Exercise, Adrenalin, and Your Blood Sugar

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GREETINGS --

When you aggressively increase your exercise regimen your blood

sugars will go up with exercise intensity. This usually happens

because you are excited and are releasing adrenaline (a hormone also

called epinephrine). This is a normal response in people with or

without diabetes. The adrenaline causes sugar to be released from

stores in the muscle and liver and raises the blood sugar for varying

periods of time. This usually happens in the first hour of exercise.

You are likely to be better off if you slowly build up your stamina.

Much like someone training for a marathon race the adrenalin will

tire you out -- not the elevated blood sugars. As your body gets used

to the increased activity it will generate less adrenalin -- so long

as you pace yourself. Also, make sure you keep rehydrating yourself

as you are training and subsequently while you are on the ride.

wambo1941