Many people are aware that Hemoglobin A1c is an important blood test that reveals what your blood sugar (glucose) level has been averaging for the last 90 days. It is the standard laboratory test to measure blood sugar control in those with diabetes. It can also be used to determine if one is pre-diabetic.
What most people don’t know (including most doctors), is that Hemoglobin A1c has important implications for brain health. In a landmark study published in the journal Neurology, researchers found that, of all the available blood tests, the one test that correlated best with brain volume (size) and age-associated brain atrophy (shrinkage) was Hemoglobin A1c. This was verified by MRI brain scans. Those individuals with the lowest Hemoglobin A1c (5.2 or less) had little or no brain atrophy.
Comments: Most labs define “normal” Hemoglobin A1c as 5.6 or less, “prediabetes” as 5.7 to 6.4, and “diabetes” as 6.5 or greater. However, the ideal or optimum Hemoglobin A1c is 5.2 or less. The good news is, in most cases, without using medication, you have absolute control over your Hemoglobin A1c level. Lowering it to 5.2 or less not only protects your brain as you age, it dramatically lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. If you do not know your Hemoglobin A1c level, I urge you to get it checked. If your level is not 5.2 or less, you should consult with a doctor trained in metabolic and nutritional medicine.
