Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

The blood sugar level helps you know the amount of glucose present in your blood. Read on to know more about healthy blood sugar levels.

The amount of glucose or sugar present in the blood of a human being is referred to as blood sugar level or blood glucose level. Also known as the plasma glucose level, its expressed as millimoles per liter (mmol/l). The blood sugar level in mammals is usually maintained at a range of 3.6 to 5.8 mm.

The most important source of energy for the body cells, glucose is transported from the intestines or liver via the bloodstream. The blood sugar level indicates the amount of sugar or glucose present in the bloodstream. Failure to maintain healthy blood sugar levels may lead to conditions like hyperglycemia i.e. high blood sugar level or hypoglycemia i.e. low blood sugar level. A very high blood glucose level is an indication that the person has diabetes. If left untreated, high blood sugar level may lead to serious health problems like stroke, heart diseases and kidney problems.

Normal Blood Glucose Regulation

The blood glucose level in a healthy individual is controlled by two mutually antagonistic hormones - insulin and glucagon. Known as pancreatic endocrine hormones, they are secreted by the pancreas in response to the blood sugar levels. The amount of insulin secretion increases with the increase in blood glucose. In the same way, the insulin secretion goes down with the fall in blood glucose. On the other hand, the catabolic hormone, glucagon is secreted by the pancreas when the glucose level in the blood decreases. This hormone induces the liver to release the stored glucose into the blood stream.

Blood Sugar Levels: Healthy and Normal

The mean blood glucose level in humans is between 90 mg - 100 mg. Normally, the blood sugar levels are highest after meals and they are lowest in the morning. According to the American Diabetes Association, the pre-meal plasma glucose between 90 - 130 mg/dl and the post meal glucose less than 180 mg/dl indicates healthy and normal blood sugar levels. A blood sugar level below 70 mg/dl indicates hypoglycemia. If the post-meal blood sugar level exceeds 180 mg/dl, the person has hyperglycemia. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, reduces the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

However, some other conditions like pregnancy, lactation, severe injuries etc. also influence the blood sugar level. Temporary increase in blood sugar level is also observed after strenuous physical exercises and at the time of certain medical treatments. A blood glucose test is necessary to ascertain the amount of glucose present in the blood at the time of sample collection. It is also used to monitor glucose levels in diabetic patients, in addition to determining hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

How to Regulate Blood Sugar Level?

If you are a diabetic, in addition to the prescribed treatment for diabetes, you need to follow a healthy diet in order to regulate your blood sugar level. The key to regulating your blood sugar level is by understanding what type of food is good for you and what is not.

Healthy Diet: Carbohydrate rich foods like bread, cornflakes, oatmeal, wheat, etc. break down into glucose, which helps in regulating the internal organs of the body. However, excessive consumption of carbohydrates may also cause the blood sugar level to increase drastically. A daily diet of protein rich foods and high fiber diet helps keep the blood sugar level under control. Limit your protein intake to fish, grilled chicken or soy products. Fiber rich foods, when consumed with a high carbohydrate diet, slows down the rate at which the body absorbs the carbs. Diabetic patients should limit their fat intake to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like sunflower oil and olive oil.

Exercise: Leading a healthy lifestyle is very crucial for maintaining safe blood sugar levels. Make exercise an integral part of your life. A light exercise like walking or bicycling, if done after every meal, helps to divert the glucose from the blood stream into the muscles. Take a 15 minute stroll during your lunch break. Aerobic exercises like jogging, cycling or swimming improves the body's response to insulin, which further helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Medication: The effectiveness of insulin and other diabetes medication which lowers the blood sugar level, depends on the timing and size of the dose. However, you should consult your doctor, if you feel that your blood sugar level has dropped too low in response to the medication. Moreover, before taking any medication for other health problems, you should make sure that it doesn't interfere with your diabetes treatment.

This was all about healthy blood sugar levels. A healthy lifestyle, exercise and regular monitoring of blood sugar will help you maintain a healthy and normal blood sugar level.