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Why can exercise improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes?

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A man in athletic clothing jogs along a paved path beside a black metal fence, with trees and another person in the background. — exercise Jogging.

Regular exercise is a key measure in managing type 2 diabetes because it enhances the body's ability to process blood sugar. In individuals with this condition, cells often do not respond effectively to insulin, the hormone responsible for facilitating the uptake of glucose from the blood into cells to be used as fuel.12

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity by making cells more receptive to insulin, allowing blood sugar to be taken in and utilized as energy more readily. Additionally, physical activity directly promotes the movement of glucose into muscle cells, which helps blunt the rise in blood glucose levels that typically occurs after eating carbohydrates. When combined with weight loss, regular exercise can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and may even help restore normal glucose metabolism.21