What Is The Normal Range Of Fasting Blood Sugar For Non-Diabetic People?

Fasting blood sugar refers to the glucose level in your blood after not consuming any food or drink, except water, for at least 8 hours. This measurement provides valuable insights into your overall health and, particularly, your risk of developing or managing diabetes. This is a simple sugar that circulates in our bloodstream. It serves as the primary source of energy for our cells. Your blood glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day. There are certain factors that influence it such as food intake, physical activity, and hormonal regulation. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a pivotal role in regulating blood glucose levels.

The National Library Of Medicine tells us when blood sugar rises after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin then binds to receptors on cells, signaling them to absorb glucose from the blood and use it for energy. Excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen for later use.

But is it necessary for people who do not have issue with their blood sugar to constantly monitor their blood sugar?

Blood glucose monitoring is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing complications associated with diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Regular monitoring helps you as by tracking blood glucose levels over time, individuals can identify patterns and trends, such as spikes after certain meals or dips during exercise. According World Health Organization, monitoring blood glucose levels can help detect conditions like diabetes, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia early on, allowing for timely intervention and treatment. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur when blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). Symptoms may include dizziness, sweating, palpitations, blurred vision, and confusion.

For people with diabetes, regular blood glucose monitoring is crucial for adjusting insulin doses or other medications to maintain optimal blood sugar control. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can occur when blood glucose levels are elevated. Over time, chronic high blood sugar can lead to serious health complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. If your fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, it's a strong indicator of diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar.

Does your blood sugar monitor show a reading above 100 mg/dlc? Does it mean you will be on a lifetime of medication with major dietary restrictions? Well, please understand that much before your tests results will show a definite diabetes diagnosis, regular blood tests will show you in the prediabetic range, hence making regular check-ups extremely important. According to Dr Manoj Chawla, Consultant Diabetology at P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Khar, “Prediabetes which is defined as BS Fasting > 110 < 126 and/or HbA1c between 5.7 and 6.4% in the absence of diabetes is a precursor to diabetes and probably the best window of opportunity to identify the risk, make changes to one's lifestyle and modify the risk factors to prevent progression to diabetes and try and achieve remission to normoglycemic status." It basically means prediabetes is considered a critical stage in the progression to type 2 diabetes. It offers a valuable opportunity to intervene and prevent the development of full-blown diabetes. You can still make lifestyle changes and see improvement.

Dr Chawla tells us that paying attention to your lifestyle habits can really help you in the long run. He says, "Regular physical activity and exercise regimen including minimum 150 minutes per week of walk/ moderate intensity and a hypocaloric diet which is devoid of high fat and high carbohydrates helps greatly. Moreover, improved protein intake including regular use of protein supplements and increased fiber intake is also devised. There is also an emerging role of sleep hygiene and gut microbial health, leading to a reduction in inflammation and insulin resistance.”