Final answer:
Regular exercise leads to reduced fasting glucose and insulin levels, reflecting improved insulin sensitivity, and increases metabolic rate both during and after activity. It supports metabolic health by utilizing fat stores for energy and preserving glucose, and counters the potential insulin resistance that may result from metabolic acidosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The metabolic effects of exercise, irrespective of weight loss, are significant and include various beneficial changes. Exercise does not merely help with weight loss due to energy transfer from your body in the form of heat and work, but it also increases metabolic rate even when at rest. Notably, one of the advantages of regular exercise is that it leads to reduced fasting glucose and insulin levels, which is indicative of improved insulin sensitivity, contrary to increasing LDL and insulin levels or reducing insulin sensitivity.
Following exercise, there is often what's known as a glucose-sparing effect, where the body leans more on fat stores for energy, thus preserving glucose. Over time, regular physical activity can lead to adaptations such as increased muscle mass, which inherently boosts metabolism and improves the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels, enhancing overall metabolic health.
Furthermore, it has been observed that metabolic acidosis may influence the metabolic pathway, potentially leading to insulin resistance. However, consistent exercise can mitigate these effects by maintaining the insulin signaling pathway. Insulin has an important role in facilitating glucose uptake into cells, hence playing a pivotal role in energy metabolism.