Q. Factors Affecting Normal Blood Sugar Levels?

Earlier in our discussion, we learnt that insulin is the most important factor responsible for normal blood sugar levels. Now we will learn about the various factors that can increase blood sugar levels and those that can reduce it.

First of all, let us know what is the normal sugar level (glucose) in the blood'? The normal sugar level ranges from 70-110 mg/100 ml. This is the fasting level also. Figure shows some factors that increase the sugar levels and others that decrease the sugar levels.

So we have learnt that - insufficient production or insulin resistance - can cause diabetes, commonly known as primary diabetes. Factors that increase sugar levels like hormones, intestinal disorders, diseases in which there are heavy breakdown of proteins (stress and trauma), dietary habits, lack of exercise, metabolic disorders, can also cause disturbances in the normal sugar levels, leading to abnormal or impaired glucose tolerailce (IGT). Diabetes due to factors other than insulin is known as secondary diabetes. We can conclude therefore that the etiology of diabetes is multiactorial. Most common form of diabetes of course is primary diabetes.