Blood glucose levels creeping upward? Exercise can help control diabetes

Low-impact excercise programs, such as tai chi,can help people better control their diabetes and lower glucose levels, according to a University of Florida study. The study showed that those who particpated in a tai chi exercise program two days a week with three days of home practice for six months significantly lowered their fasting blood glucose levels and also improved their management of the disease. Subjects also reported enhanced overall quality of life, including mental health, vitality and energy. Tai chi is an ancient form of martial arts that combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow, gentle circular movements. It uses shifts in body position and stepping in coordination with arm movements. The Tai chi program had less stress on bones and muscles than more strenuous exercise, but still had the same beneficial effects in lowering blood glucose levels. So, perhaps we should all use exercise as a preventive measure, along with careful diet choices and weight control to ward off the ravages of diabetes.