How blood sugar levels can affect your health
Precisely what is blood sugar level?
One’s blood sugar level (also called serum glucose level or plasma glucose level) is really just the quantity of glucose (sugar) contained in their blood at any time.
So why is glucose vital?
Glucose (often referred to as dextrose) is a simple sugar that is produced by the body from the carbohydrates that individuals take in. It is important for a wide variety of essential physiological processes. In particular, it is vital as it gives energy to our tissues, nervous system and the brain.
Glucose is transferred from the digestive system or liver to body cells through the circulatory system, and is made available for cell absorption by way of the hormone insulin, created by the pancreas.
Glucose that’s 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’s absorbed and stored as glycogen. This glycogen can be switched back to glucose and returned to the bloodstream at any time when insulin is low or absent.
Just how is blood sugar level measured?
Blood sugar is normally measured in molecular count, the unit for which is mmol/L (millimoles per liter). Additionally it is oftentimes calculated as a weight in grams, the unit for which is mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).
What exactly is a healthy or usual blood sugar level?
Normally, 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 standard blood glucose level in humans is around 4 mmol/L (or 72 mg/dL), although the level of course varies throughout the day. As perhaps you may suspect, glucose levels are almost always lowest early in the day, before the first meal of the day and surge just after eating for 1 – 2 hours by a few milliMolar. Having said that, with regards to diabetics, blood sugar varies more widely – see further below.
How could blood sugar / glucose levels influence your health?
As mentioned above, glucose offers your body with the fuel that it requires to undertake essential physiological functions. Inadequate sugar / glucose (a low blood sugar level) or excessive sugar / glucose (a high blood sugar level) may lead to significant health threats and blood sugar levels outside the normal range might be indicative of an underlying ailment.
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
A continuously high blood sugar level is called hyperglycemia, whilst low levels are termed as hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is a potentially fatal condition. Warning signs include listlessness, weakened mental functioning, irritability, trembling, twitching, weakness in arm and leg muscles, pale appearance, excessive sweating, paranoid or aggressive demeanour and fainting. In extreme cases, brain damage is possible.
By contrast, hyperglycemia usually involves the appetite being suppressed for the short term, with long term health conditions including heart related illnesses, diabetes and eye, kidney, and nerve damage.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is characterised by continual hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) either because the person’s body does not make adequate insulin, or due to the fact their cells do not react to the insulin which is produced. It’s the most prevalent disease linked to failure in blood sugar regulation.
For all those with diabetes, it is of course especially vital to hold blood sugar levels inside normal ranges, or else serious health complications may arise. By way of example, 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 example of a disorder where blood sugar levels are pertinent. In this case, the body doesn’t recognise the intake of sugars and carbohydrates which means that it continues to pump out insulin which isn’t necessary. If this goes on for an extended period of time, the pancreas can shut down and cease to produce insulin completely. If care is not taken by individuals who have this condition to ensure a healthy diet and balanced blood sugar levels, it can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.
Can anything else have a bearing on blood sugar levels?
Several things can impact someone’s blood sugar level. As an example, it can be temporarily elevated as a result of acute stress (such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery or disease) or as a result of drug / medication use, which can cause glucose levels to rise or go down.
Alcohol intake additionally triggers an initial surge in blood sugar, but later tends to cause levels to fall.
Trying to keep your blood sugar level in check
Making positive and healthy lifestyle choices (and, if needed, modifications) is an excellent first step in keeping your blood sugar levels controlled. For instance, taking regular physical exercise and (if need be) slimming down in a smart and healthy way.
Dietary adjustments, particularly, can often be very useful in keeping blood sugar levels within normal ranges. For individuals with limited diets (such as diabetics), it can certainly be a difficult task to ensure an ideal intake of nutrients and vitamins every single day. Many individuals 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. Best of all, it is actually suitable 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!
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).