Blood Glucose
Blood glucose refers to the levels of glucose in one’s blood. The blood is the highway in the body which transports the sugar to your cells and these cells then use that sugar as a source of energy. For most people this glucose level is closely regulated in the body and is kept in or around 4mm and 6mm. After eating a meal, the level of glucose in the blood will increase by a few grams per hour and in the morning it is considered to be at its lowest level of the day. However not everyone’s body regulates this glucose level properly and for some people having to deal with spikes and swings in their glucose levels can be a very dangerous experience. When one develops heightened levels of blood glucose they are considered to be hyperglycaemic however when your levels are consistently too low they are hypoglycaemic. One who has a persistently high level of blood glucose may be considered to be suffering from diabetes mellitus. It is important to remember that while we most commonly talk about glucose levels, these are not the only types of sugars in our blood stream. Fructose and galactose are both types of sugar in our blood stream, however only the glucose is correlated with our metabolic regulation through insulin. For those suffering from hyperglycaemia though, when they choose to eat a meal which is high in carbohydrates, this can cause their glucose levels to skyrocket and to manage these levels insulin is needed. However the body’s ability to regulate the glucose levels with its own insulin is not possible and for many people the insulin injection is a common everyday event.
| Path: IBP: Blood Glucose: |
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