| Like most people you have probably never given | | | | sensitivity to insulin. Strength training does both of |
| your blood glucose levels a second thought and it | | | | these things better than any other form of exercise. |
| used to be that only diabetics had to worry about | | | | How?o By increasing the amount of toned muscle |
| their blood sugar, but not anymore. Our busy modern | | | | tissue. Muscle is the primary tissue in the body that |
| day lifestyles can well render us susceptible to a | | | | takes up blood sugar, so the more muscle you have, |
| nasty chronic disease which is becoming more | | | | the more sugar you can clear from your blood and |
| prevalent around our world. | | | | the better your blood sugar control will be.o By |
| New research says that one in four of us has | | | | increasing the amount of blood flow to your muscles, |
| pre-diabetes and doesn't even know it, and if current | | | | which allows more glucose to be delivered to the |
| trends continue, one in three of us will be diagnosed | | | | tissues that can take it up and use it for energy.o |
| with diabetes in our lifetime. People who are feeling | | | | The muscle cells become more responsive to the |
| tired or listless during the day, who are slightly | | | | effects of insulin when toned by strength training |
| overweight, or who have stressful schedules and | | | | exercise. This allows the muscle cells to clear sugar |
| irregular eating patterns might be fighting high blood | | | | from the bloodstream more efficiently at lower levels |
| sugar cycles and eventually be susceptible to type 2 | | | | of insulin. This increases insulin sensitivity and |
| diabetes. | | | | decreases insulin resistance. .o By decreasing levels of |
| Diabetes currently affects 246 million people | | | | abdominal body fat, the type of fat which causes |
| worldwide and is expected to affect 380 million by | | | | the biggest health risks and increases insulin |
| 2025 and is the fourth leading cause of global death | | | | resistance |
| by disease. The life expectancy of people affected | | | | In other words, strength training exercise improves |
| by diabetics is less by almost fifteen years compared | | | | your body's ability to control blood sugar levels and |
| to the people who are not affected by diabetics so | | | | respond to insulin at every possible step in the |
| it is a serious health issue. | | | | process. And these are the keys to helping to |
| If you are carrying excess weight (especially around | | | | prevent diabetes. |
| the belly), feeling tired all the time or have become a | | | | Complement your exercise program with 4-6 small |
| slave to food craving and riding a hunger roller | | | | meals spread throughout the day every 2-3 hours. |
| coaster each day it may be time to take a detour | | | | These small meals should contain a protein source |
| from the road you are on. Your lifestyle choices can | | | | and the balance of the meal ideally should be made |
| help prevent diabetes or put you at greater risk for | | | | up of vegetables. Try to avoid processed foods and |
| it. | | | | use natural whole foods as much as possible. Eating |
| The solution is quite simple; to follow a lifestyle that | | | | this way keeps your blood sugar steady, helps tame |
| helps to control blood sugar levels is one and the | | | | hunger, prevents overeating and will maintain high |
| same that we all should follow. It should include a | | | | energy levels to support your exercise program. |
| proper exercise program that includes at least 60% | | | | None of the damage that leads to diabetes and |
| strength training exercise and is the most potent | | | | other chronic lifestyle diseases happens overnight. A |
| diabetes defense at your disposal. | | | | few changes in your lifestyle such as improved eating |
| To prevent or even treat diabetes the most | | | | and exercise will keep you on a healthier path and |
| important things are (1) to keep blood sugar levels | | | | make you feel more alert, alive and energized |
| under control, and (2) to improve your body's cells | | | | immediately. |