How to calculate the glycemic index is simple: anyone can calculate it

In modern life, health indicators are getting more and more attention. More and more health devices can be measured at home, including blood glucose meters. However, different manufacturers will have different units of measurement for the glycemic index. But not everyone knows this difference. In the following article, SignsSymptomsList will help you show how to calculate the glycemic index simply but accurately. 

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• What is the glycemic index?
• Tests and how to calculate the current blood sugar index
• How to calculate the correct glycemic index?
• Factors affecting the calculation of the glycemic index
• How to make sure the glycemic index calculation is correct?

What is the glycemic index?

The glycemic index represents the results of the body's energy metabolism. This index is not fixed and depends on many factors. Time of day, meals, physical activity, and stress all affect blood sugar. In every given situation and condition, there will be a different threshold of safety.

Meals directly affect blood sugar

Currently in the United States, there are 86 million people with diabetes, a quarter of them do not know the condition. This shows that understanding how to calculate the glycemic index is extremely necessary.

Tests and how to calculate the current blood sugar index

Blood sugar test

Today, there are four main blood glucose test parameters:

• Fasting blood sugar test. To do this, you need to fast for at least 8 hours before measuring.
• Random blood sugar test. This indicator can be done at any time without fasting.
• HbA1c blood test. This is the index performed at the medical facility.
• Oral glucose tolerance test. This is also the performance index at health facilities.

Explain how to calculate the glycemic index

For healthy people

• Blood glucose measured at any time of day: < 200="" mg/dl="">< 11.1="">
• Blood glucose measured after fasting for at least 8 hours: 72 – 99 mg/dL (4 – 5.4 mmol/L).
• Blood sugar is measured 2 hours after a meal: < 140="" mg/dl="">< 7.8="">
• HbA1c < 6%="">< 42="">

Normal fasting blood sugar level d9o1i8 hours will be lower than 100 mg/dL

For patients with diabetes

In patients with diabetes, these indicators are slightly higher, but it is still necessary to ensure:

• Blood glucose measured any day: < 200="" mg/dl="">< 11.1="">
• Blood glucose measured after fasting for at least 8 hours: 72 – 126 mg/dL (4 – 7 mmol/L).
• Blood glucose was measured 1.5 hours after a meal: 90-162 mg/dL (5-9 mmol/L).
• Blood sugar is measured 2 hours after a meal: < 140="" mg/dl="">< 7.8="">
• HbA1c < 48="" mmol/mol=""><>

How to calculate the correct glycemic index?

What is the difference between mmol/L and mg/dL units?

Let me tell you: both of these units are used to measure blood glucose levels. mmol/L is a unit of molar concentration, which indicates the number of molecules of a substance in a given volume. In this case 1 liter. mmol/L is the unit most used in the UK. Meanwhile, mg/dL indicates concentration as a ratio of weight and volume. Accordingly, it is the milligrams per deciliter. This unit is used in the United States and European countries.

How to calculate glycemic index?

So the formula for these two units is as follows:

• Convert from mg/ dl to mmol/l: mmol/ l = mg/ dl : 18.
• Convert from mmol/l to mg/dl: mg/ dl = mmol/ lx 18.

In short, mmol/l is the international standard unit for measuring blood glucose levels. Besides, mg/dL is the unit of measurement of blood glucose concentration in the United States. Normal blood sugar ranges from 4 to 6 mmol/L in a healthy person.

Factors affecting the calculation of the glycemic index

There are four groups of factors that affect the glycemic index:

Meals of the day

Foods that are high in carbohydrates (starch), fats, and proteins will also raise blood sugar. Besides, caffeine, alcohol, alcohol, etc. also promote the same. Therefore, when you have just eaten anything, you should not measure your blood sugar.

Living

Unscientific lifestyle makes the glycemic index significantly high. Including: less sleep, stressful work, anxiety, allergies, smoking, ...

Medicine

Some gauges will have the side effect of having more sugar than normal. These drugs are: tranquilizers, steroids, niacin (vitamin B3).

Physical activity

It's also worth noting that overexertion can also raise blood sugar levels. But after that, blood sugar will gradually stabilize. Therefore, regular exercise helps to control blood sugar well.

All of the above factors affect the quality of the results. Doctors recommend measuring as soon as you wake up or before going to bed. At that time, the digestive system is empty, there is no food and the spirit is at ease. As a result, this calculation of the glycemic index will be more accurate.

How to make sure the glycemic index calculation is correct?

To make sure your blood sugar calculation is accurate at home, you need to measure your blood sugar properly first. There are many problems that arise when measuring improperly such as: too little blood dotted into the machine, hands are not hygienic, the machine does not show parameters, ...

If you are not familiar with fingertip testing, SignsSymptomsList has a few tips for you. These tips will make it easier for you.

• Wash hands with soap and let dry before measuring.
• Please let your hands hang below your waist for one to two minutes before the test
• Or you can also put your hands in a basin of warm water and rub your hands together.
• Grasp the area to be injected and squeeze gently for 3 seconds.
• Place your hands on a table or fixed surface to avoid moving while performing.

Grasp the area to be injected and squeeze gently for 3 seconds.

Calculating the glycemic index is quite simple. Make sure to measure your blood sugar properly to get the most accurate reading. There are many factors that affect the measurement results. So you need to choose the right measurement time. Besides, you need to keep mentally comfortable and physically stable so that the blood sugar index does not rise.