Diet and exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus

It is now clear that regular physical exercise plays an important role in b oth the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, exercise combined with dietary restriction leads to decreased body fat, in creased insulin sensitivity, improved long-term glycemic control, improved lipid profiles, lower blood pressure, and increased cardiovascular fitness. The biochemical mechanisms by which acute exercise and physical training r egulate glucose transport and metabolism in skeletal muscle and improve ins ulin sensitivity are being defined now, and recent developments in this are a are discussed. In addition, guidelines are presented for the development of an exercise program and for the evaluation of patients with type 2 diabe tes mellitus before starting such a program.