Physiology of cold exposed humans and the implications for type 2 diabetes

Repeated cold exposure is beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, it seems that some muscle activity/shivering is needed during cold exposure to improve glucose metabolism. This thesis investigated the effect of cold exposure, when shivering was induced, on glucose metabolism. Repeated cold exposure with shivering improved the glucose metabolism and fat metabolism of adults who are overweight or obese. In addition, repeated shivering decreased blood pressure. This suggests that repeated cold exposure with shivering could be a new lifestyle treatment for obesity-related metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, a unique population of pastoralists living in yurts in an extreme cold environment was examined. These people were exposed daily to freezing temperatures and had a higher daily energy use than western populations. Moreover, finger blood flow in the cold-living population was better adapted for cold conditions than a population living in a milder environment.