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 Can controlling diabetes protect your memory?
With diabetes, attention usually is focused on keeping blood sugar down. But, it’s also important to know how to raise blood sugar levels that drop too low — a condition called hypoglycemia.
If you have diabetes, you’re most likely aware of the many reasons to keep the disease under control. Doing so can help reduce the risk of several health complications, such as vision problems, heart disease and nerve damage.
Research now suggests that controlling your glucose levels may help protect your brain, too. That’s because uncontrolled diabetes may cause memory loss and impair other cognitive skills. It may even put you at greater risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
In a recent study called Memory in Diabetes (MIND), researchers examined more than 2,900 people with diabetes. To find those who had the poorest control over blood sugar levels, the researchers looked at the participants’ A1C levels. This is the measure of a person’s average blood glucose over the past two to three months.
Then, the participants were tested on memory, learning ability and multitasking skills. The results showed that those with the highest A1C levels — the poorest control of blood glucose — performed worse on the tests.
The study’s authors say more research is needed to learn how diabetes affects memory. It may be that people with poor cognitive skills have a difficult time managing their diabetes. For instance, they may have trouble remembering to take their medicine. But, researchers believe the cognitive decline may be linked to:
- Heart disease, which is common in people with diabetes
- Chronic exposure to high blood sugar in the brain
- Reduced insulin action in brain tissue
One aim of the ongoing MIND study is to verify that lowering A1C levels will result in improved cognitive function.
Taking control
It’s important to manage your diabetes every day. Of course, it’s natural to sometimes feel that it’s difficult to stay motivated. But, control of blood glucose may help give you many more years of a healthful, active life.
If you have diabetes, be sure to follow your doctor’s guidance. He or she may advise that you:
- Check your glucose level on a regular basis. Your doctor can suggest when and how often to monitor.
- Have your A1C level tested at least twice a year.
- Take your medicines as prescribed. Don’t change your medication routine without talking with your doctor first.
- Lose extra pounds. One way to see if you’re in a healthful weight range is to know your body mass index (BMI). This number is a measure of body fat. Visit www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi to calculate your BMI.
- Eat healthfully. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Try to cut out foods with high saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.
- Exercise regularly. But, talk with your doctor before you significantly increase your level of physical activity.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs.
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Learn more about controlling diabetes
To learn more, visit myuhc.com. Click “Health & Wellness,” then “Conditions AtoZ.” Select “Type 2 Diabetes” from the drop-down menu.
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