What is the Relationship Between Glucose and Diabetes? Compound Diabetes Solutions

In the same way fuel powers a car engine, glucose powers the body cells to produce energy. No human can survive without blood glucose. Ideally, glucose should be used up shortly after it enters the blood. When sustained in the bloodstream for long periods, glucose poses severe risks to an individual’s health.

Find out more about blood glucose and its relation to diabetes in this article.

Understanding Blood Sugar Levels

The blood sugar level in the body is kept in check by a hormone called insulin. Every time you eat food rich in carbohydrates, it is broken down into glucose. The glucose is then absorbed into your bloodstream, increasing the blood sugar level.

Meanwhile, the pancreas responds to high blood sugar levels through insulin secretion. Insulin helps in the transportation of glucose to the liver and other cells. Upon reaching the cells, glucose is used to produce energy. This process depletes the glucose in the bloodstream, hence blood sugar level drops back to normal.

When the mechanisms to lower blood sugar levels fail, the person is said to be diabetic. There are three types of diabetes, as detailed below:

Type 1 Diabetes

A person’s immune system can sometimes attack and destroy insulin-making cells (beta cells). When this happens, the pancreas fails to release enough insulin. Too little insulin levels in the blood impair the movement of blood sugar into the body cells.

This accounts for type 1 diabetes and is more common in children and adolescents. Patients experiencing this type of diabetes must take insulin to induce blood sugar transport into cells, otherwise they would not survive.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by inadequate insulin production by the pancreas or improper use by the body. Subsequently, cells within the body’s muscles, fat, and liver may begin to resist the action of insulin (insulin resistance).

When this happens over a certain period, the blood sugar level rises above normal, and one develops type 2 diabetes. It typically occurs in middle-aged and older adults.

Gestational Diabetes

During pregnancy, the woman’s body undergoes hormonal changes that sometimes interfere with insulin effectiveness. This is what causes gestational diabetes. After childbirth, this diabetes usually disappears on its own.

High Blood Glucose, Diabetes, and Your Body

Too much sugar in the blood (also called hyperglycemia) puts pressure on the pancreas to make more insulin. If this happens over a long time, the pancreas gets overworked and eventually gives in. At this point, it is damaged and unable to produce insulin. Diabetes inevitably develops. Other conditions such as heart disease may follow.

The risk factors for hyperglycemia include:

• High blood pressure
• Being Overweight
• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• History of gestational diabetes
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Eating too much carbohydrates, not doing physical activities, and having stress can raise blood sugar levels. Some illnesses and medications can also lead to high blood glucose levels. If you have diabetes, it is imperative to practice healthy eating consisting of a balanced diet. Also, exercise frequently to lower your blood glucose.

If you are overweight, it is important to watch out for symptoms of high blood sugar, including increased thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.

Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar

Foods containing carbohydrates are converted into sugar and availed to the bloodstream. Therefore, eating carbohydrates causes blood sugar levels to go up quickly.

Even so, carbohydrates must be present in everyday meals to make a balanced diet. However, the amount may vary depending on such things as an individual’s age, body weight, and level of activity.

While carbohydrates are known to raise blood sugar levels quickly, the quality matters more than the amount taken. Remember, some carbs may contain nutrients that can benefit diabetic patients.

For instance, whole grains and other carbs rich in fiber are generally good for managing blood glucose levels. They are known to cause a relatively moderate rise in blood sugar levels.

What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels?

The normal blood sugar level for an adult who has not eaten food for at least eight hours (recognized as someone who is fasting) should be below 100 mg/dL. When measured two hours after eating, the normal blood sugar level should be below 140 mg/dL.

These figures hit the lowest mark of 70 mg/dL to 80 mg/dL just before daytime meals. It can go as low as 60 mg/dL for some people and as high as 90 mg/dL for others. All in all, this is the estimated range of normal blood sugar levels under the explained circumstances and may vary from person to person.

To diagnose diabetes, your doctor will conduct a fasting blood glucose test or an oral glucose tolerance test. Sometimes, blood glucose levels may be above the normal range but below the diagnostic value for diabetes.

This is referred to as impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes. A person with this condition is at higher risk of developing health problems like cardiovascular disease andtype 2 diabetes later in life.

How Does Glucose Relate to Diabetes?

To understand the relationship between glucose and diabetes, we first need to know the independent existence of each.

Glucose is the body’s primary energy source and comes from the food we eat. Diabetes, on the other hand, is a disease that prevents your body from producing insulin or using it appropriately.

Glucose enters the bloodstream following the digestion of carbohydrates, causing a surge in blood glucose levels. If you have diabetes, the pancreas does not release insulin or releases too little insulin.

Diabetes, therefore, inhibits the movement of glucose to cells. With diabetes, the glucose in the blood accumulates and remains higher than normal.

Compound Diabetes Medications

Conventional oral medications can help people with diabetes restore their health. But the problem is they have numerous side effects, hence not suitable for long-term use.

Fortunately, Fort Worth Pharmacy specializes in making compounded medication that can help you lead a healthy life by losing weight without developing side effects. Upon consultations with you and your personal doctor, our compounding pharmacists will prepare a personalized treatment plan. The plan typically combines medical ingredients with hormone therapy to suit your body’s specific needs and restore your hormonal balance for a healthy living.

To book your appointment, call us at 817-361-9960 or visit the pharmacy, 7833 Oakmont Blvd., 76132.