Ride out hope! Cycling to keep blood sugar level below 7

It is very important for diabetics to control blood sugar, but lack of exercise is a major weakness in poor blood sugar control! The current situation of 70% of domestic patients with blood sugar levels below the standard, the survey shows that only 45% (45.3%) of patients have exercise habits, and only 28% (28.9%) of diabetics meet the National Health Administration's recommendation that diabetics should exercise 5 times a week for more than 30 minutes each time. To achieve the goal of "perfect blood sugar control below 7", why not start with "Hope Cycling"!

Director-General Chiu Shu-ti of the National Health Administration, President Hsu Hui-heng of the Diabetes Society of the Republic of China, and officials led the "Trail of Hope Ride". (Photo courtesy of the Diabetes Society of the Republic of China)

What kind of exercise is suitable for diabetics? The best aerobic exercise is low resistance, high repetition, and low weight, which can enhance the use of oxygen by muscles. Several studies have shown that cycling is a good aerobic exercise for diabetic patients, which can increase oxygen intake and improve cardiopulmonary endurance.

Cycling can increase oxygen intake for diabetics

Studies have shown that the plasma insulin concentration of diabetics in the cycling group was 33% lower than that in the control group, indicating that regular exercise can enable the body to use insulin more effectively and help control blood sugar. In addition, the time spent in high blood sugar in the cycling sugar control group was significantly reduced by nearly 35% (33%) compared to the control group. Its effectiveness was better than that of the post-meal walking group, and overall blood sugar control was relatively stable.

A group of cycling enthusiasts, the first diabetes cycling team in Taiwan, the "Hope Cycling Trail", has been re-formed. Starting from the 28th, they will embark on a 4-day (10/28 to 10/31) "7" route journey with a total length of 328 kilometers. A total of 24 diabetics will participate in the whole process and along the way, as well as family members, doctors, health teachers, and nutritionists, a total of 38 people will complete the Hope Cycling Mission.

"Hope Cycling" helps diabetics regain their health through cycling. (Photo courtesy of the Diabetes Society of the Republic of China)

Diabetics can use bicycles to control blood sugar and take medication to control glycosylated hemoglobin below 7. (Photo courtesy of the Diabetes Society of the Republic of China)

I hope that the cycling trail will inspire people with diabetes to change together.

The cycling team will set out from Taipei, passing through Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Changhua, and will finally end at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou. Along the way, they will face challenges in physical strength and blood sugar changes, with the goal of riding the largest "7" route in Taiwan, and calling on patients to keep their glycosylated hemoglobin below 7%. The team will also participate in the lighting event for World Diabetes Day 2015, symbolizing that Taiwan is connecting with the world to change diabetes together.

Wang Qiuxiang, a teacher at the National Taiwan University who personally participated in the "Trail of Hope Ride", said that for diabetic patients, participating in such long-distance cycling is very difficult. It is easy for blood sugar levels to drop sharply due to physical strength, emotional stress, and environmental difficulties. If hypoglycemia occurs without careful attention, one may fall into a coma and be in danger of life. Therefore, diabetics in the team must measure their blood sugar every hour; adjust their diet and medication dosage according to recent exercise and blood sugar changes at any time; and prepare glucose gel, medication, insulin, etc. in the supply vehicle to be fully prepared.

Sugar control A to G! Are you 7?

In Taiwan, the number of people suffering from diabetes has exceeded one million, which not only affects the health of the people but also consumes a lot of medical resources. Dr. Hsu Hui-heng, president of the Diabetes Society of the Republic of China, said that the comprehensiveness of diabetes care and research requires long-term efforts and cannot be delayed. To prevent the occurrence of complications of diabetes, we must "control sugar from A to G!" That is, "self-control ABC + DEFG health management", where the 7 letters ABCDEFG represent:

(A) Glycated hemoglobin (A1c) should be below 7% and checked every 3 months.

(B) Blood Pressure is controlled below 130/80 mmHg.

(C) Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Cholesterol) below 100 mg/dL, every year

少檢查1次。

(D) Take medicine on time as prescribed by your doctor.

(E) Eye fundus examination, at least once a year.

(F)Foot inspection: at least once a year.

(G) Check urine microalbumin at least once a year and monitor kidney function (eGFR) regularly.

In addition, this year the Diabetes Association of the Republic of China invited personnel from approximately 100 diabetes health promotion organizations across Taiwan to participate in the "Taiwan Diabetes Registration Program." Secretary-General Lin Shiyi said that the content of the diabetes cardiovascular disease registration on the online platform includes basic personal information, lifestyle habits, laboratory tests, foot assessments, diabetic large and small blood vessel complications assessments, self-treatment status, medication use records, and hospitalization records. The system allows medical staff to better understand the patient's disease status and provide appropriate treatment to reduce the patient's diabetic complications. It also provides an important reference for Taiwan's future diabetes treatment, care, and research.