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Intervention programs help obese diabetics reduce their heart risk

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

C-reactive protein test results often reveal high levels of inflammation among obese individuals with diabetes. This may increase their risk of developing a range of cardiovascular problems.

However, a new study has found that a one-year, intensive intervention may help these individuals reduce their C-reactive protein test results. This may enable them to greatly reduce their risk for developing heart complications.

For the study, researchers from the University of Texas enrolled nearly 2,000 obese women with diabetes into an intervention program that provided them with frequent counseling on improving exercise levels and reducing caloric intake.

After the one-year study, researchers found that the women who successfully completed the intervention program had an average 43.6 percent drop in C-reactive protein levels. Researchers said that individuals with diabetes may benefit from enrolling in similar programs.

"A one-year lifestyle intervention for weight loss in obese individuals with diabetes was associated with substantial reductions in [C-reactive protein]," the researchers wrote in their report. "Improved glycemic control and reduced adiposity."