Having enough glucose, or sugar, in the blood is essential to survival. Controlling the levels of sugar in the blood is part of the body's normal everyday functioning. The pancreas produces insulin to move sugar from ingested food and sugar released from the liver from the bloodstream into the cells so that it can be used for energy.
Too much sugar in the blood however, can lead to permanent damage of the nerves, kidneys and eyes. It also puts significantly increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Too little blood sugar, and the brain is unable to function correctly. In the extreme, low blood sugar in the brain may result in impaired mentation, seizures and possibly even permanent brain damage or death.
Diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is the first step in controlling blood sugar. Lowered intake of simple carbohydrates and increased consumption of fiber, protein and complex carbs is the basis for a diet that seeks to manage glucose levels. Limiting foods high in fat, cutting out most types of junk food, and decreasing alcohol intake are vital to avoiding wide swings in the amount of sugar in the blood. Most people also find that eating more frequently, but in smaller amounts is helpful to manage sugar fluctuations.
Exercise
The body burns sugar for energy. When there is too much sugar than the body requires, it gets stored as fat for later use. In times of need, fat is converted back to sugar for the body's cells to utilize. Regular exercise is essential to controlling blood glucose levels. Exercise burns excess calories, making the body consume any extra sugar in the blood so it is not stored as fat. The American Heart Association recommends getting about 30 minutes of "moderate-to-vigorous" aerobic exercise on most days of the week. Increasing muscle strength with a weight lifting program is also a great way to control blood sugar levels. Muscles burn more calories, even at rest, than other tissues, helping to move sugar out of the bloodstream.
Medication
For some people, controlling blood sugar isn't just a good idea to maintain health; it is an absolute must to manage diabetes. Diabetics have difficulty controlling levels of blood glucose and often experience wide swings in sugar levels. People with Type 2 diabetes usually make some insulin on their own but the body doesn't utilize it effectively, while those with Type 1 diabetes make no insulin of their own and require outside sources of this important hormone. Daily medication is usually necessary to help a person with diabetes manage his glucose levels. The type of medication is dependent on the type of diabetes being treated.
