People with diabetes must carry out adequate control of their blood glucose levels (blood glucose) in the organism. This is so mainly because they have difficulties when it comes to producing or using insulin properly.
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that is responsible for regulating glucose levels in the body. It is the hormone that allows glucose to be properly incorporated into the different cells.
In this way, type 1 diabetes is characterized especially because the human body does not have the capacity to produce enough insulin. For its part, in type 2 diabetes the body offers resistance to insulin that causes improper use.
How to balance blood glucose levels
As reported by the University of California (San Francisco), in the United States, insulin levels in the bloodstream are carefully balanced to help maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Specifically, if the level of insulin is adequate, the glucose is properly incorporated into the cells and muscles, in addition of to liver cells for storage. However, low insulin levels cause glucose to return to the bloodstream.
Thus, people with diabetes must regularly monitor glucose levels to avoid health problems derived from this situation. In this regard, food plays a key role.
From the Spanish Diabetes Society (SED) they explain that if a person with diabetes is controlled and maintains glucose, lipid and blood pressure levels in adequate ranges, even with the corresponding medications, cardiovascular risk may decrease from 60 to 80%.
Thus, to control blood glucose levels in the body, it is advisable to follow an adequate diet and limit the consumption of certain foods, especially those with a high glycemic index and a good amount of carbohydrates.
Therefore, the SED recommends following a healthy lifestyle, both for people with diabetes and those at risk of developing the disease.
Use of glucometer
The most common way to check blood glucose levels from home is using a glucometer . Using this method, a small drop of blood is obtained by pricking the fingertip with a lancet. The drop is then applied to a test strip and the system offers the closest possible assessment of blood glucose levels.
In this sense, science continues to advance and there are already several devices or mechanisms used to measure blood glucose from home without an invasive method.
If you have diabetes or are at risk of developing this pathology, it is advisable to consult with your doctor from time to time, it is advisable to control glucose, as well as to know what lifestyle habits are recommended to follow.