How Strength Training is Beneficial for Diabetic and Hypothyroid Patients

Strength training involves muscle-building exercises such as push-ups, weight training, resistance bands, and dumbbells.

Benefits for Diabetic Patients

1. Decreased insulin resistance: Strength training is said to decrease insulin resistance, leading to more efficient utilization of glucose in the blood. This reduces the need for the pancreas to produce insulin.
2. Increased metabolic rate: The muscle mass built up through strength training helps increase the basal (resting) metabolic rate, leading to increased utilization of blood sugar.
3. Reduced insulin build-up: As insulin resistance decreases, there is less build-up of insulin in the body, which is a hormone responsible for fat storage.
4. Weight loss and better blood sugar control: The combination of reduced insulin levels and an increased resting metabolic rate leads to weight loss, better energy levels, and improved blood sugar control.

Benefits for Hypothyroid Patients

For people with hypothyroidism, the metabolic rate is reduced as the thyroid hormone is responsible for inducing metabolism. Additionally, there is a general reduction in muscle mass, leading to loss of strength, lethargy, weakness, fat deposition, sleepiness, and less tolerance to cold climates. This can be easily combated by resistance training through:

1. Increased metabolic rate: muscle build-up increases metabolic rate.
2. Reduced lethargy: strength training helps reduce lethargy.
3. Reduced fat deposition: it helps reduce fat deposition, leading to a fitter physique.
4. Better regulation of thyroid hormones: some studies have shown that thyroid hormones are better regulated after strength training.

Thus, introducing strength/resistance training alongside aerobic exercises such as walking and running is essential for diabetics and people with hypothyroidism.