Blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is a primary marker for determining diabetes risk. The higher your blood sugar, the higher your risk factors. But blood sugar is not just a marker for diabetes. As blood glucose levels rise, so does the risk for many other life-threatening conditions, most notably heart disease.

The best way to mitigate your risk is to keep your blood sugar levels at a normal range. What is the range for target blood sugar levels, you may wonder? The answer is controversial. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) delineates certain levels as “normal blood sugar levels,” but the ADA’s “normal” may not mean “optimal.”

What’s more, measuring blood glucose isn’t the only (or even the best) way to assess metabolic health. Many other biomarkers are also important. In this article, you’ll learn all about blood glucose: the basics, measurement, management, and what levels are considered healthy.

When starting a keto diet, pretty much everyone gets focused on their ketone levels. It makes sense. They are concrete measurements of progress and most of us are goal-oriented. But we can’t tell you how many people we’ve spoken to who wanted to give up because they weren’t where they thought they “should be” early on.

So, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Instead, let’s explore ketone levels for ketosis with an eye on learning what they are and what they mean, so you can understand what optimal levels are based on your goals. But first, a brief PSA: the following information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice, nor does it apply if you have type 1 diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes or other serious medical conditions, you should work with your healthcare provider to determine your goals and ideal diet.

The ketogenic diet––also known as the “keto diet” or “very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet”–– helps your body enter a metabolic state called nutritional ketosis. Achieving this state involves consuming a high-fat, moderate-protein, very low-carbohydrate diet. In ketosis, your body shifts its metabolism, focusing on using fat for energy, which leads to the production of ketone bodies as an alternative fuel source.