Diabetics Need Exercise by Pat Warbrouck

 Diabetics Need Exercise by Pat Warbrouck

For Chris Carter, exercising is as simple as a lunchtime walk. Carter, a software developer, knows it's vital to find ways to do so during work days that require sitting for long stretches of time. 

His life literally depends on it. 'Exercise is like the one trump card I have,' Carter said. 'I realise that I have a lot of control over my condition.'

His condition, Type 1 diabetes, robs his body of the ability to produce insulin -- a hormone needed to convert glucose (blood sugar), starches and other food into the necessary energy for daily life. This puts him at risk for a host of serious complications that includes heart disease, blindness, and nerve and kidney damage.

Though Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, it can be controlled through a regimen of monitoring, diet and exercise. Carter keeps careful track of his glucose level, takes daily insulin shots, and keeps juice and energy bars close at hand.

Most importantly, he said, he takes care to get enough exercise. Carter will stroll outside during lunch breaks, or hike up and down the stairs of the company parking garage.

It's a good example of the types of activity busy diabetics should be doing, said Dr. Arnold Asher, director of the Diabetes Health Center at Michigan Health and Science University (MHSU).

Physical activity helps control blood sugar in three ways, according to Dr. Asher.

First, it burns glucose, ensuring energy is delivered to the body and that glucose does not build up in the blood. Second, it increases bodily sensitivity to insulin. As fitness increases, the body needs less insulin to move glucose into cells.

Finally, exercise helps reduce weight. For overweight patients, losing about 7 percent of body fat will lower blood sugar.

***

Editor:

Thank you for running the article on Chris Carter in last week's issue. As a diabetic myself, it renewed my determination to make sure I get up from my desk and exercise a few minutes every day.

I also hope your story will open the eyes of supervisors, and remind them of the importance of exercise -- not only for employees who have diabetes, but also everyone else in their office. When you're sitting at a computer all day, it's sometimes hard to tear yourself away from the screen and move around.

I would love to see more companies encouraging employee exercise by giving them free gym classes, taking group stretching or walking breaks, and subsidizing those who walk or bike to work.

Robert Fuda
Ann Arbor, Michigan