January 20th, 2012
What exactly is blood sugar level?
A person’s blood sugar level (otherwise known as serum glucose level or plasma glucose level) is really just the quantity of glucose (sugar) present in their blood at any time.
So why is glucose critical?
Glucose (often called dextrose) is a simple sugar that is generated by the body from the carbohydrate food that individuals eat. It is crucial for a range of vital physiological processes. Notably, it is important as it gives energy to our cells, nervous system and also the brain.
Glucose is transported from the digestive system or liver to cells through the blood stream, and is made available for cell absorption through the hormone insulin, manufactured by the pancreas.
Glucose that is not directly used as a source of energy by brain cells, intestinal cells and red blood cells is taken to the liver, adipose tissue and muscle cells, where it is assimilated and stored as glycogen. This glycogen can be switched back to glucose and returned to the bloodstream any time insulin is low or absent.
Just how is blood sugar level tested?
Blood sugar is normally measured in molecular count, the unit for which is mmol/L (millimoles per liter). Furthermore, it is at times calculated as a weight in grams, the unit for which is mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).
What exactly is a healthy or standard blood sugar level?
Ordinarily, one’s body sustains its blood glucose level at a reference range of between 3.6 and 5.8 mmol/L (or 64.8 and 104.4 mg/dL).
The mean standard blood glucose level in human beings is around 4 mmol/L (or 72 mg/dL), but the level not surprisingly varies during the day. As you might suspect, glucose levels are almost always at their lowest upon waking, before the first meal of the day and surge after eating for 1 – 2 hours by a couple of milliMolar. However, with regards to people with diabetes, blood sugar fluctuates more broadly – see further below.
How can blood sugar / glucose levels influence your overall health?
As mentioned above, glucose provides one’s body with the fuel that it must have to perform important physiological functions. Inadequate sugar / glucose (a low blood sugar level) or an over-abundance of sugar / glucose (a high blood sugar level) may lead to considerable health risks and blood sugar levels outside the typical range might be an indication of an underlying sickness.
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
A continuously high blood sugar level is known as hyperglycemia, while low levels are generally known as hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is a potentially fatal condition. Warning signs include drowsiness, impaired mental functioning, frustration, shaking, twitching, lack of strength in arm and leg muscles, pale skin tone, excessive sweating, paranoid or hostile mentality and passing out. In severe cases, brain damage is a possibility.
By contrast, hyperglycemia usually involves suppressed appetite in the initial stages, with longer term health issues including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and eye, kidney, and nerve damage.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is characterised by chronic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) either because the body doesn’t generate adequate insulin, or for the reason that their cells fail to respond to the insulin that’s produced. It is the most typical disease associated with malfunction in blood sugar regulation.
For people with diabetes, it’s particularly crucial to hold blood sugar levels within normal ranges, otherwise severe health complications can arise. By way of example, nephropathy (kidney disease), neuropathy (nerve disease), retinopathy (eye disease) and cardiovascular diseases (heart diseases).
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance (a manifestation of polycystic ovarian syndrome) is another instance of an ailment where blood sugar levels are important. In this case, the body does not recognise the intake of sugars and carbohydrates and this means that it continues to pump out insulin which is not necessary. If this persists for a prolonged time period, the pancreas can shut down and stop producing insulin completely. If proper care is not taken by individuals who have this problem to ensure a balanced diet and balanced blood sugar levels, it can at some point trigger type two diabetes.
Can anything else influence blood sugar levels?
Lots of factors can impact on someone’s blood sugar level. By way of example, it can be briefly elevated as a result of extreme stress (such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery or illness) or as a result of drug / medication usage, which can cause glucose levels to increase or decline.
Alcohol intake also triggers an initial increase in blood sugar, but afterwards has a tendency to cause levels to drop.
Trying to keep your blood sugar level within a healthy range
Making positive and healthy lifestyle choices (and, if necessary, modifications) is an excellent first step in keeping your blood sugar levels in balance. For instance, taking regular exercise and (if needed) losing weight in a smart and healthy way.
Dietary modifications, in particular, are often very helpful in keeping blood sugar levels within normal ranges. For those with limited diets (such as diabetics), it can often be a struggle to ensure an optimum consumption of nutrients and vitamins on a daily basis. Lots of people find that high quality, nutrients-fortified meal replacement powders / shakes can help with this.
MEALtime is a liquid meal / meal replacement drink that is rich in quality protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, nutritious herbs and psyllium husks. What’s even better, it is suitable for diabetics and others aiming to maintain healthy, stable blood sugar levels because the only sugars included are those found naturally in the ingredient fruits.
MEALtime is a fast and simple way to fuel up on the go. Not only does this meal replacement / protein shake contain an array of important vitamins and minerals, but it also has important amino acids, ginseng and aloe vera for energy!
Naturally, prior to changing your diet or taking health supplements, always be sure to talk to your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).
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