These days’ people are more aware of their health than ever, and for an ever increasing number of people maintaining healthy blood glucose levels can be a matter of life and death. Even as death and disabilities from cancer, stroke, and heart disease decreases the number of people diagnosed with diabetes continues to grow each year. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body is either producing insufficient quantities of the hormone insulin which regulates healthy blood glucose levels or the cells of the body have developed a resistance to the action of the insulin which is produced.

When sugars and carbohydrates are ingested the body converts these into glucose, and while glucose is used by the cells of the body for energy, if healthy blood glucose levels are not maintained damage can be done to many of the body’s systems. Glucose, once in the blood can only be used by the cells when insulin is present. It is the insulin which causes the glucose to be able to enter the cells where it is used for energy, and without insulin or in cases of insulin resistance the glucose can build to unhealthy levels in the blood.

The healthy blood glucose levels for normal people is between 60 and 100, and any glucose level higher or lower then this may signify the development of diabetes. In most cases the onset of diabetes will be accompanied with increased thirst, increased urination and incessant hunger. If you have experienced these symptoms for any length of time it may be a good idea to visit your doctor for a simple glucose tolerance test which will determine if your body is regulating glucose correctly. If you are diagnosed with diabetes and you carefully manage your treatment you can still live a long, normal, and active life as long as you carefully maintain healthy blood glucose levels.