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The Effects of Light Exercise on

Type 1 Diabetes

How can you mitigate your risks with simple changes?

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What is it?

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition that inhibits the pancreas' insulin production. This means that your body does not have the standard capacity to use carbohydrates as energy, and sugars can build up in your bloodstream. If left untreated, high blood sugar can result in problems all over the body. Type 1 DM is manageable through healthy lifestyle choices and supplemental insulin.

How can Exercise Help?

Physical activity is beneficial to one's overall health, as it not only improves physical fitness and strength, but it also reduces cardiovascular risk factors. It has also been found that physical activity improves the well-being of those with Type I diabetes by reducing insulin requirements.

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What do the Experts Say?

A landmark study found that type 1 diabetics can best manage glucose levels by engaging in light activity immediately following meals (Manohar et al., 2012). These activities can be as simple as a quick walk around the block or accomplishing simple chores around the house! By adding these simple movements into your routine, you can mitigate episodes of hyperglycemia.

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Ideas to Make Simple Changes:

  • Add a 30-minute walk following meals

  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator

  • Ride a bike to school, work, or the store

  • Take your dog on a walk (they will love this too)

  • Join a yoga class at your local studio

  • Jump into a dance class at your local fitness center

  • Spend 30-minutes cleaning the house each day

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American Diabetes Association. (2022). Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://diabetes.org/diabetes/type-1

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Chimen, M., Kennedy, A., Nirantharakumar, K., Pang, T. T., Andrews, R., & Narendran, P. (2011, December 22). What are the health benefits of physical activity in type 1 diabetes mellitus? A literature reviews. Diabetologia. SpringerLink. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-011-2403-2#citeas  

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Manohar, C., Levine, J. A., Nandy, D. K., Saad, A., Man, C. D., McCrady-Spitzer, S., . . . Kudva, Y. C. (2012). The effect of walking on postprandial glycemic excursion in patients with type 1 diabetes and healthy people. Diabetes Care, 35(12), 2493-2499. doi:10.2337/dc11-2381

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References

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