Unraveling the Mystery of Glucose in the Human Body

Unraveling the Mystery of Glucose is an interesting topic for sure.

One that I have been monitoring closely for a couple of years. And because I have, I’ve discoed a couple of things FOR ME that I find really interesting, which may apply to you, or at least be curious about.

Our bodies have nine independent systems that work together in harmony.

They are:

1. skin (the largest system)
2. muscular
3. skeletal
4. lymph
5. circulation
6. endocrine (hormones)
7. respiratory
8. nervous
9. Digestion

and the reproduction system. I’m also going to add the cellular system and why it’s important to pay attention to what happens in cells because, cells are like tiny, individual humans with missions, functions, and memory.

Amazingly all these systems work together to accomplish specific functions internally that we are totally oblivious to – unless we get sick. Or I rather say, unless our body starts to communicate TO us in some way (pain, aches, etc.) that something needs attention.

Most illnesses are preventable and most  people don’t listen to their bodies. Most people sacrifice a healthy body for a variety of reasons – smoking, eating problems, sugar, drug addiction … and so many reasons.

My focus in this post is on glucose monitoring – glucose for your body is like gas for a car. And if you have too much gas it can backfire, right?

But I started to pay attention,  especially when after a doctor’s visit with blood work done, my glucose level was high … 150 after a fasting blood test.

This was significant because my father had diabetes and it pointed out that I was PRE-Diabetic. Something I was not aware of. Being pre-diabetic put me on the path of developing adult onset diabetes.

I was NOT going to go down that path because I could PREVENT it.

I had a wicked sweet tooth. Consumed a lot of chocolate,  chips, fast food, soda – all the wrong stuff that contributes to a less than healthy body.

So, I purchased a glucose monitoring  meter and started testing my glucose levels daily, recorded then in a journal, and always did a fasting  test.

If you’re going to start being your own “Health/body Detective” there’s ONE very important principle you need to remember, honor, and accept:

Making physical changes in your body takes months

Exercise taught me this too. It takes time for your body to adjust to physical changes and eventually SEE them!

Here’s a plan to get you startled and just to get an idea, or get a “baseline” of the sugar levels in your body so you can start controlling it through what you’re eating and how much of it on a daily basis. Because, the levels fluctuate and WILL reflect what you’ve consumed (In another post, I’ll discuss food and glucose levels).

First, get a glucose level chart

HBA1C = “Hemoglobin A1C”

A chart gives you a guideline of what your glucose levels should be daily for fasting, before and after meals, and sometimes after exercise. This helps you to keep track.

Then …

• Purchase a glucose monitoring meter. You can get these at any drug store or order online
• Get a journal to record your glucose levels on a daily basis. Do a fasting check in the morning BEFORE eating anything, 2 hours after eating, and before you go to bed, to get a baseline.
• Check your blood tests from the doctor (get a copy) and compare with your own tracking. It should be pretty close. You’ll know the numbers are pretty close.

I started tracking my glucose levels in 2015, amazingly  true. I was PRE-diabetic at 135 fasting check. Now in 2018, it’s down to 105.

I KNOW this is a long time to see change – this is why you have to allow lots of rime for your body to adjust to the changes you’re making.

CHANGE happened depending on what I ate the day before. The point is, I’m watching what I eat: No sugar at all if possible was the first to go off my diet.

Now I know, there’s sugar in just about everything. But if you read the food labels and buy products that are less than “5 grams” of sugar – that’s good. You’re adding less “Sugar stress” on your body.

There are TWO methods of glucose production:

1. What your liver innately produces
2. What you consume – is a huge reason why it leads to adult diabetes

There’s lots to discuss about glucose and I will in future posts. This post isjust something to think about.

Your thoughts?