Every November, BioIQ joins the American Diabetes Association in helping make the public aware of the serious nature of this pervasive disease, with an emphasis on teaching people how to detect, prevent, and control diabetes. In all of BioIQ’s population health screening programs, we recommend either an A1c test or a Fasting Blood Glucose test as an essential component of health and wellness. Both tests can reveal your risk for diabetes and prediabetes.
Understanding Glucose Levels and Diabetes
Glucose is one of the most important carbohydrates in the body. It provides energy by transporting sugar in your blood. Diabetes results from too much glucose (sugar) in the blood, although the causes may differ. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar, the higher the risk of complications. If your body is unable to maintain a normal blood sugar level, serious complications can follow, including blindness and kidney failure. Eventually, diabetes complications can be life threatening.
Understanding Your Test Results
If you recently had a blood test for checking your glucose levels, here’s how to read the results:
Fasting Glucose
Normal: 60 – 99 mg/dl
Pre-diabetes: 100 – 125 mg/dl
Diabetes: > 126 mg/dl
Non-Fasting Glucose
Normal: < 140 mg/dl
Pre-diabetes: 140 – 200 mg/dl
Diabetes: > 200 mg/dl
Remember, the goal of biometric screening is to identify possible health risks and encourage follow-up with a healthcare provider. Screenings are not meant to diagnose health conditions and should not replace regular visits to your doctor.
Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle
Checking your blood sugar levels at least once per year is important for all adults. What do you do if your levels are too high? Here are some tips to lower your blood sugar levels and improve your health:
- If you are overweight, lose weight. Losing as little as 5 percent of your body weight can reduce your risk for diabetes.
- Limit your salt intake to no more than one teaspoon per day.
- Limit your intake of sweets as well as packaged, processed, and fast foods.
- Opt for water instead of sugary drinks.
- Get regular physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week. In addition, the CDC recommends strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups at least two days per week.
- Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and incorporate low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, beans, and omega 3 fatty acids, (fish, walnuts, avocados, flax seeds) into your diet.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.