The content of sugar in the blood and its role in the functioning of the body

The sugar content in the blood is one of the most important constants, which indicates the constancy of the internal environment in the body. At the same time, speaking about this element, most often mean the level of glucose, because "sugar" includes a whole group of substances.

So, this indicator shows, first of all, how well in the body Carbohydrate metabolism is realized, since glucose is a kind of fuel for cells of all tissues and organs. In the body, it comes in complex carbohydrates, which are then to be cleaved in the digestive tract, and after that they enter the bloodstream. Accordingly, the sugar content in the blood depends on the presence of gastrointestinal diseases, because of which there is a decrease in glucose uptake. At the same time, part of it is consumed by the body, and most of it is deposited in the liver in the form of glycogen.

Insulin is the main hormone by which the sugar content in the blood is regulated. It regulates the intake of glucose by cells, as well as the synthesis of glycogen in the liver. The main antagonist of insulin is glucagon, Which is a hormone of the pancreas. When the sugar level in the blood becomes below the required level, its increased secretion occurs. It enhances the breakdown of glycogen, which promotes the release of glucose from the depot. The same action has a hormone, produced by the adrenal glands - adrenaline.

How much sugar should be in the blood?

Ideally in the morning on an empty stomach, the sugar content in the blood should be at least three and a half and not more than five and a half mmol / l. In the event that it is found from 5.5 to 6.6 mmol / l, doctors speak of a borderline condition, indicating a tolerance to glucose. In the event that its amount is equal to 6.7 mmol / l and higher, Doctors conduct a thorough examination for the presence of such a disease as diabetes.

It should be borne in mind that there are some peculiarities in which the level of sugar in the blood can be increased or decreased. For example, in infants, the amount of sugar is reduced. This fact is due to the physiological characteristics of the babies. In infants, the sugar content in the blood varies from 2.8 to 4.4 mmol / l. Women who are in a position undergo physiological insulin resistance, so they have pedigrees for developing a special type of diabetes (gestational). Most often, the sugar value above 7.8 mmol / l is noted between the fourth and eighth months. As a rule, the condition comes back to normal after childbirth.

Increased glucose levels occur after eating, as well as with intense mental and physical activity. For a short time, this level may increase in pathological conditions, for example, with pain, with burns, with epileptic seizures, with infarction, with angina pectoris. A prolonged increase in the amount of glucose in the blood leads to glucosuria - its appearance in the urine. In this case, a diagnosis is made of "diabetes mellitus," and the doctor decides how to reduce blood sugar.

In some diseases, on the contrary, the glucose level decreases. This may be due to the defeat of the liver parenchyma, endocrine pathologies and even bias in the diet. In the event that cells are constantly in a state of energy hunger, the CNS can be affected.