Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce enough insulin causes levels of glucose in the blood to leave the normal range. The two most common forms of diabetes are Type I and Type II.
Diabetes has become so prevalent that according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 29.1 million people living in the United States suffer from diabetes and another 86 million are considered pre diabetic. Nearly a third of all US adults are either diabetic or pre-diabetic.
To be able to understand how diabetes affects the human body it is critical to look at insulin’s role in the process. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose as fuel for energy. This hormone is made in the pancreas by beta cells. If the body cannot make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal then Doctors often prescribe insulin to be administered either by injection or through an insulin pump.
Insulin acts as a key to open up the door that allows glucose to come into the cell where it is broken down and can then be used as energy by the cells. If there is no insulin or not enough insulin then the “door” that lets glucose into the cell remains locked and the glucose can’t get through and therefore remains in the blood stream.
Type 1 diabetes is predominantly diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to break down sugars and starches into glucose. For people suffering from type 1 diabetes, their immune cells destroy beta cells in the pancreas that are normally in charge of creating insulin. Since the pancreas can’t create the insulin that would normally allow glucose to enter the cells, the glucose begins to accumulate in the bloodstream which can lead to hyperglycemia. Through the aide of various insulin therapies people suffering from type 1 diabetes can learn to manage their disease.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to use insulin properly (insulin resistance). To compensate for this the pancreas will try to make more insulin but it won’t be able to keep up and therefore glucose accumulates in the bloodstream.
If the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range then Doctors often prescribe insulin medication
According to the American Council On Exercise (ACE) type 1 diabetics can reduce their risk of coronary artery disease, improve insulin-receptor sensitivity, and improve functional capacity with a program of regular physical activity.
The benefits of exercise for type 2 diabetics are vast. According to ACE these benefits include but are not limited to prevention of coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Regular exercise can also help reduce elevated bodyweight and improve lipid profiles in type 2 diabetics. Oftentimes weight loss through appropriate diet and exercise can lead to, under a medical professional’s supervision, a reduction in the amount of insulin medication needed.
Type 1 diabetics are encouraged to exercise at least 3 times a weeks and exercise should be supplemented with a consistent pattern of diet and insulin dosage. This consistency helps ensure glucose control.
It is recommend that type 1 diabetics gradually build up to 30 minutes or more per session. Long duration activities and high intensity activities should be avoided because long duration exercises can increase the risk of hypoglycemia and high intensity exercises can increase the risk of hyperglycemia. Weight lifting is recommended for type 1 diabetics without complications.
According to the International Sports Science Association (ISSA), Type 2 diabetics are advised to exercise at a low intensity level and for a longer duration. Generally speaking, aerobic exercises should be performed at least 5 times a week for 40-60 minutes per workout. Low to moderate intensity resistance training is also recommended twice a week. According to ACE, a training program consisting of a combination of aerobic and resistance training can produce the best results for type 2 diabetics.
If you would like to know more about diabetes, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has some fantastic information.
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