How to reduce a1c?

You can reduce a1c through lifestyle changes and certain medications. 

Here’s what you need to know about HbA1c ranges and what they mean [

1

]: 

• Normal: < 5.7%

• Prediabetes: between 5.7% and 6.4%

• Diabetes: > 6.5%

HbA1c is most often used to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes and monitor the effectiveness of interventions to manage blood sugar. Symptoms of pre-diabetes and diabetes often can go undetected, and it’s beneficial to know your A1c level even if you’re not at high risk for developing these conditions.  

Here are some lifestyle changes to help lower your HbA1c levels [

2

]. 

• Eat a balanced diet of protein (try

  Smart Protein

  to help meet your needs), carbohydrates, and fats.

• Aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (about 30 minutes, 5 days per week). 

• Limit refined carbohydrates and added sugar, and choose whole foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts.

• Lose excess weight if you are overweight or obese.

• Follow your diabetes treatment plan if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Some common diabetes medications include [

3

]: 

• Insulin

• Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)

• Metformin

• Sulfonylureas

• Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)

While medications may be recommended for some, you can also consider certain

GLP-1 supplements to help manage blood sugar

. Talk with your healthcare provider to see which option is right for you.