Can Exercise really help Diabetes?

Diabetes is a major health concern in the US. There are 20.8 million children and adults, or 7% of the population, with diabetes. It is estimated that 6.2 million people have it but have yet to be diagnosed.

In a July, 2006 issue of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, reviewers looked at 14 studies comparing exercise against no exercise in type 2. These trials ranged from eight weeks to twelve months in duration. Compared with the controls, exercise intervention significantly improved glycemic control as indicated by a decrease HgBA1C levels, which is a 3-month level of blood sugars.

Researchers saw no decrease in whole body mass, but reviewers felt this was because there was an increase in muscle mass with the exercise. There was a consistent reduction in body fat, however.

No study reported adverse effects in the exercise group or diabetic complications. The exercise intervention significantly increased insulin response and decreased blood triglycerides. No significant difference was found between groups in quality of life, plasma cholesterol or blood pressure.

Overall, this review shows that exercise significantly improves glycemic control and reduces visceral fat tissue and plasma triglycerides, even without weight loss, but not plasma cholesterol, in people with type 2 diabetes.

The primary message is that if you have diabetes, you should be doing some type of exercise! Make sure you talk about it with your doctor, first, but this review of previous research is what we see all the time. People with Type 2 diabetes CAN control their blood sugars with just diet and exercise alone. So, if you are currently on medication and would rather not be, this could be your path towards lifestyle control of your diabetes.

To read the abstract of the Cochraine review, click here.

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