What is a high A1C level symptomatic of?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Having a high A1c level<\/a> is indicative of having either prediabetes or diabetes. Prediabetes<\/a> is the condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be considered diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with prediabetes are more likely to develop diabetes later in life if their A1c isn\u2019t lowered through lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A normal A1c level is below 5.7%. Prediabetes is indicated with an A1c between 5.7% and 6.4%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Diabetes is diagnosed when the hemoglobin A1c is 6.5% or higher. The higher the number, equals higher the blood glucose levels<\/a>. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1c goal of less than 7% for people with existing diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n [bensnaturalhealthIinlineLeadGen id =”1″ event=”15 Food Blood Sugar eBook Download” image=”https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Ipad-15-Foods.png” title=”Get Your FREE Diabetes Diet Plan” content=”##15 foods to naturally lower blood sugar levels ##3 day sample meal plan ##Designed exclusively by our nutritionist”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having high A1c levels indicates a problem with blood sugar regulation. Insulin resistance, which is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes<\/a>, is a common cause of an elevated A1c. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a high A1c when you have diabetes means that your treatment plan might not be working as well as intended, which warrants a visit with your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having high blood sugars over a prolonged period of time can increase the risk of complications for your long-term health, including increased risk of a heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High blood sugar damages blood vessels and arteries, leading to other potential diabetes complications<\/a> such as nerve damage, eye damage, kidney problems, and poorly-healing wounds leading to amputations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For people with diabetes, diabetes self-management and following a treatment plan is essential for lowering A1c levels. Some aspects of a diabetes care plan include medication use, routine blood tests, checking blood sugar levels<\/a> at home, and making healthy lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For people with prediabetes, lifestyle changes are the most helpful in lowering A1c levels. Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier, being more active, and stopping smoking<\/a>, can help improve insulin resistance<\/a> and normalize A1c levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A1c levels can\u2019t be tested for at home, unlike day-to-day blood sugar levels. A healthcare provider needs to order an A1c to be tested at an accredited laboratory. The A1c test can either be tested using a blood draw, or a \u201cstat\u201d A1c, which can be tested using a fingerstick blood sugar sample. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both of these tests are analyzed by the laboratory, and results are available within minutes (for the stat test) or a day or so for the regular blood draw A1c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which foods can you add to your diet to help reduce your A1C levels? Saturated fat is usually solid at room temperature and predominantly comes from animal products such as high-fat meats and full-fat dairy products. Saturated fat is also found in coconut and palm oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trans fat is considered the least healthy of all the fats, as it increases the risk of heart disease significantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Food and Drug Administration banned the use of trans fats in products effective in 2018. The most common source of trans fat in foods is partially hydrogenated oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating a diet rich in unsaturated fat is better for heart health and may help reduce inflammation. People with high blood sugar tend to have more inflammation<\/a> in their bodies, so an anti-inflammatory diet is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fats don\u2019t raise blood sugar levels and is an important part of a balanced diet. Foods rich in unsaturated fats that are great to include to lower A1c include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbohydrates<\/a> affect blood sugar more than protein and fat. This doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re bad, but there are definitely healthier sources of carbohydrates and less nutritious carbohydrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Refined carbohydrates have been stripped of much of their nutrition and tend to increase blood sugar levels more quickly than fiber-rich carbohydrates. An example of a refined carbohydrate is white bread; a healthier choice would be choosing whole grain bread with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some examples of non-refined, high-fiber carbohydrates to include in your diet to lower A1c include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some vegetables are higher in carbohydrates than others, and they are considered starchy vegetables; examples are potatoes, corn, peas, and legumes. These foods raise blood glucose more than non-starchy vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of non-starchy vegetables that are good for lowering A1c include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fruit has natural sugar, so portion size is important when considering its impact on blood sugar levels<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating a lot of fruit<\/a> can still raise blood sugar, even though it is very healthy and a good source of fiber. Balancing fruit with other foods that don\u2019t raise blood sugar much is a good strategy to lower A1c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whole grains such as whole wheat products, brown rice, and oatmeal. The ingredient list shouldn\u2019t contain \u201cenriched flour,\u201d because that is a refined carbohydrate and is low in fiber. A good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Protein helps increase satiety after eating, and can also slow the digestion of carbohydrates, which slows down the blood sugar response. Protein<\/a> is also important for muscle growth and wound healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lean protein is low in saturated fat. Examples of lean protein include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sugar-sweetened beverages<\/a> are a leading source of added sugar in the typical Western diet. Avoiding soda, juice, sweetened tea, and fruit drinks can help lower A1c. Sugary drinks raise blood sugar more quickly than food. Choosing water is best, though some people prefer to use sugar-free beverages as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest culprit for increasing blood sugars are added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Foods that aren\u2019t beneficial for lowering A1c levels and should be avoided, or at least eaten less frequently, include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some supplements have shown some promise in their ability to lower blood sugar levels. They shouldn\u2019t be used in place of a healthy lifestyle, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes should have their A1c level checked every 3-6 months, according to the American Diabetes Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People at higher risk of developing diabetes should ask their healthcare provider how often they need to check their A1c; it\u2019s usually checked every 1-3 years for these individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other than having a healthy diet, as mentioned above, being regularly physically active and stopping smoking are some things that can help you maintain a healthy A1c level. Aim to get 150 minutes of physical activity per week, and avoid being sedentary for more than an hour at a time when you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes, prediabetes, or who are at risk of developing diabetes are more likely to have high A1c levels. Risk factors include a family history of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Practicing good diabetes management<\/a>, combined with a healthy diet and exercise, can help to lower hemoglobin a1c.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy is it essential to correct high A1C levels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How can you normalize your A1C levels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Foods that help lower your A1C<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A healthy diet is shown to help lower A1c levels and is vital for people with both prediabetes and diabetes. Aspects of a healthy diet include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1) Focusing on unsaturated fats over saturated and trans fat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\n2) Eat fiber-rich carbohydrates over refined carbohydrates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\n3) Eat lean protein sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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4) Choose unsweetened beverages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Which foods should you avoid to prevent high A1c levels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tips for maintaining a healthy A1C level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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