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From
ChangeOneDiet.com
Is there a best time to exercise when you have
diabetes? The short answer is yes: anytime you can fit it into your schedule.
But exercise such as walking and moderate aerobics brings down blood sugar both
while you do it and for up to a day afterward. While that's the big payoff, it's
also a potential hazard, especially if you take medication or insulin. The
reason? Let's say you've just taken oral medication or a dose of insulin to
bring your blood sugar down, and then you immediately walk for an hour. The
glucose-lowering combination of the treatment and the activity could send your
blood sugar crashing.
On the other hand, according to the experts at
ChangeOneDiet.com, if you're taking insulin
but don't give yourself a large enough dose, your blood sugar may actually rise
too high during exercise. That's because when you're physically active, the
liver pumps out more glucose, and without adequate insulin, your body will have
trouble shifting glucose from your blood to working muscles. Only you and your
doctor can sort this all out, but you may be able to avoid most problems by
following these guidelines.
1) Exercise an hour or two after eating. At
that point, your blood sugar levels are elevated from food, and you'll have
ample glucose to fuel your muscles. At the same time, your digestive system will
have finished most of its work, so it won't deplete the energy you need for your
workout.
2) If you take medication, says
ChangeOneDiet.com, ask your doctor if
you can skip it before exercising or take a lower dose; the blood sugar drop
from physical activity may be able to substitute for the drug. Otherwise, avoid
exercising when the effects of your medication peak.
3) If you use insulin, time your workouts so
you're not active when the effects of the insulin peak, often within the first
hour or two after an injection. Your doctor will probably want you to monitor
your blood sugar before and after to see how activity affects it, and based on
those results, he may want you to adjust your insulin dose before you exercise.
For more diabetes tips and mouth-watering
recipes and meals, visit
ChangeOneDiet.com
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