Exercise, nutrition, and diabetes

Exercise is an important component of healthy lifestyle for the prevention of disease in the general population. Increasing physical activity has also been shown to improve flexibility [1], psychological well-being [2], and longevity [3]. Recommendations for exercise for Americans have recently become more aggressive (see Table 15.1). In diabetes management, there is a complex interplay among physical activity, nutrition, pharmacological intervention, and genomics. In prediabetes and Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), physical activity is an essential component of treatment as it lowers blood glucose and reduces obesity [4]. In Type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), exercise can result in a complex set of metabolic derangements if careful monitoring and adjustments are not in place. Importantly, exercise plays a role in preventing cardiovascular disease [5] and cerebrovascular disease [6], which are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population.