why do diabetics need to exercise with caution?

India
September 1, 2008 11:13pm CST
hello friends, i just read that dibetics need to be cautious while exercising and u need to do it only after consulting ur physician-why is that?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@amirev777 (4117)
• India
2 Sep 08
hi viru The effects of exercise on your blood sugar levels may be confusing.In the long run exercise is extremely important in helping you control your diabetes. But sometimes exercise makes your sugar levels increase temporarily. When you start to exercise your body senses that you are going to need more energy than usual. So if your sugar level is normal or slightly low, the liver will quickly pump more glucose into the blood to send to the muscles, and your blood sugar will temporarily rise. In a non diabetic person, the increased blood sugar will trigger a fast release of insulin, and the muscles will quickly take up the glucose, so your blood sugar will not go up very much. But if you are a DIABETIC, you cannot release a lot of insulin or insulin won't be as effective, so your blood sugar will go up a lot when you first start to exercise. HOWEVER, if you have high blood sugar when you start to exercise, your liver will sense that you won't need a lot more glucose than is already there, and it won't pump more glucose into the blood. In addition when you exercise, whatever insulin you have in your system becomes more effective. So if you have high BLOOD SUGAR exercise will help bring it down faster than normal. If you start exercising when you almost have no insulin in your system,for example first thing in the morning, that tiny bit of insulin can't do much even if it is more effective. Twice zero is still zero. So exercise first thing in the morning may result in an increase in blood sugar. It is very important to eat a little bit of good carbohydrates before you exercise. About 30 - 45 minutes before your workout seems to be best.
• India
3 Sep 08
hello amirev thanx for such an informative reply,BTW do u know any thing about Biotin which i read is very good for diabetics?
@amirev777 (4117)
• India
4 Sep 08
Hi viru Thanx for marking mine as best response Biotin is an important supplement known to participate in the body processes that control blood sugar levels In several studies, Biotin supplementation has been shown to enhance the performance of insulin, the hormone that plays a critical role in helping your body incorporate blood sugar. The supplements can also increase the activity of an enzyme, glucokinase, which the liver uses early in the process of utilizing blood sugar. Here are a few more benefits of Biotin: 1. It plays a crucial role in energy metabolism. Biotin acts as a coenzyme and carries carbon dioxide. It also plays a role in fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism and glycogen synthesis. 2. Benefits people with diabetes by helping to break down carbohydrates and lower blood sugar levels. 3. Weight loss may be another Biotin benefit, as the vitamin is essential in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins to energy. 4. Helps the body use protein, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B12. 5. Biotin is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and fats. It is also essential in the formation of fatty acids and glucose.
• United States
2 Sep 08
Everyone should consult their physician if they take up exercising...Diabetics need to take special care while exercising because exercise lowers blood sugar levels. They should monitor their levels in the beginning so they know a baseline number of how it drops. They may not need as much insulin.