Normal Blood Sugar Levels for Women
Sugar in the blood
The purpose of this article is to discuss normal blood sugar levels for women, and especially recent findings of an increased risk of colorectal cancer developing in women, reported in studies referred to below.
But first a brief reference to blood sugar levels in general
When speaking of blood sugar levels we are referring to the amount of glucose, a simple form of sugar, that is present in the human body. The sugar is obtained from the foods we eat, especially the carbohydrates in the food. Carbohydrates are one of the primary nutrients, together with Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water. Carbohydrates are composed of many types of sugars that most people have heard of — such sugars as glucose, lactose, galactose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose.
Together with the other constituents of food, the various complex sugars in the carbohydrates are broken down during the digestion process into the simpler sugar called glucose which then enters the bloodstream. Glucose is the main source of energy in the human body and is needed by the body’s cells. The circulating blood stream delivers the glucose to the cells.
The absorption of glucose into the cells requires the assistance of a hormone called insulin, produced by an organ in the human body called the pancreas. And sometimes the pancreas becomes unable to consistently produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs. Without sufficient insulin, the sugar stays mostly in the blood and cannot be taken up by the cells. An additional cause of sugar remaining in the blood is that the cells sometimes become resistant to the insulin that is available.
Normal blood sugar Levels for women
Blood sugars may differ at different times of the day. For example, blood sugar levels may be very low in the morning and they may be very high after a meal. According to the American Diabetes Association, normal blood sugar levels for women and for men who are not diabetic, are less than 100 mg/dL after fasting and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating a meal. A fasting blood sugar level, a common reference level, refers to the amount of glucose in the blood when a person has not eaten for at least 8 hours. The official normal blood sugar levels may differ slightly in other countries.
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
A persistent very high level of blood sugar in the bloodstream is referred to as hyperglycemia and a persistent very low level of blood sugar in the bloodstream is called hypoglycemia.
Why should we be concerned about blood sugar levels?
Knowing the blood sugar levels, helps determine a person’s state of health in relation to a health condition called Diabetes. When higher than normal amounts of sugar exists in the blood for long periods of time it is possible, even likely, that the condition known as diabetes is present. Diabetes is a serious disease for which there is no cure and which must be treated by a doctor.
Above normal blood sugar levels for women and colorectal cancer
Very high or low blood sugar levels in women may lead to severe health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and colorectal cancer.
Findings of a recent study of 5000 postmenopausal women, published in the British Journal of Cancer’s November 29 online edition, show that higher than normal blood sugar levels in women are associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer or bowel cancer is cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells in the colon or rectum and according to the American Cancer Society, it is the third most frequently diagnosed form of cancer and is also the third leading cause of death from cancer in both women and men.
In conclusion
If you are concerned or just wondering about your blood sugar levels, all it takes to find out about them is a visit to a doctor who can requisition a simple blood test, a blood test that can also determine the levels of many other blood factors and provide valuable information of an individual’s health status.
