Narrator: How much exercise do I need to control my diabetes?
C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. President and Director, Joslin Diabetes Center: How much do you need to do? Well, I think the answer is you should do as much as you can comfortably do and as much as you can work into your routine.
Certainly, there's no disadvantage to doing a lot of exercise, if you have the time and you're in physically good shape.
C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.): People with diabetes who have complications, for example, people who might have neuropathy that affects the sensation in their feet,
or have cardiovascular disease so they have vascular insufficiency to their legs or to their heart, they need to work with their doctors to find the right exercise regiment.
They shouldn't just assume that they can do everything without some medical supervision.
C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.): On the other hand, people who are healthy, who may have diabetes but have none of the complications and who have no other reason not to exercise, they should try to do as much as they possibly can.
And any kind of exercise is really good.
C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.): Finally, we should remember that people with diabetes, or who are at risk for diabetes sometimes even very simple things count as exercise.
For a lot of people, just walking briskly is a good exercise. Especially as you get older or people who are over weight who can't do more vigorous exercise like sports.
Just getting out and walking just 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference.
