How Regular Exercise can Help with Diabetes

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 by: Anthony Gucciardi
Tags: exercise, diabetes, health news

(NewsTarget) Regular exercise could be a natural and effective way to help treat diabetes. A study conducted with diabetic Hispanic men and women undergoing a strength training routine found that within 16 weeks there was dramatic improvement with their sugar control. With its positive impact on blood sugar, weight, and blood pressure, exercise is an activity that should be included in any routine.

Besides its beneficial properties regarding blood sugar, weight loss, and blood pressure, diabetics who exercise regularly have been found less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who do not. This exercise is not specific to strength training or anaerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise, such as walking or jogging, is similarly effective. Both of these exercises, whether combined or isolated, have been found to aid in the fight against diabetes.

How much exercise is too much? Over-exercising could cause your blood sugar to rise. Obviously, this is not something that is desirable for a diabetic. Be sure to start your exercise program very slowly in order for your body to adapt to the new regiment that it is going through. Start your exercise routine out by going on brisk walks or lifting weights. Always make sure to consult your physician.

The length of the exercise is also rather important. Most experts agree that roughly 45 minutes of exercise is enough. This prevents over-exercising, and therefore prevents the negative effects on your blood sugar levels. While it is recommended that you exercise for no more than 45 minutes, exercising for a shorter period of time is acceptable.

Warming up is very important as well. Always warm up before you start training in order to prevent too much stress on your body. Doing 10-15 very light repetitions of any exercise will increase blood flow, and eventually get your body ready for the exercise that you are about to perform. This is an important step that many often overlook.

When should you not exercise? If your blood sugar is above 250 mg/dL and you are ketones positive then it is considered a bad idea to exercise. Exercise could do more harm to your body than good at these levels. If your blood sugar is above 300 mg/dL but you are not ketones positive, then it would be advisable to exercise carefully. While exercise is certainly a great method of natural improvement, you do not want to do it when your body cannot handle the stress.

Exercising can help those suffering from diabetes improve their health. When following the guidelines and techniques outlined in this article, exercise can be a powerful tool against diabetes. Always be sure to also monitor your diet, ensuring it is full of living foods and super-foods.

Sources:
http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com/...
http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/exercise-gui...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06...
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,85...

About the author

Anthony Gucciardi is a health activist and wellness researcher, whose goal is centered around educating the general public as to how they may obtain optimum health. He has authored countless articles highlighting the benefits of natural health, as well as exposing the pharmaceutical industry. Anthony is the creator of Natural Society (http://www.NaturalSociety.com), a natural health website. Anthony has been accurately interpreting national and international events for years within his numerous political articles. Anthony's articles have been seen by millions around the world, and hosted on multiple top news websites.