A: Thanks for asking that question, Fred. I want to take the opportunity to let you know how we prepare my columns and how science-based the opinions and ideas are.

But first — BMJ stands for British Medical Journal. Like JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association), they decided to go with initials a few years ago, and it became their official name. Case Reports is a related journal they put out that offers interesting case studies — they may just be one-offs, but their implications are useful.

In the case of the migraine case study, the remedy offered — the Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet — is clearly healthful. Eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruits and avoiding red meats and dairy is something that is beneficial for heart health and to quell inflammation. And because it is simply a case study, the column makes it clear it “may” help with migraines. For the 40 million folks in the U.S. who are desperate to find relief from the pain and the life-interfering intrusions of migraines, it accurately says it “might” be worth a try.

As for the overall approach to the columns, let me assure you that, as they are developed, they are carefully researched and footnoted for references — virtually all of which are primary sources. We identify studies (as much as possible given the column word-length restrictions) as clinical, randomized, double blind, lab-based — whatever is the fact. And I am delighted to tell you that on the website that is launching in the early fall, GreatAgeReboot.com, we will be posting the columns along with their references/footnotes/sources so that you can see, firsthand, where the info came from.

Q: I am a generally healthy, white, 75-year-old male, 5 foot, 7 inches, 165 pounds. My annual physical and bloodwork showed an elevated “prediabetic” Hgb A1c of 5.9 (normal 4.8-5.6). I take NSAIDs for osteoarthritis (knees) and a low-dose statin (LDL 85, HDL 77, Tri 42). I exercise (mostly cycling) regularly. My dad developed Type 1 diabetes at age 12 and lived into his late 60s before dying of renal failure. Is my A1c worrisome? What can I, or should I, do about it?

Arthur J., Lincoln, Neb.

A: You are doing some things right — attending to your heart health with exercise and a statin — but you are a bit overweight, and that’s a risk factor for elevated blood glucose and insulin resistance. Both are signs of prediabetes, and insulin resistance increases your risk of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, cognitive dysfunction and inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis. That’s why it’s important to achieve a healthful A1c level.

My top recommendations for reducing glucose levels and insulin resistance are:

  Increase your daily physical activity, especially strength training

  Upgrade your diet by reducing your intake of foods that spike glucose levels, such as added syrups and simple carbs, and try intermittent fasting (details are in my book “What to Eat When”).

  Adopt stress-management techniques such as meditation.

  Improve your sleep quality by adopting a schedule (go to bed and awake at the same time daily), taking digital screens out of the bedroom and making sure the room is cool, dark and quiet.

  Reduce chronic inflammation. You can do this by flossing regularly and having good dental care. Also, ask your doctor about getting a blood test to measure your levels of inflammatory markers such as hsCRP and MPO. Also ask about taking an 81 milligram aspirin twice a day with half a glass of water before and after and about taking CoQ10 and phosphocreatine. For more support in managing prediabetes and diabetes, check out the book “This Is Your Do-Over.”