How Exercise Helps in Managing Type 1 Diabetes

As we all know, living with Type 1 Diabetes isn't easy. From having to make diet changes to monitoring your blood sugar levels often, the proper treatment and lifestyle choices are essential in controlling the symptoms. Just like most diseases out there, one of the best things Type 1 Diabetes patients can do for themselves is exercise. Curious to know just how much exercising can help in managing Type 1 Diabetes? Keep reading as we discuss and recommend some workouts to try out.

Exercise and Type 1 Diabetes

Managing Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes doesn't exist in a vacuum. Often times, it can lead to a slew of different health issues, especially if it isn't taken care of early on. These range from complications such as high blood pressure to heart disease. Through proper exercise, you can significantly lower the risk of these complications popping up. True enough, Stanford University School of Medicine researcher Erik Ingellson highlights how exercise and better cardiovascular fitness lowers the risk of heart disease.

Precautions

While the importance of getting active is undisputed, it doesn't mean that Type 1 Diabetes patients should be hitting the gym six times a week for hours in a day; there are still some precautions to keep in mind. Particularly, Type 1 Diabetes patients should avoid very strenuous activities, as these can cause your blood sugar to drop abruptly, which can then lead to a bout of hypoglycemia. Conversely, high-intensity workout sessions have also been observed to raise your blood sugar levels. Just remember not to overexert yourself when exercising, as any sudden changes in your blood sugar levels could prove to be detrimental for people with Type 1 Diabetes. Be sure to consult with your doctor and listen to your body when something feels off.

Effects of Exercise on Insulin

Another thing you have to keep in mind is how exercise affects insulin. Because exercise can both raise and lower your blood sugar levels, this could interfere with how the insulin takes effect in your body, which may lead to unfavorable outcomes. Again, to avoid this from happening, consult with your doctor to better manage your blood sugar levels. In some cases, your doctor might even recommend reducing your insulin intake on days when you exercise.

Recommended Exercises

Yoga

Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise. It can be particularly useful for people with Type 1 Diabetes due to its low-impact nature. But despite being low-impact, yoga is just as effective as a workout and boasts some pretty significant benefits. Lifestyle writer James Gonzales's article on the benefits of yoga for sprinters explains that different yoga positions can lead to a stronger core and increased flexibility — both of which can help you in other forms of exercise. But even if you're not looking to cross-train, you can still enjoy its many perks — such as promoting proper breathing, encouraging better posture, and alleviating anxiety.

Jogging

When it comes to lowering the risk of heart disease, jogging is one of the best options. In fact, CNN reports that individuals who jog have a 23% lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. Be sure to keep track of your blood sugar levels before going on a run. If you notice that it's a little low, remember to consume a quick snack to help manage your blood sugar levels.

Weight Lifting

Lastly, resistance exercises or lifting weights have been observed to yield benefits for people with Type 1 Diabetes too. Studies conducted by the American Diabetes Association highlight how resistance exercises, when done alongside other forms of exercise, tend to keep your blood sugar levels steady.

We hope this article has helped you understand the benefits that exercise can have on Type 1 Diabetes. If you're looking for more articles on Type 1 Diabetes, be sure to read our article on Understanding And Correcting Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) In Type 1 Diabetes.

Written by: Anna Tanner