Photo: Ali Pli

How can I lower my A1C quickly?

7 Ways to Improve Your A1C Exercise. Physical activity helps your body use insulin more efficiently, so it can better process the glucose in your blood. ... Eat Right. ... Take Medications as Prescribed. ... Manage Your Stress. ... Stick to a Schedule. ... Drink in Moderation. ... Monitor Your Numbers.

dignityhealth.org - 7 Ways to Lower Your A1C Level, Even if You Don't Have Diabetes

How quickly do you lose weight in ketosis?

It might take 2-4 days or longer to lose weight in ketosis, depending on a variety of factors such as your metabolism, carb-protein-fat intake,...

Last updated May 16, 2018

What is the healthiest salad item?

Here are 13 of the healthiest leafy green vegetables to include in your diet. Kale. Share on Pinterest. ... Microgreens. Microgreens are immature...

Last updated Jan 4, 2022

Promotion

Search for endocrinologists near you and schedule your next appointment today Find a Doctor You've probably had your blood glucose level checked — a quick prick of the finger and a drop of blood reveals how much sugar is in your bloodstream. This is a helpful tool for diagnosing and managing diabetes, but it only shows your blood glucose level at that moment. Unless you've fasted and timed the test correctly, it's not an accurate way to know how your body processes sugar all the time. Your A1C level is your average blood glucose level over the past three months. Knowing this number helps your doctor find and treat diabetes (and prediabetes) before you experience serious complications.

Why Your A1C Level Matters

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases of type 2 diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication, but uncontrolled blood glucose levels increase the risk for heart disease, stroke, eye problems, foot and leg amputations, and kidney failure. Approximately 30.3 million Americans have diabetes — that's about 9 percent of the U.S. population. Of those living with diabetes, 7.2 million are undiagnosed. Another 84.1 million American adults have prediabetes, meaning they're at risk of developing diabetes without medical intervention and lifestyle changes. Regular A1C testing would help your doctor catch the disease early, often while it's preventable. If you've already been diagnosed with diabetes, your A1C tells your doctor whether the current treatment plan is working.

What the Numbers Mean

The A1C test measures how much glucose is attached to the hemoglobin in your blood. The results are reported as percentages. To diagnose diabetes with an A1C test, physicians use the following scale:

Normal: below 5 percent

Prediabetes: 5.7 to 6.4 percent

Diabetes: 6.5 percent or higher

It's recommended that diabetics maintain an A1C level below 7 percent to prevent complications.

7 Ways to Improve Your A1C

Whether you're managing diabetes or trying to avoid it, you can lower your blood glucose levels by:

1. Exercise

Physical activity helps your body use insulin more efficiently, so it can better process the glucose in your blood. Consistent exercise can lower blood glucose and improve your A1C. It also lowers your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious diseases for which diabetics are susceptible. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise at least five days per week.

2. Eat Right

How do you know if an egg has salmonella?

You can't tell if an egg has salmonella just by looking at it. The bacteria can be present inside an egg as well as on the shell. Cooking food...

Last updated Sep 20, 2019

How do you know when to stop eating?

Listen to Your Body As you become full, the empty feeling will be replaced with a gentle pressure. As soon as you feel the pressure in your...

Last updated Sep 28, 2021

Promotion

Go easy on the sweets and sugary beverages, white breads, potatoes, pastas, starchy vegetables, and other carbohydrate-rich foods as these increase your blood sugar levels. Instead, opt for foods that are high in fiber, fruits and vegetables, small servings of lean meats and poultry, and low-fat milk or cheese.

3. Take Medications as Prescribed

Some people can manage diabetes and prediabetes with diet and exercise; others need medication. The right medication and dosage varies from person to person, so work with your doctor to create an individualized treatment plan, and then stick to it.

4. Manage Your Stress

Stress causes your body to behave as if you're under attack. To prepare for a fight-or-flight response, the body stores up energy in the form of glucose and fat. Over time, this can increase your A1C level. To reduce stress, make time to relax, spend time with people you love, and do things you enjoy. Mindful meditation and other relaxation techniques can also help. If you still feel chronically stressed, talk to your doctor.

5. Stick to a Schedule

If you go too long without eating, your blood glucose levels could drop too low. You'll also be more likely to overeat later, causing your blood sugar to spike. Plan to eat three well-balanced meals and two healthy snacks each day.

6. Drink in Moderation

Drinking alcohol can cause drops in your blood sugar, especially if you haven't eaten or if your glucose levels are already low. Otherwise, the American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetics follow the same guidelines as everyone else: no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

7. Monitor Your Numbers

If you've been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, it's important to check your blood glucose levels as often as your doctor recommends to prevent spikes and dangerous drops. Your doctor will also want to keep a close watch on your A1C level to ensure your current treatment plan is keeping your condition under control. Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition, but with some healthy changes and the right care providers in your corner, you can still live a full and healthy life.

dignityhealth.org - 7 Ways to Lower Your A1C Level, Even if You Don't Have Diabetes

What fruits burn belly fat overnight?

The best fruits to eat at night for weight loss are melons, cantaloupe, and honeydew. These have good water content and are less in calories....

Last updated Nov 29, 2022

What happens if a person eats 50 eggs at a time?

A typical human stomach can actually hold all those eggs, as demonstrated in an episode of the Food Network's "Food Detectives." Of course, 50 eggs...

Last updated Sep 4, 2021

Promotion

What happens if you skip a meal on keto?

The bottom line You should avoid cheat meals and days on the keto diet. Consuming too many carbs can kick your body out of ketosis — and it takes...

Last updated Apr 2, 2020

Promotion

What do keto people avoid?

When following the diet, avoid high carb foods like dried fruits, refined carbs, sweet sauces, and reduced fat diet foods. These can provide too...

Last updated Aug 27, 2021