Exercise for Diabetics

The two most common forms of diabetes are referred to as Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile onset diabetes, differs from Type 2 in that with type 1 diabetes the body stops producing insulin altogether. Type 2 diabetes is generally diagnosed in older adults and occurs as the body stops producing enough insulin or the individual becomes resistant to their own insulin.  As obesity increases, there is a larger number of younger adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

With either form of diabetes, a person loses the ability to properly utilize sugar in the body. Blood sugar levels increase in the blood stream due to the body's difficulty in transporting sugar into the cells and out of the blood stream. There are various ways to lower blood sugar levels including exercise, diet, and medications.

Exercise is a very important part of managing your diabetes symptoms for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. For the Type 1 diabetic, regular exercise helps maintain insulin sensitivity, along with preventing the accumulation of excess weight, and it increases the use of glucose by muscles, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. While there is no medically understood way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, it may be possible to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Some of the things to consider when attempting to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes are regular exercise, supplementation with vitamins and herbs that help prevent insulin resistance, and proper weight control.

Exercise not only helps directly in diabetic management by lowering blood sugar levels and maintaining insulin sensitivity, but also helps indirectly by minimizing many of the complications that can often arise in people with diabetes. Studies have shown that walking for 30 minutes per day can substantially diminish the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.
It is understood that diabetic sufferers tend to develop circulatory problems and exercise can certainly help lower blood pressure and improve circulation throughout the body. Since individuals with diabetes tend to have poor blood flow to their lower extremities and feet, better circulation is a true benefit.

Although there are some risks associated with exercise, the potential benefits greatly outweigh the risks. Since exercise does lower blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should measure their blood sugar both before and after exercising. Since your body uses more sugar while exercising and makes you more sensitive to insulin, there is a risk of blood sugar becoming too low and causing hypoglycemia.  This is especially true for Type 1 diabetes sufferers.  Always speak with your doctor before beginning any exercise programs.

When exercising it is important to let others know that you are diabetic. They should be informed what to do in case of hypoglycemia. You should always carry candy or fruit juice to treat low blood sugar levels should they occur. During and after exercise sessions, you should pay close attention to how you feel since rapid heart beat, increased sweating, feeling shaky, or hunger can signal that your blood sugar levels are becoming too low.

So remember, exercise benefits diabetic sufferers but as with any lifestyle changes, you need to be aware of how your body reacts to exercise. Speak with your doctor to understand what exercise is best for you, and enjoy the benefits of healthier living.

Seniors and Supplements - Is It For You?

HEALTH BENEFITS Of SuPplements TO SENIOR CITIZENS

Seniors have specific needs in order to stay healthy.  As people get older, they generally develop greater health needs, have a less efficient immune system, and become more fragile in structure. Due to their specialized needs, it is especially important for senior citizens to maintain an adequate supply of vitamins in their diets.

Calcium and Bone Density

Calcium is a very important part of nutrition, especially in senior citizens. When a person reaches the age of seventy, their bones can become quite brittle. To help combat this, calcium supplements can be taken. Few people realize that an adequate amount of calcium is not in the diet of the average person.  In the human body, two percent of the body’s weight is actually made up of calcium, almost all of which is found in the teeth and bones.

A calcium supplement should be a part of the daily routine for the elderly, especially with women who are prone to osteoporosis, a word which literally translates to “porous bones”.  Each year, about twenty percent of the body’s calcium is destroyed and replenished through food and supplements. A person stands to lose a good deal of their bone health pretty quickly if they are not sufficiently taking in the calcium they need regularly.

While calcium is necessary and should not be ignored, it is not a good idea to take more of it than recommended. Anything above the required amount of calcium has no additional benefits to the body. When the recommended amount has doubled it actually can have side effects and can cause sickness.

Doctor Recommended Vitamins and Supplements

Due to declining bone health in most elderly people, it is important to always take a calcium supplement and maintain an adequate supply of calcium in the body to help prevent brittle bone disease and broken bones due to falls. It is also quite important to take a daily fiber supplement because it is unusual for an elderly person to ingest all of the necessary fiber that is needed to keep one healthy simply from diet alone. Because the elderly are less likely to be exposed to prolonged sunshine, a  Vitamin D supplement is also recommended, especially since it can also help with bone density and bone strength. In fact, the required amount of Vitamin D is greater in an elderly person than a person of a younger age. 

Folate and Vitamin B-12 are vitamins that are also greatly recommended for seniors. These will aid in both digestion and proper skin health. Luckily, most multivitamins that are designed for seniors aim their content directly to what most seniors are said to need. Shopping for vitamins based upon who will be taking them is a fairly simple and fool proof method of deciding how much of each vitamin and mineral is needed for that individual person. Of course, consulting a doctor on which multivitamin or single vitamin is best for a particular person can give one a better insight on what is perfectly right for them.

I know plenty of seniors looking for answers to their nutritional needs.  If you are looking for which supplements you need, contact us today so we can show you the best supplements for your particular needs.