| You are no doubt aware that exercise can help | | | | you now, and for years to come. |
| prevent the serious complications that often come with | | | | Sometimes, it may seem easier to pop a pill or even |
| diabetes and heart disease. Research has repeatedly | | | | take a shot than to put on your walking shoes and hit |
| shown that regular physical activity helps reduce the | | | | the trail. But the truth is that exercise, in combination |
| likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke, aids in | | | | with a healthy diet, is one of the best things you can |
| weight loss, and improves mood. | | | | do to take care of yourself if you have diabetes. |
| But do you know that exercise can also help you | | | | Why exercise? |
| reduce your blood glucose levels? | | | | Exercise burns calories, which will help you lose weight |
| That's right. In people with type II diabetes, exercise | | | | or maintain a healthy weight. |
| may improve insulin sensitivity and assist in lowering | | | | Regular exercise can help your body respond to insulin |
| elevated blood glucose levels into the normal range. | | | | and is known to be effective in managing blood |
| Here's how. When you exercise, your body uses more | | | | glucose. Exercise can lower blood glucose and |
| oxygen -- as much as 20 times more -- and even | | | | possibly reduce the amount of medication you need to |
| more in the working muscles, than when you are at | | | | treat diabetes, or even eliminate the need for |
| rest. So the muscles use more glucose to meet their | | | | medication. |
| increased energy needs. | | | | Exercise can improve your circulation, especially in your |
| At the same time, exercise improves the action of | | | | arms and legs, where people with diabetes can have |
| insulin in the peripheral muscles, making it more efficient, | | | | problems. |
| so you get more out of the insulin your body is | | | | Exercise can help reduce your cholesterol and high |
| producing. | | | | blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood |
| In older people with diabetes, the decrease in insulin | | | | pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke. |
| sensitivity that comes with aging is also partly due to a | | | | Exercise helps reduce stress, which can raise your |
| lack of physical activity. So regular exercise benefits | | | | glucose level. |