hus lowering blood sugar levels. Exercise lowers blood sugar by increasing the number of special carrier proteins in the cell membrane that regulate the movement of glucose from the blood into the muscle. It makes these cells more receptive to insulin raising the body's insulin sensitivity, which allows the person to decrease the amount of insulin they are taking. Sometimes blood sugar can be lowered for hours even days after just one strenuous exercise session. In non-diabetic people, their blood insulin level drops during exercise. Less insulin means that low blood sugar will not occur to deprive the brain of its thinking capacity and the muscles of their maximum potential use. With low insulin levels, not as much sugar goes into some cells and the liver makes more sugar for immediate use instead of storing it. In insulin dependent diabetics the body does not as perfectly adjust the blood sugar level. The blood insulin level may drop down because the insulin level is not determined by secretion from the pancreas but the amount, type, and rate at which the insulin is absorbed. Diabetics must reduce the amount of insulin taken if they are planning to exercise to avoid a low blood sugar. Out of control diabetics, with blood sugars ranging from 200 to 250, should not exercise, because short bursts of intense exercise may actually raise their blood sugar.Exercise is also very helpful in a diabetics' weight control. Excess weight can cause the insulin carrier cells from doing their job, which will result in high blood sugars. Also most overweight people have high cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides that lead to heart disease. In the case of Type II diabetes exercise and weight loss are key. Many patients reduce or even discontinue medication all together. Because of the exercise, the little amount of insulin their pancreas does make is enough to keep them at a normal blood sugar level. And since obesity is an el...
