Does Exercise Lower Blood Sugar?

Exercise is an effective way to lower blood sugar. People who have diabetes should consider making exercise a regular part of their lives. If you have not been seeing enough results after simply adjusting your diet, try adding exercise to your new lifestyle

What Kind of Exercise Do I Need to Do?

Any type of exercise can be effective at lowering blood sugar levels. If you are trying to lose weight, doing cardio paired with strength training can be very effective. Cardio is any kind of exercise that increases your heart rate, from something as simple as a brisk walk to something more difficult like kickboxing. Strength training does not necessarily mean weight training; you can do effective strength training by doing floor exercises that require little to no equipment.

How Often Should I Exercise?

To effectively lower blood sugar, exercise should be a regular part of your life. Regular exercise can be done daily or three to five times a week. For people trying to lose weight, cardio should be done three to five times a week and strength training should be done three times a week with a rest day in between.

Walking as a Solution

If you feel as though you don't have the time, the clothes or the right equipment to work out, walking is a great exercise. Walking requires no more equipment than a good pair of walking shoes and socks that do not irritate your feet. Walking can be done for as little as a few minutes at a time up to an hour or more. It is a good starter exercise if you have not exercised in awhile.

What Else Does Exercise Help?

Many people with diabetes also have other conditions such as hypertension, obesity and are at risk for heart disease. Regular exercise can lead to lower blood pressure, weight loss and more controlled glucose levels. Exercise also can help relieve stress and improve sleep.

Warning

If you have not exercised in a long time, or since you have been diagnosed with diabetes or any other condition, talk to your health care provider. Take your glucose levels before and after exercising to ensure that they do not drop too much. Do not exercise if you have low blood sugar--anything lower than 100 mg/dL, if your blood sugar levels are higher than 250 mg/dL, take someone with you while you exercise or exercise in your home. You should never lose the ability to carry on a conversation while exercising. If you do lose the ability to carry on a short conversation, slow down or stop an take short break.

Natural Herbs to Lower Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can cause many long-term complications. Natural herbs can often be employed to lower blood sugar under a physician's supervision. Herbs have a long history of treating disease and improving bodily functions, including insulin production. Many of these treatments are extremely effective, as modern science is beginning to realize.

Natural herbs to lower blood sugar can help control the symptoms of diabetes. They are used as a treatment and preventative for both Type I and Type II diabetes. They have the potential to help diabetics and pre-diabetics lower and maintain a safe, healthy level of blood glucose. Many sufferers of diabetes seeking an alternative treatment to traditional drugs turn to natural herbs for help.

Types

There are many natural herbs that are believed to lower blood sugar. Aloe vera, juniper berries, alfalfa, golden seal, pumpkin seeds and blond psyllium are used primarily for patients suffering from Type I diabetes. Mullein, garlic, dandelion, bugleweed, devil's claw, saw palmetto, chickweed, cinnamon bark, American ginseng and holy basil are all used in treating Type II diabetes.
Some herbs are used in the treatment of both types of diabetes. These herbs include huckleberry, comfrey, yarrow, capsicum, red raspberry, pau d'arco and cascara sagrada.

Features

Natural herbs to lower blood sugar typically affect glucose levels in different ways. Although the exact mechanisms and active ingredients are sometimes unknown, many of the herbs feature flavanoids that prevent beta cell damage. Other features of blood sugar lowering herbs may include hypoglycemic agents such as charantin, polypeptide, allyl propyl disulphide and diallyl disulphide oxide.

Benefits

Herbs that lower blood sugar are relatively non-toxic and can effectively increase the body's production of insulin. Some promote healing of the glandular system, which cleanses the blood. Others work to tone the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Overall, these herbs are generally a safe, natural alternative to traditional diabetes treatments.

Warning

Some herbs that lower blood sugar may not work for all people. Their effect may vary from individual to individual. Side effects may be experienced by some people, and a combination of herbs may be required to gain the desired affect.

The strength of these herbs will also vary from batch to batch, and interactions with drugs are a concern. A doctor should always moderate the use of herbs in addition to medications to prevent dangerous hypoglycemic interactions.