How Do You Bring Your A1C Down?

Understand Your A1C

Your A1C level reflects your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. Lowering it requires consistent effort and lifestyle changes.

Steps to Lower Your A1C

• Adopt a Healthy Diet:
  • Focus on whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
  • Avoid sugary drinks, refined carbs, and high-fat foods.
  • Consider a low-carb or Mediterranean diet.
• Exercise Regularly:
  • Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (e.g., walking, cycling).
  • Include strength training 2-3 times a week to improve insulin sensitivity.
• Lose Weight:
  • If overweight, losing 5-10% of your body weight can significantly lower your A1C.
• Take Medications as Prescribed:
  • Follow your doctor’s advice on medications like metformin or insulin.
• Monitor Blood Sugar Levels:
  • Regularly check your blood sugar to understand how food, exercise, and medications affect you.
• Manage Stress:
  • Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
• Get Enough Sleep:
  • Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.

Track Your Progress

Work with your doctor to set realistic goals and track your A1C over time. Small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements.