Why do glucose levels rise in some patients but fall in others, despite similar exercise patterns?
These changes can be attributed to acute effect and sustained effect: • Acute effect In the person whose diabetes is well-controlled, exercise may lower glucose levels since he or she is producing enough insulin and liver glucose production is suppressed. In the person whose diabetes is poorly controlled, he or she is not producing enough insulin. Therefore, liver glucose production is unbalanced and muscle glucose uptake is diminished. This results in an increase in glucose levels and may even lead to ketosis (the production of abnormal amounts of ketones, which are byproducts of fat metabolism). Prolonged strenuous exercise (exceeding 80% of your maximum capacity) may also lead to elevation of blood sugar. • Sustained Effect The stored supply of glycogen in your muscles is depleted after 40 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise. After exercise, glucose flux across muscle increases significantly. This may lead to delayed hypoglycemia. What are the benefits of regular exercise?
