Vibrations transferred to the human body could lead to reduced inflammation in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a US study.
Whole body vibration is a generic term used when vibrations of any frequency are sent through a person, with home and gym-based workout machines offering a common way to experience this technique.
Researchers from Medical College of Georgia and Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University say regular use of whole body vibration can lead to improved gut health and reduced inflammation.
According to the results of the mice study, the vibrations also may boost the way the body uses glucose as an energy source.
The study showed that the microbiome – a collection of microorganisms which aid digestion and can protect against invading pathogens – was altered following whole body vibration.
Specifically, vibrations led to a greater percentage of the right type of macrophages, cells responsible for promoting or preventing inflammation.
The findings also showed an increase in a bacterium responsible for manufacturing short chain fatty acids, which can support improved utilisation of glucose. This gut bacterium, which is called Alistipes, increased by 17 times following the vibrations.
Researcher Dr Jack Yu from Augusta said these short chain fatty acids are also “very good” at decreasing inflammation in the gut.
During the experiments, the researchers tried dispensing a dose of this bacteria together with a smaller whole body vibration regime which involved 10 minutes instead of 20 minutes five days every week. The results showed this approach worked.
The researchers concluded that as Alistipes increased, in turn, glucose use and the macrophage mix also improved.
The study was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.