Exercising Safely With Type 1 Diabetes

Exercising Safely with Type 1 Diabetes

Physical activity is associated with many health benefits and is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. For individuals with type 1 diabetes, exercise provides additional benefits—and its own set of risks. In this article, we'll explore the health benefits, potential risks, and general guidelines that people with type 1 diabetes should keep in mind when starting and maintaining an exercise program. *Please note that the information in this article is intended to enhance discussion with your physician. It is NOT a substitute for talking to your health care provider before you begin an exercise program, or if you experience any problems in connection with exercising.
How Exercise Benefits People with Type 1 Diabetes
In addition to all of the usual health benefits of exercise, such as weight control, stress reduction, improved muscular strength and flexibility, and reduced bone loss, a sound exercise program can also help people with type 1 diabetes better use insulin and reduce their risk of heart disease.
Exercising on a regular basis can improve the sensitivity and number of insulin receptors in the body, according to the American Council on Exercise; this in turn helps train your muscles to use insulin better. These improvements in insulin utilization may lead to a decrease in insulin requirements for some individuals, but because people with type 1 diabetes are unable to make any insulin, no amount of exercise will ever eliminate the need for insulin injections.
People with type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular Continue reading

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Oatmeal Orange Cookies (Diabetes Friendly)

Introduction
These cookies are packed full of whole grains and fiber to fill you up and keep you satisfied. They're great for snacks and suitable for those with diabetes!
Ingredients
1/2 cup Smart Balance butter for baking, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 egg white
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/3 cup wheat bran
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon orange juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the butter in a medium mixing bowl. Cream the butter using an electric mixer. Slowly add the sugars and continue to mix for 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg white and applesauce, and mix just to combine.
Sift the dry ingredients together in a separate mixing bowl. Add to the wet ingredients, along with the juice and zest. Drop the dough one tablespoon at a time onto two cookie sheets lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Bake 10 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are just browned. Cool on a wire rack.
Serves 18 (2 cookies per serving). Continue reading

Diabetes Weight-Loss Workout Plan

Regular exercise has long been proven to help people with diabetes reduce their risk of future complications and manage their blood sugar levels. A recent study published in the Nov. 24, 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found that when people with type 2 diabetes did aerobic (cardio) exercise some days and resistance training on others, they had lower blood sugar levels after nine months than people who did either type of exercise alone. That's news to researchers who long believed that aerobic exercise alone was the best way to manage blood sugar.
According to Dr. Ronald Sigal, professor of medicine at the University of Calgary and author of an editorial that accompanied the published study, "Someone who wants to maximize the impact on glucose control and maximize the use of their time should do both aerobic and resistance exercise." He told HealthDay news that, "Even a relatively small amount of resistance exercise--one set twice a week for about 20 minutes--makes a difference."
If you're new to fitness or just want to renew your commitment to exercise and weight loss, SparkPeople's 8-Week Diabetes Weight Loss Challenge is for you! I created this workout plan for people of all fitness levels. It involves a proven combination of cardio exercise and strength training to rev your metabolism to help you manage your weight. Another plus is that every workout can be tailored to your own fitness level, and you also get to pick activities that you enjoy.
How it Works
Do one toning video any 3 days per week. Each video will only take you 15-20 minutes Continue reading

Surprising Habits to Give Up With Type 2

are allergic to dapagliflozin or any of the ingredients in FARXIGA. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include skin rash, raised red patches on your skin (hives), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking FARXIGA and contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away
have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working before and during your treatment with FARXIGA
Dehydration (the loss of body water and salt), which may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). You may be at a higher risk of dehydration if you have low blood pressure; take medicines to lower your blood pressure, including water pills (diuretics); are 65 years of age or older; are on a low salt diet, or have kidney problems
Ketoacidosis occurred in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes during treatment with FARXIGA. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition which may require hospitalization and may lead to death. Symptoms may include nausea, tiredness, vomiting, trouble breathing, and abdominal pain. If you get any of these symptoms, stop taking FARXIGA and call your healthcare provider right away. If possible, check for ketones in your urine or blood, even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dL
Kidney problems. Sudden kidney injury occurred in people taking FARXIGA. Talk to your doctor right away if you redu Continue reading

Could vitamin A deficiency be a cause of type 2 diabetes?

A new study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry claims to have identified a potential driver of type 2 diabetes: vitamin A deficiency. The researchers, from the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, NY, say their findings may lead to new treatments for the condition.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in the US, accounting for 90-95% of all diagnosed cases.
The condition is characterized by insulin resistance, in which insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are unable to function effectively.
According to senior author Dr. Lorraine Gudas - chairman of the Department of Pharmacology at Weill Cornell - and colleagues, vitamin A boosts beta cell activity, meaning lack of the vitamin may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
There are two types of vitamin A. Preformed vitamin A, referred to as retinol, is present in meat, poultry, fish and dairy products, while pro-vitamin A, or beta-carotene, is found in many fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A aids cell growth and contributes to a healthy immune system and vision.
Past studies have shown that, during fetal development, vitamin A is key for beta cell production. But Dr. Gudas and colleagues say it was unclear as to whether vitamin A played such a role in adulthood.
Removal of dietary vitamin A led to beta cell loss in adult mice
To find out, the team analyzed the beta cell development among two groups of adult mice; one group of mice had been genetically modified to be unable to store dietary vitamin A, while the other group was able to store the vitamin from foods as normal.
Continue reading