{"id":263,"date":"2026-01-09T21:04:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T21:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/?page_id=263"},"modified":"2026-01-14T18:12:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T18:12:56","slug":"blood-sugar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.research.colostate.edu\/center-for-healthy-aging\/aging-basics-and-tips\/blood-sugar\/","title":{"rendered":"Blood Sugar (Glucose)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Blood Sugar: What Happens When We Age?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blood sugar (blood glucose) control is critical to daily function. Muscles use sugar for energy every time we move, and as we age, two problems develop:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Insulin Sensitivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Young, healthy muscle and other tissues throughout the body are highly sensitive to insulin. Insulin helps cells use the glucose (sugar) that is circulating in the blood or stored in muscle. Insulin also controls how much fat is released from fat tissue into the bloodstream. However, as we age, our muscle and other tissues become less sensitive to insulin. This means that sugar (glucose) and fat (triglycerides) remain in the bloodstream longer, leading to poor blood sugar and blood lipid control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Insulin Production<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After a meal, blood sugar rises, and a young pancreas produces insulin to stimulate uptake of that sugar into muscle and fat tissues throughout the body. This sugar is either used immediately for energy or stored for later use by exercising muscles. But as we age, the pancreas produces less insulin \u2014 which means blood sugar remains elevated for longer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Blood Sugar: Why Does This Matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why does this matter? Low insulin sensitivity and reduced insulin production can lead to poor control of blood sugars and fat, which can lead to diabetes. Diabetes can cause many complications including cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure and damage to the feet and eyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Blood Sugar: Tips From The Experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what can you do? Many lifestyle strategies can prevent diabetes, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise Regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that even easy exercise increases insulin sensitivity in muscles and improves pancreas insulin production, which reduces your risk for many diseases including diabetes. Exercise, such as brisk walking, provides an immediate beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity and insulin production. In fact, exercise is more effective than most medications used to improve insulin sensitivity. Therefore, exercise is your best line of defense against diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n