Why Exercise is Important for Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes - type 1; type 2 and gestational. It is a disease that affects insulin - a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps control our blood sugar levels. Without insulin, the body’s cells cannot turn glucose (sugar), into energy.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas stops making insulin because the cells that make the insulin have been destroyed by the body’s immune system.

It can affect anyone, but is more common in people under 30 years and often begins in childhood.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive lifestyle condition in which there is too much glucose in the blood. The body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes develops over a number of years and is a result of ineffective insulin and not enough insulin. Insulin becomes increasingly ineffective at managing the blood glucose levels with the pancreas responding by producing greater and greater amounts of insulin, to try and achieve some degree of management of the blood glucose levels.

Eventually, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas wear themselves out.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. In pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help the baby grow and develop. These hormones also block the action of the woman’s insulin. This is called insulin resistance. Because of this insulin resistance, the need for insulin in pregnancy is 2 to 3 times higher than normal. If you already have insulin resistance, then your body may not be able to cope with the extra demand for insulin production and the blood glucose levels will be higher resulting in gestational diabetes being diagnosed.

After pregnancy, blood glucose levels usually return to normal and gestational diabetes disappears, however, this insulin resistance increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life.

Risks of not managing blood glucose levels

Not managing blood glucose levels can lead to damage to many cells and organs in the body. Long-term unmanaged blood glucose levels can lead to serious conditions such as, Kidney disease, Vision Impairment/ Blindness, Heart Disease, Nerve Damage and Stroke.

Importance of exercise for Diabetes

Muscles can use glucose without insulin when you’re exercising. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you’re insulin resistant or if you don’t have enough insulin: when you exercise, your muscles get the glucose they need, and in turn, your blood glucose level goes down. Therefore along with medication and diet, exercise is a key ingredient in good management of blood glucose levels.

Role of the Exercise Physiologist
Although engaging in exercise is a great way to manage diabetes and prevent more serious complications from occurring, there are considerations and precautions that need to be adhered to. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist is an Allied Health Professional who is able to guide diabetics through safe exercise intervention.

If you would like to book an appointment with Mali to discuss your diabetes and how exercise can assist then give us a call on 9913 8986 or book online at bit.ly/OHGEP