of Diabetes Translation used data from the 1990-1991 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to look at the mortality rates for 2 896 diabetics who'd been sick for an average of 11 years. Their average age was 59. In an eight-year follow up, 671 of the participants died, 316 of heart disease. Looking at the health interviews that were conducted in the early 1990s, including self-reports of exercise among all the participants, the scientists found that those diabetics who walked for at least two hours weekly had a 39 percent lower all-cause death rate and a 34 percent lower death rate from
heart disease compared to those who did not walk. Among those who walked between three and four hours a week, the benefit was even higher, a 53 percent lower death rate from cardiovascular disease. Walking any longer than that didn't result in further benefit, however, the study points out.
Dr Frank Hu, a diabetes specialist at the Harvard School of Public Health who wrote an editorial that accompanied the study, says the CDC study confirms that walking is an important part of treating diabetes. "
Lifestyle modifications remain a cornerstone for diabetic management," Hu says. "We have very strong evidence that walking and other types of activity can go a long way in reducing mortality and cardiovascular complications from
diabetes. Walking is as effective as medicines - probably more effective, because walking has no side effects." Brisk walking is the best, Gregg recommends. "People should be able to carry on a conversation but know that their breathing is elevated," he says. – (HealthDayNews)
