Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Released: Thu 01-Apr-2004, 17:30 ET  Printer-friendly Version

Staving Off Diabetes

Newswise — Diabetes has increased tenfold in the United States in the past 30 years and so has pre-diabetes, previously called borderline diabetes. Dietary changes are important in helping obese and other at-risk people avoid diabetes, but physical exercise may be even more important, according to UAB endocrinologist Richard Rosenthal, M.D.

“Exercise improves your insulin sensitivity, helps the body better metabolize glucose and keeps people at risk of diabetes out of the danger zone.” Exercise that builds lean body mass – such as weight training, yoga or Pilates – can further improve insulin sensitivity, making it a helpful complement to aerobic exercise such as walking or running. He emphasizes that people with pre-diabetes should try to exercise for a minimum of 20-30 minutes every day.