Physical activity and exercise play an important role not only in preventing type 2 diabetes but also in managing it for those who already have it. This is due to the many effects that exercise has on our bodies. If implemented correctly, these effects can do wonders in helping people control their blood glucose.
Today we will try to explore how exercise contributes to the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Does exercise help type 2 diabetes?
In March 2020, A review published by the National Institute of Health It was concluded that people with type 2 diabetes could reduce their oral medications and insulin intake if they exercised and were physically active. Another study by the National Institutes of Health showed that exercise can check for excellent insulin management, along with helping control blood sugar, blood lipids, and insulin signaling.
Moreover, according to the data analyzed by StuffThatWorksA crowdsourcing platform that specializes in treatment efficacy, exercise is the fourth most popular treatment for type 2 diabetes and has been shown to be effective to varying degrees for most patients who have tried it.
How does exercise affect type 2 diabetes?
Let’s see what changes exercise brings to one’s body to get these amazing results!
Coordination between the endocrine systems and the sympathetic nerves responsible To maintain normal blood sugar levels at rest and during physical activity. Although the liver is responsible for producing and maintaining glucose in the blood, muscle contraction increases the uptake of glucose into the blood.
According to multiple credible sources, this “workout fuel” is influenced by several factors, the most important of which are the duration and intensity of physical activity.
Effects of exercise on patients with type 2 diabetes
As previously discussed, physical activity and exercise significantly influence the status of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, they have been confidently revealed as brilliant strategies for managing insulin levels and preventing diabetes.
Here’s how exercise helps people with type 2 diabetes.
Muscle energy consumption
An often overlooked phenomenon in the body is that muscles use up a lot of energy and glucose. Exactly, about 70-80% of the energy we get from a meal goes to our muscles.
However, if a person’s muscle mass is too small, they will not take in the right amount of glucose into the blood, rendering them unable to remove it from the bloodstream. This leads to unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood and thus provides a breeding ground for type 2 diabetes.
To combat this, doctors advise patients to try to build more muscle mass, exercise more frequently, and engage in physical activity. As one ages, greater muscle mass provides more insulin receptors and thus does not allow glucose imbalances in the bloodstream.
Increased levels of glucose in the blood
Studies have shown that exercise increases blood sugar levels and, ultimately, increases glucose uptake by working organs and muscles. In other words, exercise leads to the consumption of elevated levels of glucose, which is healthily expended instead of remaining in the bloodstream and causing dangerous imbalances.
This is also the reason why doctors advise patients to take a walk after meals, so that their energy intake can be well utilized through vigorous physical exertion.
Weight loss
John Hopkins Medicine concluded that people with type 2 diabetes can significantly reduce their A1C (average 2-3 months of blood sugar levels) by losing only 5-10% of their total body weight.
Therefore, weight loss – which can only be achieved through exercise and physical activity – is also a benefit for type 2 diabetics. Exercise not only allows patients to burn calories but also maintains muscle mass related to normal glucose levels in the body.
Lean, supportive muscles can deteriorate during a calorie deficit, which is worse news for people with type 2 diabetes. But exercise can reduce the chances of things like this, so it’s a fact to keep in mind.
Belly fat loss
A specific type of fat called belly fat, or visceral fat, is a very common cause of insulin resistance in patients’ bodies. These cells are responsible for storing useful energy and releasing chemicals and hormones in the body that can exacerbate diabetes by increasing their insulin resistance.
Doctors advise all of these patients to do their best to lose belly fat. A common recommended technique is resistance training.
How does exercise prevent type 2 diabetes?
Now that we’ve seen how exercise and physical activity can greatly help manage your insulin levels, let’s explore how exercise prevents and treats some of the issues with long-term insulin resistance.
Note: Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise program!
Improve vascular health
According to medical experts, exercise causes the muscles to release several healthy compounds that are excellent for the circulatory and vascular systems. An improved vascular system ensures that nutrients and energy are successfully transported to where they need to go without any disruptions.
This in turn helps prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and other health problems such as heart complications, neuropathy and vision loss.
reduce inflammation
One of the main reasons for the spread and development of type 2 diabetes is inflammation throughout the patient’s body. According to a study by the European Cardiology Review, inflammation along with other conditions like joint deterioration, cognitive decline, and atherosclerosis, helps type 2 diabetes to thrive.
However, exercise and physical activity can be a viable option for all diabetics, as it reduces general inflammation in the body and eliminates harmful effects.
blood pressure and cholesterol
Not only does exercise reduce inflammation or improve blood vessel health; It also greatly helps in normalizing blood pressure and cholesterol in diabetic patients.
This helps alleviate any heart problems and allows the patient to take a natural rather than a purely medical path. Normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels are important, because their effect can worsen the condition of a patient with type 2 diabetes.
Improve joint health
Healthy joint problems, such as frozen shoulders, are complications of insulin resistance accompanied by causes such as increased body weight, nerve damage, or arterial disease.
All these conditions/diseases have one thing in common, which is the fact that they can be counteracted through enhanced movement and exercise.
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Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world, with millions of people suffering from it. The good thing about this disease is that it can be treated with something as simple as exercise.
Research, experiments, analysis, experts, clinicians – everything points to exercise and physical activity as a highly effective treatment option for type 2 diabetes.
Exercise not only reduces the insulin resistance that the body builds up after suffering from diabetes, but also prevents the long-term problems associated with type 2 diabetes, such as inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart and joint problems. So, it’s never too late to start working out!
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