Is Your Blood Sugar TRULY Healthy or Just Borderline "Not Sick?"

In the realm of blood sugar control, one term often discussed is Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). But what exactly is HbA1c? Why does a high number pose risks? And what is a truly healthy number?

What is Hemoglobin A1c?

Hemoglobin A1c is a crucial marker used to measure average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It is formed when glucose in the bloodstream binds to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The higher the blood sugar levels over time, the more glucose binds to hemoglobin, resulting in a higher HbA1c level. This means what you ate two months ago still impacts your health today.

Why is a high HbA1c dangerous?

Elevated HbA1c levels indicate poor blood sugar control. Persistently high blood sugar levels leads to serious health complications over time, such as:

1. Cardiovascular Disease: Increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.

2. Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness due to damage to nerves, often in the feet and hands (and if you're on diabetic medication, this problem is doubly compounded as certain medications cause B12 deficiencies - which also cause neuropathy).

3. Kidney Damage (Nephropathy): Impaired kidney function and potentially kidney failure- when I work with people to change their blood sugar numbers, we always see their kidney health also drastically improve.

4. Eye Damage (Retinopathy): Damage to the blood vessels of the retina, leading to vision problems and even blindness.

What's a healthy HbA1c level?

In the world of allopathic medicine, anything under 5.7 is considered "healthy." In the world of optimal health and wellness, your HbA1c level should be 5.3% or less. Here’s why:

1. Reduced Risk of Complications: Keeping HbA1c levels within this target range significantly lowers the risk of diabetes-related complications. Studies show that for every percentage point reduction in HbA1c, the risk of microvascular complications decreases by 40%.

2. Better Overall Health: Maintaining lower HbA1c levels is associated with better overall health outcomes, including improved energy levels, mood stability, and better immune function.

3. Long-term Blood Sugar Control: Achieving and maintaining a HbA1c of 5.3 or less requires consistent effort in managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and regular monitoring. This proactive approach helps individuals with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives.

How to achieve a healthy HbA1c level:

Achieving a HbA1c of 5.3% or less requires a comprehensive approach:

• Balanced Diet: This looks different for everybody. How "out of balance" are you currently? Some foods that are quite nutritious might need to be removed from your routine while we work to re-balance your blood sugar. Foods like processed sugars and refined carbohydrates should always be fairly limited.

• Targeted Supplementation: Nature gave us a wonderful arsenal of herbs, and the great thing about herbs? They work with the body, not against it and provide tons of nourishment. Some of my favorites herbs for reducing blood sugar are amla, moringa, insulin plant and gymnema sylvestre.

• Regular Physical Activity: Incorporate regular exercise into your routine, as physical activity helps lower blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity.
  

• Monitoring and Adjustments: Work with a professional and regularly monitor blood sugar levels, continually tweaking the diet until you are back in balance, for optimal results.

Hemoglobin A1c is a critical measure of long-term blood sugar control for anyone. Maintaining a HbA1c level of 5.3% or less significantly reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications and promotes overall health and well-being. By adopting a proactive approach to blood sugar management through lifestyle modifications and medical interventions, individuals can strive towards achieving and maintaining this healthy target, ensuring a higher quality of life.