Walking Helps Limit the Impact of Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes it would be a good idea to walk an extra 45 minutes each day, says a new study showing that exercise can keep the blood sugar levels under control, thus limiting the effects of this terrible disease. Type 2 diabetes is a non-insulin-dependent disease that can be managed through dietary modifications, physical exercise, and medication, usually occurring in adult individuals.

By simply walking, the researchers of the Newcastle University found, people will have a better ability of burning fats and storing sugar, which translates into an improvement of the effects of the disease several weeks after. Statistics indicate that about 2.3 million people in the UK suffer from diabetes, the type 2 form being responsible for 90 percent of this number. Although it can be treated without the necessity of insulin, the type 2 form, just like type 1 diabetes, may often require medication involving this hormone.

People who leave it untreated however, are likely to suffer blood vessel damage and other related heart diseases, or may lead to limb amputation. "This gives people an immediate way to help control diabetes without any additional drugs. It's a simple message," said leader of the study Michael Trenell.

By performing MRI investigations on 20 people, of which 10 had type 2 diabetes, before and after a two month experiment, Trenell's team revealed that diabetics who walk on average 10,000 steps a day, as opposed to the regular 6,000 steps, burn 20 percent more fats and are able to store more sugar into the muscles. In people suffering of diabetes, the muscles fail to absorb enough blood sugar, resulting in the increase of sugars in the bloodstream.

"People often find the thought of going to the gym quite daunting, but we've found that nearly everyone with diabetes is able to become more active through walking. Many people got off the bus a few stops earlier," Trenell said.

"Even gentle physical activity is vital in managing type 2 diabetes," said Iain Frame of the Diabetes UK regarding the findings of the study.