Exercise also has been shown to diminish levels of circu-
lating advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are a
heterogeneous group of compounds created through nonen-
zymatic reactions between reducing sugars and free amino
groups of proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids [11,12], Their path-
ologic effects in diabetes [13] and in the development of
complications of obesity such as metabolic syndrome (MetS)
and IR [14], are related to the ability of these compounds to
promote oxidative stress and inflammation by binding with
cell surface receptors or cross-linking with body proteins,
altering their structure and function [15]. It has been demon-
strated that a program of tai chi performed twice per week for
12 mo decreased serum AGE concentrations in 60 healthy
overweight patients, aged 49 to 53 y