Controlling blood sugar level is key to combating diabetes and its debilitating effects. Because of the effect of exercise on blood sugar levels, those with diabetes are advised to work physical activity into their daily routines to help improve their health. Even light physical activity, such as walking or climbing stairs, can improve the health of those suffering from diabetes.
Blood Sugar Levels
The main impact of exercise on diabetes is that it lowers blood sugar levels, according to medical experts, including those at the Mayo Clinic. When you exercise, your body burns glucose (sugar) to create the energy needed for muscle contraction. Additionally, regular exercise improves the body's insulin response. Together, these two factors help lower your blood sugar levels. The more you exercise, the bigger the benefit, but almost any physical activity, especially if it requires you to be on your feet, can improve blood sugar levels.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance can happen in people who do not have diabetes, as well as those who do. According to the American Council on Exercise, "The latest research has put exercise at the forefront in the prevention, control and treatment of diabetes because it decreases insulin resistance." This occurs because exercise helps cells to respond to insulin better, more effectively removing glucose from the blood.
Diabetes Development
Studies show that when you lose weight, especially as a result of exercise, glucose tolerance improves as much as 75 percent, according to Dr. Ruchi Mathur, MD, with the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Mathur further shares that for every 500 calories burned per week with exercise, the risk for developing diabetes decreases 6 percent. Studies in Finland and at the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) found that groups of patients who exercised had significantly fewer members develop diabetes than in those groups who did not.
