Diabetes & Exercise

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

01 Jun 2006 11:30 AM

When you are talking about diabetes there are two different types. Type I is the one associated with insulin injections because the pancreas does not make enough. Type II is also known as adult onset diabetes. People diagnosed with type II diabetes are often prescribed with exercise and weight control as a way to help you with your insulin resistance.

Type II risk factors include:

· Inactivity · Obesity · Hypertension · High Cholesterol

It's important to note that you do not need all four of these behaviors to be at risk for Type II diabetes. Inactivity alone is a strong enough factor all by itself. If you have type II diabetes, then exercise will have a positive effect and improve your insulin sensitivity. Unfortunately, exercise is not a way of controlling Type I.

How Does Exercise Help Type II Diabetics?

When a body exercises, it processes glucose faster. The faster it processes the glucose, the lower the blood sugar levels. The more intensely you exercise, the more glucose you will burn; etc. Just knowing this isn't enough, however. Before you begin any exercise program related to your diabetes, you should always check with your physician. Training with Type I diabetes is different from training with Type II diabetes. There are guidelines specifically associated with insulin injections that you need to be aware of to avoid a dangerous situation such as hypoglycemia and more.

If your blood sugar levels vary - you should test them before every exercise session. You do not want them below 80 to 100 mg/dl and you do not want them higher than 250 mg/dl below. You want to test yourself during exercise and again in the few hours afterwards. You need to make sure that the diet you are eating supports your needs as a diabetic.

Finally, if you have type II diabetes you will benefit from exercise because of its effects on insulin sensitivity. You'll want o maintain your nutrition and exercise levels in a regular training protocol. You'll want to do this daily - it will help prevent hypoglycemia and you can build up gradually to a more strenuous exercise program.

Exercise and natural weight loss is the best path towards your wellness and permanent fitness. If you are concerned that you may have Type II diabetes or that you are a candidate for it, see your physician immediately. Your physician can provide you with a workout routine and proper nutrition guidelines to help improve your health and manage your condition.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Yosemite (133) 01 Jun 2006 01:53 PM

Type II Diabetes is also hereditary, and runs in families. Some people in good physical shape are still prone to it through genetics.

Heather Long (16954) 01 Jun 2006 02:56 PM

Now that I did not turn up in my research and I didn't know that -- interesting. Thank you for sharing!

vkirkman (58) 02 Jun 2006 06:17 AM

I couldn't agree with this article more. Since I started exercising (daily fitness walking) and lost weight, I have been taken off medication and have consistently maintain normal bg levels. Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Blood Pressure have also fallen into line! Good advice, Heather.

Libby Pelham (12876) 05 Jun 2006 03:35 PM

Exercise and diet are equally important. When I had gestational diabetes, I had to go on a diabetic diet. It wasn't so bad and since diabetes can be hereditary and it runs in both sides of my family, I'd better get used to it :-)

dejtemper (47) 12 Oct 2006 06:01 PM

Type I diabetics do not produce insulin at all. The islet of langerhan cells in the pancreas are destroyed by your immune system. In the very beginning of type 1 diabetes, you may still be producing a slight amount of insulin, but eventually all cells will be destroyed, and you will produce none.