Short exercise times may improve diabetes control

“I want to exercise but I just can’t fit it into my schedule.”   If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that from a patient who really does need to exercise, I’d have retired to a Caribbean Island a long time ago. 

Now I’m not taking any excuses after reading a study done in Scotland on relatively young – and inactive – men.   They were put on exercise bikes for short bursts of high intensity exercise about six times in a two week period.   Even though some of these young men exercised minimally – four to six 30 second bike sprints a week – researchers found they were able to lower their blood sugar and their insulin function was improved.   

Now we all know that exercise for longer periods is better for overall health and especially for longevity – but this shows that doing a little something every day is better than nothing. So the next day that you can’t find time to squeeze in 30 minutes or an hour to get a full workout – know that you can do your body some good by fitting in at least a few minutes of walking, stair climbing or other physical activity that can do your body good.

Now this isn’t for everyone.   This type of high intensity exercise probably isn’t a good idea if you’ve got heart problems, high blood pressure or some other medical condition.   Like all exercise programs, it’s important to check with your doctor before starting on starting any exercise program – no matter what type of exercise you’re doing or the amount of time you plan to exercise.

In addition to watching your diet, following a diabetes diet and integrating exercise into your daily routine, good oral health care can help control your diabetes or prediabetes. If you are looking for a dentist that is extensively trained in how good oral health care and the prevention of gum disease can make it easier to control type 2 diabetes, then you need to check out your area’s Dentistry For Diabetics^SM dentist. Follow this link to find a Dentistry For Diabetics^SM dentist near you who knows how to lower blood sugar.