A new study on Pretreatment fasting plasma glucose and insulin modify dietary weight loss success: results from 3 randomized clinical trials has uncovered two biomarkers that could predict how effective certain diets will be for weight loss, particularly for people prediabetes or diabetes.
In total, the study included the data of more than 1,200 adults, all of whom were overweight. The researchers looked at the fasting blood glucose levels and fasting insulin levels of each participant, and they assessed whether these levels were associated with weight loss in response to certain diets. Among adults with prediabetes, the team found that a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables was most effective for weight loss. For people with type 2 diabetes, the researchers found that a diet rich in plant-based, “healthy” fats and low in carbohydrates was best for weight loss. Based on their results, the researchers believe that fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels may be biomarkers for weight loss.
| According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for people with prediabetes, losing around 5 to 7 percent of their body weight and increasing exercise levels can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 58 percent. |
The question arises, how many of us get our fasting Blood Glucose and Insulin levels checked regularly?
What is Fasting Blood Glucose Level?
Fasting, as the name suggests, means refraining from eating or drinking any liquids other than water for eight hours. It is used as a test for diabetes.
After fasting, a carbohydrate metabolism test is conducted which measures blood glucose levels. A blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucose, a type of simple sugar, is your body’s main source of energy. Your body converts the carbohydrates you eat into glucose.
Glucose testing is primarily done to check for type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose level to rise.
The amount of sugar in your blood is usually controlled by a hormone called insulin. However, if you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or the insulin produced doesn’t work properly. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Increased levels of blood sugar can lead to severe organ damage if left untreated.
In some cases, blood glucose testing may also be used to test for hypoglycemia. This condition occurs when the levels of glucose in your blood are too low.
Fasting Test ResultsThe results of a fasting test with respect to glucose levels in the body are as follows: Normal: 3.9 to 5.5 mmols/l (70 to 100 mg/dl) |
Know Your Insulin Level?
Our bodies need some circulating insulin at all times, even when we don’t eat. Otherwise, our liver keep making glucose and dumping it into the blood. Liver does this to prevent blood glucose from going too low.
So a fasting insulin level should never be 0, which it might be in a person with untreated Type 1. It shouldn’t go below 3.
A high insulin level is just as problematic. A high insulin level is a sign of insulin resistance or prediabetes. It can also signify early-stage Type 2.
Insulin is measured in “microunits per milliliter” (mcU/ml or mIU/ml). A study in Arizona found that women with a fasting insulin level around 8.0 had twice the risk of prediabetes as did women with a level around 5.0. Women with a fasting insulin of 25 or so had five times the risk of prediabetes.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much agreement on what level is ideal.
Keep a close track of your fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels for prevention of diabetes and obesity.