Walking Clears Blood Glucose

 

One of my mantras during my counseling of diabetic clients or during my diabetes nutrition lectures is that walking clears blood glucose. And I invariably get the same question: How does walking clears blood glucose? I guess some people don’t take my word for it. Thus I explain to them that although there are several theories, the most recent one goes as follows:

 

In order to have energy, our cells need glucose. In some diabetic individuals, because of insulin resistance, glucose cannot get into the cells and remains wandering around the blood vessels.

 

So, how can we get glucose into the cells? Well, under normal conditions, glucose is ushered into the cells by special proteins called GLUT-4 transporters. Insulin stimulates GLUT-4 transporters to come to the surface of the cell and take glucose inside. In some diabetic individuals this mechanism doesn’t work efficiently.

 

And guess what! Exercise appears to do the same as insulin: it stimulates GLUT-4. Like insulin, it causes GLUT-4 transporters to rise to the surface of the membrane of the cell where they can grab the glucose from the blood and get it into the cell. This takes care of the loose glucose in the blood. Amazing, isn’t it?

 

So, here you have it. Walking briskly in your neighborhood for about an hour most days of the week will have this effect. If you are at risk of developing diabetes type 2, walking can prevent your developing of this disease. If you already have diabetes type 2 and you are on diabetic medication, by walking briskly you may be able to reduce the amount of medication or you may not need taking it.

 

Please, keep in mind that you cannot stop taking any medication without consulting with your doctor; you can only do it under his/her supervision.

 

Hope you start walking today. Don’t wait until tomorrow.

 

Have a wonderful day,

 

Emilia Klapp, BS, RD.

MediterraneanDietfortheHeart