Glucose

Why is Fasting Glucose important for your Healthspan?

‍Fasting Glucose levels are a central indicator of metabolic health, important for maintaining a long Healthspan. Consistently elevated glucose levels can signal issues with blood sugar regulation, such as insulin resistance or prediabetes, which if unaddressed, can lead to type 2 diabetes and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and nerve problems. Maintaining glucose within an optimal range helps protect your organs, supports energy metabolism, and contributes to sustained vitality and disease prevention over time.

‍What is Fasting Glucose?

Fasting Glucose, also known as Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), measures the concentration of glucose in your bloodstream after a period of not eating, typically 8 to 12 hours (an overnight fast). Glucose is the body's main source of energy, derived primarily from carbohydrates consumed in the diet. The body works constantly to keep blood glucose levels within a narrow range, primarily through the actions of hormones like insulin, which helps move glucose from the blood into cells for energy or storage, and glucagon, which releases stored glucose when blood sugar is low. Measuring fasting glucose provides insight into your body's ability to regulate blood sugar without the immediate influence of food intake, reflecting its baseline metabolic control.

‍How do we take action?

If fasting glucose levels are outside the optimal range, one should focus on lifestyle modifications to improve blood sugar regulation. This includes adopting a balanced diet with an emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods, limiting refined carbohydrates and added sugars, and ensuring adequate fiber intake. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, getting sufficient sleep, and effective stress management are also important components. For some individuals, medication may be necessary to achieve target glucose levels, in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Regular monitoring of fasting glucose or through other means such as a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) can help track progress and adjust strategies to support metabolic health and overall Healthspan.

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‍Additional Sources

1. Gerich J. E. (2003). Contributions of insulin-resistance and insulin-secretory defects to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 78(4), 447–456. https://doi.org/10.4065/78.4.447

2. Malhotra, A., Redberg, R. F., & Meier, P. (2017). Saturated fat does not clog the arteries: coronary heart disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, the risk of which can be effectively reduced from healthy lifestyle interventions. British journal of sports medicine, 51(15), 1111–1112. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097285

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