Key takeaways
Glucose, a simple carbohydrate, is a primary energy source for the body. It is derived from both simple and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbs are a healthier option because they release glucose gradually, preventing spikes in blood sugar.
Monitoring glucose levels is crucial, especially for those with diabetes, and can be done through blood glucose meters or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, which automatically track glucose levels and alert users to highs and lows.
Unmanaged glucose levels can lead to complications like peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, and vision problems; therefore, maintaining healthy blood glucose levels through diet, monitoring, and medical treatment is essential.
Dietary glucose is a monosaccharide (simple sugar), making it the simplest type of carbohydrate (carb).
When you consume dietary glucose, your body converts it into blood glucose. This is one of your body’s
, along with fat and protein.
You can get glucose from simple and complex carb sources,
:
SimpleComplex• white bread, rice, and pasta
• candy
• soda
• syrup
• table sugar• brown rice
• oats
• fruit
• vegetables
• whole grainsIf you’re living with diabetes, perhaps more important is that complex carbs release glucose into the bloodstream gradually rather than immediately. This makes them less likely to cause blood glucose spikes.
Unmanaged glucose levels may have permanent and severe effects.
We’ve partnered with
to bring you this article on glucose and how to measure and manage your blood glucose levels.
Your body ideally uses glucose multiple times per day.
When you eat, your body quickly starts processing glucose and other carbohydrates. Then,
begin to break them down with help from the
.
The pancreas plays a
in the way your body metabolizes glucose.
When blood glucose levels increase, the pancreas releases a hormone called
. This manages the rising blood sugar level by
into your cells.
Then, muscle,
, and other cells use glucose for energy or store it as fat for later use.
If your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin the way it should, you may develop
. In this case, you may need medical treatment to help process and regulate glucose in the body.
Insulin resistance
A
suggests that diabetes may also occur from
. This is when the body’s cells do not sense insulin, and too much sugar remains in the bloodstream.
When the body doesn’t respond to insulin the way it should, it stops glucose from entering your cells and being used for energy. Your cells respond by signaling the creation of
, which occurs at night and during fasting or dieting.
Over time, insulin resistance may lead to low insulin levels, according to the
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
. Your body may also release fat from fat cells, and the liver will keep releasing ketones, lowering your
to an acidic level.
This typically occurs in
, where there’s little to no insulin production.
In
, insulin levels do eventually decrease, but typically not to a level that raises ketones high enough to cause the blood to be acidic.
When your body cannot use glucose properly, the buildup of ketones and changes in blood pH may lead to
. This is a severe, life threatening complication of diabetes that requires immediate medical treatment.
Using a small lancet needle, prick the side of your fingertip to produce a drop of blood.
Apply the blood to a testing strip.
Place the strip into a meter.
The meter shows how much glucose is in your blood at that moment.
Working with a doctor to help set your glucose goals is important, as these depend on factors
your condition, age, and health history.
How often should you check your blood sugar levels?
Your needs, goals, and treatment plan
how often and when to check your blood sugar level.
To stay on top of your glucose levels, speak with a doctor about when and how frequently you should check your levels. They may suggest checking your levels at the following times:
before and after meals
before and after exercise
during long or intense exercise
before bedtime
when starting new medications or a new insulin schedule
when starting a new work schedule
when traveling across time zones
Continuous glucose monitoring
When managing diabetes, you may consider using a
. The
automatically tracks your glucose 24 hours per day and alerts you when it gets too high or low.
According to the
, the benefits of a CGM include:
needing fewer finger pricks
helping better manage glucose
leading to fewer emergencies
Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is vital to keep your body functioning. If you’re living with diabetes, you may have to be more diligent.
Blood glucose levels are
in a fasting state, which is 8 hours after your last meal, or 2 hours after eating. They’re presented in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Here are the blood glucose ranges to diagnose diabetes, according to the
:
FastingAfter eatingNormal99 mg/dL or below139 mg/dL or belowPrediabetes100–125 mg/dL140–199 mg/dLDiabetes126 mg/dL or above200 mg/dL or aboveTarget blood glucose levels for people with diabetes will vary for each individual. These may differ from the NIDDK’s numbers listed above, which are for the diagnosis of diabetes.
For example, the
suggests a blood glucose target of 80–130 mg/dL for people with diabetes.
Your doctor will work with you to come up with your target goals.
sunburn
skipping your
taking certain medications, such as nose sprays
illness
As your day goes on, your body’s ability to manage glucose becomes more difficult. Early in the morning, the surge of hormones might cause a spike in blood sugar, called the
.
What does glucose do to your body?
Glucose is the simplest type of carbohydrate. When you consume it, it gets metabolized into blood glucose, which your body uses as a form of energy.
What does it mean when your glucose is high?
High glucose means your blood sugar levels are above
when fasting. That said, high glucose ranges
if you’re living with diabetes. Speak with a healthcare professional if you’re unsure about your blood glucose target range.
Is glucose and sugar the same thing?
Glucose is a
of sugar that our body uses for energy. Other types of sugar include fructose, galactose, and lactose, among others.
What is a simple definition of glucose?
Glucose is the simplest type of sugar. Our bodies process it, store it in our cells, and then use it as an energy source to function.
Glucose is the simplest type of carb. When you consume it, it turns into blood glucose, which your body uses as energy.
However, some people experience high blood glucose levels, which may cause diabetes.
If you’re
, closely monitoring your glucose levels is an effective way to help avoid complications.
A healthcare professional could help establish a treatment plan that’s right for you.