How to lower a1c | Imamother

amother

DarkYellow

Tue, Oct 15 2024, 8:36 pm

Saturated fats are in all animal products, red meats, chicken (lower than meat, but still), milk, cheese, choc,, oils, coconut oil is especially high in saturated fats. Many protein bars are also loaded.
You have to get your protein from plant based sources, ie: tofu, soy milk, edamame, etc....
You have to learn to read nutrition labels. For example: impossible meat isn't animal fat, must be healthy. Wrong, its loaded with saturated fats. May as well have a burger for that.
But whole complex carbs are also important. Fiber, non starchy veggies, fruit ( berries in particular) also very important.
And exercise!! Aerobic and strength!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Oct 15 2024, 9:15 pm

amother Cream wrote:

Just chiming in that I can relate. My a1c was 5.3 3 months ago and now it's 5.5 no clue why. I actually lost 30lb since and I've been doing keto so almost not eating carbs. I also do intermittent fasting. I am very overweight but it should've gone down not up

This is exactly how I feel

amother

↑ Winterberry

Tue, Oct 15 2024, 9:28 pm

amother Cream wrote:

Keto can mess up your body. Don’t eliminate all carbs. Eliminate all types of sugar and sweeteners including artificial sweeteners, but eat healthy carbs like oats, legumes, brown rice, yams. You need the fiber and you need the carbs too or your hormones get messed up.

nylon

Tue, Oct 15 2024, 9:44 pm

5.8 is only just over the normal range, and a lot of doctors aren't fully convinced by that 5.7 threshold. What was your A1c this time? And there's negligible difference between 5.3 and 5.5. These are well within healthy numbers and this is normal fluctuation. No one will prescribe medication at this point. Some doctors will prescribe for pre diabetes at a 6, but you're not diabetic till you're over 6.5. (I have diabetes.)

There's no point doing an A1c more than every 90 days; you won't get meaningful results. CGMs don't have evidence for people who aren't diabetic because your pancreas work normally and you won't see the same postprandial spikes.

Nearly 50% of women with PCOS will develop Type 2 by age 40; I just missed out on that milestone by getting an official diagnosis at 41. We have a metabolic disorder. If you progress to T2D, it isn't a reflection on you, or mean you didn't eat right.

amother

↑ Broom

Wed, Oct 16 2024, 2:39 am

nylon wrote:

PCOS is a cluster of symptoms, not a life sentence. Of course you can prevent tipping over into t2, and even reverse it if it happens.
Diet will be a huge piece. Androgens will be another. Addressing the thyroid piece a third.

amother

↑ Cyclamen ↓

Wed, Oct 16 2024, 5:53 am

amother OP wrote:

I’m the op- my numbers went from 5.8 to 6.1

Are you using artificial sweeteners?
Did you lose any weight the last few weeks that you were being careful?

You should ask your doctor for medication that lowers your sugar levels and also helps with weight loss.m

I agree that it’s strange that your numbers went up specifically at a time when you were being careful.

When’s the next blood test?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Wed, Oct 16 2024, 7:07 am

I hardly use maple syrup. But when I need to sweetened something it’s the flavor I prefer most

Nothing artificial

Yes I lost about 11lbs which is huge for me. I don’t look any different! I even measure myself with a tape measure and nothin.

Why isn’t it all falling off?!?!

amother

↑ Cyclamen

Wed, Oct 16 2024, 7:27 am

amother OP wrote:

I think if you continue doing what you’ve been doing your weight and sugar levels will go down. If you already lost 11 lbs then you’re doing something right! There’s a significant difference in appearance and lab tests after 3-4 months. So don’t stop now. Even though it’s succos and there will be more food than usual. Try very hard to stick with it because your efforts will show very soon.
And if not, there’s medication. Hopefully you won’t have to go that route.

amother

Teal ↓

Wed, Oct 16 2024, 8:01 am

Read about Leptin resistance. It’s not just what you eat but also the timing. I agreee with previous posters that too little carbs can mess up your hormones.
Also morning walks in the morning light and proper blue blocking at night is very important for circadian rhythm and therefore Leptin, insulin and all other hormones

amother

↑ OP ↓

Wed, Oct 16 2024, 8:13 am

I reallly appreciate all the responses and suggestions!

I don’t think I have leptin resistance. I do t have a big appetite at all. I do take morning walks often

Something is off with me and I’d love to figure it out.

I went on metformin once but didn’t have much luck. But I also wasn’t eating as perfectly as I am now

When I lose another 10lbs I will celebrate.

I need to lose another 30 min but I’ll take it 10lbs at a time

amother

Fuchsia

Wed, Oct 16 2024, 9:47 am

Are you for sure type 2 and not type 1? Did your doctor test for diabetes antibodies and c-peptide? Many adults are misdiagnosed type 2 because of malpractice of doctors that dont do the right type of the testing. There is a type of autoimmune diabetes that can start in adulthood.
Rapid Weight loss plus higher a1c can suggest that you may be type 1 and then no amount of dieting or exercise would lower a1c and you would need insulin like the rest of type 1s.
Just wanted to add this information to this thread because there are many many adults misdiagnosed unfortunately.

shanie5 ↓

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 7:42 pm

wantavaca wrote:

No sugar no carbs??
Like how is that sustainable in this world?
I don’t understand
I’m also needing to lower numbers but I feel so stuck… the thought of deprivation makes me want more and more

It's easy once you get used to it. Very sustainable.
I don't look at it as depriving myself. I look at all that I can eat. Foods that I've eaten with guilt before, I now eat knowing it's actually good for me. I'm talking red meat-with the fat. Chicken skin. heavy cream. Eggs. Butter. Nuts.

Once I got myself off all sugars and sweeteners, I don't crave them anymore and am fine without them. Am I tempted sometimes? Sure. But not to the point of 'I must have some".

I never thought I could manage long term without pasta. But I haven't had any in over 2 years. And I don't miss it anymore.