A normal blood sugar level is important for a person to maintain optimal health. In most people, the body regulates blood sugar (glucose) quite effectively. Most people never feel physical symptoms from the drop in blood sugar between meals.

Normal blood sugar levels for the average healthy person should be 4.0-6.0mmol/L (72 to108 mg/dL) fasting and up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) two hours after eating.

Processing Carbohydrates.

Sugary or carbohydrate rich foods release glucose into the blood stream quickly, causing a spike in blood sugar. A counteracting hormone is then released to help the body metabolize the excess sugar in the blood stream.  This hormone causes this excess sugar to be stored as fat. In most of the population, blood sugar is regulated efficiently.

Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels

Most people never feel physical symptoms from spikes or drops in blood sugar. For those with high or low blood sugar problems, there could be uncomfortable physical symptoms.

• High blood sugar A frequent cause of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is Diabetes. Over time, unmanaged diabetes can contribute to vascular disease and can damage the eyes, liver, and nerves. People with hyperglycemia may notice impaired vision, itchy skin, increased appetite, increased thirst, and increased urination.
• Low blood sugar A drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) below normal levels will also cause physical symptoms. Low blood sugar can cause confusion or impaired mental function, lethargy, weakness in the arms and legs, a pale complexion, sweating, and can cause fainting. In general, it is more dangerous to have too little glucose in the blood than too much.

Maintain Normal Levels

With balanced blood sugar levels, a person will feel energetic and have fewer food cravings. Maintaining normal blood sugar reduces a person's risk of metabolic disorders and heart disease. Minimizing hormone spikes will reduce fat storage and decrease weight gain. There are steps a person can take to maintain this balance.

• Relax. Meditation and deep breathing can balance blood sugar levels in as little as 10 minutes.
• Eat more fiber. The more fiber included in the diet, the more steady the blood sugar will stay.
• Exercise. Muscle burns more glucose and the added strength can prevent issues with cell resistance.
• Eat dairy products. The enzymes and protein slow the release of sugar into the blood stream.
• Protein with every meal. Protein releases food energy slowly promoting a feeling of fullness.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners. The preservatives can lead to blood sugar spikes and may contribute to hormonal imbalances.

Top 5 Routes for "Normal Blood Sugar Level"

1. healthywoman.org This article discusses the importance of maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. There is also detailed information on ways to balance blood sugar in the body with an explanation of why the tips are effective.
2. MBG.com The article in this magazine explains the process of how blood sugar, hormones and fat storage are connected. The article also contains tips and strategies to keep sugar levels normal or stable.
3. Thedrjoe.com In this article, Dr. Joe discusses normal blood sugar levels in healthy adults. He discusses the health implications of failing to diagnose pre-diabetic conditions. There is also a study presented on the blood sugar levels of healthy adults.
4. Thehealthiac.com The parameters involving the blood sugar levels of healthy adults and children can be found on this website. Charts post normal, marginal, and high blood glucose levels. The article also lists symptom associated with high and low blood sugar levels and suggests tips to maintain balance.
5. chriskresser.com This article outlines a test that anyone can do using a glucometer to determine their bodies reaction to sugar. The author suggests that diabetes and heart disease risks will decrease when a person is aware of their carbohydrate tolerance. He lists what normal ranges should be and steps to take when a person's readings are outside of an acceptable range.