Yes, regular exercise of at least moderate intensity pro- vides some protection
against the onset of type 2 dia- betes. Exercise improves insulin
resistance and thereby makes insulin
more effective at
removing glucose from the blood. In patients with prediabetes (see Question 9),
exercise can prevent the progression of elevated glu- cose values toward the frankly diabetic range, or even restore them to normal.
Exercise also consumes calories from those stored in the exercising muscle as starch (glycogen) and the need
to
replenish these stores draws glucose
out of the bloodstream and thereby
reduces the circulating levels.
Exercise also helps
to maintain a healthy body weight and avoid the weight gain
that can lead
to diabetes
although it is not as certain that exercise is as helpful
in promoting weight
reduction. Weight
reduction
is much more dependent on restriction of food intake. However, exercise is clearly important in maintaining weight loss. Finally, it is worth noting that exercise has beneficial effects on the other risk factors
that combine with diabetes
to cause vascular disease.
For example, exercise increases the good (or HDL) cholesterol and improves levels of other blood fats,
while lowering blood pressure and enhancing cardiovascular (i.e., heart and blood vessel) conditioning.
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