Diabetes and Exercise:

Hello All!

Let’s talk about something most of us don’t like and try to avoid… Exercise!

Exercise is very important in managing type 2 diabetes. Combining diet, exercise, and medicine (when prescribed) can help control your weight and blood sugar level.

Exercise helps control type 2 diabetes by:

- Improving your body’s use of insulin
- Burning excess body fat, helping to decrease and control weight (decreased body fat results in improved insulin sensitivity)
- Improving muscle strength
- Increasing bone density and strength
- Lowering blood pressure
- Helping to protect against heart and blood vessel disease by lowering ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and increasing ‘good’ HDL cholesterol
- Improving blood circulation and reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke
- Increasing energy level and enhancing work capacity
Reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and releasing tension and anxiety

How Does Exercise Affect Blood Sugar Levels?

Normally, insulin is released from the pancreas when the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood increases, such as after eating. Insulin stimulates the liver and muscles to take in excess glucose. This results in a lowering of the blood sugar level.

When exercising, the body needs extra energy or fuel (in the form of glucose) for the exercising muscles. For short bursts of exercise, such as a quick sprint to catch the bus, the muscles and the liver can release stores of glucose for fuel. With continued moderate exercising, however, your muscles take up glucose at up to 20 times the normal rate. This helps lowers blood sugar levels. At the same time insulin levels may drop in anyone not taking insulin so the risks of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is minimized.

But intense exercise can have the opposite effect and actually temporarily increase your blood glucose levels right after you stop exercising. This is especially true for many people with diabetes. The body recognizes intense exercise as a stress and releases stress hormones that tell your body to increase available blood sugar to fuel your muscles. If you have diabetes you may need to check your sugar after exercise to see if this happens to you.

Is Blood Sugar Ever Too High to Exercise?

Yes. In some cases, you should hold off on exercising if your blood sugar is very high and your body is producing ketones. Ask your doctor about if and when you should hold off on exercise.

Bottom line: Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine. Have your blood tested also. As in my case, I was producing too much ketones and have to do light to moderate exercises. Most of us don’t like to do it but if you break it down into 5-10 minute increments several times a day, it will help you a great deal!

I hope you find my blog useful and feel free to share it with others! ^.^