Are you concerned about your blood sugar levels? If so, you’re not alone. Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and another 86 million have prediabetes. Fortunately, professionals like Dr. Ryan Shelton, Zenith Labs, say there are several things you can do to control your blood sugar levels and lower your A1C naturally. Here are five of them.
Eat A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is essential for managing blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of long-term complications. Foods high in fiber and low in saturated fat can help keep blood sugar levels steady while avoiding spikes and crashes. In addition, complex carbohydrates like beans and whole grains take longer to digest, which can help to prevent sharp increases in blood sugar. Furthermore, healthy fats such as olive oil and avocados can help to promote satiety and control cravings. Lastly, including protein-rich foods like eggs and salmon can also help to regulate blood sugar levels. By incorporating these nutrient-dense foods into your diet, you can help to naturally control your blood sugar and lower your A1C over time.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is good for your overall health, but it can also help control blood sugar levels. When you exercise, your body’s muscles use glucose for energy. This can help to lower blood sugar levels in the short term. In addition, regular exercise can also increase insulin sensitivity, which allows the body to regulate blood sugar over a long time better. Even moderate exercise like brisk walking or light jogging can positively impact blood sugar control. So if you’re looking to improve your AIC, be sure to add some exercise into your routine.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar Closely
It’s essential to closely monitor your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes. Checking your blood sugar regularly helps you see how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. It also enables you to catch low blood sugar levels early before becoming a medical emergency. A1C is a test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. The goal for many people with diabetes is to keep their A1C level below 7%. Keeping your A1C in this range often requires more than just taking diabetes medication. It often also requires making changes to your diet and exercise habits. Working with a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator can help you make these changes. They can also provide valuable support and motivation.
Take Medications As Prescribed by Your Doctor
It is essential to take medications as prescribed by your doctor. First, by doing so, you are more likely to achieve the desired effect of the medicine. Second, taking medications as prescribed can help to prevent drug resistance. When a patient does not take their medication as prescribed, they increase the chances of the bacteria or virus becoming resistant to the drug.
Dr. Ryan Shelton, Zenith Labs says this can lead to the need for more potent, more toxic medications. Finally, taking medications as prescribed can help to avoid dangerous drug interactions. When two or more drugs are taken together, they can interact to reduce the efficacy of one or both drugs or create potentially hazardous side effects. By taking medications as prescribed, you can help to avoid these risks.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes is another crucial step in managing diabetes. If you smoke, quitting smoking can help to improve blood sugar control. In addition, reducing stress levels can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. Lastly, getting enough sleep is also crucial for blood sugar control. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Final Thoughts
By following these five tips, you can help to naturally control your blood sugar levels and lower your AIC over time. So if you’re looking to improve your diabetes management, be sure to give these tips a try.