary lifestyle on its ear: The soleus muscle in the calf, though only 1% of your body weight, can do big things to improve the metabolic health in the rest of your body if activated correctly.
metabolism is the process by which oxygen is used to burn metabolites like blood glucose or fats, but it depends, in part, on the immediate energy needs of the muscle when it's working.
When the SPU was tested, the whole-body effects on blood chemistry included a 52% improvement in the excursion of blood glucose (sugar) and 60% less insulin requirement over three hours after ingesting a glucose drink.
In brief, while seated with feet flat on the floor and muscles relaxed, the heel rises while the front of the foot stays put. When the heel gets to the top of its range of motion, the foot is passively released to come back down. The aim is to simultaneously shorten the calf muscle while the soleus is naturally activated by its motor neurons.
Much more at link!
On edit: exercise is called the soleus pushup, in case anyone wants to look up videos.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Can help, can't hurt.
No clue how long, but it's easy enough to do a bunch of them.
I may be going to pt for an apparent nerve impingement in ankle (aka "foot drop"
. If I do, I'll get info on correct way to do this, if they know, & report back.
The article states 80% in US 65+ have either diabetes or prediabetes. So it's a big deal & I love that nearly anyone can do this!
As mentioned in other replies, I might be going to pt for ankle nerve impingement (aka "foot drop" .
If I do, I'll pick pt's brain about this & report back!
And presuming pt HAS a functional brain. Big IF in this region. Not joking.
But there is plenty of info online.
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+strengthen+soleus+muscle&sxsrf=ALiCzsb_eOsDeaAduN4F1CSg_ayQLOUMgQ%3A1663861054308&source=hp&ei=PoEsY8vODJDdkPIPg5uv6AY&oq=how+to+strengthen+soleus&gs_lcp=ChFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocBABGAEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBggAEB4QFjIGCAAQHhAWMgYIABAeEBYyBggAEB4QFjIGCAAQHhAWOgcIIxDqAhAnOgQIIxAnOhEILhCABBCxAxCDARDHARDRAzoICAAQsQMQgwE6CwguEIAEELEDEIMBOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToICAAQgAQQsQNQpApY6U1glmNoAHAAeACAAaACiAG_F5IBBjQuMjAuMZgBAKABAbABDw&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp
Result of google search.
I'm presuming working that muscle is what it's all about. 😉
Not sure of required repetitions, but it's easy enough to do while surfing net, watching tv, etc.
Sorry, inadvertently omitted from excerpts.
Maybe some videos online.
Ya, I'm supposed to be eating fat free, low salt, low catb, too. But what's left? 😞
I was so good for about 6 mos, then ate a bunch of small candy bars. 
But I'm back on track. At least with this exercise & supplements (Ceylon cinnamon & Jerusalem artichoke), I'm trying. 
Bookmarking....gotta get some sleep. 💤
Amazing how few foods have decent sugar substitutes. 😏
Everyone focuses on the gastroc, the big 2 joint muscle but that little soleus is deceptively important.
Heel raises with an extended knee are usually easy. Flex that knee and try it again and you will be humbled.
An interesting aside - if you ever get a cramp in your calf it starts about 2/3 the way up the calf inside of midline. Feels like a hard pea that then locks up all the muscle fibers. That trigger point matches a Chinese meridian point.
The human body is cool!
Thx for sharing!
You might read some of the responses here. Great ideas!
I googled exercises to strengthen soleus:
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+strengthen+soleus+muscle&sxsrf=ALiCzsb_eOsDeaAduN4F1CSg_ayQLOUMgQ%3A1663861054308&source=hp&ei=PoEsY8vODJDdkPIPg5uv6AY&oq=how+to+strengthen+soleus&gs_lcp=ChFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocBABGAEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBggAEB4QFjIGCAAQHhAWMgYIABAeEBYyBggAEB4QFjIGCAAQHhAWOgcIIxDqAhAnOgQIIxAnOhEILhCABBCxAxCDARDHARDRAzoICAAQsQMQgwE6CwguEIAEELEDEIMBOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToICAAQgAQQsQNQpApY6U1glmNoAHAAeACAAaACiAG_F5IBBjQuMjAuMZgBAKABAbABDw&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp
As stated above, I might have to resort to pt for a nerve impingement in ankle (aka "foot drop" .
If I do, I'll pick therapist brain about this & report back.
What's unclear to me is how often, # reps, etc. Are needed.
But it's so easy, I'll just do a bunch throughout the day & evening. Can help, can't hurt!
Thx for posting!