Exercise can play a significant role in controlling or lowering blood sugar levels for individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure, according to Dr. Chandler Brandenburg of St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care in Pembroke on May 28. Brandenburg said even light activities such as walking a few minutes daily or performing simple resistance exercises like wall squats and jumping jacks can positively impact health.
“There is remarkable data that shows regular exercise can lower A1C by a minimum of .6 percent, .7 percent and beyond,” Brandenburg said. “If you think about the oral medications we use, they have similar data that they can lower A1C by around 1 percent. So, there’s a possibility if you start exercising you can get rid of one of your medicines.”
Brandenburg emphasized that exercise not only helps manage blood sugar but also reduces the risk of heart disease, which she identified as the leading cause of death among people with diabetes. “Even 500 steps a day, which is very minimum if you are supposed to take 10,000, can reduce heart disease risk of death by two to nine percent in diabetic patients,” Brandenburg said. She added that physical activity benefits other body systems and mental health.
The recommended amount of exercise for those with diabetes aligns with general guidelines: 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity, along with two days per week dedicated to resistance training. Moderate exercise allows for conversation but leaves participants slightly short of breath; vigorous activity makes it difficult to speak more than a few words at a time.
Brandenburg explained how exercise lowers blood sugar through improved insulin efficiency and independent mechanisms: “Exercise lowers blood sugar in multiple ways. One, it makes the insulin you already have in your body work better…when you exercise after you eat…you are going to avoid those afternoon spikes.” She recommended not going more than two days without exercising since post-exercise benefits on blood sugar persist up to 48 hours.
She advised individuals—especially those who are insulin dependent—to consult their healthcare provider before adjusting medication or starting new routines, due to potential changes in glucose levels from increased physical activity.
More people are being diagnosed as pre-diabetic (A1C between 5.7% and 6.5%), but regular exercise may help them return their numbers to normal ranges without medication if started early enough. Brandenburg recounted seeing this effect firsthand: “One gentleman came in pre-diabetic following a drastic and quick jump in his A1C…He was put on medication, made some diet changes and started walking every day…He’s no longer taking medicine because it’s been reversed with exercise…and also diet.”
St. Joseph’s/Candler supports community health through outreach programs addressing local needs; includes facilities such as St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital; has gained recognition for nursing excellence through Magnet status; focuses on providing compassionate healthcare guided by faith; extends services across more than 30 counties in southeast Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry; and offers specialized services including cancer care, heart health, women’s services, neurosciences, and advanced surgical options, according to the official website.
