10 minute Walk Wonder!
“When I had my annual checkup, my blood test showed that I am close to having diabetes - meaning, I am now a “prediabetic”!
My doctor said I need to change my diet and start getting physically active. I recently read that taking a walk right after a meal will help lower blood glucose. Do you know if that’s true?”
This has become a common concern for individuals with borderline blood glucose levels. The good news: as your doctor advised, a healthy diet combined with regular physical activity tailored to your needs can reverse pre-diabetes.
A gentle 10 minute walk round the block, in your house - or moving your muscles for 10 minutes after a meal can drastically reduce your glucose response in a way that is really dramatic - almost up to 30 - 35% - regardless of your diabetes status.
That’s important because sudden blood sugar spikes and drops can raise cardiovascular risk and are believed to play a role in developing Type 2 diabetes. Studies strongly support this prescription for everyone.
It’s a whole different physiology than sitting on the couch after a meal because muscle activates multiple pathways in muscle membranes, drawing glucose in and using it as fuel.
Walking, even for as little as two minutes after a meal, can start to lower blood sugar, with benefits observed within minutes and lasting for the next 60-90 minutes, according to UCLA Health and The New York Times.
Zareer Patell - Black Belt, Personal Trainer, Wellness Columnist and Consultant on Call (since 1972).
#WalkAfterMeals #BloodSugarControl #PrediabetesPrevention #HeartHealth #LifestyleMedicine #DiabetesAwareness #WalkToHealth
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