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Exercise and blood sugar

A

Andydragon

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
3,323
Location
Gloucester
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi all,

although over 12 years type 2, I am realising I don’t know a lot about how it works so apologies if this has an obvious answer!

I’m trying a low carb diet but today I had an off day, as my partner was able to visit and had a socially distanced meal

I had a Pizza Hut small half pepperoni and half pineapple, peppers, tomatoes and onion with hot and spicy chicken strips so massive carb influx

not good but a one off treat (I’m feeling guilty!)

before meal my bloods were 6.3. 2 hours after eating I had a ride in my exercise bike, 25 mins, moderate exercise. About 11km, I then did my bloods and had a 5.2, thought error so re measured and 4.9

So, I don’t understand. Does the exercise burn off the sugar in the blood? Will my bloods rise again later or am I settled lower for the night? Not that I’m planning on more carbs but can exercise help?

thanks,
Andy
 

Yes! Your muscles get energy from glucose. Insulin binds with glucose molecules to carry the glucose to where it needs to be. And that's where things start to go wrong, if your body doesn't make insulin or you have insulin resistance.

This is why a lot of atheletes 'carb up' for sports. But some exercise, like sudden strenuous activity can actually raise glucose levels because your liver releases glucose to help you.

Hope that makes sense?

Regards
Urb'
 
I read there’s another transport mechanism that gets activated when you exercise. GLUT4 or something. I guess your muscles soak up the glucose even if you have insulin resistance.. imho exercise is king.
 

Hi Andy. I recognise the lack of knowledge about this condition from my decade's experience. What I have read is that low level but reasonable length cardio - e.g. the bike which is also my favourite - have a positive impact. I am trying a Libre - month now - that backs up this theory. Great news that you could meet up with partner.
 
Thanks for the input. There is so much I feel I have to learn. All I do know is pulling in the exercise and the lower carbs is having a good impact. I shall keep doing what I am doing.

buts it’s not an excuse to pile on the pizza!
 
As a general rule of thumb, if you over do carbs one of the things you can do to bring your levels down is move. Your muscles burn energy and crave more so they draw in glucose.

Generally the only time exercise raises BG is if you do it on an empty tummy. Then your body converts glucose from fat reserves which can give a small rise on BG. Again this is perfectly natural and is not something to worry about - over all its a positive benefit.

The more you exercise, the faster your metabolic rate gets, the bigger and stronger your muscles get - they more glucose they crave. So my body now, at rest even though i have 5 stone less of it then before gets through more glucose and more calories per hour then it did when it was much bigger. This change can in many cases reduce insulin resistance so your better at using glucose and need much more of it, so you can eat much more of it to begin with.

Thats exercise not diet - granted does not work for everyone.

Can see i am repeating things reading up - but i have written it now so im sticking with it!
 
Like you style sir. As far as I can make out after nearly 5 years on here the most parsimonious way of putting things is eat your greens and move about. I'd call this the Harry Redknapp doctrine.
 
That’s really good advice
I’m not perfect and do still eat stuff I shouldn’t but I am trying. Again, not an excuse to eat more by exercising but by using both lower carbs and exercise hopefully it will improve me overall

It is pretty much the only good thing that has come from this lockdown. My fear of uncontrolled bloods and the risk has pushed me into making a change. I miss the foods for sure, but I value myself more
 
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