Diabetes and Fitness

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body is unable to produce the hormone insulin, or where the body is unable to respond to insulin, this results in an abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and high levels of glucose in the blood.

There are two different types of diabetes – namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes. People will type 1 diabetes don’t produce any insulin and people with type 2 diabetes cannot respond to insulin as they should and later start to produce too little insulin.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes you will very quickly learn that you need to make some lifestyle changes in order to manage your diabetes.

The first lifestyle change that probably comes to mind will be that you must monitor how much sugar you take into your diet. Things like drinking Coco Cola, eating candy and eating a diet high in carbohydrates will have to be a thing of the past.

However it is important to note that fitness and exercise play a massive role too.

The Importance Of Exercise For Diabetics

Physical activity is a vital part of your treatment plan, along with managing your diabetic diet. Being fit will enable you to better manage your diabetes and to keep the glucose levels in your blood stable.

According to Dr. Eldor Brish it is essential to control your blood glucose level to prevent further complications such as kidney disease and nerve pain.

Regular exercise can help you to control your blood sugar levels. People with type 2 diabetes have excess glucose in their blood due to the fact that their body either does not produce sufficient levels of insulin to process it or because their body is insulin resistant and and doesn’t use the insulin properly.

When you exercise your muscles can use glucose without needing insulin. This means that your muscles get the glucose and your blood sugar levels go down. In the case of being insulin resistant , exercise lowers your insulin resistance which means that your body can process the glucose more effectively.

Exercise helps to keep your heart healthy and to maintain good cholesterol levels, which is essential for people with diabetes 2 since they are more prone to developing blocked arteries which can in turn lead to a heart attack.

In addition to these essential points exercise will give you many more health benefits. Exercise will increase your levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and help to lower your blood pressure.

Exercise will help you to lose weight and maintain a good body weight while building stronger muscles and bones. With regular exercise you will find that you sleep better and you have more energy.

Along with these physical benefits being fit also brings mental health benefits. You will find your mood is improved and your stress levels are greatly reduced. Exercise is a great way to combat depression and improve any other mental health problems that you may be facing.

It is important to start slow with an exercise program if you are new to exercise, especially if you are overweight which may just be the case if you have been diagnosed with diabetes Type 2. It would be best to discuss talk to your doctor about an exercise plan to get you started.