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HowToPreventHeartDisease.com |
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Can Exercise Help Diabetics Control Their Condition? The National Health Survey conducted in 2004 revealed that 1 in 10 Singaporeans suffer from diabetes mellitus. This medical disorder is linked to obesity and if not managed appropriately may cause blindness and kidney failure. Meanwhile, diabetes mellitus is also known to be a risk factor for heart disease. Nevertheless, such condition could be kept under control with exercise, as shown by 2 studies. The first study was carried out in Canada involving 250 diabetic adults having an average BMI of 35, which is considered obese. These participants were divided into 4 groups. With the exception of group 1 in which the participants were not required to exercise, the remaining 3 groups were assigned with some kinds of exercise. The people in group 2 were assigned with aerobic exercise, while those in group 3 with weight training. For participants in group 4, they were required to do both aerobics and weight training. Those assigned with exercise worked out 3 times for 5 months, after which their blood sugar levels were assessed and compared. It was found that the blood sugar levels of the participants in the 3 exercise groups were improved, with the biggest improvement found in group 4. Those in group 1 showed no visible improvement in their blood sugar levels.
The second study involved about 50 participants whose average blood glucose level was between 8 and 10 percent (above the ideal level of 6 percent for diabetes) and was conducted by a senior physiotherapist from Singapore General Hospital and 2 endocrinologists in 2003. The participants were put into 2 groups with one assigned weight training exercises and the other aerobics. These participants had to exercise for one-hour sessions 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The participants in both groups showed an improvement in their blood glucose levels. In fact, at the end of the study, patients also reported a blood glucose reading of less than 6 percent. The rationale behind this is rather simple. Diabetic patients usually have excess glucose in their body. Exercises such as aerobics and weight training target one's muscles, which will increases the sensitivity of insulin to pick up glucose from the blood stream, and brings down the blood glucose levels. Therefore, commitment to regular exercise is very important for diabetics in order to prevent from getting into other complications as mentioned above. Nevertheless, not all diabetics are suitable for exercise. For example, patients with very high blood sugar level would have to bring it down first with medication before embarking on any exercise program. There is a reason for this. According to experts, high blood sugar levels prohibit the body from utilizing glucose in the blood stream. As such, it breaks down fat instead of sugar for energy. This will cause acid to be secreted into the blood stream. The acid will upset the PH balance of the body. Too much of acid in the body can cause a coma or even death. It is, therefore, advisable for patients with diabetes to seek their doctors’ opinion before engaging into any form of exercise.
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