In this video I discuss what is blood sugar level, and what causes high and low blood sugar levels. We also look at insulin’s role in blood sugar levels, and some of the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

Transcript (partial)

In this video we are going to discuss what blood sugar or blood glucose is, and why it is important.

Blood sugar level is the amount of glucose(sugar) present in the blood. Our body gets glucose from some of the foods we eat.

After the digestive process, the liver releases glucose into the bloodstream, sending it to cells to be used as energy. As glucose is released into the bloodstream, blood sugar levels rise. This triggers the pancreas to release the hormone insulin, which tells the cells to open up and let the glucose in, which lowers blood sugar levels.

Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver. This process happens many times throughout the day after we eat.
A normal fasting (no food for 8 hours) blood sugar level is between 70 and 99mg/dl, and a normal level two hours after eating is less than 140mg/dl.

So, why is this important? Well, there are 3 main reasons we need to be aware of our blood sugar level.

The 1st reason is that high blood sugar levels can lead to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t use insulin properly (insulin resistance), or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Over time, High blood sugar levels can put a lot of stress on the pancreas, possibly causing it to become permanently damaged. 95% of all diabetes cases in the US are type 2.

Researchers don’t fully understand why some people develop type 2 diabetes and others don’t. However, there are some factors that increase the risk.

-being overweight – the more fatty tissue you have, the more resistant your cells become to insulin.

-fat distribution – more fat storage in the abdomen increases the risk

-inactivity – Physical activity helps you control your weight, uses up glucose as energy and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.

The 2nd reason we need to monitor our blood sugar levels is that High levels can also lead to atherosclerosis, which is hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This can block the arteries, putting blood flow at risk, which can lead to other problems.

The 3rd reason is low blood sugar levels, this is rare in non-diabetics. This can be caused by certain medications, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive exercise, and from meals high in refined carbs.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:15 What is blood sugar level?
0:30 Example of sugar travelling in the bloodstream
1:38 Normal blood sugar level
1:57 What is type 2 diabetes?
2:34 Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
2:55 Blood sugar and Atherosclerosis
3:14 Low blood sugar levels
3:28 Recommendations

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Rigal et al. “Normoglycemia and physiological cortisone level maintain glucose homeostasis in a pancreas-liver microphysiological system.” Communications Biology (2024)

Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06514-w

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