Susan Sorensen

Too often we realize in December that our January goals of daily exercise have fallen by the wayside. If you do have diabetes, you must be aware of the positive impact that daily exercise has on controlling your blood glucose.

The benefit of exercise is twofold: Your body uses glucose for an energy source and exercise enhances the action of insulin that is present.

But what if you don't have diabetes? Is exercise that important? A resounding "yes" is the answer, but for those of you who need more facts to convince you, please keep reading.

Exercise is crucial for our health, whether we have diabetes or not. Limited daylight hours and frigid temperatures are convenient excuses for not exercising "just for today," but our inactivity is doing more damage than what we have thought.



Let's count the ways

In the December issue of Nutrition Action Health Letter, the positive impacts of exercise are explored. Let's discuss a few of them so that as 2010 arrives, you will be

motivated for your daily exercise routine.

_ Exercise promotes the growth and creation of new brain cells. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain.

This increased blood flow stimulates the growth of both new brain cells and new capillaries, which improves the distribution of nutrient-laden blood.

_ Additionally, increased aerobic exercise helps to maintain and increase the size of the hippocampus, the area of the brain that is critical for memory. So get out

your crossword puzzle or Sudoku after you complete your daily walk and enhance your health with new brain cells.



Live longer

_ Being a couch potato will shorten your life.

When you sit for long periods of time, poor circulation develops in the lower limbs and cellular metabolism in the large leg muscles is negatively impacted. Just by standing or walking around instead of sitting, you encourage blood flow and increased muscle activity.

So the next time someone wants to sit and talk, suggest that you walk and talk to improve your health.

_ Exercise prevents visceral fat, which can accumulate around the internal organs deep inside the belly and contributes to insulin resistance, diabetes and heart disease. By taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes six times a week, you can stop the accumulation of visceral fat. When you increase your exercise you even can lose visceral fat!



Reduces pain,

lowers pressure

_ Exercise helps to reduce pain and disability that occurs with arthritis along with helping to control blood pressure. Instead of relying on medications for arthritis pain and hypertension, incorporate an exercise routine in your day and improve your overall health.

_ Exercise protects your heart. Your heart is a muscle that must be exercised to remain strong. A brisk walk for 30 minutes a day for five days a week will cut your chances of a heart attack by 30 percent and walking 60 minutes a day will reduce your chance of having a stroke by 40 percent.

Exercise offers many benefits to improve your physical and psychological health.

If you don't want to exercise for yourself, think of your family. Exercise will have a positive impact on your life; just do it!



Susan Sorensen is a registered nurse who does diabetes education in the community and can be reached at www.starlady

diabetes.com.