People with diabetes are aware of the importance of maintaining an exercise routine, but when is the best time to exercise for optimal blood sugar reduction?

After detailed communication, it was discovered that this patient has a passion for running, especially marathon-style running, which involves intense physical activity. However, during each run, he would experience hypoglycemia, accompanied by cold sweats and trembling, requiring a long recovery period. Encouraged by his daughter, he was enrolled in our out-of-hospital management program, and I personally assisted in his adjustment.

The primary focus was on adjusting his diet and insulin dosage. After about a week of continuous adjustments, his blood sugar returned to normal and stabilized, with no further episodes of hypoglycemia. During this process, I advised him to discontinue his previous exercise routine and switch to exercising after each meal. To be more specific, starting from the beginning of the meal, it usually takes 20–30 minutes to finish eating. After resting for a while, he should begin exercising around the 50-minute mark. This effectively avoids the peak blood sugar period. The exercise intensity does not need to be high; a 20-minute walk, five-element exercise, or ultra-slow jog is sufficient.

Patients often ask why exercise should be scheduled at that particular time. This is because blood sugar typically peaks within half an hour to an hour after eating. Exercising before this peak effectively helps lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, it’s important to approach things with the right methods rather than relying on brute force.

Through today’s story, Dr. Wu hopes that readers will pay more attention to their parents, understand their specific conditions and medications, and acquire some health knowledge. As children working away from home, this will give you greater peace of mind, free from constant worry.