Exercise For Diabetics

Edward S Bumgarner ©2010

The most common types of diabetes are known as Type
1 and Type 2.

 The Type 1 diabetes, which is also known as adolescent
diabetes, differs from Type 2 in the sense that the body
will stop producing insulin altogether.

Type 2 diabetes is normally  diagnosed in older adults
and occurs as the body stops producing enough insulin
or the individual becomes resistant to their own body
insulin.

No matter what form of diabetes it is, you'll lose
your ability to adequately utilize sugar.  The blood sugar
 levels will increase due to the body's difficulty in
transporting sugar into the cells and out of the blood
stream.

There are several ways to lower your blood sugar levels,
including diet, exercise, and medication.

As a whole, exercise is a very important part of
diabetic management for both Type 1 and Type 2
diabetics.  Those that have Type 1 will find regular
exercise helps to maintain insulin sensitivity, helps to
prevent the accumulation of excess weight, and also
increases the use of glucose by muscles.

Although there is really no way to prevent Type 1
diabetes, it is possible to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

The things to consider when you attempt to prevent
the onset of Type 2 diabetes are regular exercise
supplementation with vitamins and herbs that will
help to prevent insulin resistance and proper
control of weight.

Not only with exercise help directly with diabetic
management by lowering blood sugar levels and
maintaining insulin sensitivity, but it will also
help minimize several of the complications that
can occur in a diabetic individual.

Research has shown that walking 30 minutes
each day can diminish the possibility of developing
Type 2 diabetes.

Almost all diabetics tend to develop circulatory
problems and exercise can help lower blood
pressure and improve circulation throughout the
body.  Seeing as how people with diabetes tend to
have poor blood flow to their lower areas and
feet, better circulation is a great benefit.

Even though there are risks associated with
exercise, the potential benefits will outweigh
the risks.  Exercise does indeed lower blood sugar
levels, so those with diabetes should measure
their blood sugar both before and after they
exercise.

Since your body uses more sugar while
you exercise and makes you more sensitive to
insulin, there is a risk of blood sugar becoming
too low and causing hypoglycemia as a result.

Whenever you exercise, it is important to let
others know that you are diabetic. They should
also be informed about what they should do in
case of hypoglycemia. To be on the safe side, you
should always carry candy or fruit juice with you
to treat low blood sugar when it occurs.

During and after you have exercised, you should
pay very close attention about how you feel, since
rapid heart beat, increased sweating, feeling
shaky, or hunger can signal that your blood sugar
levels are getting too low.

With diabetic management and treatment, exercise
is very important.  Exercise will help with blood
sugar control when the muscles use more glucose and
the body becomes more sensitive to insulin.

Exercise will also help to prevent and minimize
common diabetic complications which include heart
problems, high blood pressure, and circulatory
deficiencies.

If you are a diabetic, exercise should be part of
your daily routine.  You should always exercise at
a slow pace and never overdo it.  Also, you
should be sure to exercise around people you know
or at a gym, so there will always be people around
you in case something goes wrong.

Being a diabetic doesn't have to hinder your life or
your performance, as exercise can help you get your
life back on track and heading in the right direction -
the healthy direction.