Latest news with #YaleSchoolofMedicine
Observer
2 days ago
- Health
- Observer
How to manage blood sugar with exercise
These days, more and more of us have to worry about our blood sugar. Some 38 million Americans have diabetes and more than two times that number have pre-diabetes. Many millions more have some form of insulin resistance, which can make you tired, irritable and even dizzy. And all of these conditions become more common as we age. The good news is that exercise can help. It's at least as important as your diet for preventing and treating insulin resistance and diabetes. It can also help you lose weight, which is often the most important step in levelling out blood sugar. Exercise has several unique ways to help your body process glucose, said Dr Donald Hensrud, a specialist in preventive medicine and nutrition; and medical editor of 'The Mayo Clinic Diet.' Although any exercise is good for you, the type of movement you choose and when you do it can play a big role in how much it helps. Here are some things you should think about when planning workouts, according to experts. The causes of diabetes are complex. Family history, genetics, weight and diet certainly play a role. But it's clear that exercise can dramatically lower your blood glucose, regardless of your diagnosis and improve how well your body uses insulin. In fact, research has shown that exercise is generally more effective at preventing diabetes than medication is (though it is important to use all types of treatment). During exercise, your muscle cells can more easily use the glucose in your blood. This lowers blood sugar directly and can also reduce the fat around your organs, an important risk factor for diabetes and insulin resistance, said Dr Gerald I Shulman, a professor of medicine and physiology at the Yale School of Medicine. In particular, studies show that regular high-intensity interval training or moderate continuous exercise can make a difference, reversing pre-diabetes in almost 40% of the participants — although it could take months or even years for many people to see long-lasting changes. Any movement is better than none and simply going for a walk can have benefits. But according to research, the two most effective ways to lower your blood sugar through exercise are high-intensity workouts and strength training. A recent study found that strength training was significantly more effective for controlling blood sugar levels than aerobic exercise for people with Type 2 diabetes and this likely holds true for other people worried about their blood sugar, Shulman said. Also, both aerobic exercise and strength training create more mitochondria, which can help fight Type 2 diabetes, but weightlifting appears to be slightly more effective than aerobic exercise, assuming you are pushing yourself, Shulman said. Strength training is especially important for older people, since insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes accelerate the normal loss of muscle and strength that comes with age, particularly for women. While walking is good exercise for the heart, it generally won't build much muscle, said Michael Joseph Gross, author of 'Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscles in Our Lives.' The way you strength-train is also important, he added. To be most effective, the weights should feel heavy. A systematic review of the research found that lifting challenging weights helped lower blood sugar more effectively than low-intensity strength training. Consider alternating your strength training session with high-intensity interval training, which has been shown to be especially effective in managing blood sugar for people with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, consult a doctor before radically changing your fitness regimen. If you do not have insulin resistance, the time of day you work out doesn't matter much. But for people with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, studies suggest that afternoon exercise tends to help reduce blood sugar levels. That's because blood sugar rises and falls in regular patterns over the course of the day and as the day goes on, the body becomes less insulin sensitive. Thus afternoon exercise is typically less likely to cause dangerous glucose spikes. Experts recommend working out at least three days per week, with no more than two days in a row without activity. For people with insulin resistance, including diabetes, the best time to exercise is about 30 minutes after starting a meal to prevent blood sugar spikes. If morning workouts fit better with your schedule, try not to eat too many carbohydrates beforehand and start the day with a small meal of protein and healthy carbohydrates like fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Pre-diabetes and new-onset diabetes are much more responsive to lifestyle changes like diet and exercise than longer-term cases, Hensrud said, so it's important to address insulin resistance as soon as possible. 'I tell people with new diabetes they're in control,' he said, 'and the most important thing to do is decrease weight through dietary changes and exercise.' — The New York Times BLURB The causes of diabetes are complex. Family history, genetics, weight and diet certainly play a role. But it's clear that exercise can dramatically lower your blood glucose, regardless of your diagnosis and improve how well your body uses insulin.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Yale doctor: New vaccine for Lyme disease shows promise
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A potential breakthrough in treating Lyme disease with a possible vaccine is on the horizon. The disease and others are spread by tick bites. 'The deer tick transmits Lyme disease, babesoisis, anaplasmosis are the three main ones,' Dr. Eugene Shapiro, professor at Yale School of Medicine, says cases of Lyme disease have nearly doubled in the last 20 years. Now, new promise in a preventative vaccine that works after a tick bites.'The people who are immunized develop antibodies,' Shapiro said. 'The tick feeds on it (cut to) their blood with the antibodies goes into the tick. It kills the bacteria in the tick.'The National Institutes of Health reports about a half a million cases of tick borne infections each disease is the most common. Shapiro says a rash develops seven to 14 days after a tick bite, and some will develop symptoms such as facial nerve palsy, meningitis, carditis, inflammation of the heart and Lyme arthritis. Caught early, Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, but it's important to take precautions avoid being bit. Experts advise wearing repellent, wear light colored clothing and do a thorough tick check after being outside. This vaccine has been a possibility for decades and could finally be approved later this year. In early trials it has shown to be effective. Other vaccines for tick-borne diseases are also being worked on. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lifesaving techniques for National CPR Awareness Week
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — In today's health headlines, as we head into National CPR Awareness Week, what children and their babysitters should know about this lifesaving technique. Plus, we're talking about safety tips to keep kids out of the emergency room this spring and summer. Dr. Marc Auerbach, Yale Medicine pediatric emergency medicine physician and professor at Yale School of Medicine, joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. to discuss. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Can Type 2 diabetes be reversed?
Of the estimated 38 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, an overwhelming majority has Type 2. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. It develops when blood sugar levels are too high, causing the pancreas to produce insufficient insulin, which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Lifestyle and genetic factors can lead to Type 2 diabetes, which can be prevented in most cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk factors for Type 2 include being overweight, having a family history, not getting enough exercise and being 45 years or older. Type 2 diabetes is preventable, but is it reversible? Doctors say yes. Studies have shown that, with diet and exercise changes, some people may be able to return to normal blood sugar levels without medication, entering remission. 'The best way to reverse type 2 diabetes is to decrease your body's resistance to the actions of the insulin made by the pancreas,' said Dr. Patricia Peter, an assistant professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, in a news release. 'For most people, this means trying to attain a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and minimizing sugars and excessive carbohydrates in your diet,' Peter added. Doctors warn that healthy lifestyle changes must be maintained to keep blood sugar levels normal and to prevent the condition from redeveloping.
Observer
6 days ago
- Health
- Observer
How to manage your blood sugar with exercise
These days, more and more of us have to worry about our blood sugar. Some 38 million Americans have diabetes, and more than two times that number have prediabetes. Many millions more have some form of insulin resistance, which can make you tired, irritable and even dizzy. And all of these conditions become more common as we age. The good news is that exercise can help. It's at least as important as your diet for preventing and treating insulin resistance and diabetes. It can also help you lose weight, which is often the most important step in leveling out blood sugar. Exercise has several unique ways to help your body process glucose, said Dr. Donald Hensrud, a specialist in preventive medicine and nutrition and medical editor of 'The Mayo Clinic Diet.' Although any exercise is good for you, the type of movement you choose and when you do it can play a big role in how much it helps. Here are some things you should think about when planning workouts, according to experts. Exercise is essential for managing blood sugar. The causes of diabetes are complex. Family history, genetics, weight, and diet certainly play a role. But exercise can dramatically lower your blood glucose, regardless of your diagnosis, and improve how well your body uses insulin. Research has shown that exercise is generally more effective at preventing diabetes than medication is (though it is important to use all types of treatment). During exercise, your muscle cells can more easily use the glucose in your blood. This lowers blood sugar directly and can also reduce the fat around your organs, an important risk factor for diabetes and insulin resistance, said Dr. Gerald I. Shulman, a professor of medicine and physiology at the Yale School of Medicine. In particular, studies show that regular high-intensity interval training or moderate continuous exercise can make a difference, reversing prediabetes in almost 40% of the participants, although it could take months or even years for many people to see long-lasting changes. Prioritize strength training and intensity. Any movement is better than none, and simply going for a walk can have benefits. But according to research, the two most effective ways to lower your blood sugar through exercise are high-intensity workouts and strength training. A recent study found that strength training was significantly more effective for controlling blood sugar levels than aerobic exercise for people with Type 2 diabetes, and this likely holds true for other people worried about their blood sugar, Shulman said. Also, both aerobic exercise and strength training create more mitochondria, which can help fight Type 2 diabetes, but weightlifting appears to be slightly more effective than aerobic exercise, assuming you are pushing yourself, Shulman said. Strength training is especially important for older people, since insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes accelerate the normal loss of muscle and strength that comes with age, particularly for women. While walking is good exercise for the heart, it generally won't build much muscle, said Michael Joseph Gross, author of 'Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscles in Our Lives.' The way you strength-train is also important, he added. To be most effective, the weights should feel heavy. A systematic review of the research found that lifting challenging weights helped lower blood sugar more effectively than low-intensity strength training. Consider alternating your strength training session with high-intensity interval training, which is especially effective in managing blood sugar for people with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, consult a doctor before radically changing your fitness regimen. When is the best time to work out? If you do not have insulin resistance, the time of day you work out doesn't matter much. But for people with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, studies suggest that afternoon exercise tends to help reduce blood sugar levels. That's because blood sugar rises and falls in regular patterns over the course of the day, and as the day goes on, the body becomes less insulin sensitive. Thus afternoon exercise is typically less likely to cause dangerous glucose spikes. Experts recommend working out at least three days per week, with no more than two days in a row without activity. For people with insulin resistance, including diabetes, the best time to exercise is about 30 minutes after starting a meal to prevent blood sugar spikes. If morning workouts fit better with your schedule, try not to eat too many carbohydrates beforehand and start the day with a small meal of protein and healthy carbohydrates like fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Prediabetes and new-onset diabetes are much more responsive to lifestyle changes like diet and exercise than longer-term cases, Hensrud said, so it's important to address insulin resistance as soon as possible. 'I tell people with new diabetes they're in control,' he said, 'and the most important thing to do is decrease weight through dietary changes and exercise.' This article originally appeared in
