Reducing blood sugar may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s

One of the conditions many older adults worry about as they age is dementia, particularly in the form of Alzheimer’s disease.

Recent studies and researchers have determined a link between high blood sugar levels and the formation of dementia, which includes a loss of memory and thinking skills that afflicts millions of older adults.

Prior studies show that even when diabetes was not evident, there is a correlation between sugar and dementia. A blood sugar level above normal levels (depending on activity level and weight, among other factors) can contribute to an elevated risk of developing dementia. Those with high blood sugar have a faster rate of cognitive decline than those with normal blood sugar—whether or not those blood sugar levels classified people as being diabetic.

Insulin-degrading enzyme, a product of insulin that breaks down both insulin and amyloid proteins in the brain, are the same proteins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease, is a factor in the connection to dementia.

People who have type 1 diabetes and don’t produce enough insulin can’t break down the amyloid proteins naturally. Those who take insulin to treat diabetes can end up with a surplus of insulin in the body. The insulin-degrading enzyme gets used up trying to break the surplus down not leaving enough enzyme to tackle amyloid brain clumping proteins. This can also occur in people with elevated blood sugar, even if they don’t have diabetes.

People who have elevated blood sugar levels, or roughly 100 mg/dL or higher after a fast, can tame sugar levels by exercising, losing weight and staying away from highly refined grains. People may also want to favor a Mediterranean diet that focuses on fish, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, and beans over a processed and sugary food.

—MetroCreativeConnection