It is important to maintain a well-balanced diet, especially when living with chronic conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes as it helps blood glucose levels remain stable (JRDF, 2023). Exercise is seen as highly beneficial towards the condition as it can provide a range of advantageous effects such as: increasing insulin sensitivity, lowering blood pressure (high blood pressure can lead to risks of diabetic complications), improves cholesterol, aids weight loss, helps joint mobility and flexibility. Furthermore, exercise releases endorphins which reduces stress levels. 40% of patients diagnosed with diabetes struggled with mental health throughout treatment (Diabetes UK, 2023).
Some may argue that weightlifting is not a suitable physical activity for diabetics as it gives rise to safety issues. Those with diabetic complications should avoid high-intensity activity and heavy lifting, is it recommended that there are other gentler, low-impact exercises to try; such as swimming, cycling, or walking (Diabetes Uk, 2023). It has been studied that intense exercise leads to drastic rises or drops in blood glucose leading to hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia (NHS, 2021). Hypo’s can lead to blurred vision, difficulty concentrating/ confused thinking, slurred speech, numbness, drowsiness -If blood glucose stays low for too long, starving the brain of glucose, it may lead to seizures, coma, and very rarely death (ADA, 2023). You can avoid hypos by eating the right amount of carbs before, during and after exercise (NHS, 2021). As mentioned in the meal plan and its justification. Oli’s meal plan contains a selection of high-carb snacks that can be eaten in order to treat hypoglycemia. It is safe to do so when well-managed, Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition requiring an intensive and challenging self-management regimen Akhter, K., et al. 2016). Internal Journal of Cardiology shows people with type 2 diabetes, strength training can be more beneficial to blood sugar regulation than cardio (Dutheil, F., et al. 2013).
References:
Food and nutrition with type 1 diabetes (2023) JDRF, the type 1 diabetes charity. Available at: https://jdrf.org.uk/information-support/living-with-type-1-diabetes/everyday-life/food/ (Accessed: May 7, 2023).
Hook, E. (2023) Diabetes and exercise, Diabetes UK. Diabetes UK. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/exercise (Accessed: May 7, 2023).
Exercise and sport (2021) NHS choices. NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/living-with-type-1-diabetes/exercise-and-sport/ (Accessed: May 7, 2023).
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) (2023) Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose) | ADA. Available at: https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia#:~:text=This%20can%20lead%20to%20blurred,coma%2C%20and%20very%20rarely%20death. (Accessed: May 7, 2023).
Akhter, K., Turnbull, T. and Simmons, D., 2016. Influences of social issues on type 1 diabetes self‐management: are we doing enough?. Practical Diabetes, 33(9), pp.307-312a. (Accessed: May 7. 2023).
Dutheil, F., Lac, G., Lesourd, B., Chapier, R., Walther, G., Vinet, A., Sapin, V., Verney, J., Ouchchane, L., Duclos, M. and Obert, P., 2013. Different modalities of exercise to reduce visceral fat mass and cardiovascular risk in metabolic syndrome: the RESOLVE* randomized trial. International journal of cardiology, 168(4), pp.3634-3642. (Accessed: May 7. 2023).