Blood sugar or glucose comes from the food we eat. It is also produced by our liver. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body’s cells and is transported through the bloodstream.

We feel our best when our blood sugar is balanced. Why? 

Let’s explore that in this article.

Is it essential to balance our glucose levels?

The general answer is YES. Balancing your glucose is critical to living a healthy life, whether you have prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or another type of diabetes.

Or even if you don’t have diabetes.

In people without diabetes, every glucose spike increases the risk of heart disease. Therefore, in the long term, keeping balanced glucose levels will reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, fatty liver disease, and cancer. 

Why you should avoid spikes even if you don’t have diabetes

In a Nutshell: What happens when there is a glucose spike?

HARMFUL FREE RADICALS

When we spike, our mitochondria become overwhelmed and start producing chemicals called free radicals. Free radicals are harmful for our cells and mutate our DNA.

INFLAMMATION

This leads to oxidative stress and inflammation. Inflammation is the root cause of most diseases. Three out of five people will die of an inflammation-based disease.

AGING

Every glucose spike leads to glycation (the aging process of our body). Glycation leads to many age-related issues, including Alzheimer’s. When we slow down glycation, we live a longer, healthier life.

INSULIN AND FAT GAIN

​With every glucose spike, insulin gets released. The excess glucose gets stored in our liver, muscles, and fat cells. A study has shown that adverse consequences currently attributed to obesity could be attributed to hyperinsulinemia (unhealthy high amount of insulin in the blood). This could be one of the reasons we gain fat. 

What should your normal glucose range be, as an individual without diabetes?

“Normal” blood glucose level refers to the blood sugar quantity in the majority (95%) of healthy individuals. 

Table 1: Reference ranges for fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels

However, “normal” does not necessarily mean that this range is optimal. The glucose cut-offs outlined in the table are used as cut-offs for diagnosis of diabetes. Studies in healthy populations indicate that the average glucose levels are lower than the targets set by most guidelines, and that increases in fasting blood glucose levels can increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease complications. 

The “Optimal” Glucose level is the more stringent target, for healthy individuals to strive for – for better metabolic health. Read more about the Optimal glucose level here.

Do you see why it’s important to balance your glucose even if you don’t have diabetes or prediabetes?

Several studies* have shown that these are some of the benefits of balancing your glucose levels, among others:

1. Better sleep and energy. Steady glucose levels means that you get less insulin spikes – so you don’t often experience a “crash” or sluggishness after meals. In addition, low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can cause sleep problems. With stable glucose levels, you get better sleep – and more energy throughout the day.

2. Better mood. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) has been associated with "nervousness", and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) with "anger or sadness". Balancing your glucose improves your mental well-being.

3. You lose weight. A balanced and stable blood glucose gives the body a chance to rest and allows insulin to drop significantly. Without the insulin spikes, it is much easier to keep the weight off since insulin is our body’s main anabolic hormone.

4. Clearer skin. Balanced blood sugar levels means lower levels of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) which predisposes some people to acne.

5. Slower aging and fewer wrinkles. Higher sugar levels can also cause collagen damage due to glycation (aging). Stopping sugar spikes can help reduce glycation and mitigate its negative effects, therefore protecting collagen and slowing down skin aging.

6. A healthier life,  in general. The variability caused by these glucose spikes can lead to the activation of oxidative stress, which is one of the main factors for cardiovascular diseases. 

How can NOVI help?

You may feel healthy, but did you know that the majority of the working population in Singapore is affected by excess weight and chronic metabolic conditions? According to the National Population Health Survey 2017, Another 1.5 in 4 Singaporeans are overweight or at-risk of developing a chronic lifestyle condition.

If you are feeling sluggish, feel that your mood swings are affecting your work, suffer from certain skin conditions, or need help to lose weight, we can help you find the most appropriate ways to stabilize your glucose levels. 

NOVI offers health solutions that are personalized to meet your unique needs so it is easier for you to achieve your health goals.

Invest in a healthier you.