The answer is yes, there is sufficient proof exercise is really beneficial to helping Type 2 diabetics with their disease. Once you break down the ways that exercise helps, it is easy to justify getting up and incorporating it as part of your daily routine.

Starting with the heart: Exercise helps to improve circulation which in turns helps to prevent plaque buildup and pumps oxygen-rich blood to the much-needed areas of the body. Improved circulation also helps to ward off issues caused from poor circulation. Having diabetes doubles your risk for serious cardiovascular disease and makes it two to four times more likely you will die from it compared to the general population.

Exercise helps your body to release hormones and glucagon: These work to break down fatty liver deposits. It also helps your liver to deal with insulin more effectively, which allows for more control over your blood sugar levels.

Burns more body fat: The better you train your muscles the better they burn fat. By burning excess fat, exercise keeps the body slim and takes unnecessary pressure off of your joints and muscles that are strained when trying to carry around an overweight body. Excessive weight is one of the primary reasons why older individuals have to undergo knee replacements.

Exercise helps to lower blood sugar levels: Both cardio (aerobic, such as fast walking, cycling), and strength training (such as push-ups or using weight machines) lowers blood sugar levels during and after exercise. As soon as someone becomes involved in regular exercise they experience a change, or rather more of a balance, in their glycemic level. Exercise also tones and builds muscle, which utilizes glucose much more efficiently than fat.

But for someone with a sedentary lifestyle, jumping out there into an exercise program requires patience. You have to slowly incorporate it into your day or else starting out too quickly can have a negative impact. You can force yourself into blood sugar drops, creating the complications from a hypoglycemic episode. This can also discourage a new exercise fanatic to rethink their decision.

Doing the right type of exercise is also crucial. Aerobic exercise is the best since it is low impact and burns calories more efficiently. Engaging in exercise that is too intense will drop sugar levels too low, too quickly.

The recommended amount of exercise is at least 30 minutes per day, at least three days per week. If this is too much, too soon, then cut the sessions in half. As your endurance builds, ramp them back up.

By Beverleigh H Piepers