Running With Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that affects a person’s blood glucose levels which may lead to a large array of complications. According to the American Diabetes Association over 23.6 million Americans or 8% of the US population has Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes, also known as adult-onset, is the most common form of diabetes and most commonly occurs in adults who are overweight. One of the recommendations given to type 2 diabetes patients is to watch their diets and exercise in order to control their weight. Since running is a sport that does not require much coordination, is relatively inexpensive, and is accessible to everyone, it is a popular choice for diabetics to try and get their bodies into the healthiest shape they can.

If you have Type 1 diabetes then you rely on insulin injections in order to convert glucose into energy to get you through the day. Running with Type 1 Diabetes can be very tricky, but it is definitely do-able and beneficial. The trick to running with Type 1 Diabetes is making sure that you have enough energy, or insulin, to sustain you through the entire run. You will want to ask your physician how long of a run they advise.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, then your body either does not have enough insulin or the cells do not recognize insulin properly. Therefore these people require that they regulate their diets so that they have the optimal amount of glucose in their systems. If you are a runner that has Type 2 Diabetes then you might have to bring extra little energy packs with you on long runs as well as your blood glucose meter to make sure that your blood glucose levels are being sustained throughout your run. Again, for the best advice on what levels of running are safe for you if you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, consult your physician.

Diabetes is a disease that is becoming an epidemic due to our increasing sedentary lifestyle and the increasing number of people who are acquiring this disease. Running is a great option for people with diabetes to get into the best shape they can to help manage their diabetes. The key thing to remember is that when you run, your body is working much harder than in your normal daily activity. Your blood glucose levels will have to be strictly monitored to ensure you stay as healthy as possible.