WHAT IS NORMAL BLOOD SUGAR?
When people are newly diagnosed with diabetes, one of the first questions they ask is their blood sugar levels; what is normal, too high, or too low? Since everyone’s personal health history and the way their body functions is as unique as a fingerprint, it may affect how the body responds to food, medication, and other factors that influence blood sugar levels.
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Table of Content
- What is blood sugar
- Types of sugar in the diet
- All about blood sugar
4. What Are The Normal Blood Sugar Level?
5. What’s the difference between mmol/L and mg/dL?
6. Abnormal blood sugar Level
7. The Importance of Blood Sugar?
8. Signs of high blood sugar?
9. Signs of low blood sugar?
What is blood sugar?
What is Blood Sugar? Blood sugar is simply sugar that is present in your bloodstream. It gets there from the food you eat, specifically from the fruit, vegetables, bread, and kinds of pasta you consume. Even if you didn’t consume any of those foods, you would still have blood sugar, because certain cells in your body need sugar to survive. The sugar in your blood provides the energy that your body needs to function. There are two ways that your body can derive energy. You can get energy from fat or sugar. When you get energy from fat, the fat is broken down into molecules called ketones. When you get energy from carbohydrate-based foods, the carbohydrates are broken down into glucose. Glucose, which is the simplest sugar molecule, is what provides the basic energy for our bodies. Every time you eat, the plant food you consume is broken down into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream. It travels to the cells throughout the body, where it is used as an energy source for basic cellular functioning. Your brain, kidneys, and red blood cells are particularly dependent on glucose to derive the energy the cells need to stay alive and function properly. Think about the “brain fog” you will often feel if you have gone a long time without a meal and feel the need to eat. While many cells in the body can get energy through fat via ketones, some cells in the brain, your red blood cells, and some cells in the kidneys require glucose to function. The brain must get about 30% of its energy needs from sugar. So even if you are not consuming much sugar in your diet, your body will maintain blood sugar above certain minimums. SEE MORE
You derive glucose from the carbohydrates that you eat in your diet. This can include starches like potatoes, whole-grain bread and portions of pasta, and fruits and vegetables. It also includes sugar, whether it’s in the form of table sugar, desserts like candy and cake, fruit, or fruit juice. Carbohydrates can be simple, or varying levels of the complex. The simplest carbohydrate molecule is a single sugar, like glucose. Fructose is another example of a single sugar molecule. Table sugar, or sucrose, is a glucose molecule linked together with a fructose molecule. With just two molecules linked together, while it is a bit more complex and your body would break the bond during digestion, sucrose is still a very simple carbohydrate. Carbohydrates can also belong to chains of glucose molecules linked to]. These form starches and complex carbohydrates that take longer for the body to digest because it has to break all of the bonds in the molecule to liberate each of the glucose molecules in the chain so that they can be used for energy. This is done before releasing them to the bloodstream, where they contribute to the blood sugar. If you eat a simple carbohydrate, your blood sugar will rise quickly, because the body doesn’t have to spend any time breaking the molecules apart. If you eat a more complex carbohydrate, the body has to spend time breaking them apart, and so your blood sugar will rise more gradually. In either case, it is normal for your blood sugar to rise after a meal. But as we’ll see, the way it rises can be a strong indication that you are either healthy or have problems related to blood sugar and possibly diabetes. There is another type of carbohydrate that humans cannot derive energy from. This is known as dietary fibre. When a food contains a significant amount of dietary fibre, it takes even longer to break the molecules apart into a form that can be digested. A complex carbohydrate can generally be assumed to have high levels of dietary fibre. Since the fibre has to be broken apart from the digestible components in the food, and then those have to be split apart into individual glucose molecules, it takes longer to digest foods that are complex carbohydrates, and they usually lead to a slower rise in blood sugar after digestion. As we will see, you can determine how complex the carbohydrates are in different food items and get some understanding of how they are digested by looking at
the glycemic index of the food.
All About Blood Sugar
Blood sugar causes changes throughout the day. Typically, blood sugar levels are at their lowest first thing in the morning or after a period of fasting. Blood sugar levels increase during and after meals, as the body digests food. Blood Sugar is just as widespread in other parts of the world: In 2007, it was estimated that 240 million people worldwide had diabetes. It is projected to affect 380 million by the year 2030, about 10 times the number of people affected by HIV/AIDS.2 Sadly this is a gross underestimate. Estimates in 2021, places the worldwide total at 350 million. In China alone, rates of diabetes were almost zero 25 years ago. In 2007, there were 24 million diabetics in China, and scientists projected that by 2030 there would be 42 million diabetics in China. However, by 2019, there were 93 million diabetics and 148 million pre-diabetics in China, almost all of whom were previously undiagnosed. Imagine if we had148 million new cases of AIDS overnight in one country. Sixty per cent of the world’s diabetics will eventually come from Asia because it is the world’s most populous region. The number of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes will increase substantially because of increased genetic susceptibility to the harmful effects of sugar and processed foods. Interestingly, people in this Asian population (who are uniquely susceptible to diabetes even though they may not be obese) are increasingly affected as they adopt a more Western diet. Weaker environmental laws and regulations also expose them to increasing levels of toxins, which, as we will see later, are a significant cause of diabesity. 3 Ponder this: From 1983 to 2008, the number of people in the world with diabetes increased sevenfold, from 35 to 240 million. In just three years, from2008 to 2011, we added another 110 million diabetics to our global population. Shouldn’t the main question we ask, why is this happening? What new drug can we find to treat it? Our approach must be novel, innovative, and widely applicable at a low cost across all borders. Billions and billions have been wasted trying to find the “drug cure,” while the solution lies right under our nose. This is a lifestyle and environmental disease and won’t be cured by medication.
What Are The Normal Blood Sugar Level?
Normal blood sugar, for those with diabetes, will vary depending on someone’s age and the time of day. Let’s take a look at what blood sugar levels should be, in those with diabetes, based on their age.
What’s the difference between mmol/L and mg/dL?
Both sets of units are used to measure blood sugar levels and both give a measurement of the concentration of glucose in the blood, albeit in slightly different ways.
mmol/L gives the molarity, which is the number of molecules of a substance within a specified volume, in this case within 1 litre. mg/dL gives the concentration by the ratio of weight to volume, in this case, milligrams per decilitre.
mmol/L is the most common measurement used in the UK with mg/dL predominantly used in the USA and continental Europe.
mmol/L International standard unit for measuring the concentration of glucose in the blood — also known as millimolar (mM). This unit is used in the UK. : Millimoles per litre
mg/dL Unit for measuring concentration of glucose in the blood in the USA — milligrams per decilitre. : Milligrams per 100 millilitres
Blood glucose typically varies from 4 mmol/L to 6 mmol/L for people without diabetes.
Blood sugar (also called blood glucose) needs to be tightly controlled in the human body to minimize complications.
Formula to calculate mmol/l from mg/dl: mmol/l = mg/dl / 18
Formula to calculate mg/dl from mmol/l: mg/dl = 18 × mmol/l
What are normal blood sugar levels before and after eating?
Normal blood sugar in children
Younger than 6 years old mg/dL
Fasting 80–180
Before meal 100–180
1–2 hours after eating ~180
Bedtime 110–200
Children under 6 years of age should have blood glucose levels that range from about 80 to 200 mg/dL each day. This range is considered healthy, and the amount of glucose in a child’s body will fluctuate from the time they wake up to after they’ve eaten meals and again before bedtime. For this reason, kids with diabetes or hypoglycemic episodes may have to have their blood sugar levels tested in the middle of the night by their parents.
Normal blood sugar for adolescents
Age 6–12 mg/dL
Fasting 80–180
Before meal 90–180
1–2 hours after eating Up to 140
Bedtime 100–180
Kids aged 6 to 12 should have blood sugar levels that range between 80 to 180 mg/dL over a day. Blood sugar levels go up after eating a meal because the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is then distributed throughout the bloodstream. To keep a child’s blood sugar from rising too much before bedtime, especially if they have diabetes, try limiting snacks before they go to sleep.
Normal blood sugar for Teens
Age 13–19
mg/dL
Fasting
70–150
Before meal
90–130
1–2 hours after eating Up to 140
Bedtime 90–150
Teenagers should have average blood sugar levels that range between 70 to 150 mg/dL over their day. Teenage years can often be the most difficult for adolescents with diabetes to manage because managing diabetes requires responsibility and behaviour control that’s not typical for most teenagers. Teenagers should aim to keep their blood sugar levels between 70 to 150 mg/dL throughout the day by watching what they eat, exercising, and taking their diabetes medications if they have any.
Normal blood sugar levels for adults
20+ years of age mg/dL
Fasting Less than 100
Before meal 70–130
1–2 hours after eating Less than 180
Bedtime 100–140
Adults who are 20 years or older will have blood sugar levels that range between less than 100–180 mg/dL for a day. When you wake up in the morning, your fasting blood sugar should be at its lowest because you haven’t consumed food for about eight hours. If you’re an adult and struggling with glucose control, your healthcare provider can help you develop a treatment plan to manage your blood sugar better.
Blood sugar outside the ranges listed above is categorized as either high or low blood sugar. Blood sugar is considered high if they’re over 130 mg/dL before a meal or 180 mg/dL within one to two hours after a meal. Many people won’t start to experience symptoms from high blood sugar until their levels are at 250 mg/dL or higher. The highest blood sugar level that’s considered safe will depend on the person and whether they have diabetes, but will typically be between 160 to 240 mg/dL.
Abnormal blood sugar levels occur when there is either too much or little sugar in the blood. The blood sugar ranges for each are:
Hypoglycemia. Known as low blood sugar: 70 mg/dL or less.
Hyperglycemia. Known as high blood sugar: More than 180 mg/dL.
The Importance of Blood Sugar?
Why is blood sugar so important for your body? Energy. That’s right. Blood sugar provides the body with the energy that your body needs to function properly. Glucose (comes from sugar) helps fuel and replenish the body so that it processes as it should. Besides giving your body energy and stabilizing it, you may ask, Why is blood sugar really important? Here’s why: High or low levels of blood sugar can be hazardous to your health. Unusual amounts of blood sugar can lead to sweating, dizziness, confusion, shaking, seizures, a fast heart rate, and other complications. A couple of well-known blood sugar disorders are Diabetes and hypoglycemia. SEE MORE
Blood sugar levels can depend on
(1) overeating
(2) unhealthy eating
(3) lack of exercise
(4) stress
(5) medication and
(6) by disease or infection.
Now you’re probably thinking, what’s the best way to combat all that? A healthy diet and exercise will help you maintain normal blood sugar levels. Choosing the right foods to eat and exercising regularly will balance your blood sugar levels so they don’t skyrocket on you. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the foods you’ve loved your whole life. There are natural and safe substitutes that will allow you to keep the sweet in your diet.
Xylitol, common sugar alcohol, is a naturally occurring substance that looks and tastes like sugar but is healthier for you. Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are commonly used as sweeteners and bulking agents. Table sugar and other carbohydrates can elevate blood sugar to unhealthy levels or cause reactions to the subsequently produced insulin. The great thing about xylitol is that it’s absorbed into the bloodstream much slower than table sugar and other carbohydrates and that means it carries 40% fewer calories.
Sugar alcohol comes in a variety of forms (e.g., xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and others). These can be found in an assortment of foods such as soft drinks, candy, chewing gum, cookies, and many other sugar-free products. Xylitol is crystalline in form and a normal substance found in everyday metabolism. The FDA has given xylitol it is the safest rating as a food additive which means its perfectly healthy and safe for human consumption. It’s even safe to consume for those with diabetes and hypoglycemia.
Blood sugar and sugar alcohol are closely related to stabilizing, maintaining, and helping the body process and function properly. If not closely watched, blood sugar levels in the body can cause serious health issues. Sugar alcohols can help reduce calories and keep blood sugar levels in areas that they need to be so that you can live a healthier and more energetic life.
Signs Of High Blood Sugar
Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia happens when the body doesn’t have enough insulin or when it can’t use insulin correctly. Many things can cause high blood glucose levels like Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, stress, illness, or the dawn phenomenon. If you have hyperglycemia or suspect you may have it, talking with a healthcare provider is always a good idea. A doctor can help you determine what’s causing your high blood sugar levels and lower them to a healthy range.
Here are some of the most common symptoms that may indicate hyperglycemia:
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Headaches
Blurred vision
Difficulty concentrating
Increased thirst
Weight loss
Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is where the body creates waste products called ketones that can build up in the blood and become life-threatening. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include:
Abdominal pain
Presence of ketones
Vomiting
Exhaustion
Vision loss (in rare cases)
You should seek immediate medical attention if your blood sugar reaches 400 mg/dL or higher.
“When patients experience any of these accompanied by elevated blood sugar levels, diabetic patients are advised to go directly to the ER to avoid diabetes-induced coma,” says Vikram Tarugu, MD, a gastroenterologist and the CEO of Detox of South Florida. “Patients who have elevated blood sugar may also present with frothy, ketone-like smelling breath.”
Here are some lifestyle changes and medical treatments that can help treat hyperglycemia:
Eat whole, low sugar foods that are minimally processed to keep the amount of sugar in the body at a lower level.
Only exercise if there are no ketones present in the bloodstream. You can check if you have ketones with a urine test or blood sugar meter.
Drink lots of water to help your body get rid of sugar in your urine.
Adjust your insulin. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the correct insulin dosages when your blood sugar goes up or down.
Take medications as per your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for high blood sugar are Metformin HCl, Glipizide, and Glyburide. SEE MORE
Signs Of Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia happens when blood sugar drops too low. Low blood sugar can be caused by many things, including the two different types of diabetes: certain medications, alcohol, endocrine disorders, eating disorders, pregnancy (gestational diabetes), and liver, kidneys, or heart disorders.
Here are some of the most common symptoms that someone with low blood sugar might experience:
Lightheaded
Dizziness
Confusion
Irritability
Shakiness
Nervousness
Fretfulness
Chills
Sweating
dampness
Having a fast heart rate
Pale skin
Hunger
Sleepiness
Fainting
Tingling lips
If your blood sugar is low you might start to feel some of the first signs of hypoglycemia like dizziness, lightheadedness, or sweating. The only way to know for sure if your blood sugar is low is to test it with a glucose meter or other glucose monitoring device.
If you don’t have access to these tools and start to feel the symptoms of low blood sugar, consume 15 grams of crabs or take a quick dissolve glucose tablet to raise your blood sugar levels and avoid further symptoms, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Once your blood sugar is back in its target range, you can have a snack or meal to make sure it doesn’t drop again.
Here are some other lifestyles and medicinal treatments that can help treat hypoglycemia:
Eat a healthy diet full of whole foods that are minimally processed.
Take prediabetes or diabetes medications as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Use a glucagon kit in emergencies. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels quickly. TO SEE MORE
Conclusion
If After reviewing this article, and you have finally decided that you now want to get the free E-book, I believe it’ll work for you. I’ll recommend you CLICK HERE to go over to the website because the link I told you to click on will get you the FREE E-book.
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