How blood sugar levels can affect your health

Posted: January 23rd, 2012 | Author: blogman33 | Filed under: Blogs talk | No Comments »

Exactly what is blood sugar level?

One’s blood sugar level (sometimes called serum glucose level or plasma glucose level) is basically the amount of glucose (sugar) within their blood at any time.

Why is glucose vital?

Glucose (also referred to as dextrose) is a simple sugar that is produced by the body from the carbohydrate food that individuals take in. It is very important for a broad range of imperative physiological processes. In particular, it is important as it delivers energy to our cells, nervous system and the brain.

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

Glucose that is not directly used as an energy source by brain cells, intestinal cells and red blood cells is taken to the liver, adipose tissue and muscle cells, where it is absorbed and stored as glycogen. This glycogen can be converted back to glucose and returned to the bloodstream whenever insulin is low or absent.

How is blood sugar level measured?

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

What’s a healthy or normal blood sugar level?

Usually, one’s 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 standard blood glucose level in humans is around 4 mmol/L (or 72 mg/dL), though the level naturally varies throughout the day. As you may expect, glucose levels usually are lowest upon waking, before the first meal of the day and rise immediately after eating for 1 – 2 hours by a few milliMolar. Having said that, with regards to people with diabetes, blood sugar varies more widely – see further below.

How might blood sugar / glucose levels affect your health and well-being?

As outlined above, glucose offers one’s body with the energy that it needs to perform critical bodily functions. Too little sugar / glucose (a low blood sugar level) or too much sugar / glucose (a high blood sugar level) may cause serious medical problems and blood sugar levels outside of the standard range could very well be an indication 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. Indicators include drowsiness, reduced mental functioning, irritability, trembling, twitching, a weakness in arm and leg muscles, pale skin tone, excessive sweating, paranoid or hostile demeanour and passing out. In extreme instances, brain damage is a possibility.

By comparison, hyperglycemia involves the appetite being suppressed in the initial stages, with long term health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and eye, kidney, and nerve damage.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is characterised by chronic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) either because the person’s body does not produce sufficient insulin, or due to the fact cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. It’s the most common disease linked to failure in blood sugar regulation.

For people with diabetes, it is particularly significant to maintain blood sugar levels inside standard ranges, otherwise serious health complications can occur. 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 yet another instance of a condition where blood sugar levels are pertinent. In this case, the person’s body does not recognise the intake of sugars and carbohydrates and this means that it continues to pump out insulin which isn’t needed. If this keeps up for a protracted time period, the pancreas can pack up and cease to produce insulin completely. If care is not taken by those who have this disorder to ensure a well-balanced diet and balanced blood sugar levels, it can eventually trigger type two diabetes.

Can anything else affect blood sugar levels?

Countless factors can impact an individual’s blood sugar level. For example, it can be briefly elevated as a result of extreme stress (such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery or disease) or as a result of drug / medication usage, which can cause glucose levels to increase or lower.

Alcohol intake additionally causes an initial rise in blood sugar, but afterwards tends to cause levels to fall.

Keeping your blood sugar level within healthy ranges

Making positive and healthy lifestyle choices (and, if necessary, modifications) is an excellent starting point in keeping your blood sugar levels under control. For instance, taking regular exercise and (if needed) reducing your weight in a smart and healthy way.

Dietary adjustments, particularly, can be remarkably useful in keeping blood sugar levels within normal ranges. For all those with limited diets (such as diabetics), it can certainly be a problem to ensure an ideal consumption of nutrients everday. Many people find that high quality, nutrients-fortified meal replacement powders / shakes can help with this.

MEALtime is a liquid meal / meal replacement shake that is rich in quality protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, nutritious herbs and psyllium husks. On top of that, it is actually suitable 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 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).

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