Diabetes and Exercise

Research has shown that exercise and diabetes go hand in hand. Exercise can be a vital part of self-managing diabetes, and if you don't have diabetes, being physically active can reduce your risk of getting the disease by lowering your blood glucose, blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and your risk for heart disease and stroke. The key is to find activities that you enjoy and to stick with them.

Diabetes Treatments

Diabetes and Exercise: An Overview

Diabetes means that your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. Your body uses glucose for energy, but having too much in your blood can hurt you. When you take care of your diabetes, you'll feel better. If you effectively manage your condition, you'll reduce your risk for problems with your:

Kidneys
Eyes
Nerves
Feet and legs
Teeth.

You'll also lower your risk for a heart attack or a stroke.

You can take care of your diabetes by:

Being physically active
Following a healthy meal plan
Taking diabetes medication (if your doctor prescribes them).

Impact of Exercise on Diabetes

Research has shown that in people with diabetes, exercise can:

Lower blood glucose and blood pressure
Lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL)
Improve the body's ability to use insulin
Lower the risk for heart disease and stroke
Keep the heart and bones strong
Keep the joints flexible
Lower the risk of falling
Help with weight loss
Reduce body fat
Provide more energy
Reduce stress.

If you do not have diabetes and exercise regularly, you can reduce or prevent type 2 diabetes. A major government study showed that a healthy diet and a moderate exercise program resulting in a 5 percent to 7 percent weight loss can delay and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes.

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