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

---

Diabetic Foot Care Tips: Cant Afford to Ignore It!

Most of the time, we focus on health or skin... Read More

Diabetes

Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount... Read More

Protein Principles for Diabetes

Dietary considerations can present a Hobson's choice in diabetes. Even... Read More

Accu-Check Aviva Glucometer - New for Diabetes Testing

Now you can help make every test strip count as... Read More

Medicinal Properties of Bitter Melon - Good for Diabetics

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

Revolutionary Lancet Device for Diabetic Glucose Testing

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

Adult Onset Diabetes and Quacks

Adult onset diabetes, like the common ulcer of a few... Read More

Preparing Your Child and Family for Life With Diabetes

After the initial shock of diagnosis wears off and we... Read More

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy.... Read More

Diabetes... Sweet Story of Healing

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

Diabetes and Fitness

There are two main types of diabetes, type I and... Read More

The Importance Of Following And Maintaining A Diabetic Diet

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

Benfotiamine And Diabetic Retinopathy

Damage from diabetes can occur in different areas of the... Read More

Living with Diabetes and Celiac Disease

Living with multiple health problems can complicate things. As a... Read More

The Profect Solution for Diabetics

Diabetes, which affects more than 6% of the US population... Read More

Fanning the Flames of the Diabetes Epidemic

INTRODUCTIONIt is my pleasure to introduce to you, a new... Read More

Type II Diabetes: Insulin-Dependent Diabetes

The term diabetes refers to higher than normal levels of... Read More

Tools to Manage Your Diabetes

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

Fibromyalgia and Insulin Resistance

Do you have symptoms that relate to an insulin imbalance?... Read More

Diabetes Awareness: Family of Diabetics

Thousands, if not millions of people have diabetes in their... Read More

I Have Diabetes or Another Chronic Condition - Should I Use an HSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are becoming quite popular for people... Read More

Build Health: Want To Prevent Diabetes?

To prevent diabetes you will get a real jolt when... Read More

Improper pH Balance Increases Risk and Damage of Diabetes

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

Diabetes and its Management

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most costly burdensome chronic... Read More

Hyperglycemia, Diabetes, and Managing Blood Sugar

So, after a miserable 10 hours of blood tests it's... Read More

Raising Happy Diabetic Kids Part II

This is the second article in a series I am... Read More

Exercise & Diabetes

You are no doubt aware that exercise can help prevent... Read More

Diabetes Breakthrough Helps Diabetics Fight Back!

Have you heard about the diabetes breakthrough that lowers blood... Read More

Locating Diabetic Supplies to Manage Diabetes

In the United States there are around 17 million people... Read More

Insulin

Insulin has two critical roles in the body that we... Read More

Diabetes Type 2 and Artificial Sweeteners

Diabetes Type 2 (adult onset)Refined carbs/sugars are actually the biggest... Read More

Medical Supply Cases for Insulin and Diabetics

Medical supply manufacturers are continuously conceptualizing medical supplies needed by... Read More

Diabetes and Exercise - Just Move it!

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