Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is the amount of glucose present in the blood. Glucose is a primary source of energy for the body's cells, and it comes from the food we eat. The body regulates blood sugar levels to ensure they remain within a healthy range, primarily through the actions of the hormone insulin.
### Key Points About Blood Sugar:
1. **Normal Ranges**:
- **Fasting Blood Sugar**: Typically between 70-99 mg/dL (3.9-5.5 mmol/L) for adults.
- **Postprandial (after eating)**: Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after a meal.
- **A1C (Hemoglobin A1c)**: Reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months; a normal A1C level is below 5.7%.
2. **Regulation**:
- **Insulin**: A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream.
- **Glucagon**: Another hormone from the pancreas that triggers the release of glucose stored in the