Keep Your Blood Sugar Healthy
Blood sugar is a big health topic today, especially in Western countries. Diabetes is on the rise, with over 422 million people living with it worldwide. In the past, it was a rarity, as our bodies evolved to get energy and nutrients from natural foods. However, today’s modern food supply is often highly processed, calorie-rich, and full of sugar.
Why Blood Sugar Matters
Your body uses blood sugar (glucose) for energy. Normal blood sugar is a HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1C) below 5.7% (39 mmol/mol). Levels above 6.5% (47 mmol/mol) are considered high, and levels above 7% (53 mmol/mol) are considered diabetic. High blood sugar can damage organs and cause long-term health problems.
Insulin is the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. If your body can’t make enough insulin or becomes resistant to it, blood sugar stays high. Over time, this can damage the pancreas and start a cycle that leads to diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes can often be reversed with the right lifestyle changes.
Signs and Risks of High Blood Sugar
Early signs include:
- Feeling tired
- Headaches
- Brain fog
- Feeling very thirsty
- Urinary frequency
Long-term high blood sugar can hurt your blood vessels. This can cause nerve damage, kidney issues, eye problems, and slow-healing foot injuries. It also increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and even cognitive decline. People with uncontrolled blood sugar often have shorter life expectancies.
Understanding HbA1c
HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over 2–3 months. For non-diabetics, normal HbA1c is 4–5.6%. After a diabetes diagnosis, the goal is below 7% (50 mmol/mol). Levels above 9% (75 mmol/mol) can be dangerous and lead to serious health problems like heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. Very high blood sugar can even cause diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening emergency.
How HbA1c Testing Works
HbA1c measures how much sugar attaches to hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Red blood cells live about 3 months, so this test shows your long-term blood sugar. Unlike single-point blood tests, HbA1c gives a clear picture of average blood sugar without dealing with the daily fluctuations.
Test at Home for More Control
You can get HbA1c tested in a lab, which involves a doctor’s prescription and a trip to the lab. Now at-home dried blood spot tests are becoming more popular – you can conveniently do it yourself at home and mail it off to the lab. They then give you insight into how your body handles sugar and suggests changes to put it in the healthy range of 4–5.6%.
The Zinzino HbA1c Test
The Zinzino HbA1c Test combines lab results with a lifestyle questionnaire. It’s processed by Vitas Analytical Services A/S, a world-class lab based in Oslo, Norway, and used by NASA and smoe major universities. Your results include personalized recommendations for diet, exercise, and supplements. This gives you a clear plan to manage your blood sugar and overall health. Here is how to get your own test kit.
