Just what is blood sugar level?

A person’s blood sugar level (otherwise known as serum glucose level or plasma glucose level) is basically the amount of glucose (sugar) contained in their blood at any given time.

Exactly why is glucose essential?

Glucose (sometimes known as dextrose) is a simple sugar that’s generated by the human body from the carbohydrates that individuals take in. It is important for a wide variety of critical bodily functions. Specifically, it’s really important given it provides energy to our cells, nervous system and also the brain.

Glucose is transferred from the digestive system or liver to body cells through the blood stream, and is made available for cell absorption via the hormone insulin, generated by the pancreas.

Glucose which isn’t directly used as an energy source by brain cells, intestinal cells and red blood cells is transported to the liver, adipose tissue and muscle cells, where it is actually taken in 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 tested?

Blood sugar is generally measured in molecular count, the unit for which is mmol/L (millimoles per liter). Equally, it is frequently calculated as a weight in grams, the unit for which is mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).

Exactly what is a healthy or regular blood sugar level?

Generally, your 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 normal blood glucose level in people is around 4 mmol/L (or 72 mg/dL), although the level naturally changes during the day. As perhaps you may expect, glucose levels have a tendency to be at their lowest in the morning, ahead of the first meal of the day and increase after eating for one to two hours by a couple of milliMolar. Bear in mind, with regards to diabetes sufferers, blood sugar fluctuates more broadly – see further below.

Just how can blood sugar / glucose levels affect your health?

As outlined above, glucose offers your body with the fuel that it needs to carry out very important biological functions. Not enough sugar / glucose (a low blood sugar level) or too much sugar / glucose (a high blood sugar level) can lead to severe health concerns and blood sugar levels outside of the normal range might be an indicator of an underlying sickness.

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia

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

Hypoglycemia is a potentially fatal condition. Signs and symptoms include drowsiness, impaired mental performance, frustration, trembling, twitching, lack of strength in arm and leg muscles, pale complexion, perspiring, paranoid or hostile demeanour and fainting. In rare instances, brain damage is a possibility.

In comparison, hyperglycemia involves suppressed appetite in the initial stages, with longer term health problems including heart related illnesses, 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 make adequate insulin, or for the reason that cells fail to respond to the insulin that’s produced. It happens to be the most typical disease related to failure in blood sugar regulation.

For those with diabetes, it is especially vital to maintain blood sugar levels within normal ranges, otherwise major health complications may occur. 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 yet another example of a condition where blood sugar levels are pertinent. In this case, the body fails to recognise the intake of sugars and carbohydrates which means that it continues to pump out insulin which is not required. If this persists for an extended period of time, the pancreas can shut down and cease to produce insulin entirely. If care is not taken by those who have this condition to ensure a well-balanced diet and balanced blood sugar levels, it has the potential eventually bring on type 2 diabetes.

Can anything else have an impact on blood sugar levels?

A wide range of things can impact someone’s blood sugar level. For instance, it can be briefly elevated as a result of extreme stress (such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery or sickness) or on account of drug / medication use, which can cause glucose levels to increase or lower.

Alcohol intake also triggers an initial rise in blood sugar, but afterwards has a tendency to cause levels to drop.

Maintaining your blood sugar level in check

Making positive and healthy lifestyle choices (and, if needed, adjustments) is a good first step in keeping your blood sugar levels controlled. For example, taking regular physical exercise and (if need be) reducing your weight in a smart and healthy way.

Dietary adjustments, in particular, can be very useful in keeping blood sugar levels within normal ranges. For individuals with restricted diets (such as diabetics), it can certainly be a difficult task to ensure an ideal intake of nutrients and vitamins everday. Many people find that top quality, nutrients-fortified meal replacement powders / shakes can help with this.

MEALtime is a liquid meal / meal replacement drink which is rich in quality protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, nutritious herbs and psyllium husks. On top of that, it’s appropriate for diabetics and others trying 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!

Obviously, before altering your eating habits or taking health supplements, always be sure to talk to your physician or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).