Could pumping iron help diabetics control their disease? That's the theory behind a Canadian study called the READI trial.
Pari Majcan, who has Type One Diabetes, spent a year in the study doing both aerobic workouts and weight training and she says the exercise has definitely helped her control her blood sugar.
The idea is to combine weight training with aerobic exercise for people with Type One Diabetes. Aerobic exercise alone doesn't seem to have as big an impact.
Well controlled blood sugar can have a significant impact on diabetics who are at risk of all sorts of complications including blindness, kidney failure and amputation.
Dr. Ron Sigal, an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research scientist at the University of Calgary says "that would be associated with a 25 to 40% reduction in risk of major complications like eye problems or kidney problems or heart disease. So it's quite a major impact".
This study builds on a previous research in Calgary which shows combined exercise helps people with Type Two Diabetes.
For more information or to potentially participate in the READI trial you can call MaryAnn Clearwaters at 403 955 8115 or email her at MaryAnn.Clearwaters@albertahealthservices.ca.
