Heme/Hemoglobin/RBCs

The importance of RBCs:
If we didn't have them, we would not be here.
Heme is the iron containing molecule that is part of the bigger complex of hemoglobin. This hemoglobin carries oxygen. Hemoglobin is the entire protein in a RBC that gets glycated (HgbA1C is the measure for diabetes). Hemoglobin is not the only protein in the RBC that gets glycated, but hemoglobin is our pick for measuring diabetes.
When an RBC is glycated, it gets deformed and is harder to maneuver through arteries, especially if they are narrow. You can see how this could encourage blood to slow and clot... example, MI.
In order to lower glycation, lower the amount of glucose available in the body. Don't take your RBCs for granted! You wouldn't purposely injure yourself to lose RBCs, so why would you purposely cause their destruction with your dietary choices?