Exercise & Diabetes

You are no doubt aware that exercise can help prevent the serious complications that often come with diabetes and heart disease. Research has repeatedly shown that regular physical activity helps reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke, aids in weight loss, and improves mood.

But do you know that exercise can also help you reduce your blood glucose levels?

That's right. In people with type II diabetes, exercise may improve insulin sensitivity and assist in lowering elevated blood glucose levels into the normal range.

Here's how. When you exercise, your body uses more oxygen -- as much as 20 times more -- and even more in the working muscles, than when you are at rest. So the muscles use more glucose to meet their increased energy needs.

At the same time, exercise improves the action of insulin in the peripheral muscles, making it more efficient, so you get more out of the insulin your body is producing.

In older people with diabetes, the decrease in insulin sensitivity that comes with aging is also partly due to a lack of physical activity. So regular exercise benefits you now, and for years to come.

Sometimes, it may seem easier to pop a pill or even take a shot than to put on your walking shoes and hit the trail. But the truth is that exercise, in combination with a healthy diet, is one of the best things you can do to take care of yourself if you have diabetes.

Why exercise?

Exercise burns calories, which will help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Regular exercise can help your body respond to insulin and is known to be effective in managing blood glucose. Exercise can lower blood glucose and possibly reduce the amount of medication you need to treat diabetes, or even eliminate the need for medication.

Exercise can improve your circulation, especially in your arms and legs, where people with diabetes can have problems.

Exercise can help reduce your cholesterol and high blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Exercise helps reduce stress, which can raise your glucose level.

In some people, exercise combined with a meal plan, can control type II Diabetes without the need for medications.

Sources: National Diabetes Data Group. Diabetes in America, 2nd edition. NIDDK.

Jayachandran.R

http://www.aayurmart.com

---

Better Links Directory

Pancreas Transplants - A Solution For Type 1 Diabetes Sufferers?

Type 1 diabetes was formerly known as juvenile diabetes or... Read More

Diabetes Has Become A Risk in Mens Life

This is true that men with diabetes have an increased... Read More

Treating Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The toes burn and tingle and sharp pains shoot into... Read More

Humulin or Lantus, Which Insulin For Your Child?

Humulin or Lantus? When my daughter, who was 8, was... Read More

Diabetes Awareness: The Downside... a New Wardrobe?

Here is some commonsense thinking:I can't understand why anyone who... Read More

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes affects the manner in which the body handles digested... Read More

Protein Principles for Diabetes

Dietary considerations can present a Hobson's choice in diabetes. Even... Read More

Medicinal Properties of Bitter Melon - Good for Diabetics

Bitter Melon is the English name of Momordica charantia, a... Read More

STAT-LET? Auto Safety Lancets - Makes Diabetes Testing Easy!

Stat Medical Hardware, Inc (SMD) was founded in 1988 and... Read More

Recognizing Early Symptoms Diabetes

Early symptoms diabetesStay alert in recognizing early symptoms of diabetes.... Read More

Diabetes Break-Thru Helps Battle Blood Sugar Woes

Are you a diabetic? If so, you are definitely not... Read More

Locating Diabetic Supplies to Manage Diabetes

In the United States there are around 17 million people... Read More

Fibromyalgia and Insulin Resistance

Do you have symptoms that relate to an insulin imbalance?... Read More

The Importance Of Following And Maintaining A Diabetic Diet

A diabetic diet is a specially designed eating plan that... Read More

Just Say NO to an 1800 Diabetic Diet

It's been a year, and 85 blubbery pounds less, since... Read More

Diabetic Complications - Can Benfotiamine Help Prevent Them?

Diabetic complications contribute too many life threatening diseases globally. The... Read More

Diabetic Frozen Shoulder. An Explanation of The Frozen Shoulder - Diabetes Connection?

Diabetic frozen shoulder is a major problem. The pain and... Read More

Insulin

Insulin has two critical roles in the body that we... Read More

Raising Happy Diabetic Kids Part II

This is the second article in a series I am... Read More

If You Have Diabetes, You May Be Entitled To No Cost Diabetic Supplies

This article is intended to inform people with diabetes in... Read More

Pre-Diabetes - The Calm Before the Storm

Remember when the medical world identified pre-hypertension to better monitor... Read More

Normal Blood Sugar Levels ARE Possible for a Diabetic!

What are normal blood sugar levels? Fasting (blood sugar level... Read More

Diabetes

Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount... Read More

Diabetes Awareness: Ill Wait til it Hurts

By the time many type 2 diabetics (and often their... Read More

Diabetes: African Americans Deadly Foe

Diabetes is having a devastating effect on the African American... Read More