Do you deal with high blood sugar levels that you can’t seem to bring down? You are not alone. Millions of people are living with elevated A1C levels that need to be regulated. As a naturopathic doctor my focus is always on addressing the root cause of the issue; I believe in helping my patients with the most natural approach to reach their optimal health.
Best Natural Way to Lower a1c Levels
When dealing with A1C levels we need to understand hemoglobin, which is a protein that is found in our red blood cells. (1) Hemoglobin is what gives blood its red color and transfers the oxygen throughout our bodies. When sugar, also known as glucose, enters the body it attaches to the hemoglobin and gives it a sugar coating. The A1C test checks to see the percentage of your blood cells that have this sugar coating. Those with higher levels of sugar have higher A1C levels too.
The A1C test measures the average blood sugar levels accumulated over the course of three months. This test is very important because it shows just how much sugar is attached to the hemoglobin. If your A1C levels are higher, you are more likely to be diagnosed diabetic or prediabetic. Therefore, it is crucial to get those A1C levels lowered and regulated. Here are four tips that can help you manage your glucose and insulin levels, naturally.
4 Ways to Lower A1C Levels Naturally
1. Balance Your Minerals to Lower A1C Levels
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a person to have some form of mineral deficiency. Our farmlands have become deficient in micronutrients, which lowers the nutrient content in the actual produce. One study showed that over the course of 50 years, the mineral content of cabbage, spinach, and lettuce has been drastically reduced from 400 milligrams to just 50 milligrams. (3) Since so much of our soil and the food that is grown in it has been depleted of minerals, it follows that many people struggle with depleted minerals in their own bodies. Two key mineral deficiencies that lead to high A1C values and glucose dysregulation are chromium and selenium. These are important for opening our cell receptivity to glucose and insulin. To help in this area I recommend trying this multi mineral blend.
2. Extend Fasting to Lower A1C Levels
If you happen to be dealing with A1C levels of 7.3 or above, these are warning signs for your system that need to be handled quickly. Due to these higher levels, you may want to explore an extended fast to lower your A1C levels. This fast would be only water based (herbal tea is fine) of NO FOOD, for 72-76 hours. This can reset your metabolic process and adaptation to insulin and glucose receptivity, naturally.
3. Glucose Supplement to Lower A1C Levels
A great supplement to take especially for those who are borderline prediabetic or diabetic is Glucose Regulation Guard Forte. It contains a number of helpful herbs and compounds that can help your body adapt better to the insulin and glucose that is being released by your body. It can help lower your A1C naturally and contains specific dosing instructions as well. Interested in giving it a try? Click here.
4. Reduce Stress to Lower A1C Levels
Stress triggers hormonal reactions that can lead to elevated levels of A1C. This is our body’s natural stress response in action, and it works as it should to keep us alive when danger arises. Although this fight or flight response can be integral to surviving stressful, dangerous moments, we sometimes get stuck there. When we constantly live in a stressed out state, it can lead to a number of issues like increased A1C levels. (4)
Those under chronic stress have an imbalance of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol influences the parts of our brain that control mood and behavior. (5) An elevation in cortisol directly correlates with an elevation in insulin, which is another hormone. When insulin levels are high we get a quick burst of energy which, in turn, releases glucose into our system. This is how chronic stress influences A1C levels: unnecessary sugar. Stress management is crucial not just in lowering A1C levels, but maintaining them at an appropriate level too.
Tips on Stress Management for Lower A1C Levels
- Exercise
- Getting Plenty of Sleep
- Meditation/Breathing
- Yoga
- Laughter
- Herbal Compound called “Cortisol Manager”
- Extended Fasting (2-5 days of full fasting)
Managing stress may be more difficult for some people than others. If that’s you, try “Cortisol Manager”, a supplement to help give you the extra boost you need to manage stress more effectively. It helps lower your insulin levels, and can help reduce your A1C levels as well. This is a great product to incorporate into your daily lifestyle, even if you are already eating clean and incorporating other practices into your routine.
As you now know, cortisol levels play an important part in managing your A1C levels, and many people are living with too much stress these days. With this stress, cortisol levels constantly rise and fall, creating imbalance. To find out what your cortisol levels look like, purchase a test kit here. It is a saliva-based test, and very easy to use. It will help you get a better understanding of where your body stands and if you need to regulate your A1C levels.
If you believe you are in need of assistance with managing A1C levels, I hope you find these suggestions helpful. If you would like to work with me in person, I offer virtual appointments with anyone, anywhere the world. I strive to help every one of my patients get to the root of their health issues with the right tools to achieve optimal health. If you would like to schedule an appointment, you can visit here for more information.
Sources
- https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/glycated-hemoglobin-test-hba1c
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a1c.html
- https://thebiostation.com/bioblog/do-you-have-vitamin-deficiency/
- https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-and-the-body
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-cortisol
