“What gets measured gets managed.”

Measuring and monitoring blood glucose levels can also help you better manage your levels.

For example, keeping track helps you determine whether you need to make adjustments in meals or medications. It will also help you find out how your body reacts to certain foods.

Try measuring your levels every day and keeping track of the numbers in a log.

Getting enough sleep feels excellent and is necessary for good health.

Poor sleeping habits and a lack of rest can also affect blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. They can increase appetite and promote weight gain.

Sleep deprivation decreases the release of growth hormones and increases cortisol levels. Both of these play an essential role in blood sugar management.

Furthermore, adequate sleep is about both quantity and quality. It’s best to get a sufficient amount of high quality sleep every night.

High blood sugar levels and diabetes have also been linked to micronutrient deficiencies. Examples include deficiencies in the minerals chromium and magnesium.

Chromium is involved in carb and fat metabolism. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels. A lack of chromium may predispose you to carb intolerance.

However, the mechanisms behind this are not entirely known. Studies also report mixed findings.

Some studies of people with diabetes showed that chromium had benefits for long-term blood sugar management. However, the alternate has also been found.

Chromium-rich foods include:

• meats
• whole grain products
• fruit
• vegetables
• nuts

Magnesium has also been shown to benefit blood sugar levels, while magnesium deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of developing diabetes.

Studies have linked individuals with the highest magnesium intake with up to a 47% lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

However, if you already eat plenty of magnesium-rich foods, you probably will not benefit from supplements.

Magnesium-rich foods include:

• dark leafy greens
• squash and pumpkin seeds
• tuna
• whole grains
• dark chocolate
• bananas
• avocados
• beans

Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits. It promotes lower fasting blood sugar levels, possibly decreasing its production by the liver or increasing its use by cells.

Furthermore, studies show that vinegar significantly influences your body’s response to sugars and can help improve insulin sensitivity.

It may be mixed in a few ounces of water that you can drink before a high carb meal or be mixed in salad dressing.

However, it’s essential to talk with your doctor before taking apple cider vinegar if you’re already taking medications that lower blood sugar.

Cinnamon is known to have many health benefits. It’s been shown to improve insulin sensitivity by decreasing insulin resistance at the cellular level.

Studies show cinnamon can also lower blood sugar levels by up to 29%.

It slows the breakdown of carbs in the digestive tract, which moderates the rise in blood sugar after a meal.

However, there are risks involved if you take too much cinnamon.

Berberine is the active component of an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, including treating diabetes.

Berberine has been shown to help lower blood sugar and enhance carb breakdown for energy.

What’s more, berberine may be as effective as some blood-sugar-lowering drugs. This makes it one of the most effective supplements for those with diabetes or prediabetes.

However, many of the mechanisms behind its effects are still unknown. More high-quality studies are needed to determine its safety and effectiveness.

Additionally, it may have some side effects, such as:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• flatulence
• abdominal pain

Speak with your healthcare provider first if you’re considering using berberine.

Fenugreek seeds are a great source of soluble fiber, which can help manage blood sugar levels.

Many studies have shown that fenugreek can effectively lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. It also helps reduce fasting glucose and improve glucose tolerance.

Although not that popular, fenugreek can be added to baked goods to help treat diabetes.

The recommended dose of fenugreek seeds is 2–5 grams per day, although this varies from study to study.

It’s a no-brainer that maintaining a moderate weight will help improve your health and may help prevent future health problems.

Weight management also promotes healthy blood sugar levels and has been shown to help reduce your risk for developing diabetes.

Even a 7% reduction in body weight can decrease your risk for developing diabetes by up to 58%, and it seems to work even better than a common diabetes medication.

What’s more, these decreased risks can be sustained long term.

It’s important to monitor your waistline, as it’s perhaps the most crucial weight-related factor for estimating your diabetes risk.

A measurement of more than 35 inches (88.9 cm) for women and more than 40 inches (101.6 cm) for men is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels, and type 2 diabetes.

Having a healthy waist measurement may even be more important than your overall weight (91).