Exercise & Glucose

sorcha1977
sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
My doctor told me I would need to exercise for at least 30 minutes 5-6 days per week to help keep my glucose levels in check. I'm on Metformin and progesterone for PCOS with insulin resistance. My A1C was 6.1 last year (pre-diabetic), and I've lost nearly 60 pounds since then. I'm hoping the weight loss and Metformin will have me back down around 5-ish (normal) when I have my lab work done in a couple weeks.

Anyway, since I already exercise, I didn't think to ask him why exercise would be beneficial as far as glucose is concerned. I just nodded and said, "Yup! I walk and swim all the time!" Bad me. :)

Can anyone shed more light on this? Does exercise help your body process the glucose? If so, how? I'm biologically derp-tastic tonight.

Replies

  • Marina809
    Marina809 Posts: 38
    Your body uses glucose for energy so that when you exercise your blood sugar will go down. Be careful if you take diabetic medication (Metformin, insulin) that you don't exercise to the point of hypoglycemia. If you feel tired, shaky, confused you may have over done it and lowered your BS too much. Have a source of glucose handy, test sugar before exercise, etc. just to be cautious.
  • ngyoung
    ngyoung Posts: 311 Member
    Exercise can lower your blood sugar. Biggest thing you can do to help your blood sugar is to lower your carbs so it doesn't become elevated.
  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    Exercise can lower your blood sugar. Biggest thing you can do to help your blood sugar is to lower your carbs so it doesn't become elevated.

    I keep my carbs at 25-30% per my doctor. :) He said the exercise would be an added bonus.
  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    Your body uses glucose for energy so that when you exercise your blood sugar will go down. Be careful if you take diabetic medication (Metformin, insulin) that you don't exercise to the point of hypoglycemia. If you feel tired, shaky, confused you may have over done it and lowered your BS too much. Have a source of glucose handy, test sugar before exercise, etc. just to be cautious.

    I don't take insulin. I'm pre-diabetic, not diabetic. I don't check my sugar or anything like that. I eat fewer carbs, exercise, and take metformin.

    I'll keep the hypoglycemia in mind and watch for that, though. I'll toss some of those little boxes of raisins in my swim bag. Thanks!
  • ngyoung
    ngyoung Posts: 311 Member
    You should get a glucose meter anyways to check your levels. You will get the best feedback about what foods in your diet are effecting your blood sugar the most. Test 1 hour after a meal. I would keep carbs at 100g or less. Your doc is right though taking a brisk walk or jog for 15-20 mins will lower it quicker when it elevates from a meal.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Does exercise help your body process the glucose? If so, how?
    Cardio activity burns glucose for fuel. You're basically burning off some of the extra blood sugar.
    Strength/Resistance Training can help improve insulin sensitivity. Additionally, adding muscle mass will help in the long term to improve your metabolism.

    I think the best approach is a regular routine that includes a combination of strength and cardio training.

    Here are a few articles on the subject
    http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/18/2/71.full
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15232701
    He said the exercise would be an added bonus.
    I agree with this. Diet is the number one priority, after that a consistent exercise routine can help keep the BGL in check.
  • thoma7329
    thoma7329 Posts: 1
    You shouldn't need to worry about hypoglycemia with metformin alone. (I am a pharmacist) Exercise helps drive glucose into the cells to be used for energy.
  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    Thank you, everyone. I'll check out some blood sugar monitors and start checking my levels, particularly after meals that involve carbs. My mom has checked me when I go up north to visit her, and I'm usually around 100-115 after a meal, which I think is good, yes?

    I usually try to keep my carbs between 100 - 130 g per day, and I do my best to combine them with protein and fiber. Sometimes I'm weak and eat some mac & cheese for dinner, but it's not often (maybe once every couple months). :) Avoiding potatoes and white bread/pasta hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be, but I do tend to binge on fruit (especially blueberries). I know fructose isn't the same as glucose, but I should probably keep my fruit portions small anyway.

    This has been a big adjustment, but it'll be worth it if my A1C has come down and I'm not at risk for diabetes anymore.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I do tend to binge on fruit (especially blueberries). I know fructose isn't the same as glucose,

    Per 100g blueberries :

    Glucose 7222mg
    Fructose 7355mg

    oops.

    The 5 grams or so of sugar circulating in your blood is only 20 calories hence it'll keep you alive at rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    I didn't mean their values; I meant that fructose and glucose are different things. :) I realize they both affect my insulin.

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