MOVING
well
CAN EXERCISE DELAY THE ONSET OF TYPE 1 DIABETES?
New research suggests that high levels of exercise can help keep type 1 at bay, writes Diabetes WA educator MARIAN BRENNAN. Type 1 diabetes is what we call an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system attacks its own insulin producing cells – the beta cells. This process continues until there are no beta cells left, meaning the person with type 1 diabetes can no longer produce their own insulin. Interestingly, about 60% of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes experience a ‘honeymoon’ period, 20
where the body still produces small amounts of insulin because the beta cells partially recover (if only for a short time). During this period, some people find they do not need to inject as much insulin and find it easier to manage blood glucose levels. Some studies have also found that experiencing a honeymoon period is associated with fewer diabetes-related complications affecting the eyes and kidneys.
Exercise does have the potential to complicate diabetes management, so your health professional might have recommended you back off the exercise until you get the hang of things. While this advice may be sensible, the topic of exercise is rarely revisited later on. Even more concerning, some health professionals continue to discourage exercise even when their patient has come to grips with managing their diabetes.
I am sure I don’t need to tell those of you living with type 1 diabetes, but those first few months after being diagnosed can be very stressful.
This is a shame, as the benefits of physical activity and structured exercise are well-established for those living with type 1 diabetes. Exercise
