Precisely what is blood sugar level?
A person’s blood sugar level (also called serum glucose level or plasma glucose level) is simply the volume of glucose (sugar) contained in their blood at any time.
So why is glucose required?
Glucose (often referred to as dextrose) is a simple sugar which is generated by the human body from the carbohydrate food that people eat. It is essential for a wide variety of important bodily functions. In particular, it is vital given it supplies energy to our tissues, nervous system as well as the brain.
Glucose is transferred from the digestive tract or liver to body cells by way of the blood flow, and is made available for cell absorption via the hormone insulin, primarily produced by the pancreas.
Glucose which isn’t directly used as an energy source by brain cells, intestinal cells and red blood cells is transferred to the liver, adipose tissue and muscle cells, where it is absorbed and stored as glycogen. This glycogen can be switched back to glucose and returned to the bloodstream in the event that insulin is low or absent.
How’s blood sugar level calculated?
Blood sugar is ordinarily measured in molecular count, the unit for which is mmol/L (millimoles per liter). Additionally it is frequently measured as a weight in grams, the unit for which is mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).
What’s a healthy or regular blood sugar level?
In most cases, the 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 typical blood glucose level in people is around 4 mmol/L (or 72 mg/dL), though the level clearly varies during the course of the day. As perhaps you might suspect, glucose levels are almost always at their lowest upon waking, prior to the first meal of the day and increase after eating for 1 – 2 hours by a few milliMolar. Having said that, with regards to diabetes sufferers, blood sugar fluctuates more broadly – see further below.
How can blood sugar / glucose levels threaten your health and well-being?
As outlined above, glucose gives a person’s body with the energy that it needs to complete significant biological functions. Insufficient sugar / glucose (a low blood sugar level) or an over-abundance of sugar / glucose (a high blood sugar level) may result in serious health concerns and blood sugar levels outside of the standard range may perhaps be an indication of a medical condition.
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
A continually high blood sugar level is known as hyperglycemia, whilst low levels are identified as hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is a potentially fatal condition. Indicators include drowsiness, weakened mental functioning, frustration, shaking, twitching, a weakness in arm and leg muscles, pale skin tone, perspiring, paranoid or hostile mentality and fainting. In severe instances, brain damage is possible.
In comparison, hyperglycemia usually involves the appetite being suppressed in the short term, with longer term health problems including heart problems, diabetes and eye, kidney, and nerve damage.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is characterised by chronic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) either because the body does not generate adequate insulin, or for the reason that cells do not react to the insulin which is produced. It is the most prevalent disease related to failure in blood sugar regulation.
For anyone with diabetes, it is particularly significant to keep blood sugar levels inside normal ranges, otherwise considerable health complications can occur. Such as, 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 yet another instance of a condition where blood sugar levels play a pivotal role. In this case, the person’s body doesn’t recognise the consumption of sugars and carbohydrates which means that it continues to pump out insulin which is not required. If this persists for a protracted time period, the pancreas can shut down and stop producing insulin altogether. If care isn’t taken by those who have this problem to ensure a well-balanced diet and balanced blood sugar levels, it can at some point lead to type two diabetes.
What else can influence blood sugar levels?
A wide range of factors can impact someone’s blood sugar level. For example, it can be temporarily elevated as a result of extreme stress (such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery or sickness) or as a result of drug / medication usage, which can cause glucose levels to go up or lower.
Alcohol intake also triggers an initial rise in blood sugar, but afterwards has a tendency to cause levels to fall.
Keeping your blood sugar level under control
Making positive and healthy lifestyle choices (and, if necessary, adjustments) is a good starting point in keeping your blood sugar levels in balance. For example, taking regular exercise and (if needed) reducing your weight in a sensible and healthy way.
Dietary modifications, specifically, are often amazingly useful in keeping blood sugar levels within normal ranges. For people with limited diets (such as diabetics), it can certainly be a difficult task to ensure an ideal consumption of vitamins and minerals everday. Many people find that top quality, nutrients-fortified meal replacement powders / shakes can help with this.
MEALtime is a liquid meal / meal replacement powder that’s rich in quality protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, nutritious herbs and psyllium husks. What’s even better, it’s 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!
Of course, prior to changing your eating habits 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).