As the cold and wet days of winter begin to give way to the warmth of spring across the Westside, it’s a great time for local seniors to get up, get outside and get moving. Exercise, even the most moderate of regimens, is one of the most important lifestyle choices seniors can make to keep themselves healthy, mentally sharp and physically fit.
“It’s really very simple, being active is the single biggest determinant in maintaining and improving physical and mental health for seniors,” says Dianna McRae of Senior Helpers, an in-home care company with offices throughout Southern California.
Exercise among seniors has been proven to reduce the risk of developing some very common diseases and health problems people often encounter as they age. According to the National Institute of Health, these include heart disease, stroke, dementia and an increasingly prevalent issue within the local senior community – type 2 diabetes. March 22 is American Diabetes Alert Day.
A leading risk factor among seniors who may develop type 2 diabetes is a sedentary life style.
“Physical activity is absolutely vital for seniors looking to maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, says McRae. “There is a direct correlation, no doubt about it.”
Diabetes prevention benefits of exercise for seniors:
- Improves the body’s use of insulin
- Burns excess body fat, helping to decrease and control body weight
- Increases blood flow to reduce risk of related heart disease
- Keeps heart and blood vessels healthy by lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol
“Abnormal blood sugar levels can be reduced with simple exercise,” says McRae. “So those at higher risk of diabetes should try very hard to fit exercise into their routine. This is a simple step.”
According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is most common in blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and, of course, the elderly.
In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. During digestion, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.