Diabetes and Fitness

There are two main types of diabetes, type I and type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels. Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels or the cells not responding to insulin. When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is known as insulin resistance. When a subject is diagnosed with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are prescribed as measures to help with insulin resistance. If this does not control glucose levels, then medication is prescribed. The risk factors for type II diabetes include: inactivity, high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very strong risk factor that has been proven to lead to diabetes type II. Exercise will have a positive effect on diabetes type II while improving insulin sensitivity while type I cannot be controlled be an exercise program. Over 90% of individuals with diabetes have type II.

Exercise causes the body to process glucose faster, which lowers blood sugar. The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will utilize glucose. Therefore it is important to understand the differences in training with type I and type II diabetes. It is important for an individual who has diabetes to check with a physician before beginning an exercise program. When training with a diabetic, it is important to understand the dangers of injecting insulin immediately prior to exercise. An individual with type I diabetes injecting their normal amount of insulin for a sedentary situation can pose the risk of hypoglycemia or insulin shock during exercise. General exercise guidelines for type I are as follows: allow adequate rest during exercise sessions to prevent high blood pressure, use low impact exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting, and always have a supply of carbohydrates nearby. If blood sugar levels get too low, the individual may feel shaky, disoriented, hungry, anxious, become irritable or experience trembling. Consuming a carbohydrate snack or beverage will alleviate these symptoms in a matter of minutes.

Before engaging in exercise, it is important for blood sugar levels to be tested to make sure that they are not below 80 to 100 mg/dl range and not above 250 mg/dl. Glucose levels should also be tested before, during, after and three to five hours after exercise. During this recovery period (3-5 hours after exercise), it is important for diabetics to consume ample carbohydrates in order to prevent hypoglycemia.

Exercise will greatly benefit an individual with type II diabetes because of its positive effects on insulin sensitivity. Proper exercise and nutrition are the best forms of prevention for type II diabetics. It is important for training protocols to be repeated almost daily to help with sustaining insulin sensitivity. To prevent hypoglycemia, progressively work up to strenuous activity.

As with individuals with type I diabetes, carbohydrates should also be present during training to assist in raising blood sugar levels if the individual becomes low.

William is a personal trainer and runs http://www.myfightclub.com

---

Diabetes is Manageable

It is estimated that over 18 million people over the... Read More

Diabetes

The following information is for educational purposes only and is... Read More

Diabetic Complications - Can Benfotiamine Help Prevent Them?

Diabetic complications contribute too many life threatening diseases globally. The... Read More

Diabetes Symptoms, Causes & Types

Diabetes affects the manner in which the body handles carbohydrates,... Read More

Do You Have Diabetes? Symptoms Of Diabetes And How To Address Them

Diabetes mellitus is a condition resulting from the pancreas' inability... Read More

Tools to Manage Your Diabetes

It's estimated that in the US, over 18 million people... Read More

Double Diabetes -- Placing Your Kids at Even More Risk

In some medical circles it's called Type 3 Diabetes. Teenagers... Read More

Recognizing Early Symptoms Diabetes

Early symptoms diabetesStay alert in recognizing early symptoms of diabetes.... Read More

Diabetes And The Long Term Dangers

Diabetes has hidden dangers that begin before diagnosis and continue... Read More

Diabetes: Diabetics Fight Back

Many cases of diabetes go unnoticed or unchecked before a... Read More

Improper pH Balance Increases Risk and Damage of Diabetes

THE RISKBlood sugar balance is critical to your body's proper... Read More

Ascensia Breeze Glucometer Rated

Simple Testing Over and Over* simple and easy testing. Simple... Read More

Benfotiamine - A New Tool In Preventing Diabetic Complications?

Benfotiamine made headlines globally in 2003 when researchers released information... Read More

The Importance Of Following And Maintaining A Diabetic Diet

A diabetic diet is a specially designed eating plan that... Read More

STAT-LET? Auto Safety Lancets - Makes Diabetes Testing Easy!

Stat Medical Hardware, Inc (SMD) was founded in 1988 and... Read More

Diabetes Break-Thru Helps Battle Blood Sugar Woes

Are you a diabetic? If so, you are definitely not... Read More

If You Have Diabetes, You May Be Entitled To No Cost Diabetic Supplies

This article is intended to inform people with diabetes in... Read More

Diabetes and Exercise - Just Move it!

While exercise and eating guidelines are based on good scientific... Read More

Treating Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The toes burn and tingle and sharp pains shoot into... Read More

Some Changes Make A Big Difference!

When it comes to diabetes, small changes can make a... Read More

Medicinal Properties of Bitter Melon - Good for Diabetics

Bitter Melon is the English name of Momordica charantia, a... Read More

Raising Happy Diabetic Kids

This is the first in a series of articles I... Read More

Diabetes... Sweet Story of Healing

In a time not too long ago, there lived a... Read More

Revolutionary Lancet Device for Diabetic Glucose Testing

Now you can reduce the pain and inconvenience of testing.... Read More

The Subconscious Diet Can Help Protect Your Child From Type 2 Diabetes

Until obesity became epidemic, type 2 diabetes was virtually unheard... Read More