PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Regular exercise is one of your best weapons against diabetes. But for many people this is a difficult medical issue. They wonder is it better for a person with diabetes to exercise or not? The problem is with exercise the blood sugar can change rapidly and potentially cause problems.

A new study looked at over 19,000 people. It concludes the advantages of exercise far outweigh the disadvantages. Exercise in the long-term can help offset numerous medical problems including heart disease.

But there is a very important follow up opinion in this argument. People have to learn as much as they can about diabetes and recognize the importance of closely monitoring blood sugar and taking precautions for sudden changes in sugar.

The reason I like the study, is that it reinforces a very important concept in medicine. People with chronic diseases need to live normal lives and the more active, the better.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor