Archive for the 'Diseases And Conditions' Category

Diabetes And Exercise - Compatible But Not Always

Monday, June 1st, 2009
Alvin Hopkinson


Physical inability is one of the risk factors when one has the diabetes disorder, hence, diabetes and exercise must go hand in hand. The correlation between diabetes and exercise is the ability of the latter to prolong the life of the afflicted, while the lack of exercise on the other hand can lead to diabetes.

Diabetes is having high blood sugar level due to the non-conversion of glucose to energy from the food that we eat like sugar and starches.Nevertheless we can also high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) if sugar and starches are not burned naturally via exercise.

How does a Diabetic Benefit from Exercise?

1. Improved blood circulation in the arms and the legs.

2. Reduced cholesterol level and high blood pressure. This will prevent stroke or heart attack.

3. You will maintain the ideal weight by burning the calories or better yet, lose weight.

4. Helps the body react to insulin which could even lead to the elimination of medication.

5. Relief from stress brought about by the diabetes disease.

However, before you engage in any particular form of exercise, better see your doctor for the proper exercise program.

When is the Appropriate Time to Exercise?

According to the results conducted by the Quebec Heart Institute, there is a considerable reduction in the blood glucose if exercise is done from 4 to 5 hours after eating the last meal.

Therefore, if lunch is taken at 12:00 o’clock noon, the ideal time to exercise is from 4 to 5 in the afternoon. The research also discourages exercise before taking your breakfast.

Diabetes and Exercises that are Best and Effective

Ideally, diabetics should exercise everyday for at least 30 minutes up to 1 hour, if possible.

If you’re suffering from diabetes, you can choose between aerobic and anaerobic exercises:

a. Aerobic- In this type of exercise, the body uses more oxygen due to the steady exercise for a period of time. The results expected are lower blood lipids, stronger heart and lungs and lower blood pressure. Other forms of exercises may include swimming, brisk walking, jogging, cycling, skiing, and dancing.

b. Anaerobic- This exercise relies mostly on muscles at high rate but shorter period of time hence, the effect on the blood sugar level is not substantial. Examples are weightlifting, sprinting or any other sports that require rapid burst of exercise.

There are 3 categories of anaerobic exercises:

1. Isotonic- This exercise aims to enhance power, muscle strength and endurance by means of pulling, lifting or pushing different weights at steady speed. Examples are lifting of weights or dumbbells; and springs and bands.

2. Isometric- This is based on muscle contraction on immovable object to strengthen the muscle tension like pushing a wall. This is currently used in rehabilitation purposes.

3. Calisthenics- This exercise does not require the use of weights but helps to be more flexible and boost body strength. Examples are push-ups, sit-ups and squats.

When is Exercise not Beneficial to the Diabetic?

Generally, diabetes and exercises have a compatible correlation. However, there are times that exercise is not applicable. If your blood sugar rose higher than your blood sugar level at the time that your diabetes was diagnosed, it would be better to temporarily suspend routine exercise and refer the matter to your doctor.

Although sugar levels may vary per laboratory, the normal blood sugar level is 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). At a pre-diabetic stage it may range from 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl. Persons suffering from diabetics have 126 mg/dl or higher.

Hence, if in spite of regular exercises your blood sugar level does not improve or becomes higher, it would be best for you to stop the exercise routine and consult your physician.

Exercise should also be aided by proper diet to attain good results and only forms part of a natural cure. Thus, diabetes and exercise plus a diabetic’s diet can prolong and promote a better life despite diabetes.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and diabetes natural treatment. Discover how you can reverse your diabetes for good using proven and effective home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.minusdiabetes.com



Exercises for Diabetes, Control Diabetes With Exercises

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
peterhutch


Exercise is an important treatment in normalizing blood glucose level in type 2 diabetes as well as in type 1 diabetes. It is also important to know the type of exercise diabetics should undertake that involve minimizing the risks and at the same time deriving maximum benefits to normalize the blood sugar and giving good health. There are mainly three types of exercises - aerobic, anaerobic and stretching exercises.

Exercise is a vital part of the management of diabetes. All diabetics should aim to make exercise a part of their daily routine. Exercise can help to improve the quality of life for diabetics. But there are some safeguards to consider before you start an exercise regime. It is wise to consult your health professional before you begin. This would be true for anyone, but it is especially so for someone who suffers from diabetes.

That means that intense exercise can help to both prevent and treat diabetes. The most tissue damage occurs immediately after eating when blood sugar levels rise the highest. After you eat, sugar goes from the intestines into the bloodstream. The only places that sugar can be stored are in your muscles and liver. When your muscles are not exercised, they are full of sugar and sugar has no place to go after it enters your bloodstream.

Aerobic exercise, commonly referred to as cardio, raises the heart rate and the breathing rate while working major muscle groups. Cardio burns blood sugar and stored fat, and is recommended by most doctors for their diabetic patients. Dancing, swimming, aerobics, tennis, basketball, and bicycling are all forms of aerobic exercise. Cardio offers all of the benefits mentioned above, and is especially important for diabetics.

Exercises like jogging, swimming, fast walking and cycling are good for diabetics. These exercises help to keep cardiovascular system in good condition. These exercises should couple with stretching exercises as warming and cooling down exercises. A typical exercise session should consist of: 10 minutes of warming up exercise of stretching type; about 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise and finally 5 minutes of cool down and stretching exercise.

A regular exercise program can help the body respond to insulin and is known to be effective in managing blood glucose. Diabetes types exercise can lower blood glucose and possibly reduce the amount of medication one needs to treat diabetes. Some are even able to eliminate the need for any medication. With exercise, one can also improve the circulation in many areas of the body such as arms, legs, fingers and the major joints.

Diabetes Exercise, along with good nutrition, helps decrease body fat, which helps control glucose metabolism. Exercise and good nutrition provide real physical payoffs–they are essential to controlling diabetes. Exercise can help prolong your life and get better the quality of your added months and years.