The American Diabetes Association describes blood glucose, or sugar, control as "an essential measure of your health." Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or does not properly use the insulin it has. Untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to a life-threatening condition called ketoacidosis. To prevent complications, your doctor may recommend diet modification or medication to keep your blood sugar in control. Moderate exercise can be a way to lower blood sugar and keep your body healthy.
Significance
The University of Michigan states that exercise can be just as effective at lowering blood sugar as diabetes medications, such as Metformin. If you do not want to rely on medication for the rest of your life, consider starting an exercise program.
Function
During continuous moderate exercise, your body needs more glucose to keep the muscles energized. "When you exercise, your muscles become more sensitive to insulin and absorb more glucose from the blood," according to Health.com. Your body will take the available glucose and use it for energy during exercise, lowering blood sugar. Intense exercise may have the opposite effect and raise blood sugar.
Effects
For diabetic patients, exercise can "lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and strengthen the heart," says the New York Times. Consistent exercise with an optimal diet may lower blood sugar enough that your doctor may eventually discontinue your diabetes medication. Exercise done consistently will allow the body to best respond to insulin, allowing the body of the diabetic to work more effectively.
Considerations
It is important to monitor your blood sugar before, during and after exercise. Speak with your doctor before initiating a new exercise regime, particularly if you are on medications to lower your blood sugar. The Mayo Clinic recommends testing your blood sugar 30 minutes before starting to exercise. A safe range to begin exercise would be a blood sugar of 100 to 250 mg/dl. Do not exercise if your level is out of this range.
As your body uses glucose for energy during exercise, you may experience signs that your blood sugar is dropping. Check your blood sugar every 30 minutes and stop exercising if you feel nervous, shaky or confused. Finally, test your blood sugar immediately after your routine and then again over the next couple of hours. Your body uses the sugar stored in your muscles and liver for energy during exercise. The Mayo Clinic says, "As your body rebuilds these stores, it takes sugar from your blood." Your blood sugar may remain low for several hours if your workout was intense.
Types
Strenuous aerobic exercise, such as running, uses a greater percentage of glucose for energy than light exercise, such as walking. The longer and more intense the aerobic activity, the more your blood sugar will drop. Anaerobic exercise, or exercise performed at high intensity for a short period of time--such as heavy weight lifting--may actually raise blood sugar levels. It is important to discuss instructions for insulin regulation if this is the type of exercise you plan to regularly engage in. Regardless of the type, remember to warm-up and cool-down to prevent injury.
Warning
Exercising with complications caused by diabetes can make the problems worse if care is not given. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse suggests speaking to your physician and explaining the type of exercise you plan to do to ensure safety. Weight-lifting exercise may exacerbate complications with blood vessels in the eyes. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, may make walking difficult. Inadequate blood flow to the feet may cause sores to worsen if proper shoes are not used.
References
- University of Michigan: Exercise Nearly as Successful as Drugs at Lowering Blood Sugar
- New York Times: Exercise's Effects on Diabetes
- Mayo Clinic: Diabetes and Exercise: When to Monitor your Blood Sugar
- USA Today: Exercise Aids Blood Sugar Levels
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Physical Activity and Diabetes
