Just what is blood sugar level?

One’s blood sugar level (also referred to as serum glucose level or plasma glucose level) is simply the level of glucose (sugar) present in their blood at any given time.

Exactly why is glucose significant?

Glucose (often known as dextrose) is a simple sugar that’s generated by the body from the carbohydrates that individuals ingest. It’s required for a wide variety of crucial bodily functions. In particular, it’s really important as it supplies energy to our cells, nervous system and the brain.

Glucose is transported from the digestive tract or liver to body cells by way of the bloodstream, and is made available for cell absorption by way of the hormone insulin, generated by the pancreas.

Glucose which is not directly used as a source of energy by brain cells, intestinal cells and red blood cells is transferred to the liver, adipose tissue and muscle cells, where it is actually assimilated and stored as glycogen. This glycogen can be transformed back to glucose and returned to the bloodstream whenever insulin is low or absent.

How is blood sugar level assessed?

Blood sugar is usually measured in molecular count, the unit for which is mmol/L (millimoles per liter). It’s also oftentimes calculated as a weight in grams, the unit for which is mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).

What’s a healthy or standard blood sugar level?

On average, the body maintains 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 typical blood glucose level in humans is around 4 mmol/L (or 72 mg/dL), but the level clearly fluctuates throughout the day. As perhaps you may expect, glucose levels usually are at their lowest early in the day, ahead of the first meal of the day and surge just after eating for one to two hours by a couple of milliMolar. Having said that, in terms of people with diabetes, blood sugar fluctuates more broadly – see further below.

Just how can blood sugar / glucose levels threaten your overall health?

As pointed out above, glucose offers a person’s body with the energy that it requires to carry out crucial bodily functions. Insufficient sugar / glucose (a low blood sugar level) or an excessive amount of sugar / glucose (a high blood sugar level) may bring about serious health hazards and blood sugar levels outside the normal range may be a warning sign of a medical condition.

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia

A continuously high blood sugar level is called hyperglycemia, while low levels are generally known as hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is a potentially fatal condition. Symptoms include lethargy, reduced mental functioning, frustration, shaking, twitching, weakness in arm and leg muscles, pale colouration, sweating, paranoid or hostile demeanour and fainting. In rare cases, brain damage is possible.

By contrast, hyperglycemia involves suppressed appetite in the short term, with long term health conditions including coronary disease, diabetes and eye, kidney, and nerve damage.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is characterised by consistent hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) either because the person’s body does not generate adequate insulin, or for the reason that their cells do not react to the insulin that is produced. It’s the most commonly encountered disease linked to malfunction in blood sugar regulation.

For people with diabetes, it’s especially vital to maintain blood sugar levels within normal ranges, otherwise severe health complications may arise. Including, nephropathy (kidney disease), neuropathy (nerve disease), retinopathy (eye disease) and cardiovascular diseases (heart diseases).

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance (a symptom of polycystic ovarian syndrome) is another instance of a condition where blood sugar levels are pertinent. In this case, the person’s body does not recognise the consumption of sugars and carbohydrates and this means that it continues to pump out insulin which isn’t required. If this proceeds for an extended period of time, the pancreas can shut down and cease to produce insulin entirely. If care isn’t taken by individuals who have this illness to ensure a balanced diet and balanced blood sugar levels, it could eventually bring on type two diabetes.

Can anything else influence blood sugar levels?

Lots of things can affect someone’s blood sugar level. By way of example, it can be temporarily elevated as a result of intense stress (such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery or illness) or on account of drug / medication usage, which can cause glucose levels to go up or decline.

Alcohol intake additionally triggers an initial increase in blood sugar, but eventually has a tendency to cause levels to drop.

Maintaining your blood sugar level within healthy ranges

Making positive and healthy lifestyle choices (and, if necessary, changes) is an excellent first step in keeping your blood sugar levels controlled. For instance, taking regular physical exercise and (if need be) reducing your weight in a sensible and healthy way.

Dietary modifications, particularly, can be very useful in keeping blood sugar levels within normal ranges. For all those with restricted diets (such as diabetics), it can often be a challenge to ensure an optimum consumption of nutrients every single day. Many people find that good 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. Best of all, it is actually appropriate for diabetics and others seeking to maintain healthy, stable blood sugar levels because the only sugars included are those found naturally in the ingredient fruits.

MEALtime is a quick 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!

However, it goes without saying,, prior to changing your eating habits or taking health supplements, always be sure to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).

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