If you're one of the 24 million people in this country who has diabetes, the way you exercise could have a significant effect on your blood sugar levels. A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association recommends diabetics stick with two simple forms of exercise: aerobics and weight lifting. The author of the study calls it the "best exercise prescription" for Type 2 diabetics. People in the study who combined aerobic exercise like biking, brisk walking and jogging along with weight training experienced a considerable drop in their blood sugar, reduced their body fat and their risk of heart disease.
Diabetes is a disorder associated with elevated levels of blood sugar that are brought on by defects in insulin production. Even if you don't have diabetes, you could be on your way to developing it, a condition known as pre-diabetes. Here are five ways to reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes:
1.) Manage your blood glucose (sugar) by staying active, reducing stress and not skipping meals.
2.) Maintain a healthy weight. If you're carrying around extra pounds, do your best to get them off.
3.) Eat healthfully. Strive for leaner meats like chicken and turkey as well as whole grain breads and cereals. Stay away from sodas, sweets and junk foods like potato chips.
4.) Control your blood pressure. Healthy blood pressure is below 120/80.
5.) Stay active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week and weight lifting at least two times a week.
To read more about the study click here: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/304/20/2253
For more information about preventing and controlling diabetes go to: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/prevent.htm
Great site Kellye!
ReplyDeleteLove, Wanda Lankford