What to watch with HbA1c and Langlebigkeit?

HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months and is a key marker in longevity research. Maintaining HbA1c in the optimal range (e.g., 5.0–5.6%) is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and accelerated aging. However, caution is needed: very low HbA1c (<4.5%) may indicate hypoglycemia and is linked to increased mortality, especially in older adults or those with diabetes. Factors like anemia, hemoglobin variants, and chronic kidney disease can distort readings. For longevity, HbA1c should be interpreted alongside fasting glucose, insulin, and inflammatory markers. Genetic testing for HbA1c is not actionable because lifestyle and diet are the main drivers. Evidence comes from large epidemiological studies, not RCTs directly targeting longevity. Caveat: individual targets should be set by a physician.