According to nutritionist Kanikka Malhotra, a diabetes educator in India, exercise is the key to effective blood sugar control, especially for people with diabetes. However, if you exercise too much at high intensity, the results can go against expectations, causing temporary spikes in blood sugar and posing a risk of complications, according to the Indian Express.
High-intensity exercises such as sprinting or lifting heavy weights can cause temporary increases in blood sugar. This is because when the body falls into a state of physiological stress, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are secreted, causing the liver to produce more glucose.
This reduces insulin's ability to absorb glucose, causing a short-term loss of blood sugar control (30-120 minutes after exercise).
For people with a high starting sugar index (over 180-200 mg/dL), high-intensity exercise not only causes blood sugar to spike but can also lead to ketone acidosis if ketones are present in the blood, which is a particularly dangerous condition for type 1 diabetes patients.
In addition, the risk of late hypoglycemia (4-24 hours after exercise) cannot be ignored, especially when the body is not provided with enough energy or uses insulin without adjusting the appropriate dosage.
To balance the physical benefits and health safety, Ms. Malhotra recommends prioritizing moderate aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, combined with a maximum of 2-3 high-intensity sessions per week, at least 48 hours apart.
Before exercising, patients should check blood sugar, supplement carbohydrates if they are lower than 100 mg/dL, and should not exercise when there are signs of ketones. Using a blood glucose meter continuously will help monitor and adjust in a timely manner, avoiding unwanted complications.
Don't let your passion for exercise become a double-edged sword. Exercise intelligently, suit your physical condition and closely monitor your indicators to protect your long-term health.
