How To Lower A1c Without Medication

Many people with type 2 diabetes want to lower A1c without medication, or reduce the medication they are taking – and this is possible!

Let’s talk about how to do it.

Limitations of Lowering A1c With Medication

Anti-glycemic medications are useful without a doubt. But it’s not great to rely solely on medication to lower A1c, as medications do have limitations.

A medication can only lower A1c so much. Take Metformin as an example. This is one of the most prescribed anti-glycemic medications available. The maximum reduction a person will see from taking Metformin at the highest dosage is 1.5%.

The same is true for other medications, the maximum reduction effect is 1.5% for sulfonylureas; whereas others such as sodium glucose transport inhibitor-2s (SGLT2) or DPP-4 inhibitors, the maximum reduction effect is 0.7%.

While the medications can help, the effects are limited, which is why it’s not uncommon to see people with type 2 diabetes prescribed multiple anti-glycemic medications.

Sure, sometimes this may be needed and there is nothing wrong with medication if you need them. But oftentimes there is clinical inertia – where a doctor may not be reviewing your medication and dosages regularly enough, or recommending other alternatives to reduce or limit medication use.

Plus, if you’re taking more and more medication, your blood sugar may look better, but this indicates your diabetes is actually getting worse. 

And there are options to lower A1c without medication…

How To Lower A1c Without Medication

You have two powerful tools at your fingertips to lower A1c without medication.

1. Moving your body more
2. The food you put into your mouth

1. Move Your Body More

Our bodies were made to move, so get off your butt and move more!

It doesn’t matter what it is – walking, gardening, yoga, dancing, swimming – whatever it is, moving is essential to improve insulin sensitivity, for general health, and to help lower A1c.

If you have mobility issues, do what you can. Sit in a chair and lift some arm weights, or do chair leg lifts. Find what you can do and do more of it.

2. Without Medication Diet Lowers A1c

What you eat is very powerful and can lower A1c levels more effectively than medication.

Depending how committed you are, you can lower your A1c by 0.2 to 3.8% in about 16 weeks – that’s the range we see in members following our healthy eating guidelines.

It can be very difficult to get a 3.8% reduction through medication alone, and in just 16 weeks!

So again, what you eat is very powerful and can lower A1c levels more effectively than medication.

A1c is tested every 3-4 months, so we recommend people update their eating plan for 4 months to achieve initial A1c reductions.

If you keep at it beyond the first 4 months, you can lower your A1c levels more, with many people achieving and maintaining lower A1c levels over the long term (for years), with diet only!

>> Here’s a few tips on getting started with your eating plan.

Let Us Help You Lower A1c Without Medication

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We’ve been supporting people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes lower A1c without medication, for years! Join Us As A Member – let us support you too!