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What is blood glucose and why is it important?
Blood glucose levels are an essential indicator of our metabolic health. It reflects the amount of glucose circulating in the blood, which is the main source of energy for our body's cells. Maintaining a stable blood glucose level is crucial to ensuring the optimal functioning of various organs and preventing diseases such as diabetes.
How is blood glucose measured?
Blood glucose is generally measured by a blood test. There are several methods: fasting blood glucose tests, oral glucose tolerance tests and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Each of these tests has its own recommendations and thresholds that indicate whether glucose levels are within a normal, low or high range.
What are normal blood glucose values?
Normal fasting blood glucose levels should be between 70 and 100 mg/dL. A fasting level above 126 mg/dL may indicate diabetes. For the oral glucose tolerance test, a value below 140 mg/dL two hours after glucose ingestion is considered normal.
What factors influence blood glucose levels?
Several factors can influence blood glucose levels, includingdiet, physical activity, stress, medication and existing medical conditions such as diabetes. It's important to understand that everyone reacts differently, which often requires a personalized plan to manage and control blood glucose levels.
How can you manage and control your blood sugar levels?
Managing blood sugar often involves lifestyle adjustments, such as adopting a balanced diet rich in fiber and low in simple sugars, practicing regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight. For diabetics, regular blood glucose monitoring and the use of medication or insulin may be necessary.
What are the consequences of poorly controlled blood sugar levels?
Poorly controlled blood sugar levels can lead to a variety of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney problems and impaired vision. In the long term, inadequate blood glucose control can lead to severe and potentially fatal complications.
What are the latest treatments for blood glucose control?
Treatments to control blood glucose vary according to the type of diabetes and can include oral medication, insulin injections, and changes in diet and exercise. New research is also focusing on advanced therapies such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems that improve disease management.
What advice should you follow to maintain stable blood sugar levels?
What's the difference between fasting and postprandial blood sugar?
Fasting blood glucose refers to the level of glucose in the blood after an eight-hour fasting period, often measured in the morning before the first meal. It reflects the body's ability to regulate glucose in the absence of food intake. Postprandial glycemia, on the other hand, refers to glucose levels measured after meals, generally two hours after the end of the meal. This measurement enables us to assess the body's reaction to food intake and its ability to manage glucose intake.
How does the glycemic index of foods affect blood sugar levels?
Theglycemic index (GI) is a scale that measures how quickly carbohydrate-containing foods raise blood glucose levels. High-GI foods are rapidly digested and absorbed, leading to blood glucose spikes, while low-GI foods are assimilated more slowly, causing a more gradual rise in blood glucose. Favoring low-GI foods is often recommended for better blood sugar regulation, especially for diabetics.
What role does insulin play in blood sugar regulation?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, essential for regulating blood sugar levels. It helps the body's cells absorb glucose from the blood to use as energy or store for future use. Insulin deficiency or resistance can lead to high blood glucose levels, the main feature of diabetes, particularly type 2.
How does stress affect blood sugar levels?
Stress, whether physical or emotional, can significantly influence blood glucose levels. In stressful situations, the body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can raise glucose levels. This reaction is part of the body's "fight or flight" response, providing extra energy to muscles and organs. In people with diabetes, this reaction can often lead to further difficulties in managing blood glucose levels.
What are the long-term implications of chronically high blood sugar?
Chronically high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can cause a number of long-term complications, mainly affecting blood vessels and nerves. These include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney damage (nephropathy), impaired vision (retinopathy), and nerve damage (neuropathy). Effective blood glucose management is crucial to minimizing these risks and maintaining a good quality of life.
