Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Exercise helps to prevent blood sugar from rising too
high after meals. The only places that your body can store sugar
are in blood, liver and muscles. When a diabetic’s muscles are
full of sugar, dietary sugar goes from the intestines into the
bloodstream, causing high spikes in blood sugar levels. On the
other hand, when the muscles are empty, sugars go from the
intestines into the bloodstream and then directly into muscles to
prevent the spike. Several studies show that it doesn’t make any
difference when you empty your muscle cells. Blood sugar
spikes are prevented by exercising both before and after meals.
An exciting study from Maastricht University in the
Netherlands shows that a single bout of vigorous exercise can
help control blood sugar for 24 hours in people whose pancreas
make no insulin whatever (Medicine and Science in Sports and
Exercise, December 2006). Exercise is a potent treatment for
both Type I and Type II diabetics. Any diabetic who does not
exercise regularly should check with his or her doctor and get
started.
January 15, 2007