Exercise And Blood Sugar
Regular physical activity is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself. The benefits1 can touch just about every part of your life, including helping you:
• Reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and osteoporosis.
• Relieve stress and anxiety.
• Increase your strength, energy, flexibility, and endurance.
• Improve your cholesterol.
• Sleep better.
• Burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight.
If you have diabetes, exercise is especially beneficial. Regular activity can help keep your blood sugar within range by helping insulin work better.2
Activity and Blood Sugar
Generally speaking, food raises your blood sugar, while diabetes medications and exercise lower it.
When you exercise, your muscles use the sugar in your blood for energy. Insulin must be circulating throughout your bloodstream to let the sugar into the cells. That's why, any time you exercise, you'll want to make sure you have balanced your food and insulin needs to properly fuel your activity.
Ideally, exercise should begin about one to two hours after a meal, so the food will keep your blood sugar from going too low. Sometimes, you may need extra food to maintain the increased level of sugar your body needs for energy when you exercise.
You will also want to make sure your blood sugar isn't too high to exercise, as exercise can sometimes push it higher. For example if you have type 1 diabetes, and your blood sugar is above 250 mg/dL and you have ketones in your urine, it’s best to avoid physical activity.3
1 "Exercise: A Healthy Habit to Start and Keep" American Academy of Family Physicians
2 "What is Exercise?" American Diabetes Association
3 "Getting Started" American Diabetes Association