Can Exercise Reverse Diabetes?

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases all across the world. Its commonplaceness is evident by the fact that each of us knows at least 2 people around us that have been diagnosed with or have inherited the disease.

Diabetes is one of the most common ailments worldwide.
Diabetes is one of the most common ailments worldwide.

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases all across the world. Its commonplaceness is evident by the fact that each of us knows at least 2 people around us that have been diagnosed with or have inherited the disease. The popular conception is that diabetes is chronic and there is no way of curing it. While that is largely true, the effects of diabetes can be severely reduced, and in some cases even nullified, by following a planned exercise routine.

Source- Medanta
Source- Medanta

In this blog, we will talk about this concern in detail.  

According to Life Line Screening, changing our lifestyles and inculcating a healthier routine can actually reverse the effects of type 2 diabetes to a great extent.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Source- Medical News Today
Source- Medical News Today

According to the May Clinic,

“Type 2 diabetes is an impairment in the way the body regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as a fuel.”

The pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin, a substance that digests sugar. This results in the possibility of many heart diseases, high blood pressure, and hindrance in the moving of the blood throughout the body, because of narrowed blood vessels. The diagnosed person consequently gains weight, which furthers the complications.

How is type 2 different from type 1 diabetes?

Source- Diabetes Research Connection
Source- Diabetes Research Connection

As mentioned above, the effects of type 2 diabetes can be reduced, in some cases even nullified, using exercise. The same is not true for type 1 diabetes. The difference between the two is simple. A report in Life Line Screening describes the difference between the two as,

“The main difference between the two types of diabetes is that type 1 diabetes is a genetic disorder that often shows up early in life, and type 2 is largely diet-related and develops over time.”

It also adds that while in type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin at all, in type 2, it produces a limited quantity and it is not enough.

Since type 1 is more severe and long-lasting than type 2, type 2 can be reversed if a proper routine is followed. For type 1 diabetes, the diagnosed person can manage the severity of the effects by following certain rules; one such rule is also exercise.

Hence, exercise is essential for people diagnosed with both kinds. Only type 2 can be completely eradicated, while type 1 can only be bettered.  

But how does it work?

Source- University of Alberta
Source- University of Alberta

Given below are some ways in which exercising can better or eradicate your diabetic ailment-

1. Losing weight- As mentioned above, one of the first consequences of being diagnosed with diabetes is putting on weight, which worsens all other complications, like high blood pressure, blocked veins, etc. Losing weight then can reduce the damage done to the body. According to News Network, when you weigh less, the pancreas is able to meet the insulin needs of the body more adequately.

A study by WebMD shows that

“People with type 2 diabetes improved their blood sugar control when they lost as little as 2% of their body weight.”

2. Working out produces insulin- The gist of the ailment of diabetes is that the body is unable to produce enough insulin. And, it has been proven that regular exercise increases insulin production and sensitivity of the body. According to the Healthline,

“60 minutes of cycling on a machine at a moderate pace increased insulin sensitivity for 48 hours.”

A specific form of exercise, highly recommended for increasing insulin sensitivity is resistance training. Resistance training increases muscle strength by making your muscles work against a weight or force.

A study undertaken by the National Library of Medicine concludes that a twice-per-week 16-wk resistance training program can significantly increase insulin sensitivity.

These two are the main and direct benefits of exercising that will overcome the consequences of diabetes. There are other secondary consequences of exercising like increased mobility, activity, and energy, improved mood, and decreased risk of other possible diseases.  

Source- NutraIngredients
Source- NutraIngredients

We hope this blog has helped you in getting some clarity about what exercise can do for diabetic patients, and why they must follow it without fail. In our future blogs, we will talk about the exercises that are best suited for diabetic patients. Until then, you can check out more such information on SocialBoat.