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Blood sugar is a term used to refer to the amount of glucose in the
blood. Glucose, transported via the bloodstream, is the primary source
of energy for the body's cells.
Blood sugar concentration, or glucose level, is tightly regulated in the
human body. Normally, the blood glucose level is maintained between
about 4 and 8 mmol/L (70 to 150 mg/dL). The total amount of glucose in
the circulating blood is therefore about 3.3 to 7g (assuming an ordinary
adult blood volume of 5 liters). Glucose levels rise after meals and are
usually lowest in the morning, before the first meal of the day.
Failure to maintain blood glucose in the normal range leads to
conditions of persistently high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia)
blood sugar. Diabetes mellitus, characterized by persistent
hyperglycemia of several causes, is the most prominent disease related
to failure of blood sugar regulation.
Though it is called "blood sugar" and sugars besides glucose are found
in the blood, like fructose and galactose, only glucose levels are
regulated via insulin and glucagon.
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