Rochester, MN (PRWEB) March 15, 2007

Exercise is an essential element of diabetes management. Regular exercise helps people who have diabetes control blood sugar levels, boost overall fitness and reduce risk of heart disease and nerve damage.

New articles in the Diabetes Center on MayoClinic.com shed light on the connection between diabetes and exercise and offer advice on how to get started and stay on track with an exercise program, including how to avoid potential problems with blood sugar levels before, during and after exercise. A new podcast helps users become better informed about diabetes and prediabetes, a condition marked by elevated blood sugar that puts people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

According to MayoClinic.com, exercise can help boost mood and energy levels and can also lead to:

Improved blood sugar control. During exercise, muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy. This lowers blood sugar levels. And the more strenuous the workout, the longer the effect lasts. For people who have type 2 diabetes, exercise can increase insulin sensitivity. Along with a healthy-eating plan, exercise may reduce or even eliminate the need for glucose-lowering medication.

Improved heart health. Diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Exercise counteracts the risk by improving blood flow, increasing the heart’s pumping power and lowering cholesterol levels.

Improved weight control. Exercise can help people lose weight and keep it off.

Before beginning a fitness program, individuals should get their doctor’s OK to exercise, especially if they have been inactive. Talk with a doctor about activities and the best time to exercise, as well as the potential impact of medications on blood sugar levels. For more information, visit http://www.MayoClinic.com.

About MayoClinic.com

Launched in 1995 and now visited by nearly 9 million users a month, this

award-winning consumer Web site offers health information, self-improvement and disease management tools to empower people to manage their health. Produced by a team of Web professionals and medical experts working side by side, MayoClinic.com gives users access to the experience and knowledge of the more than 2,000 physicians and scientists at Mayo Clinic. MayoClinic.com offers users intuitive, easy access tools such as “Symptom Checker” and “First-Aid Guide” for fast answers about health conditions ranging from common to complex; as well as more in-depth sections on over 25 common diseases and conditions, a wealth of healthy living articles, videos, animations and features such as “Ask a Specialist” and “Drug Watch.” Users can sign up for a free weekly e-newsletter, “Housecall,” which provides the latest health information from Mayo Clinic. For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.com.

To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to http://www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your health stories.

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