diabetes | physical exercise | prevention

How does Physical Exercise help cure Diabetes?

Posted on June 27, 2007 in Diabetes Treatment

The first step to controlling diabetes is regular physical exercise, especially for people with type2 diabetes as this can help prevent complications arising from the condition. Exercise helps the body to decrease insulin resistance and burn excess glucose. When combined with a monitored diabetes diet, physical exercise also helps to perk up blood cholesterol levels and bring down stress levels.

How physical exercise can prove beneficial to diabetics
Studies reveal that exercise is a very effective way for diabetes treatment and prevention. Physical exercise causes muscles to use more glucose, which in turn reduces blood sugar levels. Any physical activity for a period of 20 minutes at least three times per week qualifies as regular exercise, but a counseling session with a healthcare provider is necessary to determine the best exercise and diabetes diet program for individual fitness goals. Benefits of lowered blood sugar levels, decreased blood pressure, improvement in cholesterol and achieving (and maintaining) a healthy weight are possible goals through regular physical exercise programs teamed with a balanced diabetic diet and integrated management skills.

Considerations when exercising: a must for people with diabetes
People with diabetes need to consider the selection of proper footwear, ways of monitoring blood sugar levels, keeping appropriate snacks handy and wearing a medical ID tag before undertaking any form of physical exercise.

Physical exercise: categories for prevention, control and treatment of diabetes
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing medical conditions like coronary artery disease, build up the immune system, improve blood circulation, flexibility and endurance levels in a person with diabetes. There are 3 basic categories of exercise for diabetics, Stretching, Cardio activity and Strength training.

Stretching exercises involve slow movements to stretch muscles and promote flexibility. A light warm-up is the first step to any stretching exercises and areas of attention are usually muscles of the calves, hamstrings and triceps. Many diabetics choose alternatives to avoid the dullness of routine stretching exercises and seek the increased flexibility offered by Yoga, Pilates and Tai chi.

Cardio/Aerobic activity involves using the body’s large muscles and raises the individual’s heartbeat and breathing rate. A minimum 30 minutes of cardio activity daily, for five days in the week can ensure sustained health benefits to the person with diabetes and bring down stress and blood sugar levels. Depending on an individual’s heart rate, cardio exercises can be Low, Moderate or High impact. The first two categories include walking, swimming and rowing whereas high impact cardio covers exercises like running, bicycling and skating.

Strength training teaches persons to build up each muscle group by performing through repetition. These exercises use free weights, weight machines, elastic bands or regular household items like water bottles.

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3 Responses to “How does Physical Exercise help cure Diabetes?”

Mary Lil Says:
October 7th, 2007 at 4:29 am

I have a client that is >350 lbs. and wheelchair bound. What exercise can I implement for this male. He has IDDM.

steven Says:
December 4th, 2007 at 2:14 pm

my uncle is handicap person a wheelchair bound. What exercise can I implement for this male.

CHETAN Says:
February 12th, 2008 at 10:35 am

Can you mailed me booklet for exercise to be done during diabetes. My sugar level is 394 after having my food. Its urgent for me.

How does Physical Exercise help cure Diabetes?

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3 Responses to “How does Physical Exercise help cure Diabetes?”

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