Exercise is an essential element of diabetes management. Regular exercise helps people who have diabetes control blood sugar levels, boost overall fitness and reduce risk of heart disease and nerve damage.
New articles in the Diabetes Center on MayoClinic.com shed light on the connection between diabetes and exercise and offer advice on how to get started and stay on track with an exercise program, including how to avoid potential problems with blood sugar levels before, during and after exercise. A new podcast helps users become better informed about diabetes and prediabetes, a condition marked by elevated blood sugar that puts people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
According to MayoClinic.com, exercise can help boost mood and energy levels and can also lead to:
- Improved blood sugar control. During exercise, muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy. This lowers blood sugar levels. And the more strenuous the workout, the longer the effect lasts. For people who have type 2 diabetes, exercise can increase insulin sensitivity. Along with a healthy-eating plan, exercise may reduce or even eliminate the need for glucose-lowering medication.
- Improved heart health. Diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Exercise counteracts the risk by improving blood flow, increasing the heart's pumping power and lowering cholesterol levels.
- Improved weight control. Exercise can help people lose weight and keep it off.
Before beginning a fitness program, individuals should get their doctor's OK to exercise, especially if they have been inactive. Talk with a doctor about activities and the best time to exercise, as well as the potential impact of medications on blood sugar levels. 
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