Fasting insulin less than 5; HgbA1c less than 5.6
The tenth intervention to reverse mild Alzheimer's in the Bredesen Protocol is:
- Goal Fasting insulin <5 uIU/ml; HgbA1c <5.6% (earlier version of the protocol was Fasting insulin <7; HgbA1c <5.5)
- Approach Diet as above
- Rationale Type II diabetes-AD relationship
HgbA1c (Glycated hemoglobin) gives you an indication of your average glucose over the past 1-2 months and is better than a spot check of your glucose. It is helpful to know the hemoglobin A1c, the fasting insulin, and the fasting glucose, since these offer complementary information. Hemoglobin A1c should be less than 5.6%, fasting blood glucose should be less than 90 mg/dl, and fasting insulin should be less than 5 ulU/ml. These are critical for optimal cognitive function.
Avoid simple carbohydrates and high glycemic index foods; exercise regularly; cinnamon 1/4 tsp each day; alpha-lipoic acid; chromium picolinate; N-acetyl cysteine.
- References:
- Improving and Retaining Memory Function Feb 15, 2015
The next intervention in the Bredesen Protocol is Hormone balance.