Regular exercise is beneficial for the majority of people with diabetes as it improves insulin sensitivity and generally reduces blood glucose levels. Exercise also keeps the body in tone and is good for the heart and lungs. Exercise also aids in weight control, which is very beneficial for obese type 2 diabetics.
It is important to check blood glucose levels before physical activity as exercise tends to lower blood glucose. If blood glucose levels are low, a snack should be eaten prior to exercise to prevent the development of hypoglycemia. Sometimes exercise can cause very high blood glucose levels to rise even higher. If blood glucose levels are over 300 mg/dl, insulin should be administered and blood glucose levels rechecked before exercising. It is important to note that exercise increases insulin absorption into blood.
A general rule of thumb is to consume 10 - 15 gm of carbohydrate before moderate exercise, 20 - 30 gm before vigorous exercise to prevent hypoglycemia.
|