Precisely what is blood sugar level?
One’s blood sugar level (often called serum glucose level or plasma glucose level) is essentially the volume of glucose (sugar) present in their blood at any time.
Why is glucose critical?
Glucose (also called dextrose) is a simple sugar that’s generated by the human body from the carbs that we ingest. It’s necessary for a broad range of imperative physiological processes. Notably, it’s very important as it gives energy to our body tissues, nervous system and also the brain.
Glucose is transferred from the digestive system or liver to body cells via the blood flow, and is made available for cell absorption through the hormone insulin, primarily produced by the pancreas.
Glucose that’s not 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 actually absorbed and stored as glycogen. This glycogen can be switched back to glucose and returned to the bloodstream whenever insulin is low or absent.
Just how is blood sugar level calculated?
Blood sugar is usually measured in molecular count, the unit for which is mmol/L (millimoles per liter). It’s also occasionally measured as a weight in grams, the unit for which is mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).
Exactly what is a healthy or typical blood sugar level?
Usually, one’s 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 regular blood glucose level in human beings is around 4 mmol/L (or 72 mg/dL), though the level naturally fluctuates during the day. As you may expect, glucose levels are usually at their lowest early in the day, ahead of the first meal of the day and rise just after eating for one to two hours by a couple of milliMolar. Bear in mind, in terms of diabetes sufferers, blood sugar varies more widely – see further below.
How does blood sugar / glucose levels affect your overall health?
As mentioned above, glucose provides one’s body with the energy that it needs to undertake vital biological functions. Inadequate sugar / glucose (a low blood sugar level) or an excess of sugar / glucose (a high blood sugar level) could lead to serious health risks and blood sugar levels outside of the normal range may be indicative of an underlying medical condition.
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
A constantly high blood sugar level is technically referred to as hyperglycemia, whilst low levels are generally known as hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is a life-threatening condition. Signs and symptoms include listlessness, reduced mental functioning, frustration, shaking, twitching, lack of strength in arm and leg muscles, pale colouration, sweating, paranoid or aggressive mentality and loss of consciousness. In severe cases, brain damage is possible.
By comparison, hyperglycemia usually involves the appetite being suppressed for the short term, with longer term health problems including coronary disease, diabetes and eye, kidney, and nerve damage.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is characterised by prolonged hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) either because the person’s body fails to manufacture sufficient insulin, or for the reason that cells don’t react to the insulin that is produced. It is actually the most typical disease related to failure in blood sugar regulation.
For individuals with diabetes, it is particularly significant to keep blood sugar levels inside normal ranges, or else severe health complications may arise. 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 another example of a condition 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 isn’t necessary. If this keeps on for an extended time period, the pancreas can stop working and cease to produce insulin completely. If care is not taken by individuals who have this illness to ensure a balanced diet and balanced blood sugar levels, it can ultimately bring on type two diabetes.
Can anything else affect blood sugar levels?
Numerous factors can impact someone’s blood sugar level. As an example, it can be temporarily elevated as a result of severe stress (such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery or disease) or as a result of drug / medication use, which can cause glucose levels to increase or decline.
Alcohol intake likewise triggers an initial spike in blood sugar, but afterwards tends to cause levels to fall.
Trying to keep your blood sugar level within a healthy range
Making positive and healthy lifestyle choices (and, if required, modifications) is an excellent first step in keeping your blood sugar levels controlled. For instance, taking regular exercise and (if needed) slimming down in a sensible and healthy way.
Dietary changes, particularly, are often extremely helpful in keeping blood sugar levels within normal ranges. For individuals with limited diets (such as diabetics), it can certainly be a challenge to ensure an ideal consumption of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. Many individuals find that high quality, nutrients-fortified meal replacement powders / shakes can help with this.
MEALtime is a liquid meal / meal replacement powder that is rich in quality protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, nutritious herbs and psyllium husks. Best of all, it is appropriate for diabetics and others wanting 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 easy 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!
Needless to say, prior to altering your diet or taking health supplements, always be sure to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).