It is a four -month training plan to make the path that Holland also does.
Patients from Bierzo and Navarra, along with the companions in the first training stage, in front of Cornatel Castle.
The current lifestyle, the increase in obesity and bad habits, together with greater life expectancy, are triggering an alarming increase in diabetes cases.
Prove that sport can contribute, and much, to improve the control of the disease and increase survival is the objective of a project promoted by the Diabetes Foundation and the Bas Van Van Foundation of the Holland, with the support of Novo Nordiskand under the coordination of Dr. Alberto Díez, doctor of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the Bierzo Hospital.
The challenge is called ‘walks through diabetes to Santiago’ and has involved eleven Bercian diabetics that will undergo a four -month training plan to make a stretch of the road in June.
The activity, in which Navarrese patients will also participate, began yesterday with a walk along the winter road, with departure and arrival in Santalla, passing through Cornatel Castle.It is only the principle of a plan that includes three weekly hiking days with an intensity and duration that will be increased progressively.
All participants in the challenge will be part of a scientific study whose objective is to analyze statistically how training and walks during the stages of the Santiago road can influence the control of this disease.To do this, each of the participants will carry a pedometer that will help monitor all the changes produced during the training period, in terms of variables such as glucose control and body weight, among others.
«The goal is for the patient to sport regularly, for this he will be stimulated beyond the three weekly group outings.We have a control center to know what each one walks, ”explained Dr. Alberto Díez, highlighting that sports practice, mainly in type 2 diabetics," helps to better control glucose with less medication, helps reduce cardiovascular riskand increases survival ».In fact, "he added," in type 2 diabetics, the power of exercise has been compared to the effectiveness of some of the classic diabetes medications. "
Therefore, the challenge ‘walks through diabetes to Santiago’ has a double objective: to carry out a scientific study on the benefits of sport based on the data obtained and raise public awareness about the need to avoid sedentary lifestyle."Most diabetes patients are sedentary," said the endocrine of the Bierzo Hospital.Not to mention those who have the disease and do not assume it as such, without following due treatment and those suffering from diabetes and ignoring it."It can be estimated that in the Bierzo there are 11,000 diabetics, but there may be another 3,000 who do not know," he said.
The health project that began in El Bierzo and has already begun in Holland and will also extend to Navarra, has the participation of the Bierzo Diabetics Association (ADEBI) and with the collaboration of the City Council of Ponferrada.
