The below provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner ... Please refer to: Medical & Legal Disclaimer.
Blood sugar is the amount of glucose present in the blood. Glucose levels rise after meals and are usually lowest in the morning, before the first meal of the day. Failure to maintain blood glucose in the normal range leads to conditions of persistently high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia) blood sugar.
Our body's failure to metabolize carbohydrates results in the basic cellular failure to metabolize glucose. This causes the cells of our body to be unable to transport glucose from the bloodstream to the interior. The glucose then either remains stored as body fat or glycogen, and/or is urinated out of the body.
Studies show that control of high blood sugar can significantly help decrease chances of several very serious conditions. They certainly indicate that people, particularly over the age of 40, should have yearly blood glucose tests to rule out diabetes, and the development of greater risk factors for stroke, cancer and cognitive impairment.
Screening is especially important for people at high risk of developing diabetes, such as those with a family history of diabetes, those who are overweight, and those who are more than 40 to 45 years old.
Diabetes: A high glucose level can indicate early diabetes. Identifying a high glucose level in a person with no symptoms of diabetes and implementing a treatment program that will control the blood sugar can reduce the risk and consequences of diabetes - specifically damage to the kidney, heart, blood vessels and eyes.
Stroke: In the 2002 study, analysis of a group of over 500 patients showed that 40% of patients suffering their first stroke had high glucose levels. Additional mortality in this group was increased. As well, patients with high glucose levels were more likely to have complications after a stroke, and were likely to have much longer hospital stays following a stroke. The study indicates that reducing high glucose levels may also reduce chance of stroke.
Cancer: A study published in 2005, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found those with high glucose levels to be at increased risk for developing cancer and dying from cancer. A higher death rate for all cancers, approximately 29%, was reported in these patients. As well increased risk of cancer of the pancreas, esophagus, liver, cervix, and colon were shown.
Dementia: The University of California-San Francisco evaluated women with high glucose levels in regards to risk for development of dementia or mental impairment with aging. Their study, published in 2006, showed a distinct correlation between high glucose levels and dementia in women. In fact, their results suggest that women with high glucose levels increase their chances of developing dementia by an astounding 40%.
Gout: Many people with gout have insulin resistance, a prediabetic condition in which the body's cells don't properly use the glucose-transporting hormone insulin. This raises levels of insulin and glucose, impairing the kidneys' ability to remove uric acid from the body.
Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.
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